Best of 2024: Overall top 10

The best of the best, from where I'm sitting

Welcome to part 4 of the DFSBP year-end roundup! (I think it’s the final one, but I reserve the right to revise that statement between now and New Year’s.) Part 1, dealing with new jazz recordings, can be found here; part 2, dealing with various reissues and archival releases can be found right over here; and part 3, covering metal, punk, rock, etc. lives here.

Here are my 10 favorite new releases of 2024, all genres in play. You’ll find more on each of these albums in either part 1 or part 3 of this Best of 2024 roundup — see links above. Also note that those two prior posts have been expanded a bit, with new blurbs added for some of the auxiliary jazz picks, and one new title added to the “Heavy stuff” rundown.

Before I roll out the list, I just want to say thanks so much for reading my work this year, whether here or elsewhere. It means a lot. Hope you’ve found something to dig within the content of this newsletter — if so, consider spreading the word on social media or telling a friend. Every little bit helps!

Happy holidays from all of us here at DFSBP (OK, just me…).

PS: And for anyone who might be curious, all of my annual top 10 lists stretching back to 2005 live here, on the old blog.

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Top 10 albums of 2024

1. The Jesus Lizard, Rack (Ipecac)

2. Gouge Away, Deep Sage (Deathwish Inc.)

3. Pearl Jam, Dark Matter (Monkeywrench / Republic)

4. The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis (Impulse!)

5. Upright Forms, Blurred Wires (Skin Graft)

6. Tyshawn Sorey, The Susceptible Now (Pi)

7. Chat Pile, Cool World (The Flenser)

8. Tarbaby, You Think This America (Giant Step Arts)

9. Luke Stewart Silt Trio, Unknown Rivers (Pi)

10. Dirty Three, Love Changes Everything (Drag City)

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11. J. Robbins, Basilisk (Dischord) [Note: Enjoyed this one earlier in the year, but only became obsessed in late Dec., after spotting it atop Conan Neutron’s year-end list. Almost certainly would have made room for it above if I’d gone back sooner. Incredible record!]