List of the Week + The pursuit of the perfect summer playlist
My favorite albums of the year so far. Does the perfect summer song exist?
My Favorite Albums of The Year So Far
What's the best way to approach a mid-year list? Personally, I don't think it makes sense to rank albums in June. So much can change between now and January. Unless there's a new Bright Eyes or Conor Oberst album out this year, I can't see anything dethroning my album of the year. And who wants to see the same album at the top spot on both my mid-year and end-of-year lists? Boring!
Instead, here are my favorite albums of the year so far, listed by month since January.
Sidenote: I hate writing reviews, especially for so many albums, but I recently read Pitchfork’s “The Best Music of 2024” list and I really liked the quick and short descriptions they used to describe each album. I’m not plagiarizing, but simply following the format
January
Wall of Eyes - The Smile:
Not as good as In Rainbows, but better than The King of Limbs and A Moon Shaped Pool. All Thom Yorke & Jonny Greenwood projects are at least 4/5 stars. This album is beautiful.
Iechyd Da - Bill Ryder-Jones:
Britpop. It’s back? Somewhere between Oasis, Blur, and Pulp. Not sure what the hell the album title means. "This Can’t Go On" is a certified platinum dad rock delight!
February
Where we’ve been, Where we go from here - Friko:
Could go off the rails at anytime, in the best possible way. This would have been an early 2000s Saddle Creek masterpiece. Some real bangers on this one.
The Past is Still Alive - Hurray For The Riff Raff:
Straddles the line between country and indie rock. Indie-country? Did I just invent a new genre? Nah, Wilco already did that. Anyway… confessional heartbreaking songs about coming of age and navigating the curses of human existence.
March
Tigers Blood - Waxahatchee
How does she bring the heat every time? Country, yes. Indie rock, also yes. Great for summer drives and mowing the lawn.
Bright Future - Adrianne Lenker
Big Thief without the instruments. Also, how does she remain prolific without sacrificing quality? Rare feat.
Diamond Jubilee - Cindy Lee
Put it on and forget about everything. Very long, but not boring.
April
Only God Was Above Us - Vampire Weekend
“F*** the world, you said it quiet.” I love it when a band can write about the state of the world without actually writing about the state of the world. “Untrue, unkind, and unnatural.” “In dreams I scream piano.”
S/T - Hovvdy
I’ve heard it described as Japandroids without the Celebration Rock. I’m not sure I agree with that. Two dudes making soft confessional indie rock songs. Also, strangely perfect for mowing the lawn.
May
Death Jokes - Amen Dunes
Long in the making. I’m still spending time with this one. In the words of Kacey Musgraves, “It’s a slow burn.”
Here In The Pitch - Jessica Pratt
Beautiful. Quiet. Exquisite. A companion to FJM’s Chloe? Is this Jazz? Champerpop? IDK, but It’s pretty as hell.
The Fool - Young Jesus:
A weird one, for sure. Cringe lyrics. Deep voice. But it works. Reminds me of Wild Pink’s ILYSM.
I Saw The TV Glow - (Various Artists/Soundtrack)
A review I listened to called it (paraphrasing here) the “Garden State” soundtrack for the new indie kids. I’m a 40-year-old dude. I don’t know the new indie kids? Indie kids, you like?
June
Miracle Focus - Strand of Oaks
Finally reached the real, “Hyperspace Blues”. This is a journey into the mystic for sure. Tim, if you are listening, you’re a cool, dude and I respect this album so much.
Lived Here for a While - Good Looks
Headline should read: Texas socialists make a killer follow-up. “If It’s Gone” is one of the best songs of the year. Another lawn mowing classic :)
In Hot Pursuit of the Perfect Summer Playlist
Since 2011 I’ve made over 30 summer playlists. Over the past three years (including this year) I’ve made a weekly summer playlist over my ten weeks off for summer vacation. I’m not counting all the cd mixes I made in college. Needless to say, it’s become an obsession of mine. I don’t know why? How come I don’t have a winter playlist obsession?
I thought I would share a few of my favorites I’ve made over the years and one I didn’t make.
2012
2014
2017
2021
A friend sent me this one like 9 years ago and I still come back to it every summer
Your best post yet.