Top 10 Albums 2024 – Killian Laher

It’s that time of year….

In a world that can push your nerves to the limit, it’s a great comfort that once again some great albums are being made which will provide much-needed relief.  Here’s my take on the albums of the year:

10. Midwife – No Depression In Heaven

This is one spooky album. Like a scary, yet comforting aural blanket around your ears.

9. Kim Deal – Nobody Loves You More

Kim Deal is in great form here, doing what she does very well while also pushing her sound into new areas.

8. Pearl Jam – Dark Matter

The last Seattle band still intact released some life-affirming tunes.  Nobody does this quite like Vedder and Co.

7. Newdad – Madra

An excellent debut channelling all kinds of influences into something new.

6. DIIV – Frog In Boiling Water

The best pure guitar album of the year.  The guitars hit in just the right way, and they have the songs to match too.

5. Chequerboard – Souvenir

A long-awaited collection from John Lambert.  He excels on these instrumentals, creating gorgeous soundscapes.

4. Tindersticks – Soft Tissue

The old reliable. Tindersticks doing what they do really well on a somewhat brighter-sounding album than of late.

3. The Cure – Songs of a Lost World

Comeback of the year.  God, it’s good to have The Cure back. Fabulous tunes and playing, an album that’s definitely right up there in their catalogue.

2. A Lazarus Soul – No Flowers Grow In Cement Gardens

After their last album, they have risen to possibly greater heights here.  An extraordinary combination of incredible writing and fantastic tunes.

1. Oisin Leech – Cold Sea

A simple but addictive album. Really well put together as an album and one of many great reasons to visit Inishowen.