GL.24.06: Caseysimone Ballestas
GL.24.13: MARISA PLAICE
GL.24.14: Desa Warner
GL.24.15: Mario Sanders
GL.24.16: Carl Anderson
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Remember back to when you were a child, and the holidays were such a fun, magical time? It was all twinkly lights and too much sugar and presents presents presents.
Well I’m here to let you in on something.
Behind all that, your parents were losing their shit.
There’s the shopping and the wrapping and the end of year school activities and oh the school’s director would like to fit in a quick meeting before the end of the year as would the head of every other activity your child is involved in and hey can you pull together five different proofs of residence so you can REGISTER YOUR CHILD FOR KINDERGARTEN REAL QUICK???
But I digress.
Am I throwing my children under the bus to excuse my late submission? Possibly. Are they truly to blame? No question. (Just kidding, sorta). Anyway if you don’t like that theme you should probably stop reading now cuz they’re a big reason my music consumption has shifted so drastically in recent years, and I am absolutely gonna call them out. Well ok, it’s them and true crime podcasts. But who among us hasn’t experienced this?? (No one, Marisa. Absolutely no one). Ok then, let’s do this!
My first album of note that came out in 2024 was Willi Carlisle’s Critterland. I have absolutely no recollection of how I stumbled upon him, but he is a gem. His songs are sorrowful with a tinge of humor - “The Arrangements” and “When the Pills Wear Off” in particular stand out. But my favorite track is “Two-Headed Lamb”, a mournful song about a - wait for it - two headed lamb. I think this song stood out due to the fact that it’s reminiscent of, and possibly inspired by, the Laura Gilpin poem “The Two-Headed Calf”. I love that poem so much I have a tattoo based on it, and Carlisle, whether he intended to or not, manages to capture its themes of tragedy and acceptance. The end result is beautiful.
Next up was The Last Dinner Party’s Prelude to Ecstasy. This album was great, and like the rest of the world, “Nothing Matters” was the big standout for me. Then I fell off and I don’t remember why, probably because I was forced to listen to the Gabby’s Dollhouse playlist on repeat (I switched over to Apple Music for that one so I wouldn’t ruin my Spotify algorithm). No I am not including Gabby’s Dollhouse on my end of year playlist - but I’m tempted to include “Shiny” from Moana. Anyway what was I talking about?
Oh right. Bleachers released an album and my favorite track was “Isimo”. I used to LOVE Bleachers but haven’t been feeling the last few releases. That being said, Jack Antanoff is still killing it as a producer (that’s a hint for favorite albums to come).
And then! Waxahatchee released Tigers Blood, which in my opinion is her best album to date, and one of my absolute favorite albums of the year. It was somehow reminiscent of her older stuff while completely fitting in with her more recent stuff. It is perfect. “Crimes of the Heart” is perfect. Her duet with MJ Lenderman is beyond perfect (more previews of coming attractions).
Beyoncé released a country album, which I thought I’d love, but unfortunately I didn’t. It felt chaotic and too long. Moving on.
Phosphorescent released an album and I still haven’t listened to it! Sigh. Moving on again.
AND THEN. A single called “Good Luck, Babe!” was released by a little known singer named Chappell Roan. I listened to it. I loved it. I listened to her album and loved her even more. I watched her Tiny Desk Concert, her Fallon performance. I believe it was around this time that the whole world did the exact same thing. I listened to her album all summer, with the rest of the world. And here we are. It was Chappell Roan’s year, and we are that much better for it.
Next, the release that once again cemented my identity as a Swiftie (I guess). But I thought The Tortured Poets Department was fantastic. Let me be clear though: I am referring to the initial TTPD release; NOT the Anthology. I felt that the songs on the anthology paled in comparison to the original album, and as a result sort of muddied the initial release. I just wanted to make that clear. And let me also make it clear that “loml” is one of the best songs she’s ever written. I think her collaborations with Aaron Dessner are my favorite - in fact, the first time I listened to the lyrics of that song I found myself covered in goosebumps. It’s just so beautiful and so sad and I don’t know if it’s about the weird looking 1975 dude but whatever, it doesn’t matter (but I’m pretty sure it is). Oh and no, I did not make it to The Eras Tour (but not for lack of trying). I DON’T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT.
Next was Dehd’s release, Poetry. I enjoy the fact that Dehd’s songs are incredibly catchy, but if you tell someone “hey check out this band Dehd”, their music most likely sounds nothing like they’re expecting.
After Dehd came Charli xcx’s release, Brat (in case you’re living under a rock and haven’t heard of it). I like this album but not as much as my five year old does (but hey it’s better than Gabby’s Dollhouse). I feel like my summer was just Spotify playlists based off of Chappell Roan/Taylor Swift/Charli xcx.
And maybe that’s true, because my next album of note is September’s MJ Lenderman release, Manning Fireworks. I love Lenderman’s obscure yet tender yet emotional lyrics. I’m not a professional music critic so that’s the best I can do to describe his songs; if you haven’t listened to him, I hope that’s enough to encourage you to give him a try.
Bright Eyes released an album around this time; I still haven’t listened to it.
And then Trace Mountains released Into the Burning Blue, their fourth (fifth?) release of great, solid albums. I first discovered Trace Mountains when they opened for someone I was seeing at Rickshaw Stop, and they reminded me of the Weakerthans, so I was sold. All these years later and I can confidently say they deserve to live outside of the Weakerthans shadow - even if that comparison exists only in my mind.
Lastly I’d like to give a shout out to my favorite album from last year, Time Ain’t Accidental. I got to see Jess Williamson at the Swedish American Hall this past fall and it really reignited my love of her and that release. Highly recommend.
Oh! And I also want to acknowledge Cindy Lee, because if I don’t, I really will be lost to mom-life for good. I haven’t spent enough time with this album at all, but what I know is great and I know the rest of the world is obsessed. I’ll get there, just give me a few years.
And there you have it. I feel as if I just limped into last place, getting this to Aaron on *checks watch* December 20th. But better late than never, right? *Aaron rolls eyes* (JK, thanks for having faith in me Aaron!!) Happy 2025 everyone. I hope that this year is better in a million different ways *remembers the inauguration is next month* oh crap.
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