Posted on Jan 21, 2025 in Album Reviews, Lists and Bests

Favourite Album Releases 2024

Our Favourite Releases of 2024

By Rob Dickens

Billy Strings – Highway Prayers

Grammy-winning ‘bluegrass’ guitar wunderkind Billy Strings has become prominent very quickly, reportedly selling over a million tickets to his live shows in the past three years. His youth, energy and, above all, incredible proficiency has taken the genre by storm, in a way that Bill Malone might not entirely agree (although, to be fair, Monroe and his amazing lineups certainly did not become an icon without creating something fresh himself).

Highway Prayers is a triumph in many ways. The genre-bending, the power rhythms and the licks are hypnotic. Strings eshews a full-on showpiece of his technical chops for more of an homage to the melodies, the might and spirit of the original material.

It’s a monster, twenty-track collection. It’s edgy. It’s pulsating. It’s brilliant.

Bonny Light Horseman – Keep Me On Your Mind/See You Free

Bonny Light Horseman is a fascinating collaboration between three musicians with impressive careers in their own right – Anais Mitchell, Josh Kaufman and Eric D. Johnston – the trio’s name is taken from a Napoleonic folk song.

Keep Me On Your Mind/See You Free is their third album and can be called a double with two titles and twenty songs spanning over an hour. The songs were written over five months in 2023 and a pub in a small village in County Cork became an unlikely place to flesh out and record the material.

The album is deftly put together with love and, even when opining about the mess that humanity finds itself in, it does so with grace and empathy.

Bonny Light Horseman are bringing their artistry to Australia this March and I, for one, will be thrilled to see them perform some/all of this wonderful material.

Charley Crockett – $10 Cowboy

Charley ‘I Can’t Stop Working Or Recording’ Crockett gifts us yet another full release which features his golden voice, his sharp observations about life and the music industry, with a cowboy twang that is irresistible. He has toured Australia many times and his shows have grown to bigger venues and sell-out audiences. A notable feature of the swelling crowds is how Crockett has tapped into a younger demographic who fully embrace the country and swing of not just his music, but his impeccable outfits and unabashed pride in his roots.

$10 Cowboy was universally acclaimed and raised to number one on the Billboard Heatseekers chart. On the back of this success, Crockett’s US tour dates have grown to include some of the most iconic performance spaces in the US – Red Rocks, The Ryman and The Greek Theatre.

Crockett released this year as well a companion piece album $10 Cowboy Chapter II: Visions of Dallas (I told you he was prolific).

Chuck Prophet and ¿Qiensave? – Wake The Dead

Chuck Prophet has an uncommon ability to deliver nuanced vocals over a streamlined set of lyrics with a John Prine-esque quirkiness – plenty of musical earworms. Wake The Dead is this San Franciscan legend’s first album since his recovery from stage four lymphoma and it’s another reason for rejoicing.

His recovery saw him fascinated with Cumbian music, listening intently to it, jamming and then gigging with ¿Qiensave?, a band of brothers from a farming community and finally recording this album with that band and his regular outfit The Mission Express.

It’s been around forty years since the legendary indie rock outfit Green On Red first took the stage. Prophet is still making superior music and his positive health news is a boon for us all. Enjoy this glorious foot-tapping, dancing outing from one of the best.

The Cure – Songs Of A Lost World

It’s been sixteen years, but worth the wait. The Cure‘s fourteenth album is another journey of elongated intros, hypnotic riffs and swirling orchestrations, with vocalist Robert Smith‘s love lyrics still sounding poignant and fresh.

The album was written and arranged by Smith, produced and mixed by Smith and Paul Corkett. Songs Of A Lost World was recorded at Rockfield Studios in Wales and performed by Smith (vocals, guitar, bass and keyboard), Simon Gallup (bass), Jason Cooper (drums and percussion), Roger O’Donnell (keyboard) and Reeves Gabrels (guitar).

The Cure, one of the UK’s most recognizable and revered bands, has lost none of its relevance.

The Decemberists – As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again

I first saw The Decemberists at Jazz Fest in New Orleans in 2011 (in the days where you could get up close to the front of the Fais Do Do Stage). I was mesmerised by their folk-rock sound imbued with diversity, such as rollicking sea shanties, masterful cohesion and a wonderful sense of humour. And, of course, Colin Meloy‘s distinctive and articulate vocals.

Having followed the band since, I have been eagerly awaiting this one. As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again is the band’s ninth studio album and the first after a six-year hiatus. Thirteen tracks over sixty-three minutes including the bold closing epic “Joan In The Garden” which stretches to over nineteen minutes.

The album has everything. As well as the hypnotizing closing track, there’s the highly radio-friendly “Burial Ground” (which, at the time of writing has clocked up over 1.5 million hits on Spotify) and a wealth of thoughtful material in between that is beautifully presented.

The album was produced by Meloy and Tucker Martine and features guest appearances from The Shins’ James Mercer and REM’s Mike Mills. It’s a remarkable journey.

Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings – Woodland

The most admired musical pair in modern acoustic country folk and blues? This will be the tenth studio from Gillian Welch and David Rawlings (seven from Welch and three from Rawlings) and Woodland is named after their recording studio in downtown Nashville (Woodland Sound Studio) which they have rebuilt following a tornado in 2020. I suspect the studio is also a spiritual haven for them as the cityscape and vibe have changed dramatically around them in recent years.

Ten tracks here with the striking “Empty Trainload of Sky” released as the first single before the album is out. The material, in a way, follows a similar pattern to their previous releases but there’s more pushing boundaries here with a wider vocal register and some truly catchy embellishments.

I am not sure how long Woodland has been in development as it has been some time between releases from the pair, but new music from this couple will be hard to toss for roots musical event of the year.

Incandescent.

Hurray For The Riff Raff – The Past Is Still Alive

The Past Is Still Alive may be Hurray For The Riff Raff‘s finest and most accessible album to date. It is fiercely honest, grappling with some big and uncomfortable themes – transphobia, substance addiction, outsiders, shoplifting and other encounters with the law.

At the helm, Alynda Segarra recorded the album just one month after the death of her father which was made lovingly in his memory. The stories and characters contained within are vivid and compelling, reflecting a sweeping, and often disturbing, landscape of modern America.

The album was produced by Brad Cook, with contributions from Anjimile, Conor Oberst, Meg Duffy, Mike Mogis, Phil Cook and S.G. Goodman.

Jake Xerxes Fussell – When I’m Called

In apparent simplicity, there is beauty. Durham, North Carolina folk singer/songwriter Jake Xerxes Fussell has delivered a collection (his fifth) of searing narratives, enhanced by crystal-clear vocals and minimal arrangements. A student of folk music and its history, Fussell brings his own telling vision with astute observations and steely sensibility.

Blake Mills, Robin Holcomb, Joan Shelley and James Elkington (he produced the album, along with Fussell’s earlier 2022 release) add some magical music dust to the proceedings.

When I’m Called is highly engaging, the rich rewards grow with each listen.

Johnny Blue Skies/Sturgill Simpson – Passage Du Desir

After promising to release only five studio albums under his own name, Sturgill Simpson turns to the moniker of Johnny Blue Skies for the release of Passage Du Desir, following the tenth-anniversary reissue of Simpson’s groundbreaking Metamodern Sounds in Country Music.

The new record is more rock and soul groove than country and continues the career trajectory of Simpson whose motto could well be ‘let’s go again, with something different’ as if he is fixated on not being pigeon-holed or predictable.

The album, recorded at both Abbey Road studios in London and Clement House Recording Studio in Nashville, has a balance and diversity of crack songwriting and arrangements. Simpson might not give a damn about what we think of him, but he sure gives a damn about what he puts out. Stirring.

Morgan Wade – Obsessed

The most passionate female voice since Lucinda Williams? From Floyd, Virginia Morgan Wade‘s previous outing (2021’s Reckless) was a critics’ beacon, garnering much attention. Dealing with the 360⁰ demands of a growing music career, her reported never-say-no work ethic and having some aspects of her private life becoming tabloid fodder makes for a highly volatile and emotional music palette.

The emotion and intensity of Obsessed (her fourth album) are undeniable. Vividly romantic tales and insights into both human power and frailty are captured throughout the collection, as is the author’s vulnerability. Wade wrote all thirteen tracks on the album, and her guitarist Clint Wells produced the project.

There are not many straighter shooters than Morgan Wade.

Red Clay Strays – Made By These Moments

From Mobile, Alabama, Red Clay Strays are a stunning country rock and soul outfit that has all the traits of being a highly successful endeavour. Brandon Coleman‘s charisma and ability to evoke different vocal styles are impressive enough, but add the band’s taut mastery of the genre and you have an incendiary package.

Gaining a reputation as consumate live performers, the band turned to Dave Cobb to produce Made By These Moments, who is able capture the vitality of the band in the studio. The songwriting was shared between Coleman, his brother and guitarist Drew Nix.

The band’s second album is a winner. The sky’s the limit.

Sadie Campbell – Metamorphosis

This is an arrestingly great debut. Nashville-based artist Sadie Campbell has released an album of eleven tracks that covers some heart-tugging sentiments and honest, raw emotions. Her voice roars and ebbs with such passion that indifference is impossible.

The exemplar on Saved is the fearless title track (clip below). While Campbell honed her vocals in a church choir, she is clearly no longer a fan of the teachings of the Christan Church.

”I am scared to open this can of worms, so to speak, but I chose to put this song on the record for the people out there that also have questioned their faith, questioned the church, been wronged by the church, had to reprogram their minds and hearts after leaving. It’s for them. For us.”

Sadie Campbell

Saved is a defining premiere statement from a wonderfully talented artist.

Sarah Jarosz – Polaroid Lovers

Sarah Jarosz was a three-time Grammy Award winner by the age of 28. The Texas native started singing as a young girl and became an accomplished multi-instrumentalist by her early teens.

Her vocals on Polaroid Lovers are supreme, the songs are a classy concoction that all remain riveted in the brain, a smooth and celebratory addition to this wonderful singer’s catalogue.

Polaroid Lovers was produced by Daniel Tashian and musicians on the album include Jarosz (vocals, octave mandolin, acoustic guitar, electric octave mandolin, mandolin, banjo), Tashian, Jeff Picker, Fred Eltringham, Tom Bukovac, Rob McNelley, Jon Randall, Justin Schipper and Emmanuel Valdez.

Shane Smith & The Saints – Norther

I saw Shane Smith & The Saints at The High Watt (remember that space, folks?) in Nashville in 2017. The set was plagued with sound problems throughout (an unusual phenomenon in Music City) and it did not showcase the band well for this reviewer.

Frontman Shane Smith is a native of Terrell, Texas and committed to a music career after moving to Austin and meeting fiddler Bennett Brown. Other band members are Dustin Schaefer, Chase Satterwhite and Zach Stover on drums. I finally got to listen to Norther a few months after its release and, to be frank, I was not expecting to respond the way I have.

With three albums to their name between 2013 and 2019, Norther is a profound and emotional accomplishment. It is atmospheric, expansive with every track making the high bar set across the collection. And then there’s Smith’s voice, one that is raspy, plaintive and unique.

Shemekia Copeland – Blame It On Eve

Multi-Grammy nominee Shemekia Copeland was raised in Harlem and made her first stage appearance with her father (bluesman Johnny Copeland) at New York’s famed Cotton Club when she was eight. Since her debut record in 1998 (when she was only 18), Copeland has become a blues and rnb staple.

Blame It On Eve is a prodigious realization with Copeland’s vocals and attitude a shining standout. The album was recorded in Nashville and produced by instrumentalist/songwriter Will Kimbrough (who also produced her previous three albums), featuring twelve new songs that tackle weighty topics, but has some fun as well (“Wine O’Clock” is personally a guilty pleasure).

The guest list is stunning, include Alejandro Escovedo, Luther Dickinson, Jerry Douglas, DeShawn Hickman, Charlie Hunter and Pascal Denae

Sierra Ferrell – Trail Of Flowers

Life is smelling of roses for Sierra Ferrell. Trail of Flowers is her first new album following 2021’s impressive outing Long Time Coming. Since that time, Ferrell has collaborated with the likes of Zach Bryan, Margo Price, Shakey Graves and The Black Keys, been covered by Kelly Clarkson, received Emerging Artist of The Year at the 2022 Americana Honors & Awards, sold out all her live shows in 2023 and made her national US TV debut.

Her supremacy extends to this new album, which, to my mind, is this Nashville resident’s best work yet. The twelve songs have a gorgeous symmetry and balance, melding the best of roots music in tone and in style. Her colourful background provides plenty of creativity for the meaningful portrayal of the quest for love and musical success among small venues, truck stops and trailer parks. It is indeed a fascinating journey.

Produced by Eddie Spear, with additional production by Gary Paczosa, Ferrell is joined on the sessions by the likes of Chris Scruggs, Lukas Nelson and Nikki Lane.

Waxahatchee – Tigers Blood

Katie Crutchfield is the musical heart of the Waxahatchee project and Tiger’s Blood is where everything comes together in perfect unison. The songwriting here is exemplary – it’s raw and penetrating, reflecting honestly on past incidents and feelings in her life, always engaging and thought-provoking.

The soaring and multi-faceted vocals of this Alabama native are glorious. Brad Cook was the producer and MJ Lenderman (another whose star is on the rise) adds vocal support (see clip below).

The musical world has taken notice.

Wood Box Heroes – 444

Wood Box Heroes is a supergroup of sorts and 444 is a glorious pastiche of rock, bluegrass and folk. I suspect the band thrives on delivering masterfully a hard-to-classify collection. Members are Matt Menefee (Mumford & Sons, Warren Haynes), Barry Bales (Alison Krauss & Union Station) Jenee Fleenor (Blake Shelton, Larry Cordle) and Josh Martin (singer/songwriter/guitarist).

A gleaming example of their chops is the opening track (clip below) which Bales wrote with the much-heralded Chris Stapleton. That was the first single and “Cross The Line” was the second which made number one on the bluegrass charts. Across the entire album, there’s a defining subtlety with impeccable instrumentation and harmonies.

444 is a dazzling and bold musical junction.

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Favourite Album Releases 2024

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