2024: That Was A Lot…

We’ll let you decide where and what is which but I can assure you now that if it was released this past year and it sits at over 130BPM there’s a high chance it won’t be featured. This is a slow down protest. We asked some of the gang to pick their favourite albums and we’ve dissected the rest, so please enjoy.

However, please take a moment to give something back…

Albums

Nídia & Valentina Magaletti – Estradas

Picked by: Ally

Hypnotic percussion, weird and wonky melodies all paired with off piste time signatures and a woozy undercurrent. This is a meeting of minds from drummer-composer and multi-instrumentalist Valentina Magaletti who joins forces with Afro-Portuguese artist Nídia’s. Notoriously hard to place, this album finds a perfect sweet spot between traditional tribal sounds and futuristic electronica. A real trip.

W. H. LUNG – Every Inch Of Earth Pulsates

Picked by: Tim Clerkin

An incredible band that have been toiling away for ages and this is their best album yet. Absolute wall to wall bangers from the Manchester based outfit who show their is a lot of life in the Northern Indie scene.

Molly Lewis – On The Lips

Picked by: Rosie

If, like me, you enjoy romanticising the days of smoke-filled cocktail lounges, jazz club crooners and black and white films (not that I was ever there in the first place), then you’ll love Molly Lewis. Probably the only professional whistler moving in these musical circles right now, who also happens to be really fucking funny (I managed to catch her play in London this year and she can definitely lean on a back up career in stand up comedy), this LP layers Molly’s dreamy whistling against a backdrop of velvety, cinematic sounds that transport you back to a bygone era.

Loidis – One Day

Picked by: Ally

When I heard about this record earlier in the year I got pretty excited. There’s only so long that I could get away with playing that first EP on repeat. This is an extension of the excellent, dubbed out house music which made the first record essential. In a world where maximal dance music is king it’s wonderful to hear someone strip things back and keep it real.

Cindy Lee – Diamond Jubilee

Picked by: Rosie

What’s better than one album from Cindy Lee, how about three? The seventh LP from Patrick Flegel’s project has a whopping 32 tracks and is a real thing of beauty. It’s got a little bit of everything I love; psychedelic dream pop, hazy guitars, experimental ditties and moments of tweeness. If this is their last release (as has been reported) then what a bloody way to go out…

LL Cool J – The Force

Picked by: Matt

This album is fresh and familiar with Q-Tip on production. LL isn’t chasing trends and stays true to what he does best. Don’t call it a comeback.

Tucker Zimmerman – Dance Of Love

Picked by: Tia

At 83, Tucker Zimmerman made his remarkable debut on 4AD with his 11th studio album, in collaboration with Big Thief who acted as his backing band and produced the album. Nearly six decades into his career Zimmerman continues to impress, delivering an album that sticks to his folksy roots while feeling refreshingly contemporary. His weathered voice is well complimented by Adrienne Lenker’s harmonies that reach into the higher notes his voice once reached. The album offers a journey with tracks for moments of quiet contemplation like ‘Don’t Go Crazy (Go In Peace)’ to playful/silly moments like ‘The Ram-a-lama-ding-dong Song’, striking the perfect balance.

Chanel Beads – Your Day Will Come

Picked by: Ally

Nostalgia is all the rage these days. There’s something nostalgic about this album. A collection of gritty yet beautiful music showcasing one of New York’s most in form groups du jour.

EP’s

Matthew Herbert – Part 9

The ‘Parts’ series remains, at least in our opinion, the quintessential and truest representation of the Herbert sound. Ten years on since the last one, this released was teased late in the summer and features the trademark delicacy and weird, wonky sensibilities we’ve come to associate with Herbert’s very best dance records. Essential.

DJ JM – Barrakuda

OK, so we might have lied. This one is probably on the faster fringes of things. However, it retains the proper sound of underground Techno and Bass throughout. Nervous Horizon have had a great year and this EP is as close to being perfect on the pulse of current ‘dance’ music.

Romain FX – Spacer Woman

The EP offers a fresh take on Space Woman, with Cantonese lyrics by Cheung Yuen Tung creating a subtly modernised version that grips on to the original’s magic.

Shonky – The Way It Goes

Shonky is always so consistent and every track from this EP has featured in pretty much every set since it’s been out (and before). What’s not to like, an EP for almost every occasion.

Ploy – They Don’t Love It Like We Do

Ploy reminds us all that House music can pack just as much punch as anything else out there. Weird, wonky, wobbly sounds with lots of distortion and grit. A proper record.

ddwy – Spinning Stones

Ethereal, balearic hypnotism from Ronan and Nangi who have had a stellar year with their outrageously good live sets. This one sounds as good in the club as it does on the beach, That does it for us.

Shinichi Atobe – Ongaku 1

The Japanese producer delivered a stellar two track EP for Demdike Stare as part of their blue 12″ series which has been consistent and dependable as ever this year. Again, this EP featured fine dubby house music with elegant pads and subtle percussion.

Daisy Moon – Shadow Of Silhouettes

Futuristic Bass music with incredible sampling. See what you can spot? Sounds special in the headphones and demonstrates an example of a fresh faced producer really pushing things forward with Timedance in support.

Shy One – Gyallis Spiral / TNTC

Numbers has a strong year releasing music from the likes of Fergus Jones and James Bangura. However, it was this Shy One EP which really did it for us. Bouncy, energetic club music with soulful, deeper moments dotted throughout. A reminder of what dance music was and is moving forwards.

James Massiah – True Romance

One of London’s most exciting poets demonstrates that his words sit just as nicely across low slung, synth driven beats which make this one a perfect soundtrack for car soundsystems and darkened rooms. All with catchy hooks and wicked slang to boot.

Compilations

John G​ó​mez and Nick the Record Present TANGENT

A top tier assortment of the music and sounds which have become synonymous with one of London’s best parties. John Gómez and Nick the Record remain two of the hardest working diggers in the game ad have held no punches on this stellar compilation which maintains the feel good factor throughout.

Scenic Route – Road Less Travelled Vol​​​.​​​2

A label which continues to grow from strength to strength – showcasing the best in a new wave of indie, leftfield, experimental music which leaves us thinking that maybe things aren’t so bad and the kids will be alright after all.

Total 24

From time to time Kompakt like to remind us all how important they are. A collection of club tracks from friends and family long associated with the record label demonstrates their continued relevance in the midst of a changing culture. Whilst dance music continues to evolve, the quintessential quirks and playful mindedness of the label is best shown here by the likes of Jurgen Paape, Wassermann and Reinhard Voigt.

Someone Like Me

Mikey Young from Total Control and Eddy Current Suppression Ring compiled and mastered ‘Someone Like Me’, the latest gem of a compilation on Efficient Space. A beautiful collection of private press bedroom pop, folk songs about lurveeeee – one for the day dreamers and romantics.

Sitting In Trees

Basso curates an excellent compilation of Balearic brilliance. The sort of record you might here at a strange beach bar which spans exotic ambient cuts, italo and downtempo. International Feel made a perfect home for this wild ride.

Early Doors

Huntleys + Palmers returned with a great concept compilation showcasing the sounds you might associate with a warm up set. Leftfield pop, folk, krautrock and new wave aplenty. This one represents the very best of eclectic club culture and features special appearances from Hot Chip, Ango and more.

10 Years Love On The Rocks – Sky Is The Limit

Paramida’s record label celebrated a milestone this year. Ten years is no small feat for a record label, especially in this climate. It featured fun filled club cuts, the type which left us all smiling this year. A definitive sound to 2024.

Lost Paradise: Blissed Out Breakbeat Hardcore 1991​-​94

A phenomenal assortment of lost hardcore and jungle from the early 90’s. A glimpse into what was and what will always be. Futuristic pads, wild breaks and reckless abandonment. A fine package.