Mavoy Music Top 300 Albums Of 2024
We are finally revealing our 300 best albums of the year, a tradition we are still very proud of. And like every year, I have to underline that I realize that the idea is absolutely INSANE and it's really hard to rank records from such different genres. Our chart is mostly created for two purposes: rewarding artists for their fantastic work and also recommendating lesser known albums. We are definitely not as niche as The Wire or The Quietus list, if you're a general indiehead you should recognize majority of names in the chart - but we dig deep and I'm very happy to share all my more obscure discoveries together in the company of the greats.
To make discovery process easier, as always, I include a genre and a label next to every album, and (hopefully if I find time) descriptions for TOP 20 records.
We've been always counting down the albums first in a series of tweets... but it has become problematic these days and unfortunately, I'll have to start adding a disclaimer like I do with any Spotify stats. We do not endorse the current ownership of the platform that pretends to be called X, while normal folks (especially those using amazing Control Panel for Twitter) still call it Twitter. We are on the other platforms too. I tried counting down on two websites at the same time with the songs chart - and I gave up. It's too much work. So, we'll do it like we do it every year. On Twitter. Because honestly that's where most artists are, as proven by my interactions last week. On @MavoyOfficial. If you don't wanna use Twitter, I'll be updating this post, at least once a day until the entire chart is revealed on Wednesday. It's possible that I'll do some additional skeets on this subject on Bluesky in upcoming days. You can find me on Bluesky on @MavoyOfficial, as well. I don't think I'll be updating Facebook page though - it's not worth it anymore.
Unfortunately, we almost missed out on Nilufer Yanya's album, which means we had to move everything, so the positions might be different than on my original social media posts. But it's just one position down.
Edit: I am actually live skeeting on Bluesky too, after all.
20 Bolis Pupul - Letter To YU (electronic, Deewee/Because Music)
A producer of our Album Of The Year 2022 continues a winning streak with his debut solo record, dedicated to his late mother and implementing elements of Hong Kong music into pulsating beats. It's not straight dance album, but it's my favourite electronic release of the year.
19 The Cure - Songs Of A Lost World (rock, Polydor)
To be frank, new Cure album is a little monotonous at times and it could use a little more sonical variety, but I appreciate its dedication to remain non-commercial, and Robert Smith's voice still sounds great.
18 William Doyle - Springs Eternal (singer-songwriter, Tough Love)
I've been supporting Will since he was performing as East India Youth and I always recommend his recent music, he's one of the most underrated, constantly brilliant songwriters from the United Kingdom. Still remembering his lockdown online set (the only event of the type that I actually paid for), I still hope he'll find his way back to Poland, where I don't think he performed under his own name yet.
17 Michael Kiwanuka - Small Changes (soul, Polydor)
New Michael's album was a departure from epic proportios of Love & Hate and Kiwanuka, and a return to more grounded, peaceful atmosphere of his debut. I won't lie that I actually prefer the English singer in more momentous, powerful style (I've already compared his previous music to Marvin Gaye's What's Going On, the best album of all time), and this time Michael won't be included in Top 10, but he's always fantastic.
16 Briana Marela - Teardrop Star (art pop/experimental, self-released)
This is probably the least recognizable record in this Top 20, but I believe this album really deserves its place in the chart. I've already mentioned it almost remained unreleased and I'm glad Briana decided to put it out after all. I've compared some tracks on this album to Kelly Lee Owens' early work, but I think nobody expected it will be actually higher than KLO herself.
15 St Vincent - – All Born Screaming / Todos Nacan Gritando (rock, Total Pleasure – self-released)
I'm still not sure why Annie Clark recorded this album in two language versions (to be honest, Spanish one is more of a curio and I rather won't be coming back to it often). But leaving this aside, this is a fantastic rock record, the best of its kind released this year.
14 Ezra Collective – Dance, No One’s Watching (jazz, Partisan)
13 Tara Lily – Speak In The Dark (jazz/electronic, Tru Thoughts)
12 Nubya Garcia – Odyssey (jazz, Concord)
A few jazz releases next to each other - rather a coincidence, especially if I don't think Tara considers herself a jazz artist - her debut album is strongly influenced by UK electronic music, especially drum'n'bass. I couldn't be happier with the final effort from one of the blog's friends. In a battle between EC and Nubya, the latter wins, partially because of that great show at Jazz Around Festival
11 Eiko Ishibashi - Evil Does Not Exist (score, Drag City)
This year, ere were two masterpieces of international world cinema with incredible, shocking final acts: The Seed Of The Sacred Fig and Evil Does Not Exist. One of the biggest strengths of Hamaguchi's film is its moody score, composed by Eiko Ishibashi in a collaborative process that also evolved in additional special series of performances, titled Gift. This is the best film music album of the year, I almost inclued it in Top 10.
10 SAULT – Acts Of Faith (gospel/soul, Forever Living Originals)
In an unbelievable streak, SAULT continue the four year streak of being included in Top 10 of EVERY our album chart. I wanted to say "five", but somehow "5" and "7" were only at #79 back in 2019. Now, the London band is one of the most decorated artists in the history of our chart.
9 Fabiana Palladino - Fabiana Palladino (indie/R&B, Paul Institute)
I have better memories from Empress Of's gig, but when push comes to shove, I did enjoy Fabiana Palladino's solo album more, and like Fabiana's concert, reminds me of her past collaborator Jessie Ware a little. With this release, longtime background vocalist takes a solo spotlight with a series of evocative tracks.
8 Nilüfer Yanya - My Method Actor (singer-songwriter, Ninja Tune)
Embarassingly I almost forgot to include this one, even if she was already in our Top 10 before in the past. This is a fantastic new album from the songwriter, her first for our Label Of The Year 2023, Ninja Tune. Couldn't be happier about this collaboration.
7 Father John Misty – Mahashmashana (singer-songwriter, Sub Pop)
As always, Mahashmashana was leaked by Father John Misty himself, who carelessly shared the record in a series of online listening parties. I still don't like the lead single Screamland with bizarrely compressed chorus, but the opening title track is incredible. YES IT IS (if you know, you know)
6 Raveena - When The Butterflies Go In The Rain (soul/R&B, Moonstone/Express)
Ethereal American vocalist is really one of the best artists of her genre at the moment. Like I said, I've had reservations about her previous albums when I only knew the singles, but the rest was fantastic. This time I didn't have objections like this, everything on When The Butteflies... is amazing - and we got a very unexpected collaboration with Ganavya.
5 Beth Gibbons - Lives Outgrown (singer-songwriter, Domino)
I think this record proves we don't REALLY need a new Portishead record, just like Sun's Signature was different from Cocteau Twins, but just as incredible. It's a haunting, fulfilling album. I reckon it was snubbed for Mercury Prize this year.
4 Arushi Jain - Delight (ambient/electronic/modular synth, Leaving)
I think her appearance in Top 10 with a debut record a few years ago was surprising, but her repeating this success with Delight shows that it wasn't a fluke at all. Maybe I just miss these analog, Blade Runner-ish synthesizers, although one appears on Julia Holter's record as well, and for more, I need to recommend Warrington Runcorn New Torn Development Album Plan
3 Julia Holter - Something In The Room She Moves (experimental, Domino) / Tashi Wada - What Is Not Strange (experimental, RVNG)
Julia Holter is well, Julia Holter. This is another year when she doesn't succeed in actually winning the album chart, but she's got a Song Of The Year and I'm alreadye excited for her next album. Julia's fans, don't miss an album by her life partner, Tashi Wada, especially when she was heavily involved in creating it. I've decided to include it together.
2 Ganavya - Like The Sky I’ve Been Too Quiet / Daughter Of A Temple (jazz/ambient, Native Rebel)
If I wanted a shocking #1, I'd go with Ganavya, but I still think she came really close to winning, with not one, but two fantastic releases, and Gilles Peterson agrees - he also talked about "best album of the year" (I'm not sure which one he meant though). And there were only two artists with two masterpieces this year...
1 The Smile - Wall Of Eyes / Cutouts (alternative, XL)
To put it simple, Radiohead are my favourite group, but with a hiatus on this side, they didn't have much chance for Album Of The Year before. Wall Of Eyes and Cutouts are really some of the best Yorke/Greenwood work, with a fantastic drumming from Tom Skinner too. I don't think we appreciate enough how lucky we are to have The Smile, I hope the project is not finished and I'll manage to see them live (sadly this year's show was cancelled)
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