So, another year in the books, and a decent one music wise. Other than that it’s kind of been meh, that includes most of the stuff I’ve written on this blog, even though I’ve enjoyed the process of writing as much as ever. My site may have mediocre content but at least it doesn’t have ads for a Single Muslim dating website, niche fetish OnlyFans accounts, spread betting websites, scam cryptocurrencies, fragranced colostomy bags or encouraging you to sponsor an IDF reservist or sign up to become a member of this grim iteration of the “sensible and moderate” Labour party. Small mercies.

Speaking of things that are irritating – the preponderance of people saying “you know” at the end of every sentence, or even in the middle of one, you know? Maybe you’re lucky and you fucking don’t know what I mean. Carrying out the following wee test emphatically proves how annoying it is, listen to some arsewipe speak and replace every “you know” with “innit”. If people were confronted with this, ideally in a non-Orwellian fash way, most would stop doing it or choose to think more before speaking. I’ll concede I’m being slightly unfair here, it’s an inadvertent turn of phrase, a stalling mechanism of sorts while pondering the next inane babble you’re going to inflict on us.

This vernacular habit hasn’t reached the aggravating levels that the constant use of “like” has. Thanks in large part to that cunty cohort at the zenith of all cultural cuntery – American Gen Z. I’m torn on this one, when someone talks in this way; “like, you know, like, she was like, standing like, you know, saying like, yeah, I’m, like, a total bitch, saying like I hated her outfit, you know” I don’t know whether I should machine gun them down in the street or buy them a thesaurus. Not to be sexist or stereotype this, but women seem to be worse offenders on this one. Men are often too insecure in each other’s company that they become monosyllabic. Anyway, to reiterate, murder is bad, but if you’re one of these wankers, tape yourselves speaking, just once. It may stop you from sounding imbecilic.

Also, speaking of annoyances, music journalism in the internet age needs binning off. It’s become an ugly mixture of resentment at mainstream tastes (Taylor Swift, etc) haughty (but then it always was) and preoccupied with political sycophancy – shout out to Boomkat for being one of the few websites that haven’t fallen into this trap. I’m not going to use the term woke here, because it’s overused and inaccurate in this case, and I’ve just ranted about words being overused in the previous paragraph, but I really cannot be bothered with the political opinions or tittle-tattle of a musician’s personal affairs. Give me your opinion on whether the release is worth listening to, and how it compares to other stuff of its genre, and I’ll decide not whether it belongs on the right side of history but if it’s worth a listen you fucking sanctimonious cunt.

I’m being hostile here because re-reading some past end of year music columns of mine has seen me lean into this nonsense at times. So, call it an early New Year’s resolution, I won’t be doing that moving forwards. However, I will likely be taking a shot at Pitchfork and their Kanye West and Fiona Apple reverence. Isn’t inverted snobbery fun?

As per usual all of these albums are in alphabetical order. Hierarchies are for boring musical journalists desperate for clicks and ad revenue. I’m above all that stuff you see, you know, innit, like, yeah, safe.

I’ll post my favourite ten tunes of 2024 in-between Christmas and New Year. Regardless of your beliefs, hopefully you get and enjoy some time off. It was awfully considerate of, and a brilliant bit of foresight by, Pontius Pilate to execute Jesus. Now, over two-thousands years later, we get time off work from our soul-destroying jobs, that barely pay the bills, because politicians are greedy rats who are working against us. Shout out to the slave kleptocracy and racism of the Roman Empire, nefarious elements of it very much live on. Much love.

Cindy Lee – Diamond Jubilee

There are no hierarchies on this list, but if I had to save one of these albums it would be this, though the ML Buch and Tim Reaper albums (both also on this list) are both so good they make me swither. Kitchen sink psych rock done with panache and quirkiness. Oh, and there’s nothing better than double albums chalk full of quality songs. It defeats me why people moan about them. I also discovered when reading up on Patrick Flegel that Pitchfork gave this album 9.2 out of 10. Proof that this record charms even dickhead music journalists with questionable tastes.

Dennis Bovell – Sufferer Sounds

In complete ignorance I associated Bovell solely with the lovers rock genre. Enlightenment in music is always a positive as I’m a sucker for seventies and eighties dubplates. This selection is more than good enough to get mistaken for a Lee Perry or Bullwackies release or included in one of Jah Shaka’s mixes.

Fat White Family – Forgiveness Is Yours

What the fuck is this? An irreverent pop/prog rock/low-fi record that will sonically appeal to the Tik Tok generation swine? Perhaps. Obvious influences include 80’s New Order, Factory Floor, Arab Strap, the dramatic lyrical narration of Kate Bush, even The Blue Nile’s Paul Buchanan’s vocal delivery is referenced on “What’s That You Say”. “Visions of Pain” is a Sade on temazepam kind of offering too.

Jason Boardman – No​-​Ones Listening Anyway – UK DIY Post Punk & Dubs 1980​-​1984 (Volume 1)

An obscure Bandcamp release and suitably I have to be honest I’ve completely forgotten how I landed on it, just glad that I did, so will you. Earworms galore. I managed to snag a digital copy from Soulseek. Why there’s not a digital download option, I have no idea. Also, it’s 2024, who buys CDs?

ML Buch – Suntub

First released last year but I only heard this (and it didn’t get a physical release until this year). If you wanted to be a pedantry bore that would disqualify it, but this is simply too good to be denied. Stripped down reverb guitar layers over vaporish vocals is a balm for the soul. One of the best things released in the last five years, quite frankly.

Muslimgauze vs Species of Fishes – Muslimgauze vs Species of Fishes

Released in December last year, so it goes on this year’s list. It’s become trendy to hate on Bryn Jones’ stuff with it having become inexorably linked with pretentious music nerdery. The Bandcamp bio doesn’t help matters: “The story of this unexpected collaboration dates back to the summer and autumn of 1998 when Bryn Jones AKA Muslimgauze, the politically conscious music genius from Manchester, discovered Species Of Fishes’ albums through the Dutch label Staalplaat. Jones embarked on a journey of reinventing the Muscovites’ tracks, infusing them with hypnotizing noise pulsations that were both harsh and sharp, yet profoundly humane, while evoking ethereal Arab echoes.” I’ll be equally pretentious but more concise – all you need to know is this is hypnotic glitch goodness, but with a permeable membrane that allows the melodies to shine.

Regal86 – Unearthed Vol.II – *100 Trax*

100 tracks! Similar to that humungous Aphex Twin SoundCloud dump a few years ago. Your heart sinks with overwhelming scepticism that you’ll ever reach the end, and it could dissuade some from taking it on. What if it’s not worth it? All doubts dissipate as soon as it starts as it sweeps you along with it, ala Electronic Dream by Araabmuzik. Great beats and club cuts are the equivalent of Pringles. There are better crisps (read genres) out there, but once you’ve started, they’re as additive as a motherfucker.

The Cure – Songs Of A Lost World

Look, it’s not Disintegration, Pornography or The Head On The Door, yet. It’s Smithy’s first release since 2008, we’ve been waiting too long, so being delivered a quintessentially Cure album is both a relief and a delight. And not too morose either.

Tim Reaper & Kloke – In Full Effect

So good it sounds as though it was made in a Bristol council estate living room on a Roland JV-1080 mixer in April of 92. What does it say that about Jungle that only stuff which is either from that time or sounds as though it could be is any good? I’m not sure, only that the early nineties were a better time. Now get off my fucking lawn you snivelling Pitchfork and NME reading, Brat, Mumford & Sons and The 1975 listening, millennial twat.

Total Blue – Total Blue

On first listen I was certain this was some Brian Eno project from 1983 that never got released. It serves as a lesson – if you’re going to steal, do it from the best. Another Green World and Music For Airports by Brian Eno and Jon Hassel’s Fourth World Possible Musics are clear touchstones. A relaxing listen while you’re lying in the bath.