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adultalternative · 2 months ago

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This has been my latest posted Best of list. I don’t know if it’s because I’m getting older and enjoying new music less (probably not), because I’m writing less posts in between best of posts so I have less ideas for how to write reviews, because I put too much weight into it (Seriously, I try to remind myself that I don’t even use scores and that I can’t name best ofs from previous years), or because I cast too wide of a net. Looking at past years, I saw some funny things that made me realize I shouldn’t take my best of seriously. Last year, I not only didn’t have Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess on my list, I removed it earlier on in my discovery period (Too Tumblr pop, or regular pop while trying to pass off as something more special, was my verdict. Then Chappell began to slowly dominate the charts, and I saw the errors of my ways. Two years ago, I wrote an extra review for SZA’s album SOS, and I was going to just decide if it would make it to my final list on the spot before publication. However, I never picked an album for it to take out (Also, now I see that I didn’t reorder my reviews to match the picture). Without further ado, here is the list.

Brat by Charli XCX- Duh. Charli usually loses me in the in between era interviews/social media activity, but just like always, she's able to come back on top. A+ Execution for the music videos, artwork, and mishmash of brash electronic music that takes inspiration from 2010 EDM and Radiohead alike. Von Dutch, Mean Girls, Girl So Confusing, Sympathy is a Knife, B2B

The Great Impersonator by Halsey- Dropped from the Capital contract, dealing with a lot of health issues, and transitioning to single parenthood, Halsey was undeterred from making this sweeping and personal project. The songs are a true ragtag team of misfits from pop culture in the last 40 years tying together all parts of Halsey's life and musical influences. If I had to think of albums from the top of my Best ofs that affect me as much as my high school musical discoveries, this album will be there for me. Originally, I was most drawn to the 90's singer-songwriter trio, but I have now also been drawn to the 70's icon inspired songs. Panic Attack, Life of a Spider, The Arsonist, Dog Years, Only Living Girl in LA.

Short 'n' Sweet by Sabrina Carpenter - It turns out putting in effort, hard work, and clocking in for years can sometimes pay off, with Sabrina Carpenter finally getting recognition (Both by the general public and me). Carefree vocals with cheeky lyrics, and a good range of genres. The album's combination of pop songs and acoustic/country/folk songs was probably what people wished starcrossed by Kacey Musgraves sounded like. Please, Please, Please, Taste, Coincidence, Good Graces, Espresso, Don't Smile

No Hands by Joey Valence n Brae- On Rateyourmusic, there was a genre debate about if rap was technically a secondary genre from electronic music. While the arguments were too complex for me to totally understand (or recap), No Hands by Joey Valance and Brae shows that some of my favorite rap music is to dance to. A+ pastiches and infusions of jazz rap, drum and bass, and hip house. What U Need, The Baddest, No Hands, Like a Punk

Saturn Dayz by BLACKSTARKIDS - A good chemistry among the trio and a good balance between urgent drum and bass beats and laidback psychedellic vibes. Killjoy, Boy Go 2 Jupiter, Emancipation of Stevie Wonder

For the Rest of Your Life by twikipedia- New electronic shoegaze. At first, the enunciation was an issue for me. Over more listens, though, the melodies became catchy enough where it felt like humming a song from a dream. Energetic and wistful at the same time. Boy, dry your eyes, garden

Feeling Not Found by Origami Angel- For not having had much connection to emo in its earlier waves, the 'crossover'/post referential era of recent years has been enjoyable for me. Is it the nostalgia talking? Being removed enough from any scenes where I can’t be a hater towards either the bands or fans who I would make fun of before, in more interconnected times? ‘Straightforward’ 90’s-esque alternative rock shrinking in the current music scene, forcing me to find emo/pop punk music like a polar bear venturing south of the Arctic for food? Whatever the reason is, Origami Angel’s lyrics resonate with me for being about growing up and self-improvement when it’s just. so . hard. (Side note: How long have I been writing best ofs? How many albums have growing up as the main theme?) My favorite songs are Dirty Mirror Selfie, Feeling Not Found, and HM07 Waterfall.

Miss Behaves by Cece Natalie - I am adding Cece Natalie to my Myspace Top 8 with this late 2000’s inspired album. Is this Blackout 2.0? Not quite. But if you are one of the brave people who stand by the song Paper Gangsta by Lady Gaga, then this album is for you. Crunchy electropop goodness. 754, Limit, Exitin.

Skin to Skin by Amira Elfeky- A heavy, but concise project inspired by the Deftones and Evanescence. Yes, it is an EP that is as long as an episode of a sitcom, with one song having two versions, but Elfeky knocks it out of the park with her performance. Everything I Do is for You and Tonight (Symphony).

This Infinite by Vitesse X - Vitesse X’s robot facade starts to warm up with a more human sound. While her first album worked (very) well as a mood piece, in this project, the songs are a little less art project and slightly easier to show to friends or play at a store radio playlist. End of Forever, Bliss Beat, Realize.

Smile! :D by Porter Robinson- When I listen to new releases, my mind immediately searches for albums to compare it to from the previous year. Smile! :D reminded me of Ooh Rap I Ya by George Clanton when I first heard it, for the pensive dance party vibe with songs about reflecting on their careers. I don’t really hear it anymore, but this album is still unique to me. Like brat from this year, and the TV shows The Comeback and The Other Two, it wonders if the ‘sexy treadmill capitalist’ (To quote Alanis Morissette) of celebrity every pays off or slows down, and why are you always struggling to keep up with the runner on the treadmill next to you. Cheerleader and Is There Really No Happiness?

Quantum Baby by Tinashe - Over the last few years, Tinashe has been able to conquer space and time, but unfortunately, commercial success still seemed to be a frontier she couldn’t push through. With the runaway hit Nasty making it to a decent 61 on the Billboard Hot 100,.... Tinashe at least was successful enough to make RCA regret breadcrumbing her (Yes, weak definition of success). Though this album is very short, Tinashe still manages to balance fun ‘meme’ songs like Nasty and No Broke Boys with artsier, more nocturnal songs like Getting No Sleep and When I Get You Alone.

My Anti Aircraft Friend by julie - Whenever I wonder if it’s still worth making Best ofs, the random discoveries that stake a spot on my list from first listen will always make it worth it. This year’s entry was this slacker rock album that’s a perfect combination of the Swirlies and Sonic Youth. Clairborne Practice and Stuck in a Car with Angels.

Alligator Bites Never Heal by Doechii- So story time. I listened to my 2024 playlist from November until April, with breaks for seasonal playlists, but I thought Doechii wasn’t leaving an impression on me. I didn’t get why she didn’t stick with me, even if she was winning a Grammy or going viral for the music video for Denial is a River. Then I checked my playlist and I never added her. It was 3 weeks ago. Whoops. But when I did, the playlist immediately improved, so that is my endorsement of Doechii. Denial is a River and Hide and Seek.

Romance by Fontaines DC - After the gloomier Skinty Fia and the solo project Chaos for the Fly, Fontaines DC goes for a more straightforward, approachable rock sound… which doesn’t mean much for the band, as there music is still mysterious, brooding, and pensive. I like the standout Starburster (Which also introduced me to Jade’s perfect Angel of my Dreams) as well as the trippy Sundowner.

Nobody Loves You More by Kim Deal - Kim Deal came back with an innovative sound mixing 90’s alternative rock and … tropical lounge music? That sounds more like a random Family Guy punchline than reality, but it worked. Nobody Loves You More, Coast, Big Ben Beat.

Hit Me Hard and Soft by Billie Eilish- Not including Happier Than Ever in my 2021 best of is one of my ‘Maxwell Sheffield rejects Cats and can’t live it down’ moments for best ofs. This album, I remembered to keep my ears focused on the melodies in spite of the ambientness, and ignore the noise around Billie (Is she the voice of a generation? Can she have a comeback after Happier than Ever? How much does she owe the public as a role model? Does she get Oscars thrown at her [Note: After seeing the Best Original Song nominees, I can safely say she won both Oscars fair and square]). This album is perfect for a cold, rainy day. Skinny, Chihiro, Birds of a Feather, The Greatest, and The Diner.

Mirror Starts Moving Without Me by Pom Pom Squad- The brasher attitude of previous songs like Popular and Lux has been replaced with more introspective and self-conscious lyrics and feelings, even if the songs themselves are packaged in a friendly and catchy pop rock style. Downhill, Messages, Spinning, Everybody’s Moving On, The Tower.

This is How Tomorrow Moves by Beabadoobee- Good mix of indie rock and more twee, quiet music. Take a Bite, California, Real Man, Post.

Songs of a Lost World by The Cure- Generally, I hate when people are describing/reviewing projects of long runner favorite musicians, because people usually do the projects no justice by ignoring the passage of time, and referring to artists’ old works only.. ‘So and so is Confessions 2.0!’ ‘This song sounds straight out of 1993!’ Obviously, they are endorsements exaggerated for affection, and they’re only supposed to be reference points, but even musicians who are always accused of making the same album multiple times in a row (I was trying to avoid specific examples, but the dam is breaking, so…. P!nk) still have subtle changes where you can tell that the song isn’t just an unreleased demo from 2004. But put a pin in all of that, because Songs of a Lost World by the Cure feels like Disintegration 2.0, or the Music to Disintegration’s Ray of Light- same sound, but dedicated to the people who really love the sound (Disclaimer: Obviously I know that there were several albums after Disintegration, even if I have only listened to Wish and Wild Mood Swings). Usually I run away from post-rock and long run times for songs, but Songs of a Lost World grabs your attention with the cinematic songs. I wouldn’t realize it has been 16 years since the last album by The Cure, let alone 35 since Disintegration. Alone, A Fragile Thing, All I Ever Am, and I Can Never Say Goodbye.

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