2024 Album Wrap-up
2024 Album Highlights
Writing over 100 reviews this year for Alternation
Magazine, ReGen, and Sonic Seducer has been both a privilege
and a challenge—especially when it comes to narrowing down my favorites.
Spending more time at home allowed me to fully immerse myself in the music,
letting each release linger and resonate. While I couldn’t cover every brilliant
album this year, I’ve highlighted those that moved me the most—albums that
sparked deep thought, evoked strong emotions, and offered new perspectives, or
simply gave me endless goosebumps. Here’s my personal selection of standout
works from 2024, showcasing what makes them so unforgettable.
Chelsea Wolfe - She Reaches Out to She Reaches Out to
She
Chelsea Wolfe is an artist who never shies away from
confronting the raw, the painful, and the sublime, and this album is no
exception. In She Reaches Out to She Reaches Out to She, Wolfe crafts a
haunting journey that feels deeply intimate yet universal. Her poetic lyricism
is steeped in shadowy imagery, her voice carrying a celestial beauty that cuts
straight to the soul. This album is a prime example of Wolfe’s ability to balance
vulnerability with power, creating a work that lingers long after the final
note fades.
IAMX - Neurosymphony
IAMX has always been about emotional honesty and pushing
sonic boundaries, but Neurosymphony feels particularly raw and visceral.
Chris Corner channels his inner turmoil into a labyrinth of intricate
electronic soundscapes, crafting an album that oscillates between heartbreak
and resilience. It’s a deeply personal journey that invites listeners to
confront their own emotions. Corner’s ability to fuse complex arrangements with
deeply human themes makes Neurosymphony one of his most striking works
yet.
KITE - VII
KITE VII solidifies the Swedish duo’s place as one of
the most compelling acts in modern synthpop. What struck me most about this
album is its ability to merge the ethereal with the dynamic. Tracks like
“Glassy Eyes” are cinematic in scope, blending introspection with driving
beats. KITE creates soundscapes that are both melancholic and hopeful, proving
once again their mastery in capturing the complexity of human emotion through
music.
Diamanda Galás - In Concert
Diamanda Galás doesn’t just perform music—she channels raw
human experience. In Concert is a minimalist masterpiece that strips
away all artifice, leaving nothing but her unparalleled voice and piano. This
album is not for the faint of heart; it’s a harrowing confrontation with themes
of loss, grief, and resistance. Yet, there’s a cathartic beauty in its stark
honesty. Galás remains a force of nature, and this album is a testament to her
unyielding commitment to artistic truth.
Data Void - Strategies of Dissent
Data Void’s Strategies of Dissent is an album that
doesn’t just ask questions—it demands answers. It’s a cerebral exploration of
resistance, with each track acting as a manifesto wrapped in pulsating beats
and dark atmospheres. The music feels like a call to arms, yet it’s
introspective enough to make you reflect on your role in the greater narrative.
This is dark electronic music at its most thought-provoking, and I found myself
returning to it again and again for its depth and complexity.
Black Nail Cabaret - Chrysanthemum
Statiqbloom - Kain
Kain feels like an industrial fever dream—dark,
intense, and utterly magnetic. Statiqbloom has a way of creating music that
gets under your skin, and this album is no exception. Every track brims with
grit and eerie atmospherics, pulling you into a world that’s as unsettling as
it is compelling. It’s an album that demands your full attention and rewards it
with layers of sonic complexity.
Propaganda - Propaganda
Propaganda’s return with their self-titled album is nothing
short of triumphant. Forty years after their debut, they’ve managed to bridge
the past and present seamlessly. The album combines their dark, art-synth roots
with bold, contemporary production, reminding listeners why they were pioneers
in the first place. It’s rare for a band to recapture their essence while still
pushing forward, but Propaganda does so effortlessly.
flint glass & Ah Cama-Sotz - Wakan Tanka
Wakan Tanka is an album that feels less like a
collection of songs and more like a ritual in motion. It blends ancient
mysticism with futuristic sound design, creating a sonic journey that is both
hypnotic and spiritually evocative. This is music that demands immersion—a work
of art that transports you to another realm.
Empusae - Pilgrimage to Ganriki
Empusae is a master of crafting immersive soundscapes, and Pilgrimage
to Ganriki is no exception. The album traverses shadowy borderlands between
electronic and ambient, offering a meditative exploration of sound. It’s a
deeply atmospheric work that rewards listeners with its intricate layers and
emotional depth.
Czarina - Exoskeleto
2024 proved that music still has the power to surprise,
challenge, and inspire. Each of these albums offered a unique perspective and
sound, reaffirming my belief in the transformative potential of art. These
records didn’t just provide entertainment—they sparked thought, emotion, and
connection, leaving an indelible mark on my year.
