And so, we come to the obligatory end of year round up of the best new albums
Scarily this is now the 13th such round up and to follow protocol here are six of the best in alphabetical order:
It’s the end of the year to time to look back at the best live gigs of 2024
Back in April it was off to the Exeter Cavern to see Vazum. A band I was unfamiliar with but the description of their music as ‘deathcore’ sold it. Great fun.
Charm of Finches flew all the way from Australia in June to play the Exeter Phoenix.
Glorious harmonies and rather surreal to hear the band and my daughter discussing Moomin tattoos afterwards
The Exeter Cavern was a popular destination this year and in August we caught the stunning Iress on top form. Best vocal performance of the year by a mile.
October and my first trip abroad to catch a gig. Fish at the Tivoli, Utrecht was very special – Not only as it’s the farewell tour but the Dutch fans are just amazing as was the venue. Gig of the year.
Finally rounding out the top 5 is another return to the Cavern in November to see Winterfylleth. It seems extraordinary to catch a band of that stature in the extreme metal world to be playing such a small venue. Absolutely rammed but a blast in more ways than one.
Time for a mini album review – JJ Lovegrove has put together Unravelled: The Elegies in just 5 weeks but it sounds like it been thought about for much longer.
The stories behind the songs were told through the Halloween calendar that JJ lovingly crafted, and it gives you such a deep engagement with music.
Of the six tracks, five are mainly vocals and piano with just Foolish Things adding additional instruments to drive a change of pace. (there is a bonus synth demo of the last track)
It’s raw, emotional and almost unbearably personal at times.
Lyrically, it can be heartbreaking but there is also defiance in that voice – From Unraveled for example:
If this is the last new album I buy this year, then what a beautiful way to end it.
