Top Albums of 2024…According to Nathan

I love to wrap up the year later than most, mostly because my real job always has me swimming against the current. But, nonetheless, I’ve got a solid list of the records I loved this year…and you’ll notice a lot of the same stuff as my peers, with maybe a few tweaks here and there to throw my own flare into it. Not really sure how to write an intro into something that seems so opinion-based, so here’s the list of records you should already have purchased if you come to this site frequently!

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Last Week’s Jams (5.27 – 5.31)

A strange week we had last week; I blame the Memorial Day holiday for that, as it started us all off a bit slow. For whatever reason, we didn’t get a lot of fresh tunes, so I, of course, was out there digging deep to unearth some stuff you’re probably not going to find in a ton of other spots, like the new T.G. Shand or Holding Hour singles. It was good to get another single from the next the Martial Arts LP, plus our old friend Stephen popped up with his new project Shortcuts. And, as I’ve been trying to do more, there were some great records like the new Neutrals and Oh Boland LPs I wanted to nod towards too. It’s all in the playlist below.

Last Week’s Jams (4.29 – 5.3)

Well, I somehow managed to break the streak! This week we only have 23 songs to offer instead of the customary 28 per that last four weeks! Alas, I was sick, so were my kids, and a few of the tunes weren’t streaming. So, what did we cover? The good stuff. I was blown away and waxing nostalgic with the new Royal Headache announcement and accompanying single. It was good to see acts like Oh Boland, Neutrals and Stephen’s Shore give me my pop goodies. Plus, Austin powerhouses Urban Heat and Font were out there backing up hype with great new singles. Oh, and did you catch out great Rock n’ Recipe feature with R.E. Seraphin? Well, there’s still plenty to digest below, so enjoy yourselves!

Neturals Share New Single from New Town Dream

One of the many great records on the May schedule for Slumberland Records is the forthcoming Neutrals LP. Their new single opens with a bit of an off-kilter shuffle before the sharp ringing of the guitars chime through your speakers; this sets the tempo for the track and Allan’s vocal work. Mr. McNaughton’s voice is something that’s so distinctive, it’s difficult to imagine anyone else fronting this group. But, one thing I do love here is that there’s this faint feeling like the vocals could be more explosive; it’s like he’s harnessed the internal anxiety and holds it close, though you could expect him to unleash it (or not) in the live setting. I love that, as it encompasses the sort of passionate unity that’s made the group so tight and infectious through their last several releases. New Town Dream is out on May 31st! Also available in the UK via Static Shock.

Last Week’s Jams (4.8 – 4.12)

Apparently it’s that time of year when I just can’t help myself; I’m going full-time it seems, as we ran 28 brand new tracks this last week, plus some nods to albums we liked that dropped on Friday. We got some fresh premiere activity from the Wesleys and Max Blansjaar, then there were some recent favorites dropping in new stuff like Lightheaded, Neutrals and Autocamper. Me personally, I loved the new Gregor single, and that new CBVB plays into similar territory. This collection of songs, like my own catalog, is pretty random, though we always tend to aim for left of the left of the dial. Stream on.

Neutrals Announce New Town Dream

The announcement of a brand new Neutrals record is the sort of news I welcome with wide-open arms and a huge grin. You see, the Oakland outfit fronted by Allan MacNaughton have crafted a brand of jangling old school power pop that very few, if any, are capable of pulling off…as you’ll see listening below. The guitar style has that sharpness that seemingly mutes the jangular approach, giving it a bit more bounce and edge, a la the Television Personalities. They’ll get that nod more than one though, as I’m sure Allan’s voice/delivery will pull in some Dan Treacy comparisons; he has this matter-of-fact delivery that almost seems like he’s toying with you. This particular tune also gets some nice soft undertones from Lauren Matsui (also of Seablite), adding in a layer of cool that only makes my need to hear this whole LP even greater! New Town Dream is out on May 31st via Slumberland Records/Static Shock Records.

Cool Friday Streams: Kindsight, the Fine, Neutrals

Fridays are a good day to sit back and do a lot of daydreaming. What’s better than good jams to go along with it? Well, check below as we’ve got a few things that might grab your interest.

KindsightSwedish Punk

We’ve been hyping this Danish band for a few years, and now their debut LP is finally here for all of you to enjoy. It’s 11 songs of creative pop, all tied together by a penchant for fuzzy riffs and 90s rock n’ roll. Brought to you courtesy of Rama Lama.

NeutralsBus Stop Nights EP

After dropping Kebab Disco, we became devotees to the church of Neutrals. Well, they drop their new EP today, reminding us that the best punk rock with UK lineage doesn’t always have to sound like Shame/Idles/etc; this is all pogoing, clever lyrics and off-the-cuff exuberance. Via Static Shock.

FineFine

Pop music is always a great way to spend your time, particularly when it’s constructed as carefully as what we have here from Alice Kat and Kid Chameleon. Plus, this is a double album of charming ditties, some with energetic bursts, while others feel a touch more thoughtful. I love how they tease us with mellow bits before dropping in massive hooks. Courtesy of Subjangle.

Last Week’s Jam’s Today (2.28 – 3.4)

Last week was one of those weeks where I wanted to write about all the songs; Ryan crushed it with tons of SXSW interviews, letting you get to know the likes of Best Move, Coyle Girelli, No Swoon and more. So, we’ve got to go back and give you a quick list of all the jams, and there were tons! You had new stuff from Austinites Friday Boys, Bright Light Social Hour and Wiretree, then Neutrals and Mick Love made my weekend with hits at the end of the week. There’s tons to browse through here, so go check it out.

Neutrals Prep Bus Stop Nights EP

One of our favorite Oakland outfits, Neutrals, are preparing to release the fresh Bus Stop Nights EP, and well, you should use Bandcamp Friday as the perfect time to preorder the new EP! It’s fitting I run this today, as it’s hitting the same rad notes you get from that earlier Mick Trouble track, hitting on those heavier jangle notes with clever vocal delivery that always makes this amateur rock enthusiast think of TV Personalities. The lyrical content is playful and humorous (we all have a Gary Borthwick–it might be me!), and the ripping bops on this tune stick in your head all day long. Plus, the wonderful video by Elyse Schlock is worth the price of admission! You can grab Bus Stop Nights EP via Static Shock Records.

Neutrals Share Personal Computing Video

If you were lucky to grab all the Slumberland 30 Singles, the last one in your batch was this incredible 7″ from Neutrals. While I loved their Kebab Disco, the two tracks on this 7″, including the video below, show this sharpness in their playing that really pops. Allan’s delivery has this very punk feel to it, balanced out by these really careful backing melodies from the rest of the group. Personally though, I think the guitar work just after the 1 minute mark is my favorite bit of this tune; I don’t know why, but its just this infectiousness I can’t get outta my head. Plus, you get a great video from Jenn Dorn Heard that plays off the band’s color scheme while honing in on the track’s thematic influence. But, if you didn’t grab the SL30 Series, you can grab this individual single from Slumberland Records, which is a ripper!

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