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 (12.2 – 12.6)

In a world where folks are rushing to put out their year end lists, so you can debate their tastes, I’m just over here putting out songs with my bud RayRay. We covered a surprising 21 new songs last week, and 22 if you included a tune that’s not on any of the DSPs. Tons of rad Austin stuff like Strange Lot, Gus Baldwin, Lunar Gold…and of course the ATH Records’ own Fantastic Purple Spots. New music from FACS and Sprouts made my week complete, though I also found some soft spots in there you can dig through on the site. Don’t forget to also check out our Rock n’ Recipes with Sasha Bell of the Ladybug Transistor, just in time for their little tour and reissue! We also got to premiere a brand new Gaytheist tune worth your time!

The Innocence Mission Share Your Saturday Picture Video

Over last week’s holidays, I spent quite a bit of time with Midwinter Swimmers; I was excited to spend my week of relaxation with the album, as it arrived just in time for the Winter weather to finally reach Austin. And, the Innocence Mission, dropped this accompanying video to reaffirm their gentle joy, illustrated and animated by Karen Peris herself. I love how the imagery and artistry correlate to the group’s history, though the new record’s art reflects more of the approach on Befriended. Nonetheless, this band should never be overlooked, thus I’m here to remind you of their importance in your life. Grab their new LP HERE.

Last Week’s Jams (10.14 – 10.18)

There was so much new music dropping last week that it was hard to keep track of it all, but I think with 22 new songs out there, we managed to do our part. Greg Mendez was a big winner, with a brand new EP we loved; I also definitely didn’t turn away from the fresh Innocence Mission, which maybe one of my favorite they’ve ever concocted. We had a premiere of a new Sunnsetter tune, and also hit up the latest from The Great Divides, so we’re kind of all over the place musically, making this playlist a journey of sorts. You can’t go wrong by pressing play below!

Innocence Mission Share Midwinter Swimmers

One of the great things about the Innocence Mission is that there’s probably never a bad time for a new single to sprout up; they could have just dropped some random B-side from years past and I’d be circling back to play it over and over again. Luckily, this tune comes with the LP just a few weeks away, and I can’t help but be swept away. Karen’s voice, as per usual, draws me deep within the song’s depth; it’s whimsical magic captivates consistently. But, this song excels in its details. There are moments when the song borders on getting noisy, adding just enough to texture to bulk up the tune, though never overbearingly so. Then, twice, the song offers up this forlorn guitar line that sucks me in like a tractor beam; your first notice is at the 1:04 mark, and I live for that moment every time I press play. Midwinter Swimmers arrives on Novemer 29th via Therese Records/Bella Union.

Last Week’s Jams (9.3 – 9.6)

Just because it was a short week doesn’t mean we couldn’t cover a whole lot of brand new music, especially since there were some unexpected returns that we didn’t know were coming, like new jams from The Green Child and The Innocence Mission. More recent favorites dropped some solid tracks for us, so check in with the latest from Best Bets, Naked Roommate and Mo Dotti. But, don’t just think it was all bangers, with the softer side coming through via Adrian Marner and Tom Emlyn. And, be sure to check in with that new Forceghost, who I’d like to apologize to for misspelling the name of their Recycled Hearts release; sorry my friends! Just press play and enjoy!

New Innocence Mission Album!!!

Every night, or every other night, I put my son to bed, and we read three books, then “play music from your phone, daddy.” He’s two, and just wants something to help him drift into the night; the last few months, it’s been the Innocence Mission, one of my personal escape acts that I’ve adored for decades. Yesterday (I’m late to the game!) they announced a new record, already pre-ordered on my end; Midwinter Swimmers is out on November 29th. They’re one of those groups who have these little treats within the confines that continue to mesmerize me, like the 45 second mark where there’s this just the faintest uptick in the guitar line; it subsides, only to sneak back in with some plucked strings. This the album that will coat us in warmth to wrap up 2024, and I couldn’t be happier to play this for my son tonight.

New Music from Karen Peris

Somehow, I’ve been listening to the Innocence Mission for 20+ years, longer than most bands that get constant rotation in my playlist. In fact, I usually play songs from the band’s catalog to help my daughter fall asleep each night, so despite all the raves for Karen Peris‘ new track, I feel like I’d be doing myself an injustice by not pointing it out. This one’s a family affair, with Peris’ husband and children adding to the song’s embellishments; I think we can all agree the moment the song’s sweeping strings come across its difficult not to be awestruck. There’s just something so comforting about her distinctively gentle voice; I just want to nuzzle in the notes. You’ll find this song on A Song Is Way Above the Lawn, out this October via Bella Union. Excuse me while I go listen to Befriended.

Quiet Track from The Innocence Mission

karenperisThere was a time when all I listened to was melancholy indie rock, and honestly, I’m not really sure where that spot in life came (eternal sadness perhaps). But, one of the bands that consistently came into rotation was The Innocence Mission. They had this magnificent approach to crafting solitude while still carrying a strong melody that always found its way into my head. I’ll always have a place in my heart reserved for the voice of Karen Peris. The group has a new album, Hello I Feel the Same coming out on October 17th, so if this is your bag, get at it kids.

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New Tunes from The Innocence Mission

It’s hard to keep track of just how many albums The Innocence Mission has released to date, but if you’re a fan of their quiet bedroom spectacles, then the fact that they’re soon to release yet another album is surely exciting news. The album is titled My Room in Trees, and it will hit the streets on July 13th.  The lead single, “The Happy Mondays,” is exactly what you would expect, and the little nuance of a quickened pace mid-track really warms the heart.  Happy Monday to you.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/02-The-Happy-Mondays.mp3]

Download: The Innocence Mission – The Happy Mondays [MP3]

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