Almanac Music: The Best Australian Albums of 2024

 

 

There was plenty of excellent Australian music released in 2024, but it felt like one was forced to search a little harder than in previous years. This was particularly so in the first half of the year, when I became concerned that there wouldn’t be much to write home about at year’s end. But as usual, if one is prepared to look past the ‘big-name’ acts and deep-dive into releases that do not garner a fraction of the attention that they should, the reward is handsome.

While I continue to be amazed by the quality of female musical artists that this country produces, 2024 was a banner year for Indigenous acts: King Stingray, Andrew Gurruwiwi Band, Ripple Effect Band, Yirinda, Thelma Plum, DOBBY, Sycco, and the brilliant Emily Wurramara are just some of the Indigenous artists who released albums within the past twelve months.

At last count, I had listened to over one hundred and twenty new releases by Australian artists – the most of any year since I commenced this annual ‘Top 10’ countdown. As one might imagine, with a sample size this large, the standard varies greatly. But let’s not dwell on those whose music did not appeal to my delicate ears. Without further ado, here is my list of the best Australian albums of 2024:

 

Australian album of the year-: The Dreggs: Caught In A Reverie

Following a string of singles over the previous six years, the debut album of Queensland acoustic folk duo Paddy Macrae and Zane Harris has proven to be worth the wait. It sounds simple, but the quality of an album is ultimately determined by the strength of its songs and, really, there is not a poor track among the twelve here. From catchy singalongs (‘For Your Love’), tender piano-based ballads (‘Peeps With The Goods’), wistful reflections (‘I’m A Little Older’) to jaunty beats (‘Berlin’), this album is just brilliant. The folk-pop duo’s voices are very different, but both are superb – at times angelic – and when harmonising they are simply electric. This album has been on high rotation at my place, and I cannot wait to hear more from these guys – indeed, their socials indicate that they are working on their next album.

Tracks to try: ‘For Your Love’; ‘She Picks Flowers’.

 

 

2-: Pond: Stung!

In the past, I had listened to snatches of Pond – after all, they formed in Perth in 2008 and have shared band members with Tame Impala over the years. And my youngest son is a big fan. I had never been greatly interested in their previous offerings, but their tenth(!) album got its hooks into me from the first listen. There are multiple musical genres at play throughout this album, from the seductive summery opener ‘Constant Picnic’ to the fuzzy, rocking, early-70s feel of ‘Neon River’, and the funk of ‘So Lo’. The stomping ‘I’m Stung’ is one of the best tracks of this year, and the meandering 8-minute ‘Edge of the World Pt. 3’ is Floyd-esque is a masterpiece.

Tracks to try: ‘I’m Stung’, ‘So Lo’.

 

3-: The Buoys: Lustre

An excellent debut album from an all-female band whose earlier singles have hinted that something special was brewing. With a guitar-heavy power-pop sound, The Buoys leave nothing behind, particularly in the lyric department. There are some real ‘heart-on-the-sleeve’ songs of love, insecurity, and regret. The musicianship is impressive, the guitar solos note perfect – some of the best I heard this year – and lead singer Zoe Catterall has a real presence. It all suggests this band is going places.

Tracks to try: ‘Check Mate’; ‘Guard My Heart’.

 

4-: Dirty Three: Love Changes Everything

The Dirty Three are difficult to categorise, but part of their very appeal is their uniqueness. Of course, it goes without saying that Warren Ellis, Mick Turner, and Jim White are the most imperious of musicians, and for over thirty years they have barely put a foot wrong. The first time I played this powerful and beguiling album, the six tracks and 40-plus minutes passed by in the blink of an eye. I was entranced. Ellis’ violin rightly gets much of the attention, but as always it is White’s jazz-fused drumming that drives this collection. Superb.

Tracks to try: ‘Love Changes Everything II’; ‘Love Changes Everything IV’.

 

5-: Emily Wurrumara: NARA

In part because I was deterred by the hype around this album, I was late to listen to it. What a mistake. I had seen Emily perform live a couple of years ago and was impressed, but this record was on an even higher plane. It is difficult to pigeon-hole this album due to the divergent range of sounds, a reflection of Emily’s versatility. There is the rocking ‘Midnight Blues’, torch-like duet ‘WWGBH’, folky ‘FRIEND’ and the dance of ‘Lordy Lordy’. This album is bold, uncompromisingly personal, and simply a revelation.

Tracks to try: ‘STFAFM’, ‘Magic Woman Dancing’.

 

6-: Jess Locke: Real Life

I had merely listened to grabs of Jess Locke’s previous releases, but knew of her as the keyboardist in the Smith Street Band. But on this, her fourth album, she really emerges as an impressive solo artist in her own right. It is a heavily guitar-based album, with fuzz, grunge and acoustic all getting a run. Jess hasn’t got the strongest voice, but it can verge on being quite sweet, and she writes songs – many of a personal nature – to suit.

Tracks to try: ‘Rocket to Ride”, “Uncomfortably Happy”.

 

7-: Hockey Dad: Rebuild Repeat

A decade of solid touring has seen the duo of drummer Billy Fleming and vocalist and guitarist Zach Stephenson develop into a tight musical unit. The latter has a wonderfully versatile pop/rock voice ideally suited to both the heavier garage-band type tracks like ‘Wreck & Ruin’ and the slower-paced songs like ‘Burning Sand’. And most of the tunes here are oh so catchy. An album that will definitely be on repeat this summer.

Tracks to try: ‘Base Camp’, ‘Safety Pin’.

 

8-: Good Morning: Good Morning Seven

This was the first of the Melbourne duo’s two albums to be released this year. In parts laid-back (‘Monster of the Week’), ethereal (‘The Dogs Were Playing’), and funky (‘The Lake’), this is an excellent collection of 17 short tracks which runs for over 50 minutes. Talk about value! (There are plenty of artists who should take note). Their musical style? Atmospheric, moody, and very listenable. And certainly with a variety of different styles.

Tracks to try: ‘Diane Said’, ‘Excalibur’.

 

9-: Tori Forsyth: All We Have Is Who We Are

I cannot for the life of me understand how or why Tori Forsyth is not a bigger presence on the Australian music scene. Because a singer, guitarist and songwriter of her ability sure deserves to be. Her previous album ‘Provlepsis’ was rock, but this third album sees her return to her country roots. It is packed full of excellent self-penned tunes which showcase her vocal talents – and as with the very best of country singers, her voice brims with passion. I am hopeful that more people wake up to the brilliance of Tori Forsyth.

Tracks to try: ‘All We Are’, ‘Alchemist’

 

10-: Lime Cordiale: Enough of the Sweet Talk

It seems like the Leimbach brothers have been around for ages now, but this is still only their third album. They are firm favourites of mine, and what’s not to like about their infectious brand of pop? Plenty of catchy foot-tapping tunes on this record, but I have one criticism: at least two of the tracks were released as singles over two years before this album surfaced. Lime Cordiale are not the only artist guilty of this practice, but it it seems like they are cheating a little by doing this. Plenty of kudos for the appearance of Colin Hay on ‘Colin’.

Tracks to try: ‘Facts of Life’, ‘Enough of the Sweet Talk’.

 

The next ten best:

11-: Ella Thompson: “Ripple On The Wing”,

12-: The Rions: “Happiness In A Place It Shouldn’t Be (ep)”,

13-: Mia Dyson: “Tender Heart”,

14-: Andrew Gurruwiwi Band: “Sing Your Own Song”,

15-: Skeggs: “Pacific Highway Music”,

16-: Velvet Trip: “HARMONY BLOOMS”,

17-: Charm of Finches: “Marlinchen in the Snow”,

18-: Pierce Brothers: “Everything is Bigger than Me”,

19-: Thelma Plum: “I’m Sorry, Now Say It Back”,

20-: Glass Beams: “Mahal (ep)”

 

Honourable Mentions:

21-: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizzard: “Flight b741”,

22-: Karate Boogaloo: “Hold Your Horses”,

23-: Mildlife: “Chorus”,

24-: Obscura Hail: “Playing Dead”,

25-: King Stingray: “For the Dreams”,

26-: Ra Ra Viper: “Big Speak”,

27-: Paul Kelly: “Fever Longing Still”,

28-: Small Town Romance: “Home Fires”,

29-: Vacations: “No Place Like Home”,

30-: The Orbweavers: “New Moon / Silver Moon”,

31-: Surf Trash: “The Only Place I Know”,

32-: Middle Kids: “Faith Crisis Part 1”,

33-: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds: “Wild God”,

34-: Jordan Rakei: “The Loop”,

35-: Full Flower Moon Band: “Megaflower”,

36-: Audrey Powne: “From The Fire”,

37-: GUM and Kenny Ambrose-Smith: “Ill Times”,

38-: Illy: “Good Life”,

39-: PNAU: “Hyperbolic”,

40-: Missy Higgins: “The Second Act”,

41-: Royel Otis: “Pratts & Pain”,

42-: West Thebarton: “Mongrel Australia”,

43-: The Double Agents: “New Motion”,

44-: Yirinda: “Yirinda”,

45-: RUFUS DU SOL: “Inhale/Exhale”,

46-: Hazlett: “Do You Haunt Me? (ep)”,

47-: Rowena Wise: “Senseless Acts of Beauty”,

48-: Grinspoon: “whatever, whatever”,

49-: Mark Seymour and the Undertow: “The Boxer”,

50-: Sarah Blasko: “I Just Need To Conquer This Mountain”.

 

My favourite international album of the year was: “Only God Was Above Us” by Vampire Weekend.

 

I was fortunate enough to attend a heap of gigs this year. My favourite was The Mary Wallopers at the Corner Hotel.

 

 

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