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Bon Iver: SABLE, fABLE
New album: Wisconsin’s Justin Vernon returns with his fifth album, a sparse, tender, sometimes world-weary, but also often beautiful, distinctive fusion of folk, indie, R&B, soul, country, and a dash of soft rock, all wrapped in celebration of the salmon pink - “the colour of life”
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Yukimi: For You
New album: This debut solo album by the seasoned frontwoman of Sweden’s acclaimed electronica/dance group Little Dragon Yukimi Nagano is a classy collection of measured pace, poise and elegance, mixing soul, jazz and pop with guest vocals by Lianne La Havas
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Annie & The Caldwells: Can't Lose My (Soul)
New album: A fabulously uplifting soul, gospel and funk release the the family band who release their first LP four decades into their career, fronted by the supreme voice of West Point, Mississippi’s Annie Caldwell, alongside her daughters, husband and god-daughter
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Greentea Peng: Tell Dem It's Sunny
New album: South-east London’s Aria Wells returns her second album after 2021’s Man Made with a stylish, dark, smoky fusion of trip-hop, hip-hop, reggae, neo-soul, R’n’B, and indie rock, with a variety of timbres and themes, but overall one of self-renewal and change
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Brooke Combe: Dancing At The Edge Of The World
New album: Classy, classic soul full debut LP by the young Scottish singer from Edinburgh, following 2023’s EP, Black Is the New Gold with finely controlled, mature voice and influences from the likes of Marvin Gaye, Baby Huey, and William DeVaughn
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SAULT: Acts of Faith
New album: Released as usual without fanfare, and on Christmas Day, the London collective of by producer and musician Inflo return with an 11th LP – silky smooth, classy soul, funk and gospel, fronted by the voice of Cleo Sol
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The second part of our favourite albums of 2024
Favourite albums of 2024: Welcome to The Song Bar’s favourite albums of 2024 Part 2. Part 1 can be found here. There’s no such thing as ‘best of’ and everything is subjective, but please dig into this rich seam of originality and quality, and even suggest more of your own
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This year’s selections include some returning veterans at the top of their game as well as some fabulous newcomers
Favourite albums of 2024: Welcome to The Song Bar’s favourite albums of 2024 Part 1. There’s no such thing as ‘best of’ and everything is subjective, but rich seams of originality and quality are certainly here to be enjoyed. Peruse away …
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Native Harrow: Divided Kind
Album review: Released in September, classy, meticulously crafted, intelligent, warm Americana mix of folk, rock, pop and country by the Philadelphia duo of vocalist Devin Tuel and multi-instrumentalist Stephen Harms in this sixth LP
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Poppy Ajudha: Poppy
New album: The south London singer-songwriter’s sophomore LP takes different direction to her 2022’s more social and political issue-based debut The Power In Us, with a more mainstream route of stylish, smart, soaring pop, soul and R&B centred on fraught, divided, candid emotions
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Michael Kiwanuka: Small Changes
New album: A fourth album by the Mercury prize-winner, another gorgeously crafted and performed set of songs drawing on 70s soul and slowly simmering psychedelic rock, and the third produced by Danger Mouse and Inflo
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Primal Scream: Come Ahead
New album: Looking cool in shades, a 1960 photograph the father of frontman Bobby Gillespie decorates the band’s 12th LP, and their first for 8 years, serving very much as a inspiration with a Glaswegian phrase, but musically filled with 70s Philly soul and funk, and with the input of Belfast producer David Holmes, it’s one of PS’s most stylish for years
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Tyler, the Creator: Chromakopia
New album: American rapper and producer Tyler Okonma’s eighth LP is an eclectic, electric, eccentric creation featuring his oddball masked persona, and addresses subjects such as fame, getting old, and with several songs featuring his mother Bonita Smith
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Leon Bridges' fourth LP: Leon
New album: Silky smooth soul-pop with a richly orchestral 70s style and country hues by the high-voiced Fort Worth Texan singer-songwriter in this summery, honey-flavoured, highly polished fourth LP
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Thandii: Dream With You
New album: Two albums and 20 songs released together in an outstanding combination of upbeat, clever, innovative, eclectic, refreshing electro-pop and dream-pop, funk, jazz and soul by the Margate duo of Graham Godfrey and Jessica Berry
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Rosie Lowe: Lover, Other
New album: A gorgeously original fourth LP by the English singer-songwriter whose voice has power, presence and intimacy and whose unique sound blends soul, pop, jazz, electronica, clever samples, and a dash of bossa nova
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Killer Mike: Michael & the Mighty Midnight Revival - Songs for Sinners and Saints
Meshell Ndegeocello: No More Water - The Gospel of James Baldwin
New album: A remarkable, substantial, powerful and emotional release by the US singer-songwriter, poet, and bassist, channelling the words of the influential African-American writer, and tackling race and gender issues, with guests including Jamaica-born poet Staceyann Chin and soul singer Justin Hicks
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Cat Burns: Early Twenties
New album: A strong, sensitive, substantial 17-song debut LP by the 24-year-old south London singer-songwriter who combines a range of pop styles with gospel, R&B and indie with a very candid, personal lyrics
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Berwyn: Who Am I
New album: A candid, uncompromising, starkly personal and powerful rap-folk-R&B LP by the Trinidad-born 28-year-old east Londoner Berwyn Du Bois, who among other emotions, captures his experiences of Britain’s hostile environment immigration policy since arriving in the UK aged 9 in 2005
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