We have shared our Top 5 Live Moments, and yesterday we revealed our Top 10 Songs of the Year, but now it is time for the big one.
2024 has been a huge year for album releases. Take Charli XCX “Brat” for example, which wasn’t just a hit with fans and critics but created a cultural moment with “Brat Summer”.
Elsewhere the likes of Fontaines D.C. enjoyed success with “Romance”, Wunderhorse went grunge on “Midas”, and Soft Play‘s “Heavy Jelly” was as good a comeback as the punk duo could have wished for.
Of course, our Top 10 list focuses on the northern artists every year. So after plenty of deliberation, we have narrowed down our Top 10 Northern Albums of the Year…
10) LOOSE ARTICLES – SCREAM IF YOU WANNA GO FASTER
The eagerly anticipated debut album from Loose Articles was a highlight of 2024. Back in July, we stated that “everything that modern punk music should be exists within the four walls of this record: it’s angry, funny, acute in eloquent criticism and rocks hard when it wants to”. It combines friendship, fun, and fresh punk energy, and it’s no surprise that the Manchester band were selected to support Foo Fighters at Emirates Old Trafford.
9) PAUL HEATON – THE MIGHTY SEVERAL
After Paul Heaton teamed up with Scottish singer-songwriter, Rianne Downey, on the live stages throughout 2023, it appeared the perfect combination to fill the shoes of Jacqui Abbott. This year, we were treated to the duo’s first studio album together, and The Mighty Several delivered on all fronts. It all started with the joyous Fish & Chip Supper, and this chapter peaked on the Pyramid Stage at Worthy Farm, where Paul was even joined by old bandmate, Norman Cook (Fatboy Slim).
8) THE MYSTERINES – AFRAID OF TOMORROWS
Merseyside‘s alternative rock outfit, The Mysterines, released their highly-anticipated sequel to the critically-lauded debut, “Reeling”, which secured a spot in the Top 10 of the UK charts. Crafted under the expertise of Grammy Award-winning producer John Congleton in Los Angeles, “Afraid of Tomorrows” represents a significant evolution for The Mysterines, delving into profound themes of introspection and growth. The band took some times away from touring for personal reasons in 2024 but this album release remains a landmark moment for the band which they can build on when the time is right.
7) RED RUM CLUB – WESTERN APPROACHES
It was a big year for Red Rum Club, who not only released an incredible record in “Western Approaches”, but also headlined their hometown M&S Bank Arena. Infectiously catchy tracks appear a given now with the Liverpool group, but the latest offering saw the band exploring new sounds with this American-inspired record. It is another triumph for RRC, who managed to translate the new sound into the live show seamlessly, even opening their arena show with a taste of the latest material.
6) EVERYTHING EVERYTHING – MOUNTAINHEAD
The most consistent band in indie returned with another impressive record in 2024. Art-rock group, Everything Everything released their seventh studio album, “Mountainhead”, the band’s third offering in just two years. The prolific consistency of quality with Everything Everything is to be admired, and the likes of “Cold Reactor” and “The End of the Contender” were instant hits with their loyal fanbase. Could they be the most underrated band around at the minute?
5) COURTEENERS – PINK CACTUS CAFE
It felt like a pivotal moment for Courteeners who had taken some time away to craft their next record following 2020’s “More Again Forever”. But the release of Solitude of the Night Bus and title track Pink Catcus Cafe were evidence of the Manchester band’s best work since “The 17th” eight years prior. The pop angle of the new record, helped in large by the production of Joe Cross, breathed new life into the Middletonians, with their Coop Live homecoming reception testament to the popularity of the latest album.
4) YARD ACT – WHERE’S MY UTOPIA?
The second album by Leeds post-punk band Yard Act had the difficult task of following Mercury-nominated debut, “The Overload”. And it delivered. The album showcases a dynamic evolution in sound, accompanying the band’s unique lyricism, which is jovial and genius in equal measure. The new chapter saw Yard Act perform a huge homecoming show at Millennium Square, with the rapid growth testament to Yard Act’s willingness to experiment beyond the breakthrough year.
3) BILL RYDER-JONES – IECHYD DA
“Iechyd Da” was the surprise package of 2024, with former member of The Coral, Bill Ryder-Jones, releasing his fifth studio album to widespread acclaim. The title translates to “good health” in Welsh, reflecting a nuanced exploration of personal themes. Produced at his Yawn studio in West Kirby, critics have lauded the album for its intimate songwriting and sophisticated musical arrangements. “Iechyd Da” is Bill’s finest solo work to date, and a must-listen from this year.
2) BLOSSOMS – GARY
“Who would call their album Gary?” Taking inspiration from the real-life theft of an 8-foot fibreglass gorilla statue named Gary, stolen from a garden centre in Lanarkshire, Scotland, it’s safe to say Blossoms latest record was slightly unconventional. But with the live shows at their peak, and singles such as “I Like Your Look” taking the Stockport band in a new sonic direction, the “Gary” era has been a resounding success. It also landed their fourth UK number 1 album.
1) ENGLISH TEACHER – THIS COULD BE TEXAS
And our album of the year for 2024 is the Mercury-winning debut release from Leeds breakthrough stars, English Teacher.“This Could Be Texas” combines post-punk elements with indie, exploring themes of societal issues and personal identity. Sonically it is Wolf Alice meets Black Country, New Road, a combination which produced excellent results. Mercury judges highlighted its “fresh approach to the traditional guitar band format.”
So there are our Top 10 albums of the year from up north. Agree? Disagree? Have your say!
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