We’re on our way, slowly but surely, to the end of 2025.
Instead of starting to think about this year’s best LPs,
let’s go back to 2024 and listen to TUTV’s 20 Best Albums
again and look back on what we wrote about each one
of them.
Pitchfork said: “The UK’s once-notorious indie rockers settle into the congenial sound of a pretty good band. This album is no Renaissance masterpiece. Stripped of their fraternal bad blood, the Libertines are just a band, and a decent one at that.”
Promo pic
TUTV: After the turmoil, chaos and drugs addictions (especially Doherty) of the early
years, the side-projects, solo records and getting clean and healthy the Libs are back, again. They’re not the boys in the band of yesteryear, they’re now grown-up men who
enjoy a stable life and still are obsessed by making music.
They became notable, experienced musicians who left their hedonistic lifestyle behind themselves for several years now. Not one dull moment, not one dull song on the eastern esplanade.
NME says: “The band’s first album in nearly a decade doesn’t chase the same intoxicating
high as their early material. They sound better for it. On ‘…Eastern Esplanade’, the sense of listening in on a band teetering on the precipice of disaster is gone, replaced by a more stable and necessarily safer version of The Libertines. The results may be patchy, but this is not, and could not be, an album that rides the same intoxicating high as ‘Up the Bracket’. What they have done, though, is find their voice again, and, for the first time in over 20 years, The Libertines feel like a band with a viable future.” Score: 4/5.
Promo pic
TUTV: After the turbulence, chaos and drugs addictions (especially Doherty) of the early years, the side-projects, solo records and getting clean and healthy the Libs are back, again. They’re not the boys in the band of yesteryear, they’re now grown-up men who
enjoy a stable life and still are obsessed by making music.
Compared to their first two tempestuous and jarring indie punk LPs they mellowed naturally. Older and wiser. But Doherty/Barat are still terrific songwriters, assisted here
by John Hassall/Gary Powell, with Doherty as the 5-star one.
They still rock with vivacious punch (Run Run Run / Of Shit / Mustangs / Be Young ), they
still know how to seduce with captivating, romantic ballads (Shiver / Night Of The Hunter / Baron’s Claw), and Doherty/Barat still are soul-stirring vocalists.
Not one dull moment, not one dull song. They became notable, experienced musicians who left their hedonistic lifestyle behind themselves for several years now. They sound clean, healthy and happy (lots of laughter between songs, especially at the end of closer Songs They Never Play On The Radio) all the way through and it feels very fine.
Press info: “On All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade, the quartet of unlikely lads have gathered from their new-found homes in France, Denmark, Margate and London to solder a strongest-ever internal bond, and scale new creative heights resulting in the best music of their extraordinary career so far.”
“On All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade, the quartet of unlikely lads have gathered from their new-found homes in France, Denmark, Margate and London to solder a strongest-ever internal bond, and scale new creative heights resulting in the best music of their extraordinary career so far.”
Along with the news came the first single, titled RUN RUN RUN. A sickly sticky runner. A vintage Libs anthem.
The celebrated British indie rockers prepare for the launch
of their 6th LP, titled ‘Pick-Up Full Of Pink Carnations’, with this
new stonker, bringing the sonic euphoria of The Killers to mind.
This synth-pop duo is warming up for their third full length ‘A Kiss of the Mind’
Lead single ‘In Slow Motion’ is dark-synth-wave pizazz at its haunting best.
Booming beats rotate on and on towards a full orchestral plangency while
shadowy vocals add even more sinister vibes.
These masked synth-punk freaks from Vancouver (CA)
produce lots of mayhem on their new album Play Cobra.
One of the 5 best albums of the month on TUTV’s list.
Mouth Yellow is one of the crazy corkers.
Fasten your seatbelt, folks. It’s a rough ride.
The veteran superstar born Leonard Albert Kravitz in New York City 59 years
ago has his new longplayer – a double one – dubbed ‘Blue Electric Light’ out
on 15 March 2024.
On the video for the first taster ‘TK421’ Kravitz
drops his towel and shakes a lot of body parts.
6. ‘Downtown Operation’ by DUBINSKI (Edinburgh, Scotland)
Four brothers who’ve literally been through everything together – from childhood
through adolescence, success and grief – using music as the gel to hold them in place.
This first cut from their forthcoming 2nd album is a pure not-so-happy
pop pearl about the doom and gloom era we’re living in.
Its whirling groove, its ebullient beat, its glistering synth flashes, its vivacious
harmonies and last but not least its tremendously infectious chorus combine
for a top-notch earworm. Think Everything Everything and/or Hot Chip turning
up the heat.
Beginning as a solo project and growing into a band, Millie Milner & The Deadnames
of Manchester, UK was forged with a stronger mission at the heart to be the queer representation that the band’s members struggled to find in their own teenage years.
Lie was inspired by a breakup of Milner‘s and co-penned by a friend. It tells of
a need to take ownership of their life and their choices and the newfound element
of fun and recklessness they found themselves surrounded by as a newly single
person.
It’s indie at its vivid best. Sparkling guitars going berserk now and then, firm
drum hits, crystal clear vocals/harmonies, evocative lyrics, and a steamy chorus.
10. ‘Dead Moon Rising‘ by CACTUS FLOWERS (Houston, Texas)
This psych-rock act is fronted by Jessica A.M., whose mother photographed bands for
the legendary Rolling Stone music weekly during the magazine’s counter-culture heyday.
Their new sultry mid-tempo garage blues-rock corker is fuelled by echoing, rollicking
riffs, steady drum hits and bewitching Jessica A.M. vocals. Dead Moon Rising resonates
like glorious legends The Cramps with a mean machine vibe, rock-and-psycho-billy
swagger and footstompin’ dynamics. From bad moon rising to dead moon rising.
The Libs met in the studio once again for a new LP.
It’s been 8 years since the release of their 3rd album Anthems For Doomed Youth, which was their first
in 11 years back then.
Their new one ‘All Quit On The Easter Esplanade‘
and comes our way on 8 March 2024.
Run Run Run is a sickly sticky runner.
A vintage Libertines anthem.
Two years after the release of their charged self-titled debut EPEmpty Head are
back with a brand new follow-up EP named Tales Of A Modern Man. A 5-track
one anchored by the overarching theme of the Modern Man and bristling with
a wiry tension.
Opener Violence sets the tone with its hammering beats, its inflammable
guitar galvanism and frontman Simon Galloy‘s sky-scraping vocals.
This Belgian/Iraqi launched their excellent debut
full length The Shedding Of Skin, last year.
Their new piece is “a cynical “c’est-la-vie” anthem, set to a heavy 95 BPM beat and a disarray
of fucked up samples & sounds, about ten little wanderers who wander kilometers from home trying to belong. But home is where the heart is. And the House will never share its wealth.”
The release was initiated before the brutal reality of the genocide happening in Gaza.
Now, the cynical message must make way for solidarity with the Palestinian people.”
Expect a both haunting and hypnotic trip, with ominous slo-mo beats pounding
relentlessly with eerie chants all over it. Dark clouds in the air, calm before the storm, subdued electronic anger. It’s an alarming beast of a track.
Carter and Co release their fifth LP Dark Rainbow on 26 January 2024.
First single Man Of The Hour is a gorgeous surprise. Sonically and vocally
we get the softer side of the post-hardcore punk and tattoo artist. A super
duper ballad.
Abdelbarry: “The song reflects on having a friend who is acting in immature
ways you’ve outgrown, but knowing they still need your support and friendship.”
Birthday Cake is slow-progressing musing that appeals instantly with its
rudimentary PJ Harvey-esque guitar play and Abdelbarry‘s affectional voice.
The song has both a romantic and wistful sonority that captivates and moves.
And halfway melancholic synths accentuate the overall ruminate timbre in
an endearing way.
Caleb Orr is a young skilled country-pop-rock singer-songwriter who grew up in Helena, Alabama. He found his passion for music at a young age. He and his two older siblings were raised on music legends like Alan Jackson, Van Halen, Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings.
Great voice, great musicality, and great guitar play, echoing classic country
melancholia, and proving that the genre is simply timeless. As we all know, music can
have a healing, comforting and cathartic power and it also works here as Orr wants
to shake off bad habits of the past and want to focus on the future as a compelling
singer-songwriter.
This is the brainchild of seasoned Norwegian singer-songwriter Hans PetterGundersen
Dusty Road is a smooth mid-tempo country musing with a bluesy feel and both
a melancholic and yearning sensitivity. Warm voice, captivating melody, vintage
pedal steel guitar charm. All the matching ingredients for a warm sepia-colored
nugget.
Dan Cummings fronts Boston’s rowdy trio Already Dead
No wall-of-Already-Dead-dynamite electricity this time. Cummings
picked up his acoustic guitar and wrote this bone-chilling cry-out
about living on the edge of drowning or surviving.
Imagine British leftist/political activist and terrific veteran songsmith Billy Bragg
raising his voice or equally politically driven folk legend Woody Guthrie killing fascists
again with his wooden guitar. Landlord‘s profound emotions go from hope to despair
and back, and Cummings‘ anxious vocals send shivers down your spine.
THE LIBERTINES are active once again. It’s been 8 years since the release of their
3rd album Anthems For Doomed Youth, which was their first in 11 years back then.
So great news for the Libs fans. The new longplayer is named ALL QUIET ON THE EASTERN ESPLANADE and will be launched on 8 March 2024. Pre-order info
“On All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade, the quartet of unlikely lads have gathered from their new-found homes in France, Denmark, Margate and London to solder a strongest-ever internal bond, and scale new creative heights resulting in the best music of their extraordinary career so far.”
And here’s the first single.
RUN RUN RUN is a sickly sticky runner.
A vintage Libertines anthem. Hail hail.
5. ‘Stayin’ Alive’ by LEE ROGERS (Northern Ireland)
Original by Bee Gees.
This warm Americana voice out of Northern Ireland slows
the classic down, drenches it in a nostalgic sepia bath, and
gives it a haunting and soul-stirring twist corresponding with
the somber lyrics. Compelling version!
From the massive covers compilation called The Metallica Blacklist
featuring no less than 53 artists interpreting a Black Album song, the
breakthrough LP that was released 30 years ago.
Every Sunday for about two years now, the famous British songstress and
her King Crimson husband Robert Fripp entertained us (and still do it) via
YouTube with covers of big crackers. Their performances were/are ridiculously
hilarious. Definitely the stand-up rock comedians of 2021.
Razzle dazzle punk and tattoo artist Frank Carter unleashes his 4th LP Sticky next week. Ahead of it, we can taste this new crashing cannonball
feat. loudmouth Cassyette.
Sometimes I wonder when Frank Carter‘s lungs will collapse. At times his vocal powerfulness is off the charts causing the impression that an explosion is in the
air. And when Cassyette joins the scream contest the decibels go up to an illegal
level. Holy smoke!
Yesterday these psych-rockers from down under released their 9th longplayer called, yes, 9. A surprising mix of bangers to fill dance floors with and reflective ballads. My standout favorite is Pink Lunettes. A kick-ass jackhammer that does your head in, the way you like it.
Fresh band, fresh blood. With their sharp-cutting debut single, they target the never-ending police ferocity/racism as we, unfortunately, know. It’s still a worldwide disease.
“It’s about the aggression and brutality towards people, predominantly BIPOC and
marginalized individuals, alongside the disregard of matters that call for REAL assistance.
We will stand with this message until real change is made in policing says the band.
This Blue Mob is a turbulent whirlwind storming, with no brakes, towards the
abrupt finish. Blustery guitars, quick-fire pace, and robotic vocals. Touchdown!
Songwriter Steve Prygoda describes what inspired the song: “Love locks, they call
‘em. You see them on fences, overpasses, bridges. In Paris, Amsterdam, or in your own
city. Padlocks encoded with secret messages from lovers, for viewing by strangers. They symbolize love, however transient or permanent.”
This tremendously rushing earworm made me smile instantly, so does the universal
story of expressing your romantic state of mind via a sort of all you need is love graffiti.
And when you embed these fervent feelings in an irresistible, adrenaline-driven stunner,
you want to go out in the street and scream your amorous heart out.
Although – in general – tribute albums are a tricky affair (certainly when you want to honor one of the most iconic bands in rock history), they’re several notable performances on this one. Like here with Kurt Vile doing a great job with one of the key tracks of VU’s classic.
6. ‘Mass Produce Your Revolution’ by FERAL VICES (Louisville, KY)
This rumbling rock tandem release a 5 song EP titled ‘With Offerings‘ on December 3rd.
About this EP’s taster: “The song is about how we give these massive platforms to people
who really don’t actually know all that much of what they’re talking about. The second part of the song is about how these ultra-rich business people or specifically celebrities are throwing their pocket change into something just for the press and getting even more money out of it than they put in and it all becomes this vicious cycle that we all participate in.”
‘Mass Produce Your Revolution reflects loud and clear what we can expect next.
The pithy pair balances somewhere in between The Black Keys and Royal Blood.
Boisterous, determinant, and with uncurbed force. Bingo!
Ongoing Krautrock jam spinning around in your head before you’re aware of it.
Magnetic, hypnotic and energetic. Closing piece from new album Ignorance To Enlightenment And Back Again.
The trip starts here…
As it goes with these sorts of albums, some covers work, but mostly it’s about
a couple of exceptions. Yet, here on this tribute of an (almost) uncoverable band
several interpretations actually work. Michael Stipe doing ‘Sunday Morning‘, Sharon
Van Etten turning into a ‘Femme Fatale‘, Iggy Pop & Matt Sweeney trashing ‘European
Son’, The National‘s maestro Matt Berninger with ‘I’m Waiting For The Man‘ and my
favorite:Kurt Vile‘s pumped up version of ‘Run Run Run’.
