2024 Q3 Review and Analysis
The end is near
That tagline may prove more accurate than any of us like. We’re riding into a shitshow next year, but I’m going to keep pointing out the best new albums so you can at least have some good playlists while the ship goes down.
The final review of the September releases is done, which means it’s time to look at some numbers. Gonna keep this a bit brief so I can jump right into the Coldplay review.
Volume
With Nina Nesbitt’s review posted, we’re at 89 reviews for the year. That is down significantly from last year — we’d hit 120 reviews at the end of Q3 in 2023, and we did it nearly a month sooner.
Granted, the burnout from that is part of why I fell behind (and stayed behind) this year.
While we’re definitely coming in at a lower total volume this year, we’re still looking at (at minimum) a healthy 110 reviews with everything currently on my radar, and may hit upwards of 120.
Quality
That lower count is affecting our percentages, currently. I haven’t been able to take as many chances this year, and I think it shows.
I approach all music with the mentality that it’s likely to be good, which is noted in my scoring system with the Green bucket and a score range of 6.5-8/10. I actively try to convince myself that anything better isn’t really that good, or anything worse just needs more consideration, which helps to maintain a solid Bell Curve; so when I rate an album toward either extreme, it’s because the album managed to overrule my attempt at self-moderation.
We’re already up to FIVE Purple (9.5-10) albums with three more riding the line. Despite 2023’s huge volume, only three albums broke through that barrier;1 2021 and 2022 ended up with nine Purples, each, though, so we’re still a little shy of that mark.
The real shocker is that we have almost as many Blues as Greens. I expect that sorting out the Teal albums will correct that a bit, but there’s been a run of albums that I just couldn’t keep contained.
Even wilder — a lot of them are pop albums. I’m a rock and metal guy, generally, but the pop girlies are BRINGING IT.
In Case You Missed It…
Below, I’m including links to all of those albums which I have rated as Blue (8+) and higher. Feel free to drop your thoughts on any or all of these below; albums below the “* * *” separators are new additions.
Purple
Caligula’s Horse - Charcoal Grace Beyonce - Cowboy Carter Billie Eilish - Hit Me Hard and Soft * * * * * * * * * * * * Eminem - The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grace) Sabrina Carpenter - Short n' Sweet
Lavender
The Last Dinner Party - Prelude to Ecstasy * * * * * * * * * * * * Mothica - Kissing Death Paris Paloma - Cacophony
Blue
Judas Priest - Invincible Shield Kacey Musgraves - Deeper Well Caravan Palace - Gangbusters Melody Club Taylor Swift - The Tortured Poets Department Accept - Humanoid Kamasi Washington - Fearless Movement Pallbearer - Mind Burns Alive Jess Glynne - Jess Twenty One Pilots - Clancy Rhapsody of Fire - Challenge the Wind L’Imperatrice - Pulsar The Decemberists - As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again Alcest - Les Chants de l’Aurore * * * * * * * * * * * * Tones And I - Beautifully Ordinary Ravyn Lenae - Bird’s Eye Simone Simons - Vermillion Missy Higgins - The Second Act Nada Surf - Moon Mirror Oceans of Slumber - Where Gods Fear to Speak Charlotte Wessels - The Obsession The Waeve - City Lights Nina Nesbitt - Mountain Music
Looking Forward
We’re rapidly entering wrap-up territory, with only five unreleased albums on my radar at the moment, plus the sixteen currently sitting on my to-do list.
November will be dominated by catching up, plus a lengthy double-check to ensure that nothing is being missed. I’ve already stumbled upon a new album by Airbag, one of my favorite Prog Rock acts (and that’s already included in my backlog count).
I’m also still very excited to get to the releases by Kylie Minogue, Devin Townsend, Cries For Colour, and Vola, which are all in front of Airbag in the order.
Otherwise, my most anticipated unreleased album is Opeth, which drops on 11/22.
As a reminder, you can follow along with the annual playlists of new albums, including just the highest-rated albums, and the top new songs as the year progresses.
That’s all for now! I should have reviews for Coldplay, The Smile, A Place to Bury Strangers, and Ad Infinitum out within a week or so. Until then, hang in there, y’all!