June 2024: Best Albums of the Year So Far

There've been a lot of fantastic albums released this year, especially on the heavier end of the spectrum, and I know picking my favorites in December is going to be a hard task, with many great releases not going to be able to make the cut. So, I decided to do a ‘check-in’, to briefly discuss my favorite albums of the first 6 months of 2024, so by the time I do my definitive end-of-year list, I won’t be heartbroken I didn’t get to spend time hyping up some of the solid, not-quite masterpieces that have dropped. So here are some albums you should definitely be listening to.

Knocked Loose - You Won't Go Before You're Supposed To: Knocked Loose have achieved mainstream success, but unlike their contemporary Code Orange, who have slowly shifted from violent hardcore to a more palatable industrial metal, they’re even heavier than they were on 2019’s A Different Shade of Blue. People who aren’t fans of beatdown - hell, people who barely listen to punk or metal - can be found moshing at their shows. So what’s their secret? Easy - they’re so fucking good that they’ve earned the respect and ears of fans of all genres. If you were hesitant about picking this one up because you feared they sold out, you can rest easy; this is the front-runner for my album of the year. This is -core done right, with some of the tastiest breakdowns and most unhinged riffs I’ve had the pleasure of hearing. You have no excuse - listen to them now, or be the uncool kid who hops on the bandwagon late!

Aborted - Vault of Horrors: Belgian death metal stalwart Aborted have had people banging their heads for nearly 30 years now, and I’m glad to say that they still got it. As expected from the band and album names, it’s clear that they stick to the tried and true gorey imagery prevalent in the genre, but they stand out from the crowd thanks to blending elements of tech death and grindcore in their chaotic, brutal metal. In addition, each song on this album includes a feature from a different vocalist, and the lineup is stacked. Some of the highlights include Ben Duerr from Shadow of Intent, Francesco Paoli from Fleshgod Apocalypse, Ollie Aleron from Archspire, and Jason Evans from Ingested. It’s an all-star journey through a tribute to the band’s favorite horror media, including Cronenberg’s seminal The Fly. Better yet, I saw them play with Archspire, and they absolutely nailed it - they’re just as good live.

See You Space Cowboy - Coup de Grâce: SYSC started as a mathy sasscore group, with the expected song titles such as “Stop Calling Us Screamo” and “Self Help Specialist Ends Own Life.” That’s not to say that they were bad by any means - they played genuine, snarky sass that perfectly captured that era of early ‘00’s skramz without retreading old ground, and their breakdowns were some of the best in the genre. As time has gone on, they’ve settled into more of a post-hardcore groove, mixing discordant guitars and shrieks with clean vocals and melancholic melodies. Their latest album, a concept record inspired by burlesque clubs and saturated with love and lust, is a homerun. Vocalist Connie Sgarbossa has stated she wanted this album to be a fantasy to explore away from the mayhem of the modern world, and it definitely succeeds, with some excellent, dramatic stage-setting interludes, and soaring refrains sandwiched between bouncy breakdowns. Highly recommended for anyone looking for an escape from the hell of day-to-day life, and has a healthy respect for quirky screamo. As a side note, I also saw them live this year with Better Lovers, and it was arguably the best mosh pit I’ve ever been tossed around in.

Usurp Synapse - Polite Grotesqueries: While they weren’t as fondly or widely remembered as their ‘00’s skramz peers like Pageninetynine and Jeromes Dream, Usurp Synapse have always held a special place in my heart for their frenetic, short blasts of emoviolence. They managed to leave behind a sizable library of splits and full-lengths before they called it quits, but this record, their first since reforming last year, is only seven tracks long and clocks in at eight minutes - but make no mistake, this is one of the best albums of the year. These are chaotic, catchy grooves that dip their toes into grindcore and will easily get stuck in your head, despite their abrasive nature. It’s a true case of quality over quantity, and I will gladly take less songs if it means more masterful records with zero fat.

Full of Hell - Coagulated Bliss: While the previous bands I’ve listed may have dabbled a bit in the blistering drums and violent static of grindcore, Full of Hell is the first band that is very firmly in grindcore territory. Along with Nails (who just announced their next album is dropping at the end of August!), they were the first groups to get me into the infamously inaccessible genre, and Full of Hell are at the top of their game here. Unlike their other recent (and many!) collaborative albums that saw them teaming up with sludge metal, noise, and shoegaze musicians, this is just pure grind, and it’s all the better for it. Like the album cover - which looks like something you would see if you were having a stroke, where you can’t quite tell what you’re looking at but all the individual pieces make sense - these 12 songs are challenging, but the rewards are well worth it. Just promise me you’ll listen to the end, just for that sweet, sweet saxophone closing.

Brat - Social Grace: A self-described “bimboviolence” and “barbiegrind” band, Brat are one of the newest metal acts to take the scene by storm. However, don’t let their monikers or heavy usage of pastel pink fool you - this is one of the best grind records all year. Their sound is in direct opposition to their presentation, with Liz Selfish’s deep growls coming straight from the chest, over top of some truly addicting heavy riffs and grimy bass, proving they’re not a joke band. If you’re a fan of headbanging hardcore, old-school death metal, or breakdowns you can feel in your bones, you owe it to yourself to check them out. Here’s hoping there’s only more “yassified” -core to come in the future (yes, that’s another self-descriptor).

Gatecreeper - Dark Supserstition: As one of the most acclaimed modern old-school death metal bands, Gatecreeper had a lot to live up to on this full-length, especially in the wake of their hugely successful hardcore and doom metal experiment that was 2021’s An Unexpected reality. Thankfully, the band delivers in spades on Dark Superstition. This is their most melodic record to date, and it’s clear to see they were inspired by genre stalwarts like Gates of Ishtar and Dark Tranquility. Opener “Dead Star” hits hard right out the gate, a ferocious mix of heavy grooves and memorable harmonies. In fact, the entire album can best be described as memorable. These songs will stick with you long after the record stops, from the frenetic fretting of “Oblivion,”, to the prominent bass in “Flesh Habit”, to the more contemplative closing track “Tears Fall From the Sky.” This is a band at the top of their game, proving they’re the masters at creating timeless extreme metal masterpieces.

Glass Beach - Plastic Death: Describing Glass Beach is hard. There are a number of labels you could toss at the band - indie, emo, art rock, power pop, progressive rock, hell, there’s even a sludgy breakdown on single “The CIA” - but the band prefers to consider themselves ‘post-emo’, and I think it fits. Their 2019 debut album was a masterpiece, with swirling textures, catchy choruses, plaintive cries for help, and jazzy bass grooves. This follow-up is the next step in their evolution as a band, feeling mathier and more contemplative, but it’s just as enjoyable. It’s easy to get lost in, from the dreamy ebb and flow of “Coelacanth” and “Whalefall”, the saccharine sweetness of “Guitar Song” and “Cul-De-Sac”, the catchy, off-kilter rhythm of “Puppy”, and of course, the surreal and hypnotic “The CIA”. This is one of those albums you want to just press play on while you lay in bed on your back, eyes closed, letting it wash over you like high tide. You’ll be glad you drowned in it.

Bonus Round! Some other quick recommendations:

Laura Jane Grace - Hole in My Head: Transgender punk rock icon, Laura Jane Grace of the band Against Me!, returns with her best folk punk album yet. Tracks like live favorite “Dysphoria Hoodie” and the Beach Boys sampling “I’m Not a Cop” just beg for you to sing along, while other tracks slow things down to a more reflective pace.

Glitterer - Rationale: Punk band Glitterer, fronted by Title Fight’s Ned Russin, presents this highly accessible and catchy record. With the longest song clocking in at 2:53, these are short bursts of polished and radio-friendly tunes with a bit of bite.

Demersal - Self-Titled: Punk band Glitterer, fronted by Title Fight’s Ned Russin, presents this highly accessible and catchy record. With the longest song clocking in at 2:53, these are short bursts of polished and radio-friendly tunes with a bit of bite.

Frank Turner - Undefeated: Frank Turner has made a name for himself as an optimistic folksy punk songwriter, and if that sounds up your alley, this album has some bangers just for you. He manages to be upbeat without sounding overbearing, which is no easy task, and there’s no doubt his inspirational lines will get stuck in your head.

Mannequin Pussy - I Got Heaven: This punk act received notoriety for their lead single, the title track for this album, which includes the line “What if Jesus himself ate my fucking snatch?” If that’s not enough to get you to listen to them, this album is a beautiful blend of manic hardcore and meandering emo.

Dissimulator - Lower Form Resistance: This highly technical fusion of death metal and thrash is a thrilling adventure from start to finish. I was first turned onto this band once I heard that their drummer, Philippe Boucher, was formerly of legendary tech death bands Beyond Creation and First Fragment, and the rest of the crew is just as competent.

Bayside - There Are Worse Things Than Being Alive: Bayside have been in the game for over twenty years now, fusing emo with punk to create dismal yet hopeful songs, with just enough edge to cement them at the front of the pack. There’s truly not a bad album in their entire discography, but this one is easily a contender for one of their best.

Blanket - Ceremonia: UK act Blanket meld shoegaze, post-punk, and grunge to create a shimmering, ethereal album that will capture your attention and refuse to relinquish it. Like Glass Beach’s effort, this is a good record to let wash over you.

Hot Water Music - Vows: 2024 marks Hot Water Music’s thirtieth year of being a band, and they went all out for this one. While not a huge fan of the punk veterans in the past, as they just never hooked me, this is an exciting record, featuring numerous contemporary guests..