BLITZED ALBUMS OF 2024
2024 proved to be an exceptional year in music with some standout releases from a wide variety of acts. The pages of Blitzed featured a wealth of album reviews across the year which included some established acts as well as new talents. Here, we present (in no particular order) our choices of the best albums of 2024…
A CERTAIN RATIO – It All Comes Down To This
“An album of surprises. An album of earworms. But above all, it’s ACR stripped to the post-Punk roots and funkier than the JBs in a hurricane.” In issue 13 of Blitzed, we reviewed the latest album from Manchester legacy act A Certain Ratio.
Order Issue 13: https://blitzedmag.com/product/blitzed-issue-13-march-2024/
THE BLOW MONKEYS – Together / Alone
“…a record grounded deep in experience, both of life and of music …”
In issue 14, Blitzed reviewed Together/Alone, the latest album offering from The Blow Monkeys. Our review concluded: “For a band with an extensive history this is a perfect entry-point for the intrigued or unconverted.”
Order Issue 14: https://blitzedmag.com/product/blitzed-issue-14/
THE THE – Ensoulment
“…a timely album… when insightful commentary on politics and culture is more vital than ever.”
In issue 16 of Blitzed, we welcomed the long-awaited new album from The The. Matt Johnson’s musical musings have been a vital part of the busy post-punk period and his return garnered critical praise from many quarters.
Order Issue 16: https://blitzedmag.com/product/blitzed-issue-16/
BLACK NAIL CABARET – Chrysanthemum
“…a sublime series of dark pop compositions that ask the listener to ponder on life, death and the inevitable march of time.”
Black Nail Cabaret served up the exquisite Chrysanthemum which we reviewed back in issue 13 of Blitzed. In the same issue, we also spoke to the duo about their history, the roots of the new album and performing live.
Order Issue 13: https://blitzedmag.com/product/blitzed-issue-13-march-2024/
PROPAGANDA – Propaganda
“…a sultry, cinematic pleasure that’s likely to be a stealth hit for the synth-pop aficionados out there.”
In issue 16 of Blitzed, we reviewed the new self-titled album from Propaganda. Ralf Dörper and Michael Mertens had fired up the art pop outfit again, this time recruiting the talents of Hauschka alongside the sultry vocals of Thunder Bae.
Order Issue 16: https://blitzedmag.com/product/blitzed-issue-16/
THE CURE – Songs of a Lost World
“That it consistently convinces on such a satisfying level is a wonderful thing to behold…”
The fourteenth studio album by The Cure marked the first release of new material by the band in 16 years. Songs of a Lost World was heralded by new single ‘Alone’ whose slow, moody tones set the pace for the new compositions. Unsurprisingly, the album received critical acclaim and scored the No.1 spot in the UK charts. We review the album in issue 18 of Blitzed.
Order Issue 13: https://blitzedmag.com/product/blitzed-issue-18-pre-order-on-sale-2nd-of-jan-2025/
OFFICE FOR PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT – Doing.Is.Thinking
“OPD’s Casiocore approach presents an overdue remedy for corporate misery.”
In issue 13 of Blitzed we took a look at the debut album from Office for Personal Development, who embrace their electronic noodlings with the trappings of corporate start-ups and self-growth intiatives. The music featured the primary colour warmth of ‘Born To Be’ and the glorious ‘Invisible To Me’, an anthemic outing that throws a nod to Vince Clarke in its synth noodlings.
Order Issue 13: https://blitzedmag.com/product/blitzed-issue-13-march-2024/
LEATHERS – Ultraviolet
“It all adds up to a sleek, no missteps debut, that for synthpop connoisseurs will feel heaven sent.”
LEATHERS served up debut album Ultraviolet – and it didn’t disappoint as our review in issue 17 summed up.
Order Issue 17: https://blitzedmag.com/product/blitzed-issue-17/
GAVIN FRIDAY – Ecce Homo
“…Friday leans heavily into more electronic territory while also dabbling in lyrical themes about freedom of expression.”
Gavin Friday returned with new album Ecce Homo (which also saw him renew his collaboration with Soft Cell’s Dave Ball) which we reviewed in issue 16. Blitzed also spoke to Gavin in the same issue about the story behind the album.
Order Issue 16: https://blitzedmag.com/product/blitzed-issue-16/
VICIOUS PINK – Unexpected
“Vicious Pink were not only the band that should have been stratospheric but they would have moved music forward at a pace that in the end took a decade.”
In issue 15, we reviewed Unexpected from Blitzed favourites Vicious Pink.
Order Issue 15: https://blitzedmag.com/product/blitzed-issue-15-pre-order-on-sale-4th-of-july-2024/