2024 was certainly a year. But whether we spent the year living our best lives or just trying to get through, we had one hell of a soundtrack to do it to. We originally thought creating a top 10 of the year would be a quick and easy article we could just slot in. Instead it became one of the most time consuming, difficult parts of this whole magazine. Good lord there was a lot of good music last year. There was everything from cultural bombshells to diamonds in the rough, from loud grungy rock to elegant lounge jazz. This article represents what we believe were the best of the best from 2024, we factored in things like songwriting, production, vocal performances, cultural gravity plus of course our own personal thoughts. Please enjoy and hopefully we’ll give you some great albums to go away and listen to.

10. All Black Everything

Amy Gadiaga

We knew we wanted to include some lazz on this list, so for that we came to Amy Gadiaga. The UK-based, Parisian bassist/ vocalist/composer released her debut EP All Black Everything’ in April, and has since become an exciting & powerful voice amongst the UK Jazz scene. She talks about her struggles with feeling like a black sheep & learning to embrace her individuality throughout the Mexican-folk inspired 5 track, and takes us on a journey through her wealth of influences – from old school classic jazz (think Betty Carter), to more modern artists like Stevie Wonder. Whether you’re a jazz fan or not give this a listen

9. Short n’ Sweet

Sabrina Carpenter

Now I can’t say I’m an avid listener of modern pop music. “It’s not real music, it’s just bloody noise”, as some might say. That said, Carpenter’s 2024 release showcases everything good about modern pop. Working with production and songwriting royalty. like Jack Antonoff and Amy Allen, as well as a master class in rebranding and mar-keting, has skyrocketed Sabrina into one of the industry’s biggest powerhouses for sure. Featuring proper catchy hooks; raunchy lyricism: influence from country to RnB; we firmly believe that this is one of the year’s finest pop releases.

8. Brat

Charlie XCX

It would be impossible to make a top 10 of 2024 without including “Brat”. From pure cultural impact alone it has earned its place here, it’s not often an album gets a whole season named after it. In the biggest case of genre whiplash I have ever seen, Charlie XCX has dumped her classic pop roots and produced the best electronic album of 2024. Filled with club anthems, electropop hits and rave bangers, the level of production on this album is perfection.

Even after 2 deluxe re-releases people just can’t get enough of this album. In more ways than one, we think Brat is one of the hottest albums of 2024.

7. CHROMAKOPIA

Tyler, The Creator

Putting out masterpiece after masterpiece since “Flower Boy” in 2017. Tyler. The Creator has always rapped from the perspective of some alter ego. But with “CHROMAKOPIA” we finally get an album from Tyler Gregory Okonma himself. The result is his most vulnerable project to date, covering topics like his identity, fears about starting a family and struggles with mental health. The complex, masterful lyricism and flow is only matched by Tyler’s experimental production fusing everything from jazz to 80’s pop to marching band. Like always, Tyler has created a truly original album that we’d be stupid not to include here.

6. Midas

Wunderhorse

Tacob Slater & Wunderhorse return with second album Midas. After releasing their debut, ‘Cub’, which made waves in the grunge/alt scene, all eyes were focused on these four to see what they’d throw at us next. Dark, edgy. & with an homage to Cobain, this album shakes off some of that youthfulness heard in their first album, and shows us this new-found maturity. Recorded at Pachyderm Studios, Minnesota, birthplace of the aforementioned Nirvana’s

‘In Utero, the band have managed to capture the devilish charm that lies within those walls, coming away unscathed from any so-called sophomore syndrome.

5. Hit Me Hard And Soft

Billie Eilish

Usually it takes years for an artist to master their particular “sound”. Yet Eilish has this Midas touch where every genre she sings turns to gold. Her 2019 debut sees her produce this sort of moody emo pop style. Her second album is chock full of these emotional ballads and spoken word, borderline hip hop inspired, tracks. Now in 2024 “Hit Me Hard And Soft” contains a perfect mix of fun radio pop songs, powerful acoustic ballads and energetic electropop tunes and the amazing part is that all of it is top of its class. This album shows us that not only can Eilish make literally an-ything, she can do it better than anyone.

4. This Wasn’t Meant For You Anyway

Lola Young

Young clearly has an eclectic taste and respect for music because defining this album’s genre is just impossible. There’s pop, hip hop, indie and even some lofi jazz, each track differs from the last, yet they all work seamlessly as an album. The level of artistry on the album is insane but it still manages to stay approachable and so so so unbelievably catchy. There is something for everyone on this album, and it has quickly become one of our favourite discoveries of 2024.

3. The New Sound

Geordie Greep

Geordie Greep (ex-Black Midi) has unleashed his inner musical ramblings on us via The New Sound. Sleazey jazz-prog-rock is the order, as Greep simply flaunts his prowess all over the record with some of the finest Samba inspired grooves released in recent years. There’s lyrical commentary on toxic Andrew Tate culture, as we’re introduced to a plethora of detestable characters; there’s mind-numbingly complex drum grooves sprinkled about & overall just a flexing of musical theory. The kind of music that gives you a headache if you listen too closely. In a good way, I mean. Even surpassing that of Black Midi’s work

2. Gary

Blossoms

Being from Stockport, Blossoms have always had a special place in my heart, but if I’m honest I thought their last album was a little underwhelming. Gary shows the boys are back on form and even have some new tricks up their sleeves. Made up of the indie standards we know and love, the album also experiments with 80’s style pop tunes and some funky dance numbers. No doubt this is a product of the band’s time with electronic indie funk band Jungle.

The result is the perfect feel-good album that’s familiar while pushing the boundaries of the increasingly stale indie genre. This could have easily been our number 1.

1. Romance

Fontaines D.C.

Doused in Y2K reminiscence, the Irish 5-piece have brandished 2024 with probably the most impactful post-punk record to be released in a long while. Their artistic evolution has been substantial to say the least, reappearing after 2 years with what looks like an identity crisis that has propelled them into icon status. Most notably via Grian Chatten’s (lead vocals) nuclear green tracksuit, which can be purchased for a mere 250 pounds!

The record begins with title track ‘Romance’, a pretty dystopian opener that plunges the listener into this circus of horrors, before being greeted by the eerie first lyrics of “into the darkness again.”.

It’s impactful, claws you in, and transitions you nicely into whats probably the best track on the record – Starburster. It’s nostalgic mellotron ostinato, a beat that’s reminiscent of some old drum machine, and Chatten more or less rapping his way through verses create this angry, wasp in a jar soundscape.

Tracks like ‘Death Kink’ almost pay tribute to their earlier, punkier days. It’s a short track, and it very much makes its point hectically before ending pretty abruptly.

It’s frenzied, and has a vocal melody that kinda stumbles out of his mouth. Whereas songs like ‘Bug’ serve more to reel you in. It’s softer and perhaps more polite than other tracks on the record, and shows an extra layer to the band’s varied sound

Romance was one of our first thoughts for the number one spot, as it’s an album that tells a story – by starting out ominous, and eventually resolving with the more dreamy. utopian track ‘Favourite’. Hype can often oversell a band’s work, but here I think it’s fully earned

This article was more of an undertaking than our naive minds predicted but we loved every second of making it, and if you take anything away from this magazine let it be this. Go listen to new music, step out of your comfort zone, you never know what you might find. 

If this article has inspired you to listen to any of these albums get in touch and let us know what you think. Much love, Alfie and Josh. @chromaproductionsuk

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Nestled away on Lawrence Street, in the middle of SK1, is RACK. The home to some of the finest butties this side of the Atlantic. They’re not here to try & reinvent the wheel, simply injecting a bit of creativity into the much-loved lunchtime staple, the sandwich. After starting up a food truck and touring markets and festivals to hone in on their sandwich skills, they opened their first shop in 2021. At heart, it’s based on the classic butty shop. But one that’s been dragged firmly into the 21st century. There’s no orange Toastie in sight here, just fresh focaccia, sourdough & white bloomer; with some top quality fillings, that are wrapped & sliced through some greaseproof paper.

A bona fide British lunch. levelled up. What more could you ask for?

Across their three locations in Stockport, Sale, & Arndale Market, you’ll find differing menus, with uniquely changing monthly specials. On this occasion, I went for Stockport’s February special: Shawarmageddon.

Slow-cooked, tender pork shawarma: chilli mayo; thin-ly-sliced, lemony sumac onions; marinated cucum-bers; fresh tomato & peppery rocket, between two slabs of springy focaccia. This one hit the spot. Fresh & flavourful, but without being too heavy.

A properly grand take on the ubiquitously mundane British lunchtime classic. They’re not shy on the fillings either. I ended up having to spoon the fallen remains out of the tray. As Rack says themselves: Life is better with sandwiches (someone get that on a cushion). Also on our order was the French Onion toastie, & the Chicken Caesar focaccia.

Starting with the latter. It’s literally everything you could want out of a butty.

Generous shavings of nutty. parmesan; crispy streaky bacon; fresh lettuce, with an indulgent level of chicken in a creamy caesar sauce. It’s a rich 10/10 & will probably convince you that focaccia will solve all of your life’s problems. Or it did with us at least. As for the French Onion toastie, a load of rich, slowly-cooked caramelised onions; gruyere; provolone; swiss cheese. A gooey. comforting & sweet mess, between two crispy & crunchy slices of toasted sourdough. Divine.

Something that has lived long in my memory since our visit are their hash browns. Little pockets of warming tater-totty goodness, available in different styles with various toppings. I’ve got it on good authority that the Salt & Pepper ones are to die for. but we opted for the Queso variety on this occasion. With its thick, creamy Mexican cheese sauce; fiery jalapenos & crispy onions, it’s a perfect accompaniment to literally any of the menu’s sandwiches. The drink selection doesn’t let the experience down either. Whether it’s a coffee from the Peak District’s wonderful Kickback Roastery, a lovely cuppa from Brew Tea Co, or one from their cold drink selection, there’s something top notch for everyone to wash down their lunch with.

If, somehow, all of the above hasn’t filled that midday hole in your stomach, then focus your eyes onto Rack’s sweet treats. The first thing that caught my eye was the box of humble Tunnock’s teacakes sitting proudly on the countertop. A grossly slept on chocolate-mallow treat, if you were to ask us.

Next, a tray of Pastel de Nata & Honey Nut Crunch flapjacks – any of which would satisfy the sweetest of tooths, and top of your lunch handsomely.

To be honest, I’m gutted I hadn’t tried Rack out earlier, just thinking of all the butties my stomach has missed out on. So if there’s one takeaway from this, the next time you’re on your lunch break – or just out & about nearby – ditch vour humdrum, beige meal deal for one of these master classes in sarnie finery.

You’ll thank yourself, we promise. And if you’re working from home, get on Uber Eats (other delivery apps are available) & treat yourself to a spot of lunch

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