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Wildewoman writesCHIRP Radio’s Best of 2024: Allison Parssi
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in alphabetical order... |
Letter To Yu by Bolis Pupul (DEEWEE/Because)
He dedicates the album to his late mother, and uses it to explore his cultural heritage he grew up feeling distant towards. The tracks document the sad and confusing feelings that come with losing a parent, alongside the feelings of joy and excitement from these new self-discoveries. A beautiful record that showcases Bolis’ innovative talents. |
Dar Disku by Dar Disku (Soundway)
The album is tons of fun and does not disappoint. Plus their record design is A+. |
No Title as of 13 February 2024 28,340 Dead by Godspeed You! Black Emperor (Constellation)
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Dreamachine by Habibi (Kill Rock Stars)
Keeping their overall retro feel, the band adds distinctive basslines and shimmering instrumentations that make the project very cohesive. They’re ready to dance into the early morning and they hope you are too. |
Normal Sounds by Lia Kohl (Moon Glyph)
On her new record she continues her series of albums using field and AM/FM recordings with her cello and synth arrangements. We hear her mimic and build around the buzzing of refrigerators, car turn signals, ice cream trucks, and other passive sounds. She invites us into these intricate worlds and asks us to just simply listen. |
Hex Dealer by Lip Critic (Partisan)
They sprint through the 12 tracks, never letting up on their speed. It makes it hard to pin a genre on them and that’s the point. A shot of adrenaline straight to the heart, the record is as exhilarating as it is refreshing. |
Silence Is Loud by Nia Archives (Island/Hijinxx)
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My Method Actor by Nilüfer Yanya (Ninja Tune)
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All This And So Much More by Tasha (Bayonet)
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TRAИƧA by Various Artists (Red Hot)
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Honorable MentionsThe Full List in Alphabetical Order: |
Throughout December, 
Following 2021’s standout collaboration with Charlotte Adigéry, Topical Dancer, Bolis Pupul returns with his debut solo record. On Letter To Yu, dance floor bangers co-exist beautifully with ambient experimentations.
Dar Disku is the musical duo of Mazen Al maskati and Vish M. The childhood friends started DJing together in 2019, fusing their SWANA roots with electronic sounds. Their debut, self-titled record is the next step in their journey. It’s a true celebration of their cultures as they seamlessly cross between Khaleeji disco, Algerian Raï, Turkish psych, Egyptian folk, and so much more with stellar features to top it off.
This record struck all kinds of chords for me and their live show was one of the most cathartic this year. The eight album from Montreal post-rock band comes in at just under an hour, but you can easily have it on repeat and hear something new every time. The record is loud and urgent and mournful, yet holds an underlying sense of hope. Something played when words aren’t enough. As of December 29, 2024: at least 45,484 dead. Free Palestine.
Finding a new home on the Kill Rock Stars label, Habibi pivots and levels up their sound with their third full length. Known for their vintage Middle Eastern infused garage rock, Dreamachine moves more into the disco territory. Their tracks are indeed dreamy and upbeat with Rahill Jamilafard’s vocals adding a mysterious and sultry element.
Lia Kohl will never cease to amaze me. The way she can take a simple, mundane everyday sound and turn it into a beautiful composition will never get old.
Buckle up. Lip Critic has entered the chat. The New York based band is here to melt minds, fusing hardcore, punk, dance, and the kitchen sink into their debut album. With two dudes on drums and two on electronics, they create a frenetic energy as they sing about the demise of our current society.
Another record that hit hard this year. The British producer has been a big part of the jungle revival. Her debut brings the crisp, immediate and fast-paced beats to her pop leaning melodies. Her diaristic lyrics are emotional, acting as a way to reshape the genre and bring it into the current decade. It’s an exciting record that brings confessional tracks to the dancefloor.
I have to admit, My Method Actor was a grower for me. This album is subtle. And after two striking records, more specifically PAINLESS, my initial listen felt anticlimactic. Then I remembered that’s what I love about Nilüfer in the first place. Her songwriting is soft, yet biting. Her guitars are fuzzy, yet sharp. It’s a matured and confident sound - one where she’s not proving anything to anyone. It’s been so lovely to watch her grow into one of the most exciting and talented artists of our time.
Would my album of the year list be complete without the Tasha record? An easy “no.” Unlike her previous albums, which were soft and introspective, her new album shows her brimming with confidence. She navigates personal growing pains with a sense of excitement, knowing she is closer to her true self. Big, fuzzy guitars and upbedat melodies surround her warm vocals. Her lyricism is strong as ever. It almost makes up for her moving to NYC.
Wow. This record. If you spent any time with me in-person the last few months, you have 100% heard me talk about this project. If not, the tl;dr: TRA??A is a concept album comprised of over 40 tracks from over 100 artists honoring the lives+talents of trans and non-binary folks. Told across eight chapters, there are some pretty big names, but my personal favorites are songs from Rachika Nayar, Yaeji, L’Rain, and Cassandra Jenkins to name a few… I cry every time I do a full listen, always at different points in the album. It’s as expansive as the living experience, and you’ll just have to listen to it to see what I’m talking about.Next entry: Kyle Sanders’ Best Films of 2024
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