Top Ten Of 2024: Lee Beamish
Well, well, well, here we are…
Another year older, absolutely none the wiser, but here’s one thing I do know, this year has been an incredible year for music. In this shitstorm we call life when it could all end imminently, the one thing I can say for certain is that my soundtrack kicks fuckin’ arse.
So, here we are, my top ten, mostly none of this should come as much of a surprise to those who know me, yes, on paper it’s probably my most commercial list to date, but hey, really, who cares?
It’s been a great year for gigs too, Portals Festival was phenomenal, and I finally got to see Emma Ruth Rundle perform, and Chelsea Wolfe too, twice in fact.
My top spot is a double header (spoiler alert), and it’s the two albums I couldn’t choose between because I’ve equally listened to both on repeat the whole year, beyond that, it’s my list, I can do I want with it, so count yourselves lucky there are only two top spots…
Anyway, here goes, enjoy or don’t enjoy, it’s your choice, I’m just here for the good times and kick ass tunes…
10. Babel Map ‘Teeth’
In at ten, it’s this understated beauty from Babel Map which caught me by surprise, and I haven’t been able to turn away from it ever since. It has a retro feel, but in amongst all the heavier stuff that’s out there, this eloquent little gem is a real feel-good dose of loveliness, and, at times, has an otherworldly feel, which is truly magical. It was an absolute honour to review this album, and I feel incredibly privileged to have it in my life.
Label: Lost Future Records
9. Outlander ‘Acts Of Harm’
This alt-rock masterpiece by Outlander really left an impression on me this year. It’s as disjointed as it could get and at times an uncomfortable ride, but nonetheless thoroughly engaging. It has an intensity which is second to none, a charm unlike any other, and leaves scars on your very soul.
Label: Church Road Records
8. The Bridge City Sinners ‘In The Age Of Doubt’
The Bridge City Sinners are one of my favourite bands, a guilty pleasure, an ode to quirkiness and this album was a real step forward. Libby and the boys have made an absolute corker of an album, with moments of absolute insanity, mixed in with the usual good time punk rock Americana that only they could pull off so well. A triumph for a band deserving of so much more exposure than they get. I adore them, they’re incredible live and with a spirit that’s unparalleled.
Label: Flail Records
7. Witnesses ‘Joy’
There was no way I could compile a top ten without this banger from Witnesses in 2024. Greg Schwan has again taken one of his concepts and drenched it in absolute class. Moody, doomy and utterly engaging, this one grows with each new listen. A triumph for my friend from across the seas. Some truly wonderful artist collaborations too, the legacy grows and grows, all the time increasing in its awesomeness.
Label: Independent
6. Codespeaker ‘Scavenger’
In at six, it’s a new favourite, it’s Codespeaker. Phenomenal live, phenomenal on record, this brutal wake up is worth its weight in gold. This is a masterclass in just where post-metal, sludge and post-rock should be in 2024. Fuck those mainstream poser bands, this is the real deal, right here. It’s the true face of modern heavy music, abrasive, engaging and venomous. Like I’ve said, both live and on record, this absolutely slays.
Label: Ripcord Records
5. Julie Christmas ‘Ridiculous And Full Of Blood’
OK, so I’ve been quite late to the table with Julie Christmas. I knew of her work with Cult Of Luna and this year I familiarised myself with Made Out Of Babies. Boy is my finger not on the pulse, then this album arrives from out of nowhere, and BOOM!!! I’m in!! Holy-fuckin-moly is this the shit or what. A wondrous album, filled with passion, bile, and jaw dropping intensity. Having spent the last couple of years immersed in moody sombre artists such as Chelsea Wolfe, Emma Ruth Rundle and A.A. Williams, this has been a punch to the throat for sure. Every track is a rollercoaster and it’s an absolute thrill ride.
Label: Red Crk Recordings
4. Drive By Wire ‘Time Horizon’
This year saw the return of my Dutch family Drive By Wire. Time Horizon saw the leap forward the band needed too, and with it, a whole new vibe emerged. The Deventer desert rockers revolutionised their trademark sound, took everything I’ve ever known of them, and blew it out of the water. The most criminally underrated band, (yes, I am biased, they are family) have brought out an album deserving of all the years of hard work they have put in. I’ve been along for the ride for 16/17 years with them, I’ve seen the highs and the lows, and now this new evolution is, for me, just the most magical thing. Like I’ve said, it’s desert rock, but done properly. So much love…
Label: Argonauta Records
3. Emma Ruth Rundle ‘Some Heavy Demos’
This year saw Emma Ruth Rundle releasing a self-financed album which is effectively the demos for the album which would become Some Heavy Ocean. Yes, the material is a decade old, but this feels like completely brand-new material. There are some cuts that are a rawer rendition, but it’s another album in its own right. Stripped back versions, and rawer, emotional alternatives, make this a beautiful experience in vulnerability and frailty from one of my favourite artists on the whole planet. Seeing Emma live was a bucket list experience, and seeing these tracks performed live were incredibly emotional too.
Label: Errant Child Recordings
Here we are… I couldn’t separate these two, both are awesome and deserving of the top spot, so here goes…
=1. Midas Fall ‘Cold Waves Divide Us’
What can I say about Midas Fall that I haven’t said before? Probably not much, but here goes. They are in my top five musical artists of all time. 2015’s The Menagerie Inside is one of my favourite albums of all time, and this year’s release is right up there alongside it. I haven’t been able to put this album down this year because it’s just so flipping good. If you don’t know Midas Fall, then you should. The power through emotion throughout is second to none, and the dynamics on this album are simply wondrous. Easily a top choice for me, without any hesitation. I LOVE THIS ALBUM, there, I’ve said it…
Label: Monotreme Records
=1. Chelsea Wolfe ‘She Reaches Out To She Reaches Out To She’
What can I say about my year with Chelsea Wolfe… OK, I’ve always felt like Chelsea was on her way to something. With each new album, there has been a shift in dynamics that have gotten darker and darker over the years. This year saw the release of her most accessible album to date, and for me this is where the pieces all fell into place. On this release, I can’t pick any moment which is any less phenomenal than the last.
Again, it’s been impossible to put down in 2024, between my top two it’s been a real struggle most days. After seeing Chelsea perform twice this year, I can say it’s definitely the year I fell for her, and with this album, she has truly captivated my heart. She Reaches Out… also featured my track of the year, Dusk, the most beautiful song and fitting for a top spot album.
Label: Loma Vista Recordings
Honourable Mentions
That’s my ten, it’s my ten, and I’m standing by it. While I’m at it, these little beauties all deserve an honourable mention too…
Black Doldrums ‘In Limerence’
Kariti ‘Dheghom’
New Ghost ‘A Dagger In Every Tide’
Hello Mary ‘Emita Ox’
All these artists also released superb albums in 2024, and if my top ten hadn’t been so difficult to compile, these would have been in the ten for sure. All I can say is that if you have gotten this far, and are still reading, make sure you also check these artists out, all of which released some awesome albums this year.
So, that’s it, there we go. It’s been another rollercoaster year for me, I’ve made a ton of new memories with both my children, and through this incredible ride, I find myself on, which is as rewarding as it is traumatic. I’ve seen some incredible artists, met some lovely people, and then there’s you guys…
Thank you for reading my nonsense, I hope some of it resonates. Who knows, maybe you will even set yourselves the challenge of investigating some of the releases I’ve mentioned, you never know, you might just find a new favourite….
Peas and glove people, peas and glove…
Scribed by: Lee Beamish
