TOP2024: Not Dark

8mm “Black Cat” (trip-hop, downtempo, ambient, alternative rock | USA, Grey Market Records)

The American project 8mm was created by producer and sound engineer Sean Beavan, who worked as with such giants of music as Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson, No Doubt, Slayer and others. The first album was released in 2006 and after the second work in 2012 8MM went into hibernation for 12 years. In 2024 Sean and his wife Juliette are back with a new work "Black Cat". The project creates a cool, diverse combination of different genres of electronic music including trip hop, downtempo and ambient with occasional alternative rock and Juliette‘s beautiful voice. Very atmospheric and high-quality work by the American duo.

Anyma “Genesys II” (progressive house, techno | Italy, Afterlife)

Italian DJ Matteo Milleri is known on the electronic music scene not only for his DJ work, but also for his participation in the duo Tale of Us, with whom he released an album and performed at the famous Coachella festival in 2018. Anyme released his debut solo album "Genesys" in 2023 and in 2024 its sequel "Genesys II" followed. The album features compositions in a combination of different electronic genres based on techno and progressive house with the involvement of invited musicians including DJs from different countries of the world, German pianist and composer Christian Fornweg, Belgian dance project Magnus, Swede Karin Park, who is known in the dark scene, including both for her collaborations with Lustmord and her solo work and performance at the Wave Gotik Treffen festival, and British musician Delilah Montagu. It turned out to be a good, smooth album of rhythmic club music with a variety of vocal parts and an excellent sound. The release also includes a second CD, which features remixes from DJs and other projects on both this album and the previous one.

Cassyette “This World Fucking Sucks” (alternative rock, alternative pop, pop-rock | UK, 23 Recordings)

The project Cassyette is the work of British singer and composer Cassy Brooking. The project itself appeared on the music scene in the early 20s, in 2021 there was a live debut and in 2024 the first full-length album entitled "This World Fucking Sucks" was released. Cassy skillfully combines pop music with alternative rock transforming all this into a variety of catchy compositions. A good hitty album, where there are rock hits, dance pop, melancholic ballads and even experimental electronic tracks with techno influences. Diverse material, which, however, sounds holistic.

Cemetery Skyline “Nordic Gothic” (dark rock, gothic metal | Finland/Sweden, Century Media)

When musicians from Dark Tranquillity, Amorphis and Sentenced gather together in one project and the debut album is called "Nordic Gothic", then even before listening it becomes clear that the album will get into the tops of the best releases of the year of various resources and publications at least of metal scene. Cemetery Skyline released a very powerful album of gothic metal genre with dark rock elements in a nostalgic key for the times when Sentenced and Amorphis were at the top of metal and alternative charts, and gothic metal with doom metal were one of the leading genres in metal scene. Excellent professional work of experienced and recognized musicians. Bravo!

Daevar “Amber Eyes” (doom metal, stoner metal | Germany, The Lasting Dose Records)

The debut album of the German project Daevar was released in 2023 and in 2024 the second full-length work "Amber Eyes" was out. The trio from Cologne plays a viscous mixture of stoner rock and doom metal with airy female vocals, intricate guitar parts and rare splashes of grunge. A good interesting work, which, despite the long compositions, is easy and fast to listen to.

Infern “Turn of the Tide” (death metal | France, Dolorem Records)

The French band Infern was founded in 2020 by musicians who played in various other French projects in the genres of death metal, progressive metal, sludge and others. The debut album entitled "Turn of the Tide" was released in 2024. The work features death metal music with the influence of the sound of Obituary and Bolt Thrower for the most part, but the sound of other legends Death and Deicide is also periodically traced. Good work with very good classic death metal growling vocals taking the listener back to the 90s in the days of oldschool.

JJ Wilde “Vices” (pop-rock, alternative rock | Canada, Black Box Recordings)

Canadian singer and songwriter JJ Wilde born in 1992 began her musical career in the second half of the 10s. In 2019 she released the debut EP followed by her first full-length album in 2020. JJ Wilde was awarded "Best Rock Album of the Year" at the local Canadian Juno Awards for her debut work. Her second album "Vices" was released in 2024. JJ presents the listener 10 compositions that combine pop-rock and other alternative genres. Cool female vocals combined with soft rock compositions and a touch of pop music are easy to listen to and are ideal for listening in the car. Good work from the Canadian.

LAU “Digital Dream” (popwave, synthwave | UK, Aztec Records)

Laura Fares was born in Argentina, but based in London since 1999. The drummer, composer, DJ and producer has been making music for a long time, recording collaborations with other projects, remixing and making arrangements. Since the early 10s she has also been one of the founders and main managers of the electronic and indie label Aztec Records. The solo project LAU was created in the early 20s and in 2021 the debut full-length work was out. The third album released in 2024 is called "Digital Dream" and continues the light soft pop sound of the 80s with amazing Laura's vocals. Popwave with elements of synthwave have always been a feature of both the LAU project and her label Aztec Records and there is no doubt about the professionalism and ability of the British Argentine to create cool compositions. Another great work.

Lucifer “Lucifer V” (hard rock | Germany, Nuclear Blast)

In 2012 through the efforts of Johanna and Linnea the rock band The Oath was created, which released one album in 2012 and split in 2014, after which in the same year Johanna created a new project Lucifer with the participation of her husband Nicke known for his work as a drummer, guitarist and vocalist in the bands Entombed, on the Dismember debut album, in the rock project The Hellacopters and other known and unknown bands. In 2015 the debut full-length work entitled "Lucifer I" was released. The fifth album "Lucifer V" was out in 2024 on the major label Nuclear Blast. Musically Lucifer presents a dive into cool, high-quality hard rock with elements of stoner metal and doom echoes. Powerful compositions in classic hard rock with the influence of the 70s, the trends of other modern genres and the magnificent vocals of Johanna as well as the virtuoso playing of the musicians, where the drums were performed by her husband, confirm the high ratings of the album in various charts. One of the best albums in hard rock, that I have heard recently.

Pale Waves “Smitten” (indierock, indiepop, pop-rock | UK, Dirty Hit)

The British project Pale Waves was created by singer and composer Heather Baron-Gracie and drummer Ciara Doran in 2014 and was then called Creek. After the guitarist and bassist joined the project, the name was changed to PALE WAVES. The debut album was released in 2018 and performed in a more indiepop genre. Over time the British formation added rock elements to their work and the fourth work "Smitten" is already performed in a combination of indierock, indiepop and pop-rock components. Good soft sweet music with cool vocals by Heather is listened to quickly and easily and you want more. A smooth, high-quality album will be a good addition to the playlist of indie scene lovers.

Rosé “Rosie” (pop | New Zealand, Atlantic)

New Zealand singer Roseanne Park was born in Auckland to South Korean parents. Rosie, as her friends and family call her, began her musical career in 2012 after winning an audition for the South Korean music corporation YG Entertainment talent search company. After that Rosie's career took off. Vocal parts for other musicians' compositions, winning top positions as a part of the K-pop group Blackpink, solo recordings that were promoted by YG Entertainment and her debut album "Rosie" under the pseudonym Rosé brought the New Zealander worldwide popularity. Standard pop compositions with Rosie's beautiful vocals sound high-quality and memorable. The album consists of dance songs, that are diluted with beautiful ballads. One of the guests on the album is Bruno Mars as well as the producer of the release. A good start for a talented vocalist.

Slytherin “Has Only Just Begun” (doom metal | USA, Nymphaea Records)

The American project Slytherin was formed at the turn of the 10s and 20s under the influence of the Harry Potter series, as can be understood from the name of the project and the compositions. It is clear that the work of the Americans illuminates the dark sides of the franchise. The first 4 albums of Slytherin were made in the genre of atmospheric black metal with elements of dungeon synth and black ambient and on the fifth album the Americans decided to change both the sound and the genre. "Has Only Just Begun" presents the listener dark doom metal with a gothic atmosphere, where beautiful female clean vocals and male growling are changing each other and the entire material of the album really sounds like a story, a kind of doom metal opera. High-quality atmospheric monotonous doom. One composition on the album reminds the early work of the German project Living Sorrow, in some you can hear notes of The Sins of Thy Beloved and in the middle of the album a composition in medieval folk flashed. A good solid album with a 90s doom sound.

The Offspring “Supercharged” (punk rock, pop-punk | USA, Concord Records)

The American project The Offspring needs no introduction. The pop sound of American punk rock is familiar even to those who do not like either rock music or punk. Their songs were featured in famous and not so famous movies, their hits repeatedly filled the radio and videos were constantly played on MTV. After 2012 the project went into hibernation. In 2021 the Americans returned with a new album, which was rather modestly received by critics and the audience apparently due to high expectations after a long pause in releasing studio material. The 11th full-length album of 2024 is called "Supercharged" and is made in the same style that made The Offspring popular. Light pop-punk with hits and standard features. This album is of course far from the top albums, where every song was a hit, but this work is also easy to listen to and some songs are making sign of hits.

The Wizards “The Exit Garden” (hard rock | Spain, High Roller Records)

The Spanish hard rock band The Wizards was formed in 2013 and in 2015 their debut work was released. The album "The Exit Garden" is already the fourth full-length album in the discography of the Spaniards and the second released on the format rock German label High Roller Records. The Wizards present the listener the classic sound of 70s hard rock with male vocals. The atmosphere, arrangements and vocal parts take you back to the very times when hard rock was not yet heard on the radio and TV, the bands performed mostly on format rock venues and were not part of the mainstream. A good even album from the Spaniards.

We Are the Catalyst “Friction” (alternative metal | Sweden, Self-Released)

In 2003 Catrin and Kenny formed the alternative band One Without, which split up in 2012, and the Swedish duo created a new formation We Are the Catalyst, which was joined in 2014 by two other members. In the same 2014 the debut full-length work of the Swedes was released. The new album "Friction" became the fourth in the discography of the project. Musically We Are the Catalyst play a combination of alternative metal with electronic touch. The album consists of melodic compositions with great vocals of Catrin without clear hits, but smooth and complete. A good alternative album of We Are the Catalyst somewhere rarely reminds Evanescence, but in general it is quite self-sufficient with its own features and techniques.

Alexandra Căpitănescu “Căpitanu (EP)” (pop, pop-rock | Romania, Universal Music Romania)

Romanian singer Alexandra Capitanescu became famous after participating and winning the 11th season of the Romanian show The Voice in 2023. Her fiery performances, powerful vocals and charisma captivated the coaches and the audience. After releasing several singles Alexandra released her debut EP, which includes 5 songs, where rock tracks alternate with pop music. The lyrics on the album are in Romanian and the Alexandra's vocals correspond to the status of the winner of the show The Voice. The rock compositions are as energetic as the performances on The Voice and the pop songs are emotional and memorable.

Anahit Vardanyan “Avyun (EP)” (techno | Germany, Elektrons)

Anahit Vardanyan was born in the capital of Armenia, Yerevan and played the piano from an early age. Now Anahit lives in Germany and is works in music professionally, spending most of her time in the studio and on weekends performing in clubs both as a DJ and presenting her material. The German-Armenian does not have full-length albums yet and debut singles and EPs began to be released in 2021. Anahit creates enveloping techno periodically with a folk Armenian atmosphere. The EP "Avyun", which can actually be considered as a single, consists of two tracks in this style. Interesting high-quality multi-layered material.

Charlotte De Witte “Sanctum (EP)” (techno | Belgium, KNTXT)

Belgian DJ and producer Charlotte De Witte was born in 1992 in Ghent. Charlotte began her DJ career in 2010 and in 2011 she won a DJ contest at the Belgian radio station Studio Brussel. At first the Belgian worked under the pseudonym Raving George, but in 2015 she released her first single under her real name and in 2019 she founded her own label KNTXT. Charlotte's discography includes countless singles and EP, 4 recorded DJ sets (those were officially released, but there are many more others), several remixes and victories at the DJ Awards and International Dance Music Awards as the best techno act of the year. In 2024 the EP “Sanctum” was released recorded with the French singer, DJ and producer Marion Di Napoli. Powerful rhythmic techno tracks with amazing vocals of Marion are mesmerizing and at the same time forcing you to move to the rhythm and immerse you in the atmosphere of the techno dancefloor. Cool material of a talented DJ.

Michaela May “Abyss (EP)” (pop, popwave | Canada, Aztec Records)

Michaela May is a Canadian singer, composer and actress. The Canadian began her musical career in 2017 with the release of her debut EP. In 2024 after the single a second mini-work is out, which is a bit longer, than the previous one. The release "Abyss" features 6 original compositions and one remix in a combination of pop music with different electronic mainstream genres. The release was out on the label Aztec Records, so the influence of pop music and electronic sound of the 80s and 90s is quite logical to predict. Cute rhythmic compositions with a calm soft atmosphere and good female vocals.

Voodoo Garden “Age of the Mist (EP)” (stoner rock | Czechia, Self-Released)

The Czech band Voodoo Garden was formed in the early 20s and in 2022 they first gave live show on stage with their material. The EP "Age of the Mist" is the first officially released recordings of the project. The release features 5 stoner rock compositions with female vocals. Rhythmic dirty stoner melodies combined with psychedelic rock riffs and doom metal elements create an interesting atmosphere. A nice interesting project, that is just starting its journey in music. Let's wish them luck and follow their development. Good debut.

Well, and finally, I am publishing an Excel-file with a list of all the releases in all sections that caught my attention during the year: TOPS OF THE YEAR. Stay Unique!