In addition to our pick of the best albums of the year so far, here are five of the best albums that have went under the radar. If you have already heard of them; congratulations, you’re incredibly cool.
Cameron Scott Minack
Top Track: Soldier of Love
“The saddest album you’ve never heard” according to North-East songwriter, Cameron Scott. With references to Bon Iver’s debut, Minack follows in that record’s tradition; a stripped-back breakup album full of bittersweet beauty. Aptly described as “coastal-folk”, with gorgeous melodies drifting along as if caught in an ocean breeze. Rose-tinted nostalgia meets with pained reflections in a familiar journey of heartache slowly turning into acceptance, enhanced by Scott’s poetic flair and an eye for vivid detail. It’s starkly vulnerable, with Scott at times barely eking out the words in a hushed whisper. But as the closing track’s refrain of “I stand alone in my room without you” develops into a lush harmony assisted by the vocals of Samantha Brockett, a soothing reassurance rises from the sorrow.
Jay Cinema & chasay be a better friend
Top Track: how / often
Jay Cinema is undergoing a crisis of conscience on be a better friend. That title is a recurring motif; almost becoming a mantra for the rising Brooklyn rapper. It’s a regretful realisation that he’s too caught up in his own shit, it’s a reminder not to neglect those around him, and by the end he flips it into a reminder not to neglect himself. Like a therapy session put to tape, which is surprisingly tranquil thanks to the mellow psych and soul indebted beats of budding Wisconsin producer, chasay. In a world of grindset, morning routine, motivational bullshit, be a better friend paints an unfiltered picture of the paranoia, guilt, and insecurity that can come alongside ambition.
(Jay’s previous project, ALCDELUXE, featured in our top EPs of 2024)
Nobody Jones Missing Person
Top Track: Facing Away
The debut from Philadelphia’s Nobody Jones is a collection of stark alt-country ballads. The instrumentation is consistently gorgeous, from Silas Reidy’s mournful pedal steel twangs, twinkling piano lines from Paul Royse, or the rolling bass of Tyler Lynch. Occasionally, the arrangements are bare bones; the desolate sounds of just an acoustic guitar and moog drone. But throughout, the voice of the eponymous Jones guides proceedings; coarse and commanding yet also utterly vulnerable and tender as he navigates dejection, resignation, defiance, and hope. These are beautifully fragile songs exploring the fragility of the human psyche.
Perfect Chicken Pecking Order
Top Track: Comet
The boiler-suited, balackava’d Teeside trio capture the surrealist chaos of their live shows with this rapid-fire 15-minute debut. Serving up a brief but eclectic collection that includes lo-fi garage punk, ramshackle country lullabies, and psychedelic freakouts. Beyond their self-styled brand of ‘regressive rock’, they know their way around a hook and you suspect there may just be a great band in waiting here. But enjoy them while you can in all their absurdist glory; like a bizzaro comedy troupe turned punk band. (Read More)
The Taste of Vomit Relocating Grains Of Sand
Top Track: Getting Better
Don’t be put off by the name; The Taste of Vomit deals in thoughtful, existentialist rap. The Philly emcee’s latest project ponders the passing of time, through the lens of an aging DIY rapper. It’s not quite about having it all figured out, but at least figuring out that you haven’t got it all figured out. His bars are raw and confessional as he addresses anxiety, self-doubt, and mortality, but also injects moments of wry, self-deprecating humour. With standout features from underground fixtures, including Andrew, Blueprint, and Curly Castro. Plus excellent production from Height Keech, which blends 90’s boom-bap throwbacks, with classic psych rock and doo wop. Relocating Grains Of Sand is a casually blunt reflection on getting older; the good, the bad, and the hair growth in unexpected places.
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