150 Albums from 2024 - Since I heard the first chords of "I Don't Belong" from the Fontaines D.C's "A Hero's Death" I knew this was going to be a love story. Grian Chatten had the same band leader/vocal power and passion of Ian McCulloch and Ian Curtis. The album, along with the fabulous lyrics, gave me that melancholic feeling intertwined with the certainty that I was listening to something special that would stick with me. But wanting to get out of the postpunk tag that the band had conquered and hated, they came with "Romance" and I was not expecting this. I was not ready to have my mind hijacked by this creative explosion at the point of not wanting to hear any other thing. I mean: who would ever expect to hear a song made out of a panic attack with a verse so brilliant as: "I'm going to hit your business if it's momentary blissness" followed by a deep inhale like if Grian was being suffocated? "Starburster", the track, became highly, powerfully addictive to me. Or, like the verse in the wonderfully moving "Favourite" says: "You were my favourite for a long time".  PopUP Score: 97.

Londoner TURQUOISEDEATH will release five tracks that did not make the cut for "Kaleidoscope", their latest album out Oct 11, 2024, on the streaming platforms next December 20th. One of them is "Binary Garden", a track inspired by "the 90's break scene with an ethereal twist". It has a sample from "Frou-Frou Foxes In Midsummer Fires" from the Cocteau Twins's "Heaven Or Las Vegas" acclaimed album.

KEXP has released Ginger Root's video performing "No Problems", "Only You","There Was A Time" and "Giddy Up"

 from their last album "Shinbangumi" out Sep 13, 2024.

150 Albums from 2024 - The Smile is formed by Thom Yorke e Jonny Greenwood, from Radiohead, and the drummer Tom Skinner from Sons Of Kemmet. "Wall Of Eyes" was released in January this year and is only the trio's second album. Full of delicate and pleasent combinations of sounds, harmonies and arrangements, it reveals a work that is way beyond pop and rock standards, much like their original bands use to do, but with a different seasoning. PopUP Score: 81.

150 Albums from 2024 - Logic released his second science-fiction novel this year. This album works as a soundtrack to it, and both are named "Ultra 85". He delves into his mental struggles, including anxiety and depression, his love for games and movies, and his obsession with Quentin Tarantino. PopUP Score: 85.

150 Albums from 2024 - Justice's latest album, "Hyperdrama," received mixed reviews, scoring 68 on Albumoftheyear.org. While NME awarded it a perfect score of 100, many other critics rated it around 60. Such is the price of success: featuring collaborations with Tame Impala, Miguel, and Thundercat, the album aimed high. Justice has again been nominated for a Grammy, a recognition first achieved with their debut album "Cross." Following a vibrant performance at Coachella and a successful European tour, plans are now in place to extend the tour to the Americas. Critics' mixed reception seems almost petty, given the album's seven-year anticipation and its undeniable qualities: pop brilliance, glamour, danceability, and uplifting vibes. Poor critics...

 Poor critics...  PopUP Score: 92.

The Dutch band Cryptosis has launched their video "Faceless Matter" from their upcoming album "Celestial Death"out March 7th, 2025. In their own words "This track brings a darker, heavier, and more symphonic sound. Welcome to the new era of Cryptosis.” From Century Midia Records.

Elton John has released the video "Never Too Late", a duet with Brandi Carlile from the documentary film "Elton John: Never Too Late" directed by R. J. Cutler and David Furnish available tomorrow (Dec 13th 2024) on Disney+

150 Albums from 2024 - The D'Addario brothers continue their mission of creating songs reminiscent of The Monkees and 60s rock. However, they excel at transforming these influences into their own unique style and vibe, rather than simply creating a pastiche. "A Dream Is All We Know" is beautifully dreamy and carefully crafted, with rich harmonies and arrangements. PopUP Score: 81.

The 1975's song, “If You’re Too Shy (Let Me Know)“, from the album 'Notes On A Conditional Form', is track of the week 37/2020 (image from the video “If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know)"

150 Albums from 2024 - In his sixth studio album, Kendrick Lamar continues to be the leading voice of West Coast's rap and hip-hop. Either addressing his public feud whith Drake since early 2024 or going on with his personal and public questions and issues, his rapping style and lyrics are sharper than ever. Despite circulating rumors, "GNX" dropped unexpectedly only a month ago and it was a striking addition to the best albums of the year's list and also to Kendrick Lamar's discography. PopUP Score: 95.

150 Albums from 2024 - "Cutouts" is the third album released by The Smile, and their second in 2024 (see item 147 on this list). In this album, they continue their exploration of free and creative jazzy songs, with even more freedom and textures. At the same time, they manage to sound a bit closer to pop. Nevertheless, it is an admirable, surprising, and therefore, welcoming effort, worthy of their names. PopUP Score: 91.

150 Albums from 2024 - More than just releasing an album, with "Brat," Charli XCX has ignited a pop phenomenon. Initially perceived as solely tied to club culture, "Brat" has proven to be a generational beacon. In fact, calling it that might be an understatement, as Charli has already become a multigenerational icon, resonating with Generation Z, Millennials, and even Generation X. This widespread appeal has earned her numerous commercial contracts this year, significantly boosting her economic and business profile. As of now, "Brat" is at the top of numerous pop/rock media lists as the best album of the year, scoring much higher than releases from Fontaines D.C. and The Cure, which follow behind.  PopUP Score: 95.

150 Albums from 2024 - "No Name" is Jack White's best album since "Blunderbuss," and though I tried, I couldn't choose one over the other. But then again, it doesn't mean much, as there is no minor album in his discography. This one brings a raw energy, a feeling of a demo album. And to think that, initially, it was released physically as a gift for his record company customers... I feel relieved that he decided to extend this gift to all of us because it is pure Jack White, it is pure rock, and I went crazy with it. PopUP Score: 88.

The 1975's album, 'Notes On A Conditional Form', is album of the week 37/2020 (image from the video “People”)