Words by Sara Cederberg
Sara is a Michigan-based music nerd through and through, cutting her teeth as the music editor for her high school newspaper. By day, she’s a fundraising and marketing strategist for nonprofit organizations — and by night, she’s hopefully at a show or curled up with a good record. Her resolution for 2025 is to write more for Off Shelf. Without further ado, here’s her 2024 top 10 in descending order:
10. Jadasea – Too Many Tears (10k)
Mostly self-produced, Too Many Tears features dusty, hazy soul samples that create a relaxed and warm vibe, and his easygoing flow will resonate with fans of artists like MIKE. The album moves smoothly from start to finish. “Not Much 2 Say” envelopes you in a warm hug of introspective lyrics over a lively piano sample, while “Vanishing Act” captivates with its animated synth groove and Jadasea’s seamless delivery. His previous collaborations with King Krule—who produced his half-life EP and worked with him under the name Aqrxvst—add depth to his musical background. Jadasea has fast become one of my favorite emcees, and this release solidifies it.
9. High Vis – Guided Tour (Dais)
As someone who grew up on a steady diet of Blur and Oasis growing up, Guided Tour resonated with me deeply, seamlessly blending anthemic Britpop, jangly post-punk, and melodic hardcore into a sound that feels both nostalgic and fresh. Unabashedly British in its tone, the album carries an earnest hopefulness from the start. Tracks like “Untethered” highlight the band’s ability to merge introspective lyrics with arena-worthy riffs, while “Mind’s a Lie” introduces electronic elements that expand High Vis’s musical palette without losing their core identity. All in all, this is an album that feels really well-rounded, a bit hard, a bit soft, and full of influences I can’t get enough of.
8. Chat Pile – Cool World (The Flenser)
Cool World is the perfect soundtrack for bleak-as-hell times—a fresh, brutal, and sludgy offering that is mentally draining in the best possible way. From the opening track “I Am Dog Now,” the band immerses you in a raw and unflinching landscape of despair and aggression. “Shame” stands out with its unexpectedly melodic undertones amid the chaos, while “Masc” delivers a biting critique of toxic masculinity. The album is as dirty as it is compelling, and it pushed me to confront uncomfortable emotions, especially in the wake of the November general election. It’s not just heavy music for the sake of heaviness; it’s a cathartic experience that feels both timely and necessary. Cool World is an intense journey that challenges you but rewards you with its depth and sincerity—a must-listen for those willing to dive deep into the shadows. I deeply regret missing their show in Detroit but I won’t make that same mistake again!
7. Sharp Pins– Radio DDR (self-released)
Power pop is back, baby! Kai Slater—also from the excellent Chicago post-punk band Lifeguard—demonstrates remarkable songwriting talent for someone barely in his twenties (the kids are definitely all right). Slater’s solo endeavors explore a new musical direction into jangly, dusty, Guided By Voices and Cleaners from Venus-style power pop. The tracks feature bright, chiming guitars, catchy choruses, and layered vocals that feel familiar to anyone who grew up on a steady diet of Big Star or The Byrds—yet, they remain in a field of their own. Radio DDR builds on the foundations of Slater’s previous work, offering richer instrumentation while maintaining the raw energy that makes it so affable. Sorry, songs like “Lorelei,” “Race For the Audience,” and “You Have A Way” won’t get out of your head anytime soon.
6. Dummy – Free Energy (Trouble In Mind)
Dummy’s latest album, Free Energy, is a dreamlike, Lynchian journey that takes a fresh, glitchy approach to dream pop and shoegaze. From the moment the music begins, it evokes the same ethereal atmosphere that made me fall in love with bands like A Sunny Day In Glasgow. The album seamlessly blends fuzzy guitars with cool synth textures and unexpected sonic twists, making it one of the most adventurous and enjoyable releases I’ve heard this year. Each track flows into the next, creating a cohesive experience that scratches that itch for Broadcast, My Bloody Valentine, and Stereolab fans without feeling derivative. The use of glitchy electronics adds an edge to their dreamy melodies, making Free Energy an easy standout release for me. “Blue Dada” is the perfect sum of its parts.
5. Geordie Greep – The New Sound (Rough Trade)
I will be the first to fully admit that I did not give black midi the attention they deserved during their run because I could not get into Geordie Greep’s vocals. But when I heard Greep giving us his best Donald Fagen impression on The New Sound’s lead single, “Holy Holy,” I was gobsmacked. This journey of an album is not an easy listen, but I think that’s exactly why it drew me in: it’s absurd, meticulous, and so unreliably narrated that I can’t get enough of it. Tracks like “Blues,” “Terra,” and “Walk Up” highlight a fusion that’s hard to define—imagine Steely Dan on a wild adventure with Rush through São Paulo, and somehow ending up three days later on a Broadway stage. I’m fully Greep-pilled.
4. Nala Sinephro – Endlessness (Warp)
Nala Sinephro’s Endlessness is a mesmerizing journey that effortlessly marries ambient electronic soundscapes with the spontaneity of jazz, crafting an album that feels like a warm hug in sonic form. As her second release following the acclaimed Space 1.8, Sinephro continues to push musical boundaries with her signature harp and modular synth, guiding listeners through ten dreamlike “continua.” Each piece unfolds gently, built on delicate arpeggios that ebb and flow. But really, Endlessness album serves as a meditation on life, inviting introspection through its immersive layers and reserved yet adventurous compositions. Without a doubt, this is probably the most beautiful 45 minutes of music I’ve heard in years.
3. Robber Robber – Wild Guess (self-released)
Wild Guess is a beast and was an easy choice for the 3-spot. The Burlington, Vermont-based quartet brings a fresh energy to post-punk, blending grimy, frenetic guitars with brooding and sometimes unsettling vocals with a propulsive rhythm section. Lead vocalist Nina Cates shifts effortlessly from gentle and airy vocals to bold and powerful near-screams, matching the band’s dynamic shifts in sound. But I think what I love most about Wild Guess is that it’s an album full of surprises; just when a song seems to settle, it takes an unexpected turn. Tracks like “Backup Plan” and “Dial Tone” exemplify this perfectly. Robber Robber sounds like no one else, and I’m genuinely excited to see where they go from here.
2. Peel Dream Magazine – Rose Main Reading Room (Topshelf)
Rose Main Reading Room is a warm and inviting exploration that feels like the musical child of Sufjan Stevens and Stereolab, with Philip Glass as the visionary grandfather. The album masterfully blends delicate experimentalism with lush soundscapes, creating a seamless fusion of indie rock, folk, and electronic elements. Each track invites listeners into a world where the mundane becomes magical, offering a sense of wistful reminiscence. Songs like “Wish You Well” showcase the band’s ability to craft intricate melodies layered with harmonies and diverse instrumentation, but my personal highlight is probably “Four Leaf Clover,” with “Central Park West” not far behind. The multi-instrumental arrangements (let’s hear it for the woodwinds!) and gentle vocals evoke a comforting atmosphere, transporting you to cozy-as-hell corners of introspection. Peel Dream Magazine wear their influences proudly, but they innovate enough to make the sound uniquely their own.
1. Wishy– Triple Seven (Winspear)
Triple Seven blends earnest 90s alternative rock, emo, shoegaze, and dream pop into an irresistibly cohesive and refreshing sound. Throughout the album, the band delivers memorable lyrics and melodies that stay with you long after listening. Kevin Krauter and Nina Pitchkites share vocal duties, adding depth and variety to each track. While “Love On The Outside” stands out with its soaring hooks that easily could have been heard on 2000-era modern rock radio, the rest of the album is all killer, no filler—“Persuasion” is probably my personal favorite. All in all, Triple Seven not only fulfills the promise shown in their earlier work but also hints at exciting creative directions for the future. This was an easy choice for my number-one spot on the number of plays alone. Now, if I could just get them to play a show in Michigan sometime soon…