Pepperwood’s Favorite Albums of 2024
HONORARY #1: Chloe Slater’s You Can’t Put A Price On Fun
I made the tough decision to exclude EP’s from my list, but I had to make one exception. My favorite artist, songs, and all around music of the year is Chloe Slater. It may only be 5 songs, but throw in Sinking Feeling, Tiny Screens, and Fig Tree and you’ve got yourself an album’s worth of material brimming with scathing critiques of capitalist society, the patriarchy, and so much more. Young, full of energy and rage, Chloe
Slater is an inspiration. As Pete Townsend said: the kids are alright.
#1 Older - Lizzy McAlpine
I’ll never forget back in 2018, my friend Sean Wallace showed me an artist with no music released, just a bunch of videos of her and her guitar on the floor of her Berklee dorm room. I was i̶m̶p̶r̶e̶s̶s̶e̶d̶ jealous of her talent for melody writing (and lyrics too). I’ve been on board since then, and while I wanted the heavily produced sequel to Five Seconds Flat, I was not mad at this stripped simple record whatsoever. It truly felt like a return to form for Lizzy, who - like me - feels more like a bedroom songwriter in her heart than a popstar. This record is still very on-brand for McAlpine - full of the incredible lyricism and top-notch melodies, while the simplicity of the record adds a very sincere and earnest melancholia, perhaps indicating influences like Joni Mitchell and Nick Drake. This entire album made my spotify wrapped this year because I could not stop listening. This is by and large my favorite album of 2024.
#2 Wolves of Glendale - Wolves of Glendale
This might come as a surprise being ranked so highly considering it is technically a comedy record, but like their predecessor, The Cooties, the Wolves just do not miss. These songs are hilarious, but they are also musical powerhouses. Catchy melodies, incredible instrument tones, and a tightness that transcend this music well past comedy into simply being good. I acknowledge this band probably would not exist without the other musical comedy acts that paved the way like Tenacious D, Flight of the Concords, or Weird Al, but that said - I do not think there has ever been a band doing the best at both the comedy AND the music. These guys have something special, and and I will never miss an opportunity to show off this record.
#3 American Motor Sports - Bilmuri
Johnny Franck is a goddamn genius. To be able to blend and transcend genres into such a palatable and listenable experience is not an easy feat. While I don’t think American Motor Sports has the full extent and staying power of the weirdness I have come to love and expect from Bilmuri, I do think it has way more range. Make no mistake, he still found a way to deliver all the chugga-chugga guitars, drops and breakdowns, and even saxophone solos on this incredibly well written “y’allternative” record (I believe that’s what the kids are calling this newly forming genre of emo alt-country). He blends all these things in with his heartfelt lyrics, his knack for shitposting, and all the pop sensibilities of modern radio into a musical hodgepodge that comes out the other side as a completely original and unique sound. He has quickly grown to be one of my favorite artists in the past few years, and I look forward to what he has in store.
This is where the idea of ranking the rest of the albums that came out this year completely fell apart. There was just SO MUCH amazing art created this year, and let’s not get lost in the idea of these being “better than” each other. Yes I know that’s a cop out, you wanna fight about it?
American Disco - Never Ending Fall
I saw the very first “can it Kirkland” video, and it was a year or more before I found out they were a band, much less a band that fucks. Some of the best guitar work happening right now, and while this record feels like it meanders through several genre influences, it never loses its tonal through line. It gets heavy, funky, and punky, but I’ll tell you what it never gets: boring. This album catchy as hell.
Everybody Needs a Hero - Orla Gartland
This record is an absolute pleasure to listen to. I have been a fan since the YouTube days and have always loved her writing style. Many artists fear the “sophomore slump,” but Orla came out swinging and dropped a no-skip record (the highest praise I can bestow). As a fellow independent artist, I hope she and her artistry continue to grow into the recognition and reach she deserves.
Sha La La - Winnetka Bowling League
WBL genuinely makes me jealous sometimes how they can thread incredibly thoughtful and introspective lyrics with infectious melodies. Honest and beautiful, witty and fun, this record will leave you with much to think about.
Better Now - Wild Rivers
I thought Never Better was a good record, but Better Now is a great record! Recorded at the same time and released as the companion piece to Never Better only three short months after, Better Now does not disappoint. It is captivating and intimate and sincere and everything that first drew me in to being a fan of theirs when I first discovered them in 2016 with their self titled debut.
A Dream Through Open Eyes - The Strike
The Strike has been solidifying themselves as one of my go-to artists the past few years, and this album is yet another near-perfect addition to their repertoire. The throwback tone of 80’s synth-pop has made a major resurgence, but none have been doing it as long or as well as the Strike. I am obsessed with their tones, and if that wasn’t enough (though it totally would be), the rest of their craft is just as strong. Their lyrics weave us through such relatable stories and the melodies keep us singing the songs long after. Altogether as a record, it is full of anthemic bangers that find a way to be both nostalgic of halcyon days and modern-facing.
Garden Stare Vampire - Joe P
An artist I have TikTok to thank for discovering, it was an immediate follow seeing a guy walk out into the snow with his guitar and sing a grungy catchy ditty. The gritty, fuzzy tone of the song snippets he continued to share was something I could not get enough of, and this record is chock full of it. Joe P has his finger on the pulse of good songwriting, and if you have not heard his music, you should do yourself a favor.
stop.drop.rewind - stop.drop.rewind
Another band I discovered through TikTok this year, and Kris Lohn seems like just a genuinely awesome dude - and he also makes bangers. This self titled record is a wild ride and a hell of a debut. It is musically complex and innovative and fresh and theatrical. While landing mostly in the "prog metal kids went to jazz school" wheelhouse, it still has a lot of pop sensibility and radio friendliness too. All around a very listenable album to blast in the car or out on a run; I think it has a bit of ear-candy for everyone.
Short n’Sweet - Sabrina Carpenter
Need I say anything? As far as popstar sensations go, none are more deserving of the status and the hype than Sabrina Carpenter. This record fucks. The lyrics are clever, the music catchy, the production flawless, and all executed perfectly into one of the best pop records in the last decade.
and last but not least (or maybe least…) - a shameless mention:
Chronicles - Pepperwood
It may not be anyone’s favorite record of 2024, but it is a record I am extremely proud of nonetheless. I began laying the bricks for this album in early 2018, and it was a long six years of grueling work, slowly chipping away at this album as quickly as I could fund it, while continuously working on self-improvement on every front - in my lyrics, production, instrumentation, presentation, branding, the list goes on. I am thankful for anyone who has listened, and especially thankful for those of you who found our music important or relatable enough to repeatedly listen to. It feels weird to write an actual review for my record, so here is what others had to say instead:
Chronicles is exactly as its name suggests—a heart wrenching journey written both from and for the heart. A tale of human connection, both beautiful and destructive. Chronicles is your perfect break up album and the one you blare on the way to your first rebound’s house. It’s angry, longing, toxic, a little sexy, and filled with all the emotions we all go through with the ups and downs of relationships. If you’ve ever thought “what the fuck am I doing?”, Chronicles is the album that will make you feel seen and held, while also giving you a hell of a good time. Not only is it written with such raw emotion, but the vocals and composition hold the same weight. The search for belonging in San Fransico, the “fuck it” energy of Toxic, the slow and hopeful ballad of Caroline, and the absolute devastation of Drowning convey such an odyssey of the exploration of human emotion. Chronicles says what we all feel but are too scared to say out loud, and it says it with a passion only it possesses.
- Mary Warren
2024 was a productive year in terms of great releases, however, in my opinion, one of these stood out in this ocean of creativity, and this is the rock odyssey “Chronicles” by Pepperwood. What a beauty.
By the way, this is not a debut album guys, nope, this is a vitamin tablet. The kind of energetic boost you'd need when you had a bad day or feeling a bit low.
In ten tracks, Zach Wyatts and his mates achieved something rare in this singles-driven market: they tell you a complete story. Hit the play button, close your eyes and Zach will bring you a beer, pat your back and start discussing human relationships, life experiences and help you dive into the unknown world of your own introspection. Hence the beer…
Musically, Chronicles has this genuine touch, that kiss on your ears coming from the live recording approach. No overproduction here, just a sonic landscape painted with distorted guitars, explosive percussions, groovy bass fills and emotive vocals. From San Francisco to Breakdown, the band shifts gears effortlessly, offering an eclectic, sometimes cathartic and always personal experience.
Chronicles is definitely one of the finest pieces of musical art this year. I'm telling you, this is going to ruin your Spotify recommendations because you'll keep listening to these tracks over and over. Well… thank you Pepperwood… tsss.
Alright, the second round is on me Zach!
- Sebastian Brevet, Headphonik
Chronicles is a prodigious piece of indie rock, and Pepperwood is in top form: dynamic and energetic. The catchiness of the vocals is only elevated that much more with the solid drums, robust bass sounds, and complementary guitars. Highlights include Cup of Tea, the ultimate ear worm, I’ve been singing it for days; San Francisco also with it’s irresistible vocal melody and catchy chorus; and Worth the Mess with it’s intriguing - and perfect - arrangement and structure.
- my mom
P.S.
As I made this list, it became increasingly clear that it was going to be impossible to relegate my favorite albums of 2024 to only 10. There were simply TOO MANY amazing albums made by amazing people, so I will be making a part II. If you made it this far, thank you for reading.