The Best of Q4
My Guide to the Best Albums of the Quarter
Regular readers know I dive deep, often obsessively, into new album releases every Friday. I’m still into my favorite albums of 2023, especially these from Chitown’s finest. In my relentless fear of feeling old and irrelevant (some call it a midlife crisis, I call it a comeback), I lean hard into new releases. I’ve written about my fave albums from each quarter of 2024 (here are Q1, Q2, and Q3) and today is high time to share the best of Q4.
As I usually note when writing about new music, my sole goal is here to spread joy by sharing new stuff that moves me. So take it or leave it. But try it! I genuinely hope this stuff lifts you. Works for me.
The album that I’ve returned to most since October 1 is Peace of Action by Earl Davis, aka Damu the Fudgemunk. I’d never heard of this dude but was enticed by his name when I saw it on the Nov 22 list of new releases. I took a lil’ leap of faith and have been listening to Peace of Action on repeat ever since. Sir Fudgemunk got me through the drudgery of grading final exams (I can’t read or write to music with lyrics), long winter runs, and even longer hours in the kitchen prepping for Thanksgiving dinner. He has a keen sense of composition and cinematic vision. I couldn’t tell you what’s sampled versus what’s created from scratch. But I can tell you that the album is soulful and energetic, while also challenging. It’s seamless; mind the masterful transitions.
Also soulful and energetic, though more on the four-on-the-floor funky side, the fourth quarter of 2024 brought us Love Time by Colorado-based sextet, The Motet. I dig the conversation between Joey Porter on keys and Ryan Jalbert on guitars. The keyboard work holds it together, IMHO. Some groovy 80’s synth stuff. Of course, this keyboardist tends to give the keys lots of credit. We find what we listen for. C'est la vie. That said, the Motet’s new-ish vocalist, Sarah Clarke, def delivers the goods. It’s hot funk just in time for the holidays. 37 minutes of fun. Enjoy!
How the hell have five years passed since Michael Kiwanuka’s last album? Time makes no damn sense anymore. His new LP, Small Changes, opens with Floating Parade, and then proceeds to float for 40 minutes straight. Second up is the title track, which offers a glimpse of the tasty background vocals that help to sustain the record. Track three, with its patient intro, has my favorite vibe on the LP. Small Changes seems rather, I’ll say it: understated. But that’s not a dig. I dig it thoroughly. You will too.
From a Londoner of Ugandan heritage to a Nigerian born Brummie, I bring you a Q4 Honorable Mention. While singer-songwriter Jacob Banks did not drop an album this year, I’m into his EP, Yonder: Book. So much emotion packed in a wee 11 minutes. Take a nibble. He’ll play the Metropol Berlin in April. It would be cool to see these songs stretched out. See ya there?
Alright then. That’s Q4. It’s been soulful quarter. Stay tuned for my favorite albums of 2024…
Hugs,
DL
Yo! Half off Junction subscriptions for the rest of 2024. ‘Tis the season…