Deichman: Album of the year 2024 ·

Link to Deichmans music blog (in Norwegian 🇳🇴) is available here .

Where do you want to go today? Maybe your brain needs a transcendental head massage, or are you in the nostalgic corner? Do you dare to listen to an album that compulsively and somatically moves you? If that doesn’t suit your taste, you can always give your soul a funky spa gift card? All this and your annual dose of micronutrients are here!

Let’s kick it off with some albums that have left their mark this past year:

Headache – The head hurts but the heart knows the truth (2023)

“Have you ever woken up and wondered where you are and why you’re naked? You’re listening to Headache.” A thought-provoking journey full of the tug-of-war between your head and your heart. The most appealing thing about this album is the sometimes absurd AI-generated lyrics, because they put into words many of the conflicting feelings and thoughts that accompany our existence as humans. Some of the essence here is a bit reminiscent of the 90s classic by Baz Luhrmann (Everybody’s free (to wear sunscreen) – but this record is more catchy (plus I’m not in 90s mode or wearing sunscreen anyway). This album is a unique experience, because the absurdity also keeps it fun and entertaining. This album will demand your attention with its existential poetry.

Khruangbin – A LA SALA (2024)

Perhaps the best daydream album I came across in 2024. I like that they still maintain the global influence with some funk, some soul – even though the spectrum is often large and lo-fi experimental. I especially liked a revival of Happy Survival on another release that came out this year with Childish Gambino (2024: Bando Stone and the new world). Overall, Khruangbin keeps things neat and soft with an airy and minimalist sound. If you’re a DJ in one of the countless elevators in this city, you can always impress with this one on both the ups and downs (If you’re actually an elevator DJ, I’d love to hear from you, by the way). It was hard to choose a song between Pon Pón and May Ninth. But we’re going all in with the nostalgia, as is usual when summing up a year.

Jamie xx – In waves (2024)

Okay, this is catchy on the dance floor. There’s also a positive vibe throughout the album that fills that void in you that misses a groovy beat. It’s official: Jamie is on a roll these days. ‘Baddy on the floor‘ featuring vocals/collaboration with Honey Dijon builds to multiplying climaxes without a hitch, while another favorite, ‘All you children‘ (a collaboration with one of my favorites; The Avalanches) blends in those children’s voices that make the musical journey resonate with something playful and futuristic. This album is an instant hip-wobbler (but remember to take off your ice picks at the entrance and warm up first).

9th Wonder – Zion X (2024)

At the very end of the year, a new release on the Zion series from 9th Wonder came out, and it fills 2024 with its soul-searching beats and samples. The softest hip-hop instrumentals are occasionally replaced by hard-hitting lyrics, but it’s the jazz and soul that we know from giants like J Dilla and Pete Rock that makes you want to lie in bed (it almost has to be a big one this time) with the Collector’s Edition of this album. Put this on when you need a laidback atmosphere that oozes soul and classic confidence. Think there are some timeless songs here, so definitely check out THEREAINTNOWAY!!!, BABYFLOAT, JACUZZIJAM & YEAHYOUAREMINE!!!. There’s no doubt that 9th Wonder has found the CapsLock key, and he really doesn’t hold anything back musically either.

Here is a list of songs that caught my attention this year. You will also find some wonderful songs that I wrote about on Ferske Spor this year. And you can also check out my Deichman 2024 Spotify playlist here . Now, off to this year’s vitamins:

Vitamin A (Ambient)