For many of us it's been a tumultuous year and music has once again been a rock in uncertain times. Here at NAKED HQ we've been energized by the sheer number of great records released in the last twelve months.
We've created a NAKED end of year best of which takes in 60 brilliant tracks (we just couldn't get it down to the usual 50!) which moved and sustained us throughout the year.
Old names, new names and everything inbetween saw triumphant returns for the likes of Wilco, Blur, Lloyd Cole and The National whilst newer artists such as Riders of the Canyon (feat. Joana Serat), Wednesday, Shit Present (what a GREAT band name!) and The Cool Greenhouse all introduced themselves via amazing records.
It was life-affirming to see ex-Go-between Robert Forster back with such a strong album after his own traumatic year and albums by The New Pornographers, The Church, Feist and Ash sounded fresh and invigorated. Hamish Hawk made an exceptional record that just demands to be played over and over whilst Depeche Mode (in a brilliant hook-up with The Psychedelic Furs Richard Ashcroft) turned in our most played track of the year with the achingly grand 'Ghosts Again'.
Further down the playlist you'll find John Cale, Guided by Voices (still releasing new material at an alarming rate of knots!) and The Lilac Time who bounced back with a sophisticated collection of superlative acoustic tracks. Newer (to NAKED) artists such as Kevin Abstract and Slow Pulp made records we kept coming back to and there were great turns by Sleaford Mods, The Band of Holy Joy and Miles Hunt whose collaboration with The Cult's Billy Duffy was one of the stand-out tracks on his excellent 'Things Can Change' album.
So here's to you, one and all. Here's to a happy and healthy 2024.
NAKED Record Club salutes you!!
Grab a listen to the NAKED Record Club Best 60 Tracks on Spotify by clicking below: