Audio Addict Awards Season 2024

Here we are again, into a new year we go, and with that comes awards season. With the Golden Globes having already happened, and the Oscars and Grammy's well on their way in the coming months, I thought I'd come back and review 2024's musical offerings across EIGHT award categories: Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Production, The 'Rising Star' Award, The 'Whiffed It' Award, Best Live Performance and two new awards Most Anticipated 2025 Project and Favourite Throwback. Obviously, these are all my opinions, and therefore should not be taken as anything too serious, just as my own views on what I enjoyed over the last year in a stupid format.

(Once again, for a mild atmosphere of grandeur, here's a picture of a Grammy)

The Rising Star Award 2025

Honourable Mention: Knocked Loose

Winner: Fontaines D.C

We all knew, even mildly, about Dublin born band Fontaines D.C, but I really think they made their mark on 2024 with the release of their new record Romance. Not only did they bring their music to a whole new generation of listeners, they have gone absolutely meteoric. For one, Romance debuted at No.2 on the charts, doubling the sales of their last record, they're playing main stages across the world, as well as huge UK sets, and their record that released in the latter part of the last year is already certified as Gold is insane. Honourable Mentions go to Knocked Loose, who have also been scorching their way through their own scene, so much so that they performed on Jimmy Kimmel this year, which was awesome to see - but if we're talking huge steps felt across the industry, Fontaines take the win.

(Top job Fontaines D.C, and although you've won, you get absolutely nothing)

Best Production

Honourable Mentions: Rob Cavallo (Saviours), Tom Bromley (All Hell), Various Producers (Short 'N Sweet), Frank Turner (Undefeated)

Winner: Paul Meany (Clancy)

There was a lot of amazing production this year in music, but nothing takes the cake more than Paul Meany on Twenty One Pilot's new record Clancy. Not only was it incredibly well mixed, mastered and recorded, but there were so many embellishments, so many moments added in post that I couldn't not give it this award. Plus, his sheer adaptability to the many different sonic styles this album takes on, some led by glowing synths and others the steady drum rhythm of Josh Dun, Clancy is a tour de force of insane musicianship mixed with some of the best and most embellished production techniques. Some close calls with Rob Cavallo and his brilliant work with Saviours and the various producers that helped make Short 'N Sweet, but I couldn't not hand this one to Meany, if you've heard Clancy you'll know what I mean.

(Thank you Paul, if you want anything physical for this award, I sadly can't oblige)

Best Live Performance

Honourable Mentions: Boston Manor (O2 Forum Kentish Town), Bleed from Within (O2 Arena), Pierce the Veil (Ally Pally), Slipknot (O2 Arena)

Winner: Sleep Token (O2 Arena)

Now, I know what you're thinking - Slipknot didn't win it? What the fuck? You said that was a concert that literally changed your life! And, dear reader I stand by that statement, as it did indeed, and it was a stunning show that really did impact me on an emotional level. However, they were celebrating the anniversary of a record, and if we're talking about a live show that had both depth and breadth, then Sleep Token take the biscuit this time around. Their concert at the O2 felt like a celebration of a band returned home with something to prove. After the emotional circumstances of their last home town show, these guys had something to prove, and across the three sections of their discography they effortlessly showed why they are back and more reinvigorated than ever. Not only was the music stunning, but the visuals came along to seriously back that performance up - I'm talking the lighting, the live mix, Vessel dancing around the stage like a madman and being the stool for IV's guitar solo. It was nothing short of spectacular, and is one of those live experiences, akin to Slipknot that will be burnt into my mind forever. Obviously, a lot of good honourable mentions there - Boston Manor are brilliant live, and I was so so lucky to see them twice this year, PTV at Ally Pally was an insane experience that was so much fun, and Bleed From Within were so good they needed a little shout out - but this one goes to Sleep Token.

(Vessel, get the other lads and come grab a pint with me, or just take this fake award)

Favourite Throwback

Honourable Mentions: California (Blink 182), Always Cloudy (Saturdays at Your Place), Two (Sleep Token), Rose (The Front Bottoms), Sweet Tooth (Mom Jeans), Shapeshifter (Knuckle Puck)

Winner: You'll Be Fine / Warmer Weather (Hot Mulligan)

This award is to recognise the older music that I listen to on repeat, and I think deserves some real recognition as being insanely replayable and good to listen to over and over. I've got to give this award to Hot Mulligan this year, especially their 2024 EP Warmer Weather and 2020 album You'll Be Fine. I have been a big fan of Hot Mulligan for a long time, discovering their music in the Midwest Emo deep dive I've found myself on over the last few months, and I keep coming back to their music again and again. You'll Be Fine is full of songs that this band are known for, BCKYRD, SPS and Equip Sunglasses which are so easy to listen to and great to put on repeat, and their newer EP (which I know doesn't really count as a full on 'throwback' but I'm allowing it) is three songs of near dead on perfection, especially End Eric Sparrow and the Life of Him. Overall, Hot Mulligan have been a band I keep going back to for that good hit of extreme vocals and pretty guitar riffs, and that's why they're winning the Favourite Throwback award this time around.

(Hot Mully, may I call you Hot Mully? Anyway, congrats, your prize? Nothing.)

The 'Whiffed It' Award

(Dis)Honourable Mentions: Ye West (In General), Justin Timberlake (This is going to ruin the tour), Glastonbury 2024 (Bad Line-up), Diddy (In General), Linkin Park (Emily Armstrong Controversy)

Winner: Drake (VS Kendrick Lamar)

I don't think anyone is surprised at this list right here, from the hilarious to the downright atrocious, there has been some pretty horrific things circling around in the music industry this year. I won't get into the continued controversy surrounding both Ye and Diddy because it seems like the law is already handing out swift justice to them, and my opinions on both their activities don't help the situation by any means. However, the winner here for the 2024 whiffed it award goes to Drake. This beef really came to fruition last year, with their bad blood becoming headline news. After their previous friendship broke down, and Lamar claimed on 'Like That' that instead of there being a rap big three (then stated as J-Cole, Drake and Lamar) it was just 'big me.' This started an almost year long battle between the two, with the two of them dropping track after track respectively, but none of them catching the eye of the public like Lamar's 'Not Like Us'. Not only did the track perform with fans, it became one of the most streamed tracks on Spotify, has sold over 15,000 copies, and has gone on to win both a Billboard Music Award and three BET Hip Hop Awards, as well as being nominated for FIVE grammies. Drake on the other hand completely mismanaged the beef and released weak songs in response, none of which captured the ears of the general public, and even went as far as to use an AI Tupac in one, which people instantly took a dislike to. The public consensus is that Drake is a shady guy, and that Kendrick won this beef fair and square, and that's why Drake has received this years 'Whiffed It' Award.

(No image here for the certified 'lover boy', and no offer of an award either.)

Song of the Year

Honourable Mentions: Overcompensate (Twenty One Pilots - Clancy), 0898 Heartache (Los Campesinos! - All Hell), Starburster (Fontaines D.C - Romance), East Finchley/Somewhere Inbetween (Frank Turner - Undefeated), Dilemma (Green Day - Saviours), Bed Chem (Sabrina Carpenter - Short 'N Sweet), Apple (Charlie XCX - Brat)

Winner: Dissolve (Boston Manor)

Full of everything that makes this band so damn good to listen to, Dissolve is the strongest track to come out of the 2024 season and their new record Sundiver. Not only is it chocked full of awesome instrumentation, growling guitar and thumping bass, but some of the tightest and well rounded lyricism in Boston Manor's discography. Mixed to perfection, and full of energy that you can't help headbanging along to, Dissolve deserves this top spot - it also translates amazingly to a live performance, and that's always a plus. A record like that only comes around once in a while, and when it's on an album that's similarly perfect, well it's a combo I'll never be mad about.

(Well done Boston Manor, although I have nothing to give you...)

Album of the Year 2024

Honourable Mentions: Romance (Fontaines D.C), All Hell (Los Campesinos!), The Cure (Songs of a Lost World), Billie Eilish (Hit Me Hard and Soft), Frank Turner (Undefeated), Sabrina Carpenter (Short 'N Sweet)

Special Recognition: Twenty One Pilots (Clancy)

This was an insanely tricky thing to judge for me. So many good records have come out this year, and we have really been treated to some of the best work from some amazing artists. One of these near flawless records us Clancy by the insanely talented Twenty One Pilots. You all know I was obsessed with this record when it came out, and for many many months after. It's a tight, genre spanning collection of work that not only is just brilliantly made music, but also continues on that iconic Trench narrative that sold me on the band back when I was younger, and this record has left the door open to see what happens next. I mean, it completely dominated my Spotify Wrapped this year - which isn't a decent metric of my tastes, but it still proves how much I enjoyed those singles. Full of highlights, and replayable to within an inch of it's life, this is a record that reignited my love for this band, and made me bordering on insufferable for a very long time to my friends. But, it's lost out on first place I'm afraid, but I think the winner is very apt.

Winner: Boston Manor (Sundiver)

Like I said before, it was insanely close, but Sundiver wins out over Twenty One Pilots, and Boston Manor claim the title of being my Album of the Year 2024. Beckoning in it's own bright and light sonic approach to their own brand of post-punk alternative rock to be the blazing B-Side to Datura, this album kicks ass, takes names, and gives you half an hour of pure musical bliss. From the opening track, you feel the energy and delight that's gone into this record, into every note of the soundscapes and every piercing extreme. Not only this, but it's a record the band themselves are insanely proud of, and loved making - and you can tell. Every song is clean and polished, and creates a perfectly rounded musical experience front to back. I have played this record to death this year, more than I have Clancy, especially on vinyl. This is an album that took everything that shines about this band and puts it on perfect display for all to see, and that gives it the No.1 spot in my eyes this year.

Most Anticipated 2025 Project

Honourable Mentions: Rumoured Sleep Token Project, Look Outside Your Window (Slipknot), Rumoured Twenty One Pilots Project, Oh! The Ocean (The Wombats)

Winner: Violet (L.S Dunes)

The final, and second new award looks forward into what might be happening in 2025. Although a few rumoured projects made it on the list, I have to give this to L.S Dunes and their new record Violet coming January 31st. From the sounds of the three new singles, this is going to be an insanely strong record, full of flair and some really well put together tracks. If you want my proper review on these three tracks, you'll have to come and read my next post, which will be about the three new offerings from L.S Dunes - shameless plug, but nonetheless excited about this new record, which earns it this award!

(Don't go letting me down L.S Dunes...)

And with that, my little 2024/5 review is over. It's been an insanely good year this year in terms of music. We've been getting some amazing new work from amazing artists, and I really enjoy getting to look back at the year and give some awesome artists and bands some well earned time in the spotlight. I'll probably do this again around this time next year if I'm still doing this, so look forward to that in 2026 - until then stick around, I've got a lot to give in 2025...