I Don't Hear A Single Albums Of The Year 2024 : 91-100

 

For the last eight years We have compiled annual Best Of 's  because these posts seem so popular and the aim of this Blog is to get exposure (and Sales) for the artists. A reminder that anything reviewed on I Don't Hear A Single is highly recommended. A reminder that only new albums are included among these 100.

Narrowing things down to this 100 has been really difficult. The countdown is posted in reverse batches of 10. For each album, A song is embedded from the album and a link is provided to the IDHAS Review where you can find further details and how to listen or buy the album.

91 Day Dreems - Day Dreems      IDHAS Review

92 The Duke Of Surl - Borneo      IDHAS Review

 

93 The Proctors - Snowdrops & Hot Air Balloons      IDHAS Review

94 The Duskwhales - Strawflower Lane      IDHAS Review

95 The Hard-Ons - I Like You A Lot Getting Older      IDHAS Review

96 The Successful Failures - Enemy Sublime      IDHAS Review

97 Radio75 - Screaming Out      IDHAS Review

98 Love Fiend - Handle With Care      IDHAS Review

99 Neon Bone - Eager To Please      IDHAS Review

100 Young Scum - Lighter Blue     IDHAS Review

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Young Scum - Lighter Blue

 

I am not the expert of Jangle Pop and Indie Pop, that title belongs to my great friend Darrin lee and his essential Janglepophub. If it Jangles, he will tell you if it is the Bees Knees. Having said that, I think many of my peers will agree that Young Scum's 2018 self titled debut album was a wonderful example of both genres.

The obvious question is why it has taken so long for the Richmond, Virginia quartet to follow it up. I don't know the answer to that, but I do know that Lighter Blue is a corking second album. It takes what is great about that debut and ventures a little further.

At its heart, it is still 80s sounding Jangle Pop, very C86, almost Glasgow, beautifully arranged, performed and arranged. Gentle to the extreme with winsome vocals, memorable choruses and gentle meandering jangled riffs.

There are also surprises. Didn't Mean To for instance has a great double vocal and starts all tame and beautiful before slipping into something much pacier and See It Through rocks out more than expected and Wrong gets close to The Supernaturals or The Housemartins and Jangles like a good 'un.

Away is another pacier song with a killer riff. in fact a killer song. But special mention goes to Velvet Crush, a song title that betrays some influence and adds a meandering solo that is very close to Everything Flows. Lighter Blue is as Jangly and Melodic as you would expect, but adds more than you might expect.

You can listen to and buy the album here. It is available on Vinyl from Pretty Olivia Records here. American Vinyl orders will be sent from Portland to allow cheaper shipping costs.

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