Longtime Ink 19 staff writer Christopher Long spent almost the entire year consuming and writing about new music. Here are his personal Dirty Dozen: the 12 records that made his heart the happiest in 2024.

In the news today: Baroness, Beck, Phoenix, Jarvis Cocker, Wes Anderson, Seu Jorge, M. Ward, First Aid Kit

Ghost of Vroom 2 EP (Mod y Vi). Review by Julius C. Lacking.

Taking their name from Australian slang for something not good, The Chats are here to strike fear in the hearts of parents and guidance counselors across the globe.

Matt Sharp and The Rentals have always attracted a stellar cast of musicians to help them assemble their popsong symphonies.

The world of Khruangbin is made up of velvet sunsets, shimmering dunes, and cool river rocks. There’s also a guitar, some drums, and a bass. And lately, vocals.

When An Electric Storm. (Educational Recordings) Review by Bob Pomeroy.

Unwilling Participant. Review by Bob Pomeroy.

Human Performance (Rough Trade). Review by Jen Cray.

Decline of the West Vol. I & II (Partisan Records). Review by James Mann.

Jenny Lewis overcomes being the opening band, and sound and lighting issues, to overwhelm an Orlando audience, as Jen Cray knew she would.

Lonerism (Modular Fontana). Review by Jason O’Neal Griggs.

The Sounds strut back through Orlando and Jen Cray is part of the small but devoted crowd that welcomes them.

Demolished Thoughts (Matador). Review by Chet Barker.

Vintage interviews with the triumvirate of guitar gods.

Insert Coin. Review by Robert Sutton.

Hello=Fire (Schnitzel Records). Review by Jen Cray.

Shame, Shame (Anti-). Review by Sean Slone.

Cage the Elephant proves to Jen Cray that while you may try to contain the animal, there’s nothing like a room full of screaming fans to set that beast free!

Rockabilly, blues, jazz - delightful Dublin diva Imelda May put everything but the kitchen sink on the Moore Theater’s stage. Seattle hepcat Steve Stav was there to admire it all.