STACK #243 January 2025

MUSIC FEATURE

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THE BEST ALBUMS OF 2024 It was a ripping year for Aussie music. Here’s ourTop 24 of ’24!

EMILY WURRAMARA Nara Nara means “nothing”, but Wurramara’s soulful second set has something for everyone. RÜFÜS DU SOL Inhale/Exhale As they sang in the first single, “Before I knew what you’d done, I was up on my feet, dancing along.” MIDDLE KIDS Faith Crisis Pt 1 A crisis never sounded so good. Here’s to Pt 2. KASEY CHAMBERS Backbone The Divorce Song, featuring Shane Nicholson, was the duet of the year and one of the greatest post-breakup songs ever. EMMA DONOVAN Til My Song Is Done Australia’s soul queen tells her powerful story. “Blak history, shared not ignored.” CUSTARD Suburban Curtains Terrific twisted tales of suburbia from Brisbane’s best pop band. ADAM HARVEY Let the Song Take You Home Thirty years after his first album, Adam Harvey remains the real deal, as good as it used to be. DIRTY THREE Love Changes Everything “Love is a radical concept,” Warren Ellis noted. “Dirty Three was always about ANGUS & JULIA STONE Cape Forestier Gentle and poetic, a place worth revisiting. THELMA PLUM I’m Sorry, Now Say it Back An emotional indie-folk adventure. 3% Kill The Dead Punchy Hip-Hop from a First Nations’ supergroup.

MARK SEYMOUR & THE UNDERTOW The Boxer At a time when a lot of legends have thrown in the towel, Mark Seymour is still striving to

AMY SHARK Sunday Sadness Three albums, three chart-toppers. More pop perfection from Amy Shark. KING STINGRAY For the Dreams Euphoric rock. A thrilling mix of Yothu Yindi, Midnight Oil and Warumpi Band. PETER GARRETT The True North “I find myself asking, ‘Could I have done more?’” But Peter Garrett is maintaining the rage – in grand style. CROWDED HOUSE Gravity Stairs A moving meditation on growing old that’s dark but joyous. ROYEL OTIS Pratts & Pain The indie rock debut of the year. FANNING DEMPSEY NATIONAL PARK The Deluge Bernard Fanning and Paul Dempsey: a surprise pairing and a surprising electro-rock record. TROY CASSAR-DALEY Between the Fires In a stellar year for country, this was the standout. Superb storytelling.

make great art. Despite its title, this is not an angry record. It’s as if Seymour has followed the words of the great Sugar Ray Robinson: “Rhythm is everything in boxing. Every move you make starts with your heart.” The Boxer is a knockout. SARAH BLASKO I Just Need to Conquer This Mountain A record about religion and relationships that’s deep and dark. Mountain conquered. NICK CAVE AND THE BAD SEEDS Wild God Nick Cave aptly reviewed this record: “When it hits, it hits. It lifts you. It moves you.”

showing the good and bad side of love.”

MISSY HIGGINS The Second Act Missy is all grown up. But The Second Act is just as compelling as the first. PAUL KELLY Fever Longing Still The fever still burns for the great Paul Kelly, who turns 70 this month. AMYL AND THE SNIFFERS Cartoon Darkness A cartoon classic from Melbourne’s favourite punks.

READ ABOUT IT

Bernard Fanning and Paul Dempsey created Fanning Dempsey National Park. Losing Liam We said goodbye to Liam Payne, who tragically died in Buenos Aires, aged 31. Countdown to 50 The iconic TV music show is much missed. Fireworks at the AFL GF Her new album fizzled, but Katy Perry lit up the AFL Grand Final. A Brat year Charli XCX’s Brat was so big, the Collins Dictionary named “brat” the word of the year. The Top 10 news stories of 2024

The Taylor Swift tour The Eras Tour was one for the ages. Noasis becomes a yes The Gallagher brothers reunited and announced 2025’s biggest tour. Old Chisel Cold Chisel celebrated their big 5-0 with a rockin’ tour and best-of.

Rock ’n’ Grohl Dave Grohl’s domestic dramas derailed Foo Fighters. The Voice is eternal John Farnham turned 75 and celebrated with a best-selling book. The bromance of the year

36 JANUARY 2025

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