1) J Cole, “The Fall-Off” / The Carolina rapper weaves together soulful revelries, abstract balladry and something between the two on his compelling double album.
2) Ratboys, “Singin’ to an Empty Chair” / Ratboys keeps up a streak of never-misses on an album that both sharpens and deepens its indie-rock aesthetic.
3) Joyce Manor, “I Used to Go to This Bar” / The now-veteran California band makes 19 minutes of music feel longer and right on time with this set that unites pop-punk, indie-rock and strains of country.
4) Carvell Wallace, “Another Word for Love” / Perhaps the best memoir I’ve read in a year or two (at least), Wallace’s 2024 book meditates on family, belonging, queerness and more while forming something of a thesis on why we continue to chase and collect beauty.
They say that religion is for people who don't want to go to hell and spirituality is for people who have been there and don't want to go back, so I write about beautiful things because I don't want to go back.
5) Chelsea Bieker, “Madwoman” / Finally, I caught up with Bieker’s 2024 novel, which turns over motherhood from every beautiful and unforgiving angle, while somehow also sustaining a compelling mystery and even becoming something of a craft tome toward its conclusion.