Time to look back to the Flyctory.com year of music, part 2. In my 30th December 2024 posting, I am looking back to the best albums and EPs of the year. As in the previous years, I thereby split my album favorites into country and non-country music. Here are my best records of the ending year.

 

My Favorite EPs in 2024

Like in the previous years’ postings, I start this one with my favorite EPs. There is no split by genres in here.

 

5. Vain Regrets by The Cumberland River Project

I really like Frank Renfordt and his The Cumberland River Project. The songwriter from Hagen in the German Ruhrgebiet region is regularly working with different artists and singers. In March 2024, he released this set of six really nice country songs.

The Cumberland River Project – Vain Regrets

 

4. Into The Wild by Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway

Bluegrass is typically not my favorite section in the wide range of country music. However, I really loved this September release, which even comes with some interesting covers. Nice one by Molly Tuttle and her band.

Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway – Into the Wild EP

 

3. Somewhere In Oslo by Ellison

The third spot this year is by the female folk music duo from Norway. It is definitely one of these releases which profit from that I am really well connected into promotion agencies and platforms. I would have likely not have run into this one without that. A really beautiful listen!

Ellison – Somewhere in Oslo EP

 

2. Hell Together by The Sheepdogs

The first two spots this year are taken by Canadian acts. I would have loved The Sheepdogs in a concert report, but have been on a business trip in November 2024, when they visited Cologne. Their EP Hell Together released right before their European tour is another proof that these guys are a really interesting Southern rock act.

The Sheepdogs – Hell Together EP

 

My Favorite EP in 2024:

Love Myself by Lindsay Ell

From country to pop music – Lindsay Ell did a transformation this year. The final product is the EP Love Myself. The only EP this year, which got the full 5.0 rating was the outstanding one on my Flyctory.com year 2024.

Lindsay Ell – Love Myself EP

 

My Favorite Non-Country Albums in 2024

Two non-country album received the full 5.0 rating this year. The list of releases was very challenging to me – I picked the albums out of a long list of some 20 records.

 

7. Metal Gods by Dream Evil

The wide range of genres covered leads to a very diverse list of albums in this part of the posting. I kick off my favorite non-country records with this power metal band from Gothenburg and their July 2024. A very fluent listen with good songwriting.

Dream Evil – Metal Gods

 

6. Nordic Gothic by Cemetery Skyline

A debut album released in October 2024. However, the band members of this Swedish–Finnish international collaboration, who did an amazing first step into the metal scene. Nordic Gothic defined a really interesting sound, being the foundation for a really good album.

Cemetery Skyline – Nordic Gothic

 

5. Santhi by Joss Jaffe & Jim “Kimo” West

After two metal records in my favorite list, Santhi is a very different album. Instrumental music with a lovely Oriental touch. A great release by Joss Jaffe and Jim “Kimo” West, one of my Featured Artists.

Joss Jaffe & Jim “Kimo” West – Santhi

 

4. Duality by Lindsey Stirling

Californian violinist Lindsey Stirling is becoming a really global music star. Her June 2024 release Duality proofs her right. The album is a great mix of songs based with different backgrounds.

Lindsey Stirling – Duality

 

3. Beyond Shadowland by Six by Six

I had a couple of great progressive rock albums during the year. The highlight in the first half of 2024 definitely has been Beyond Shadowland by the international trio Six by Six. Their sophomore release is a 55 minute treat. If you haven’t done already, I definitely recommend a listen.

Six by Six – Beyond Shadowland

 

2. No Hill For A Climber by Neal Morse & The Resonance

A five track album with a duration of 67 minutes. Two epic songs drive the amazing No Hill For A Climber, in which Neal Morse is collaborating with Greater Nashville artists on the rise. An impressing record, which is definitely worth a listen.

Neal Morse & The Resonance – No Hill For A Climber

 

My Favorite Non-Country Album in 2024:

Fifteen Years by Al Lewis

My favorite album of 2024 has been one of the first ones I shared with you in this year. Fifteen Years is an amazing album with lovely storytelling by the Welsh artist Al Lewis. I absolutely enjoyed listening to his ten very personal stories.

Al Lewis – Fifteen Years

 

My Favorite Country Albums in 2024:

Even though the mixture of genres has been much more diverse in 2024, country music stays my key genre in 2024. Here are my favorite country records of the year.

 

7. Into the Neon by Randall King

Randall King is an amazing live on stage artist. However, his 18 song album Into The Neon also proofs that he is great in the studio. The January 2024 release kicked off the country year in a great manner.

Randall King – Into The Neon

 

6. Beautifully Broken by Jelly Roll

Jelly Roll is likely the winner of the country music year 2024. His October 2024 album Beautifully Broken is just in line with it. Very straight songs with a personal touch lead to a wonderful listen.

Jelly Roll – Beautifully Broken

 

5. Tennessee by Jack McBannon

The only German artist On my list of best country music releases is Jack McBannon. The artist nowadays living in Wuppertal shared hiS album Tennessee in May 2024. A really nice range of songs, which come with lovely storytelling. Absolutely worth listening!

Jack McBannon – Tennessee

 

4. The Fear Of Standing Still by American Aquarium

Four country music albums received the full 5.0 rating in their reviews in 2024 – and they also lead my Favorite Albums post in their category. The fourth place album to me is the alternative country album The Fear of Standing Still. American Aquarium from North Carolina released a very personal, but also versatile one, which is a treat absolutely.

American Aquarium – The Fear Of Standing Still

 

3. Keepin’ The Lights On by Kameron Marlowe

Kameron Marlowe’s concert in Cologne in December 2024 was definitely a highlight of my Flyctory.com year 2024. However, he also had another highlight with his 31st May 2024 album release Keepin’ The Lights On. Again, the basis are relatable, personal lyrics and a nice range of different styles, which lead to a versatile, entertaining listen.

Kameron Marlowe – Keepin’ The Lights On

 

2. Fathers & Sons by Luke Combs

A new album release by Luke Combs feels to almost guarantee being mentioned in this list – and his June 2024 Fathers & Sons simply does not disappoint. The album shares a lot about family thoughts and feelings, from love to his father to being a father for his son. Luke Combs simply did this one great – and thus almost clinched my top spot.

Luke Combs – Fathers & Sons

 

My Favorite Country Album in 2024:

Kentucky Gold by Kyle Daniel

In regards of releases, Kyle Daniel had an amazing year 2024. Apart from his July 2024 album Kentucky Gold, he also had a really good EP with his band Van Winkle & the Spirits, Southern Song. His solo album, though, was my country music highlight of the year. Kyle’s characteristic voice creates an absolutely touching atmosphere, which profits from his lovely storytelling. Thus, Kyle is beating all the other releases this year in my point of view.

Kyle Daniel – Kentucky Gold

 

Most Special Music Release in 2024:

Petty Country: A Country Music Celebration of Tom Petty 

by Various Artists

I am a huge Tom Petty fan – and there seem to be quite a lot of these in the country music scene. The big names of the genre honored the passed away artist in Petty Country in June 2024. A lovely tribute album to the music legend.

Various – Petty Country: A Country Music Celebration of Tom Petty

 

Title picture: Al Lewis – Fifteen Years

 

Media Reviews – 2024 Top Pick!s

Here are all 2024-published Media Reviews, which lead to a Top Pick! rating:

 

Concerts in 2024

Here are all my Concert postings published in 2024: