Cloakroom had a relatively-quieter first half of 2024, but things have really been ramping up for them more recently. They announced their signing to Closed Casket Activities in October and confirmed that a new album is coming in 2025, alongside the release of new single “Belonging,” a more upbeat song for the usually-sludgy shoegaze crew that takes influence from ’80s bands like The Psychedelic Furs. They’ll wrap up a tour supporting Better Lovers this weekend (see more pics from the NYC show, like the one above), and with the year coming to a close, they’ve now made us a list of their 10 favorite albums (and more) of the year.
With blurbs and picks from all of the members (including touring guitarist Cam Smith), it includes their Relapse-turned-Closed-Casket labelmates Full of Hell (who were also on the Better Lovers tour but ended their run two nights ago), Boston hardcore band Haywire (who Cloakroom singer/guitarist Doyle Martin toured as a member of this year), the widely-loved Cindy Lee album, not the widely-loved Blood Incantation album but the also-great new album from the very related band Spectral Voice, and more. There’s also a book, a short film, and a single included.
“As the calendar year comes to an end, we find ourselves traveling across the Californian desert, rehashing the year to date,” the band tells us. “We present to you a list of Cloakroom’s favorite 2024 releases.”
Read on for their picks, with commentary on each one…
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Cloakroom’s 10 Favorite Albums of 2024
Cindy Lee “Diamond Jubilee”
“Diamond Jubilee” is an album I’ve always wanted, but didn’t know how to ask for. Over two hours of earworm melodies and innovative guitar playing that span across so many sounds that the overall composition is truly genreless. (Bobby)
Chris Cohen “Paint A Room”
I’ve been a big fan of Chris’ work and was highly anticipating this album. He’s offered listeners a modern take on Nick Drake’s “Bryter Layter”: timeless production, beautiful arrangements and catchy songwriting. (Bobby)
Robert Sapolsky “Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will”
After hearing of renowned secularist author Daniel Dennett’s passing this year I started digging into his fellow comrades. I really liked the youtube journey I went on with Sapolsky; lots of Stanford lectures. Far too often the discovery of a great mind occurs posthumously. Either you’ll read this book or you won’t, it’s all been determined a long time ago. (Doyle)
Haywire “For Better or For Worse”
Whilst touring with Haywire this year I was privy to all these mixes being bounced back and forth and am really proud of their finished product. It’s tough to love and to be loved. Boston Hardcore, All Day Every Day. (Doyle)
Luster “Missing You”
This is my favorite single these gazers put out thus far. Great band and the Funeral Party is a great label. Put my five senses through a reverse reverb so this world is easier to handle. (Doyle)
Full of Hell “Coagulated Bliss”
Love to see my friends succeed and push the boundaries of extreme music; whatever that means. Some of these tracks sound like Bleach era Nirvana. “Now Laid before Christ, Lines Cut.” The Gelding of Men. Long Live Full of Hell. (Doyle)
Primal Code “Opaque Fixation”
The product of forging ahead fist and face first, through adverse conditions and emotional turmoil. I can hear it in this record, it’s an honest sound. (Tim)
Null “First Sign Ahead”
This is the best LP ever. If you don’t listen to this you’re a coward and or a fool. (Tim)
Spectral Voice “Sparagmos”
This has been the only record released this year that I haven’t been able to turn off. Sparagmos is a death metal masterpiece. (Cam)
Conner O’Malley “Eggland”
A fascinating short film truly instilling the dread of age in a capitalist hellscape. Just as dreadful as it is hilarious. (Cam)