State Faults returned this year with Children of the Moon, their first album in five years, first for Deathwish (following a stint on No Sleep), and first produced by TWIABP’s Chris Teti (following a stint working with Jack Shirley), and in screamo-centric circles, it’s being rightfully talked about as some of the year’s best. We’ve now asked State Faults what their favorite albums of the year were, and they made us a list with picks by lead vocalist/guitarist Jonny Andrew, guitarist Michael Weldon, bassist Jef Overn, and drummer Jared Cortland. The list ranges from screamo / post-hardcore contemporaries Frail Body, Blind Girls, and Gouge Away to beloved veteran bands like The Cure, Cursive, and the TikTok-revived Bôa, and a handful of other cool things in between. See the full list and what State Faults had to say about their picks, below.
State Faults did a little more touring than usual in 2024 (including their first East Coast shows in a while), and they played their last show of the year last month, but here’s to hoping they keep the momentum going into 2025. Jared also just recently appeared on The New Scene podcast for a convo that tackled all of the various stages of State Faults’ unique career path.
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State Faults’ 10 Favorite Albums of 2024
Jared:
Cursive – Devourer
I’ve been a long-time Cursive fan, and they definitely seem to have tapped into something special on this record. It could have come fresh off the heels of Domestica and wouldn’t feel out of place. Imagine an alternate reality where instead of writing The Ugly Organ, they went with something a little more upbeat. I especially love the song “Imposturing.” It’s like “Art is Hard,” but written as an off-kilter pop song, and they pull it off beautifully.
Gouge Away – Deep Sage
When they dropped “Idealized,” I played it on repeat for several days. It’s that good of a song. Hard to imagine how they could top it, and then I heard “Stuck In a Dream,” and my mind was blown once again. Christina’s vocals are out of control, and that small drum fill during the bridge that comes out of nowhere… holy shit, it packs a punch. The album is killer from front to back.
Bôa – Whiplash
I love this band. Ever since I first heard “Duvet” back in high school, I’ve been a huge fan. This album brings some major nostalgia but never feels dated. Writing a comeback album is no easy feat (trust me, I know), but attempting it nearly 20 years after your last record is insane. They pull it off handily and sound incredible.
Michael:
The Cure – Songs Of A Lost World
It’s been about sixteen years since The Cure put out an album, but it was definitely worth the wait. This album is so heavy, so dark, and so beautiful. The extra synth and especially grindy bass are out of this world. My favorite song is “Drone:Nodrone.”
Midwife – No Depression In Heaven
This lo-fi music really hits me in all the feels. Madeline Johnston’s voice is so beautiful, and the ambient soundscapes are so cool. My favorite song is “Autoluminescent.”
Frail Body – Artificial Bouquet
This is some of the fastest, heaviest, and most heartfelt music I’ve heard in a while. All three of these dudes are some of the most talented musicians I’ve had the pleasure to tour with. Oh, and they’re also the nicest dudes you’ll ever meet. My favorite song is “Refrain.”
Blind Girls – An Exit Exists
This last summer, while on tour with Frail Body, we played with Blind Girls in Bakersfield, and they absolutely blew my mind. That was the first time I had heard them, and I was instantly hooked. Their music has this super chaotic Fear Before the March of Flames sort of vibe, and Sharni’s vocals are so good. My favorite song is “Loveless.”
Jonny:
Thou – Umbilical
The masters of doom and sludge get even sludgier, upping the intensity and tempos. The production is huge and punishing, and the vocals sound more feral than ever. “Emotional Terrorist” in particular is a standout in crushing ferocity coupled with poetic, introspective lyrics.
The Story So Far – I Want to Disappear
I don’t usually go for too much pop punk, but this record really caught my ears in a way a record of this genre hasn’t done since Motion City Soundtrack’s Commit This to Memory. Emotional, catchy, with honest lyrics, and some awesome experimentation in the latter half that makes for a pretty epic-sounding emotional journey through grief.
Jef:
Chelsea Wolfe – She Reaches Out to She
Her work seems only to get better with each album. I think she and the gang are in top form on this release. When this record dropped, it was just what I was craving to hear, sonically and thematically, when I needed to hear it most.