Hurray for the Riff Raff‘s fantastic 2024 album The Past is Still Alive is getting lots of deserved year end list love, and as 2024 draws to a close, we asked bandleader Alynda Segarra what their favorite music of the year is. They made us a list of 10 albums; read that, and their commentary, below.
ALYNDA SEGARRA’S FAVORITE ALBUMS OF 2024
MJ Lenderman : Manning Fireworks
No doubt my favorite album of the year. Countless lyrics to obsess over. Favorite track is “Rip Torn.” Favorite lyric: “You need to learn how to behave in groups.” 🙁
Cassandra Jenkins : My Light, My Destroyer
Cassandra is a special artist and this record is a galaxy I loved getting lost in. She feels like a kindred spirit, so grateful for this.
Charli XCX : Brat
Hope this doesn’t spark election PTSD for you but remember when we had hope and were getting ready to go out listening to 360 and doing our Charli impressions in the mirror to ourselves? We were so much younger then. The Sophie song makes me cry every time.
Marcus Drake : Save Point One
Marc is my drummer and a brilliant artist and producer, this record is exciting and feels very fresh to me. It’s the beginning of so much for him, I’m excited for all that’s ahead.
Mary Lattimore and Walt McClements: Rain on the Road
Magic created by two geniuses. Walt McClements was in the original line up of HFTRR band mates, and I have been a super fan of his ever since. All his records are gorgeous but him and Mary Lattimore together is so special.
Godspeed You! Black Emperor : NO TITLE AS OF 13 February 2024 28,340 DEAD
I have a Godspeed tattoo so needless to say I was excited about this release, I listened to it on many flights this year. I have endless respect for this band and the title of this record alone is an example of why as a teenager I was drawn to this band and their ethos.
Palehound : Live at First Congregational Church
I got to see Palehound play solo in Portugal at a festival this summer and it was one of my favorite shows of the year. To hear these songs stripped down, just El and their incredible guitar playing is really special.
Mannequin Pussy : I Got Heaven
Legendary record. “Loud Bark” is an all time battle cry song, feels like it’s always needed to be here and now it finally is.
Waxahatchee : Tigers Blood
Katie done did it again. Creating a work that’ll stand the test of time, a great songwriter that I’m constantly inspired by.
Cindy Lee : Diamond Jubilee
True story, a friend of mine posted some videos of a Cindy Lee show back in 2021 sometime. I was so struck by it I screen recorded and searched the internet for them, finding very little than a couple of youtube recordings. I began using it as a reference to my favorite guitar sounds when I was putting together a band for tour. When this album hurtled at us like a comet, I was thrilled, wishing it would set the whole streaming industry ablaze.
Hurray for the Riff Raff will support Bright Eyes at a few shows in 2025, and then they have headlining shows lined up through March. See all dates below.
HURRAY FOR THE RIFF RAFF: 2025 TOUR DATES
Feb 26, 2025 George’s Majestic Lounge Fayetteville, AR *
Feb 27, 2025 ACL Live at The Moody Theater Austin, TX *
Feb 28, 2025 The Factory in Deep Ellum Dallas, TX *
Mar 1, 2025 The Aztec Theatre San Antonio, TX
Mar 2, 2025 Chelsea’s Live Baton Rouge, LA
Mar 3, 2025 Florida Theatre Jacksonville, FL
Mar 5, 2025 Jannus Live St. Petersburg, FL
Mar 7, 2025 The Beacham Orlando, FL
Mar 8, 2025 Tabernacle Atlanta, GA
Mar 9, 2025 The Mill & Mine Knoxville, TN
Mar 12, 2025 The Orange Peel Asheville, NC
Mar 13, 2025 The Orange Peel Asheville, NC
Mar 14, 2025 The Caverns Pelham, TN
Mar 17, 2025 Minglewood Hall Memphis, TN
Mar 18, 2025 The Hall Little Rock, AR
Mar 20, 2025 Cain’s Ballroom Tulsa, OK
Mar 21, 2025 Uptown Theater Kansas City, MO
Mar 22, 2025 The Pageant St Louis, MO
* with Bright Eyes