I can’t quite figure out the recorded music industry’s Q4 of 2024. In past years, this has been the busiest time of year for new releases. For some reason, though, the volume of new records has been down substantially year-over-year–unless you count Christmas and holiday-related songs. I’ve been awash in those since mid-September. Things will pick up this coming Friday (Nov 15). Meanwhile, here are five solid recommendations to help get you there.
Daft Punk, Veridis Quo
Single (Sony)
Recommended If You Like: Unexpected Resurrections
Settle down. Daft Punk hasn’t reformed. What we have here is a previously unreleased song from an 2003 anime production entitled Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem. In case you don’t remember, this was the story of the abduction of an alien music band by an evil human character who has, shall we say, dark plans. It’s basically a visual album that incorporated all of Daft Punk’s Discovery album. This track was never properly released, although it was used in a global ad campaign for Chanel No.5.
2. Cake, Billionaire in Space
Single (Capricorn)
RIYL: The end of a hiatus
First, The Cure comes out with an album for the first time in 16 years. Now we’re going to get a new album from John McCrae, his hat, and Cake for the first time in 14 years. Yes, there has been a smattering of singles and B-sides during that time, but this 2025 release will be completely new. That’s all anyone knows for now. Stay tuned.
3. Serj Tankian, Life’s Revengeful Son
Foundation EP (Gibson Records)
RIYL: Those pining for a SOAD record
Look, there’s no point in hoping for a new System of a Down record. The last time, they released anything was in the era before the iPhone. Instead, fans can enjoy more from frontman Serj Tankian and his recently released five-track EP. Want some dramatic orchestration for your day? Here you go.
4. Envy of None, Not Dead Yet
Single (Kscope)
RIYL: Rush, for one.
To recap: Envy of None is the Canadian (well, 75% Canadian) proggy outfit featuring Alex Lifeson of Rush, Andy Curran (best known for Coney Hatch), producer/guitarist/keyboardist Alf Annibalini, and Portland singer Maiah Wayne. A self-titled debut album—an excellent one, in my opinion—was released in 2022 and was followed by an EP entitled That Was Then. Now we have this standalone single which gives fans hope that they plan to continue this project.
5. Freeze the Fall, VHS
Single (Independent)
RIYL: Band that offer hope for the future
A while back, I told you about this trio of teenagers (two women, one dude; no one is over 17) from Kelowna who are attracting attention thanks to a debut EP entitled Thrones. With money from a Kickstarter campaign (they raised $10,000 from fans, including a ton from Europe and Australia), they’re back with a new single and a cool video. Rock is dead? Not if these teenagers have anything to stay about it.
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