2024 Highlights from Noise Protocol & Friends
Legendary hardcore & cypherpunks share songs and albums that stood out this year
Whether it was the raw power of hardcore, the emotive pull of indie, or any of the crop of innovative new voices, this year proved to be a rich chapter in the world of music. From punk rock nostalgia to fresh releases that redefined genres, this year’s sounds resonated deeply with listeners.
Here’s a curated selection of tracks and albums that made an impact, shared by artists we love and privacy professionals we respect (who are we kidding, we love them, too).
2024 Highlights from Noise Protocol & Friends
Anthony Mandelli, Noise Protocol
Two songs I can’t stop playing: “Constellation of Scars” by Nobody Anonymous and “the known” by THIEV, both recent releases from killer bands. My top albums of the year are 3. Small Changes, 2. Spiral in a Straight Line, and 1. Devourer (full review coming soon).
Pat, RTF Records
“XL Bully - Bully Stomp / Terror on the terrace. One thing I really enjoy about this band/song/demo is how they are extremely loud and proud of their shared interest in football (specifically the NY Redbulls) and how it translates into their music.“
Eli Frank, Teenage Halloween / Bummer Camp
“I loved mid-earth by snoozer :) Especially the song love’s permission, it’s a banger.”
Dr. Laurence E. Day, Wildcat Finance / Haskell Programmer
“I listen to nerdcore rap when I write code - this isn’t a 2024 release but [THE DATA STREAM] popped up on my playlist and it BANGS.”
Natalie, Well Wisher
“I’d say my album of the year is I Got Heaven!”
Amy Madden, Negatives / Piano Movers
“This is Life” (Winnetka Bowling League) is the best song of 2024. I fell in love with it so deeply that I made a video for it, just for fun. Life is truly a dog out the window …”
Buddy Nielsen, Senses Fail
“Best songs are Waxahatchee “Right back at it” and “Don’t Reach for Me” by Knocked Loose”
Birb, Industry Consultant
“Good Neighbors “Home”, “Entertain Me” by mischluft, and Gucci by Odymel”
Caroline, Embrace DIY Productions
“I can’t stop listening to Elastic Measures by Champ!”
Stephen, The Big Easy
“Ginger root, discovered him this year, just released a new album too, shinbangumi, and it’s been on constant rotation.“
Pentacle, Creator of Welcome Onchain
“There’s this great playlist I found when staying at this hotel at ETH Amsterdam … 72 hours!”
Travis, Safe Scene NJ
“Louder Together by Scary Hours has been my jam the last few months. In that song and much of their music, the lyrics echo the anti-fascist punk of the late 70’s and early 80’s, reimagined for today’s world with a melodic punk/hardcore/post-hardcore anthem style reminiscent of the 2000s.”
Alan, Privacy Tech Developer
“Versace Summer - Jank; Bloom - Caligula's Horse; Essentially, Eventually - Frontside; Redneck Vikings from Hell - Æther Realm; Gami Gang - Origami Angel. That’s my top five albums I’ve been beating up this year.”
Lisa, Stereo Therapy Podcast
“My top albums were Blue Hour by Real Friends, I want to disappear - The Story So Far, and Spiral in a Straight Line by Touche Amore.”
Geoff Rickly, Thursday
“American Standard from UNIFORM is my favorite heavy album in at least 10 years.”
Chris, Tokyo Rose
“Star Child by Sweet Pill would be my shout out. Been listening to this release and this band a lot in general this past year. Love the intricate guitar work and the vocals - really unique voice and style. Love this band.”
Bob, OG hardcore/cypher punk
“The Cure - Alone. From the new album Songs of a Lost World. Fun fact, I had the privilege of seeing it performed live for the very first time. Flew to Latvia to see the first show of the tour.”
Winnie, Chipped Founder
“I’m a Chappel and Sabrina girlie 💅”
Dr. Nick, Governance Designer & Privacy Advocate
“Spotify tells me that the album I listened to most this year was TANGK by British post-punk band IDLES. It’s worth a listen if you want to dial into Britain’s latent revolutionary energy. For electronic stuff, Carbiou’s Honey was a standout, and best rap album this year was LL COOL J’s THE FORCE. Overmono’s reimagining of U.K. garage classic “Turn the Page” by The Streets is my banger of the year.”
Paul, THIEV
“DEMMERS, “Wooden Soldiers.” Dreamy, dark, jangly, and driving: Just a few words to describe the first track off the debut DEMMERS ep…think Joy Division/Heavens and the gothic side of AFI sealed with a sensual voice over the backbone of synced bass and drums and open, twinkly guitar. The song builds tension until it’s final crescendo where Jerad sings a whole octave higher, a payoff that’s definitely worth the wait and sets the mood for the rest of the ep. Check the tape out on protagonist music.
Andy, Decentralization Punk
“Horndal’s Head Hammer Man: fucks. Unleash the Archers’ Phantoma tracks 2, 3, 4, 5: power metal for the robot revolt against humanity, also catchy af. Ten Ton Slug’s Colossal Oppressor: TEN TON SLUG. VIAL’s Burnout: really great music and lyrics, simple but not. Blood Red Throne, Nonagon: your ears deserve punishment.
Pat, Gindicated, an Emo Cocktail Hour
“This year I stumbled upon “Cinema 3000,” the debut album from UK group Common Saints. I was blown away by the production, textures, and overall mix. It’s a total blend of old and new - soulful and psychedelic yet there’s something very futuristic about it. Check out the track Rebel Paradise for a Pink Floyd-esque ripper of a guitar solo.
Tamsin, Enthusiastic Listener
Short n Sweet [by Sabrina Carpenter] is in my running for album of the year. She has a bit of an unsung sophistication to her. Her lyrics are genuinely funny and clever and creative. And her musical palette covers country and yacht rock but in a way that feels genuinely of her own style and not like a pastiche. She’s like Gen Z Carly Rae Jepsen. A lot of pop stars, even the best ones, feel like the channel through which producers and songwriters and emerging styles find mainstream attention, and for that world that’s certainly not a bad thing, but Sabrina is overwhelmingly her own personality. If you’re *trying* to appreciate pop, her album is definitely a great place to start.
Taylor, Author of From the Basement
‘Heaven Let Them Die’
The latest EP from Counterparts hits harder than anything they’ve previously released. Crucially, each of these six songs punctuates breakdowns with smartly placed rhythmic changes, distinctive guitar lines, and poignantly simple lyrics, leaving room for the listener to pause — and pay attention.
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There you have it! That should be enough music for you to end 2024 on a high note and carry you well into the year. Thank you to everyone who shared some of their favorite music from the year - check out their music and projects and enrich your life.
Don’t miss our last issue of the year where we review Cursive’s Devourer and leave you with a Grand Cursive Conspiracy Theory so spicy Tim Kasher might not even know about it 👀.