Top 50 Punk Rock Albums of 2024
I’ve been doing year-end countdowns for quite a few years now. I used to listen to one new release a day, but lately that has not been enough to keep up. This year, I listened to well over 400 new releases, and I have a folder with at least 100 more that I was not able to get to. I’m sure there are some great releases that I missed, but I was able to formally review nearly 150, and after some very difficult decisions, I have narrowed those down to my top 50. For purposes of this countdown, I’m excluding single digital songs (including those by Moral Less Right, Good Riddance, MxPx, and The Rumkicks, but hopefully those lead to full-length releases that I can include in 2025). I’m also excluding releases that were all cover songs (Electric Frankenstein “Reanimated Rock”; Me First and The Gimme Gimmes, “Blow It At Madison's Quinceanera!"; V/A “I Heard They Broke Up…” (NOFX tribute); V/A “No Escape From What You Are” (D.O.A. tribute); and Punk Rock Karaoke “Manny, Moe, and Jack” were all excellent). Finally, I’m not ranking compilation albums with more than two different artists, which excludes a few more really great releases.
To keep it simple, for bands with multiple releases, I’m combining them into one entry. While the ranking is primarily on the strength of the songs (specifically the standout songs that made my list of top tracks of the year), I do consider other factors for a total package (number of songs, did they tour and was I able to see them live, album artwork, production, packaging, availability, reputation, etc.). If you have been watching my reviews throughout the year, you know that I prefer punk rock, hardcore, street punk, and speed rock, and I only review releases that I like (I don’t do bad reviews). You may see some glaring omissions, and that’s not because I didn’t know about them (they were just not my flavor of punk rock, or in many cases they were not what I consider punk rock at all).
#50 Stalag 13 “Holding On Vol. 1” (Oxnard Records)
Yes, the classic band that released “In Control” back in 1984 is back with a new 7-song EP, and this appears to be only Vol. 1. Solid skate punk, great production, can only hope for a tour. This just has a great sound that brings me back to the early days of hardcore and skate punk. Great cover art as well.
#49 Phane “Maniac” (Phobia Records)
Metal-edged hardcore from Canada in the vein of The Casualties and Rotten Stitches. A solid 12-song full-length release. “Confirmed Kill," “Pray for Slaughter," “A Haunting Presence,” and “Sacrifice” all made my list of the best tracks of the year.
#48 Eyes of Salt, “What To Do When The Worst Is Coming” (Set The File Australia)
A 6-song EP of solid hardcore, the kind with breakdowns that bring out the two-step crew. I enjoy this sub-genre more and more each year. I listened to this on repeat for a long time, but in the end, “Smells Like Smoke” ended up on my list of the best tracks of the year. If you watch the “Best Of” lists on the Facebook group “Rare Punk Music,” this was Ryan Scott’s pick for the best EP of the year.
#47 Dirtnap “Four Finger Discount” (Self-Released)
A 9-song ep, that I just couldn’t stop listening to. The main draw was two amazing covers by bands that I didn’t know (until now), which include Copsickle’s “Smoke Meth, Kill Cops” and MUNG’s “Talkin’ Shit and Tellin’ Lies." The standout original was "Billy.". I’m also super excited that they will be touring with The Dayglo Abortions next year; hopefully they make it to Windsor. That will be a show that I can’t miss.
#46 S.H.I.T. “For A Better World” (Iron Lung Records)
A 7-song EP, following up their demo in 2023, that also made my year-end list. “KTF” (Kill The Fuckers) was one of my top tracks of the year (“For a Better World” references a line in that song).
#45 Taker “Taker EP” (Self-Released)
A 4-song EP with the standout Oi! song “Alias” that was one of my top tracks of the year.
#44 Snuff “Off On The Charabanc” (SBAM Records)
15-song full-length LP, half of which is acoustic. I prefer the faster punk songs; both “Fireball” and “Booster” made my top tracks of the year.
#43 Koffin Kats “Higher Lows” (Koffin Kats records)
They have an incredible live show and a themed annual pre-Thanksgiving bash that make them legendary in Detroit. This is the highest-ranked psychobilly band on my list; if that’s your jam, this may very well be your #1 release of the year. An 8-song LP, and they did a great video for the top track, “Way Out There.”.
#42 The Last Gang “Obscene Daydreams” (Fat Wreck Chords)
A full-length 11-song LP. I’ve seen them at least 5 times in the past couple of years, and they put on a great show. I wish they were taking a direction more towards fast, crazy punk rock, but this is not a bad effort at all. “NRA Back 2 School” and “Madness” both made my top tracks of the year.
#41 Middle-Out “Middle-Out” (Punkerton Records)
These guys are from Detroit, so I’ve seen them a few times. I’m still upset that the Black Christmas Festival was cancelled at the last minute and I missed a chance to see them again. This is a 12-song full-length LP, and the first song, “Content with Contention,” made my top tracks of the year.
#40 Backyard Superheroes “Mass Hysteria” (Jump Up! Records)
“Going Nowhere Fast” was the standout song. This is a full-length 10-song LP, one of my highest-ranking ska releases.
#39 Zeke “Snake Eyes / The Knife” (Hound Gawd Records)
This is a 2-song single, and they went to great lengths to make sure that you can only get it on vinyl (no digital downloads, no streaming, not even YouTube). If this were a full length, it would be much higher up the list (I love Zeke!). Hopefully this signals a full album in 2025.
#38 Raincheck “Highbro Lowbro” (Guerilla Asso)
A full-length 11-song LP with a couple of great songs, including “Hard FM” and “Best Wishes." This one was propelled into the countdown by their hidden cover of “Born To Be Alive” (a 1970’s disco song) that might only be found on the Bandcamp download (combined with “Ain’t Shot The Sheriff”).
#37 Gel “Persona” (Self-Released)
A 5-song EP, one of the highest ranking releases that is straight up hardcore. They toured relentlessly, and I caught them at Riot Fest for an incredible show. “Persona” was the standout song; I have played it at least 50 times since I first reviewed it.
#36: The Black Pacific “Here Comes Our Wave” (Dine Alone Records)
“I Think I’m Paranoid” was the standout song. This is a full-length 11-song LP, with Jim Lindberg (Pennywise) on vocals.
#35 Pest Control “Year Of The Pest” (Triple-B Records)
Solid hardcore with female vocals, which is becoming a combination that I like more than I ever did before. Triple-B has been releasing records by a very solid line-up of bands as well. Their LP “Don’t Test The Pest” made my countdown in 2023, and “P.M.C” is one of my picks for a top track of 2024.
#34 Assistant Sjolmord “S/T” (Static SHock Records)
7-song EP of crazy screaming hardcore from Norway. If you are into punk as out of control as this, this will be at the very top of your stack of records from 2024. “La Oss Do," "Klimabombe,” and “Eget Gasskammer” all made my top tracks of the year.
#33 Terror Attack “Purgatory” (Self-Released)
5-song EP of killer street punk from Las Vegas (and they are on the roster for this year’s Punk Rock Bowling Festival). Good all the way through, but “Fuck You Mean” and “In the Ghetto” are on my list of the best tracks of the year.
#32 Anti-Heros “Devil At My Heels” (GMM Records)
17-track full-length LP with 14 new songs from a band that has been around for decades. I got to see them at the 2024 Punk Rock Bowling Festival, and their new LP is killer. “Find the Fallen” was my favorite track, but there are plenty more on here.
#31 Starving Wolves, “The Fire, The Wolf and The Fang” (Pirates Press Records)
An 11-song LP from David Tejas (The Casualties, Krum Bums) other band. I also got to see these guys for the first time at the 2024 Punk Rock Bowling Festival (with The Rumkicks), and it was amazing. Standout song “Burn the Stations” is easily a top track of the year. Check it all out though; this smokes.
#30 Bring The Light, “Building Chaos” (People of Punk Rock Records)
Melodic hardcore from Canada, great production, catchy melodies that had me screaming along. “Burn It Down" and “Police State of America” both made my list of the top tracks of the year.
#29 Conflict “This Is Conflict” (Mortarhate Records)
Just a 2-song single, but both songs are incredible. Conflict is one of several bands from the early days of punk rock that released new songs in 2024 (Mob 47, Stalag 13, Rovsvett, Vice Squad, etc.), and honestly, this may be my favorite after their track “Bomb” on "P.E.A.C.E./War”.
#28 Haywire “For Better Or For Worse” & “Conditioned For Demolition” (Daze/Triple-B)
Hardcore done right. Haywire released a full-length and an EP this year (for a total of 15 songs), and I was able to catch a live show (with Terror and Cro-Mags) in Detroit. “Feeling Depressed?” and “Clocktower Place” both made my list of top tracks of the year.
#27 Speed Plans “You Can’t Afford It” (Convulse Records)
Blistering hardcore. Their “Statues of God” EP made my top 50 of 2023, and I caught them when they played locally at Edgemen Printing. You can blast through the entire 7-song EP in about 5 minutes, and you won’t regret it. “Everybody Gotta Die” and “Shut The Fuck Up” were two of my favorite tracks of the year.
#26 The Follow-Ups, “Know Who Your Friends Aren’t” (Mom’s Basement Records / Faster and Louder Records)
Fast and solid pop punk with snotty vocals. “Freakin’ Out” was one of my top tracks of the year, but there are plenty of other great tracks on this one (“My Crow Phone," “I’m From Botswana,” etc.). I’m already looking forward to their next release.
#25 Rotten Stitches “Above The Ashes” (Charged Records)
I first heard these guys live when they toured with The Casualties. I almost missed this one, with it not being on Bandcamp, but I’m glad I tracked it down. “Murder of Crows” is the top track, but if street punk is your jam, you are going to like this from start to end.
#24 The Offspring “Supercharged” (Concord Records)
It surprised me how much I liked this one, especially since The Offspring are so commercially accepted these days. I missed them at Riot Fest this year, when they played at the same time as other bands on the NOFX stage, but in retrospect, I should have snuck over there for at least a few songs. “Light It Up” is the top track; it brings me back to their earliest recordings (many of which are now classics).
#23 Kill Lincoln “No Normal” (Bad Time Records)
For my friends that listen primarily to ska, I wouldn’t be surprised if this was your top release of the year. Kill Lincoln does ska right, and the track “I Lied” was one of my most played tracks of the year. “Stinkbug” and “All Worries” were right up there as well.
#22 The Lockdowns “S/T” (mom’s Basement Records)
A full-length 12-song pop punk masterpiece in the same vein as some of my earlier picks (The Follow Ups, The Putz), with snotty vocals and upbeat strumming. “Moment of Weakness” and “What’s Coming Out Of Me” both made my list of the top tracks of the year.
#21 30 Foot Fall “National Treasure” & “Live At Fitzgerald’s” (People Of Punk Rock Records)
Another entry for People of Punk Rock Records; they are killing it lately. I’ll admit that when first spinning this, I didn’t realize that “Respect” was a cover (originally by Erasure). It’s great, and if I had a list of the best covers of the year, that would definitely be near the top. “Cold Company” and “National Treasure” also made my list of top tracks of the year. I’ll admit that reputation/nostalgia played a part in this pick, as I’m a decades-long fan of 30 Foot Fall (the live CD contains all of their classics).
#20 The Dwarves “Keep It Reel” (Greedy)
The Dwarves are in top 10 favorite bands of all time and a perennial entry in my top albums of the year. None of the songs on this one matched last year’s “Stabbed My Dad," but “One Musketeer” and “Voodoo (Remix)” both made my top tracks of the year. And it’s The Dwarves!
#19 Suck Brick Kid, “The End Is What I Want” (Smartpunk Records)
I first heard this band at this year’s Punk in the Park festival in Orlando. They were one of the first bands to play on the smaller stage, and I was taking some photos for a potential story. During the set, it hit me that this band was amazing. An older song of theirs, “Granola Cereal Clusters” stuck with me from the show and prompted me to check out this new release. It’s just as good, and both “Drunk Octopus Wants To Fight” and “Unacceptable” made my list of the top tracks of the year.
#18 The Putz “Too Little Too Late” & “ON And Up And Out” (Mom’s Basement Records)
Another label that is killing it this year, with multiple releases in my top 50, is Mom’s Basement Records. The Putz had two releases this year with their 4-song EP “On and Up and Out” and then a 16-song full-length “Too Little Too Late.". The short and fast “Frank Hates Punk” is my favorite, but “The New You," “Sleeping In," “Shock Treatment & Lobotomies," “Anyone But You,” and “On And Up And Out” all made it as a top track of the year well. Honestly, all 20 songs are good. I’m not sure how I have never seen them live, but hopefully 2025 is the year.
#17 The Boy Detective “Exhibition” (Punkerton Records)
The highest ranking release this year, for me, for a band that I consider primarily ska. I saw them live this year in Detroit, and they were incredible. 14 songs with interesting titles, and that kept me singing them long after the record was over. “Some Drakkar Noir Wearing Dexter With A Boner” and “Replacement” are on my list of the best songs of the year. If someone wants to PM me a summary of what “replacement” is about, I would appreciate that.
#16 Chaser “Small Victories” (Thousand Islands Records)
I knew this was a top 20 after the first note of the first song. Skate punk at it’s finest, and they put on a great show. I was lucky enough to see them live at Punk In The Park a few years ago, and then twice this year at Punk Rock Bowling. They are getting better with each release, and there is no sign that they are slowing down. “Brand New Enemy”” “The Breaks,” and “Fault Lines” are all on my list of the top tracks of the year.
#15 Bad Nerves “Still Nervous” (Suburban Records)
I didn’t love this one the first time I listened to it, but after a couple of spins, it really grew on me. That is usually a sign that it will be a long-term classic. It’s been a few weeks now, and I also realized that they are in a semi-headlining spot at Punk Rock Bowling, so a live show is in my near future. “You Should Know By Now”” “You’ve Got The Nerve,” and “Don’t Stop” are all on my list of the best tracks of the year. Fuck being in California.
#14 The Bad Ups “Life Of Sin” (Jump Start Records)
There are pop punk melodies that are so good that you sing along, and then there are those that stick in your head for days and have you wake up singing them. This is the latter, with fast upbeat drumming in just the right places and even a hint of ska. "Paloma,” "Lowes,” and “Underground” are all great and all near the top of my list of the top tracks of the year.
#13 The Corps “Fractured Protocol” (Thousand Islands Records)
Short, fast, and catchy with great production. “Tragedy” (at 45 seconds) was one of my favorites, but “Ionized” and “The Long Winter” also made my list of the best songs of the year. Another batch of songs that were stuck in my head for a couple of weeks.
#12 Doc Rotten “S/T” (Self-Released)
This is a great album, but maybe the best thing about it (given that this was the first time that I had heard them) was that it led me to their previous album “Unite Resist” from 2022. If both of them had been released in 2024, this would be my #1 pick without a doubt. On its own, it still got close to my top 10, with songs like “Rotten Radio” and “Y.S.F.U.” (You Suck, Fuck You) being some of the best songs of the year.
#11 Free Sergio “The Nail In The Coffee” (High end Denim Records)
A punk band from Israel that absolutely smokes. “Can’t Break Love” and “I Give Black Cats Bad Luck” are both on my list of the best songs of the year, and “T-T-T-Tell Your Friends To Leave Me Alone” and “Free Sergio!” were right behind them.
#10 The Chisel “What A Fucking Nightmare” (Pure Noise Records)
I love this album, so it was a major disappointment when I was at Riot Fest holding my spot by the stage and waiting for them to come out… only to find out that they had unexpectedly cancelled their tour. That included both their set at Riot Fest and their upcoming show in Detroit. I did see them the previous year at Punk Rock Bowling though, touring their “Retaliation” album (which was also good and contains their best song, “Force Fed”). This year again they are in the top 10, with top songs “No Gimmicks”, “Fuck ‘Em”, “Evil by Evil” and “Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet”.
#9 Soft Play “Heavy Jelly” (BMG)
I can’t tell you how much I struggled with this one. It just does not seem like it belongs in my top 10. Is this really better than the 390 other releases that I spun this year? Is this really just two guys playing drums and guitar, screaming with a style that might even be mistaken for hip-hop? It started when I read the story about how they changed their name (from Slaves) due to various reasons other than their own preference. They chose “Soft Play” likely as irony and to a massive fan backlash (which I understand; I hate the name too). Then they wrote a song about it, called “Punk’s Dead.". I didn’t like the song or the video at first… but I loved the line “Johnny Rotten is turning in his bed; I was going to say grave but the fucker ain’t dead”. Then I started to like the song and became obsessed with it. Eventually I picked up on the hilarious “Bin Juice Disaster” and added that and “The Mushroom And The Swan” to my list of the best tracks of the year. I’m still not 100% sure that it should be here in the top 10, but that’s where it lands based on how much I played it and how many times I watched that damn video! I still turn it up and scream along when “Punk’s Dead” comes on.
#8 No Plan “Lotsa Potential” (Indecision Records)
There was a time when female vocals and hardcore just didn’t mix for me, but that has changed over the past few years. I didn’t know what I was missing, and this band is a prime example. “Wrong” is near the top of my list of best hardcore tracks of the year, and “I Tried," “No One Asked,” and “Rich Kids on Anarchy” also made the list. This is just solid, fast, screaming hardcore with enough catchiness that I can scream along. A perfect combination.
#7 NOFX “Half Album” (Fat Wreck Chords)
NOFX is my all-time favorite band. I’m the same age as Fat Mike and was a fan since the start of the band. This is the end of an era, with them retiring, and this being potentially their last release of new material. I hope it isn’t so, but if it is, they are going out with a bang. This is by no means their best material, but “The Last Drag” is fantastic, and “The Queen Is Dead” is also one of the best songs of the year. I saw them 7 times on the final tour, and my biggest complaint is that they never played “The Last Drag." I’m only happy when I’m broken, when I’m cokin’, when someone’s chokin’ me out. This is just a 5-song EP, and “I’m A Rat” is a cover (originally by Hi-Standard), but it’s NOFX, and it easily makes my top 10.
#6 The Drowns “Blacked Out“ (Pirates Press Records)
The Drowns are a relatively new band to me; I was hooked when I first heard their classic “Black Lung." I got to see them live at Punk Rock Bowling and then again when they toured and came through Detroit. This is a full-length 12-song LP, and both “Ketamine and Cola” and “Blacked Out” made my list of the top songs of the year. I love the video for “Ketamine and Cola," and I will see them live every time I can. For the record collectors, they also did 3 different flexi discs that they were selling cheap or giving away at shows.
#5 Night Fever “Dead End” (Svart Records)
This must be somewhat obscure, since I haven’t seen it on anyone else’s list. It absolutely smokes, with top songs "Rot," “Numb the Pain,” and “The Killing Floor” all on my list of the best songs of the year. Their earlier records are all worth tracking down as well; I guess they don’t mess around in Denmark.
#4 Bad Beat “L.P. 2024” (Triple-B Records)
Triple-B Records is killing it this year; overall, they may have the best roster of 2024. If you saw my countdown for 2023, my #1 pick was Strange Magic, “This is the Future They Wanted." Bad Beat is mostly the same band, but they reformed and moved even more towards hardcore (less singing, more screaming). 16 songs, and I think all of them made my top songs of the year (“Out of Place” is a standout, if I had to pick one). My only complaint about this band is that their shows are only about 15 minutes long. I’ve seen them several times this year, and I end up driving an hour each way for a 15-minute show. Still worth it every time.
#3 CMI “No Squares in our Circle” & “Every Stripe Earned” (Triple-B Records)
CMI had a 4-song EP and a 5-song EP in 2024, so basically enough for a full length (which they do have scheduled for early 2025). If you saw my countdown last year, their “Casual Violence” LP was a top 5 pick, so it’s no surprise that they are back near the top this year. “Indoor Skins,” “Scam Likely,” “Guilty Until Compliant,” and “Every Stripe Earned” are all near the top of my list of best songs of the year. I also got to see them twice at Punk Rock Bowling (including a surprise performance at the Punk Rock Museum in the Pennywise garage) and again at The Sanctuary in Detroit (which will be in my countdown of the best shows of the year). These guys are absolutely killing it, if you like Skinhead Hardcore/Oi! like I do. I’m sure they will be back on my list next year.
#2 The Heartwells “The New Old School” (Pirates Press Records)
Shout out to Pirates Press Records, who had a couple of great releases that made my list this year; we should all be checking out their entire roster. The Heartwells sound a lot like NOFX, and that’s OK with me. "Coasted,” “The Death of Rock-N-Roll,” and “Great Divide” were all near the top of my list of the best songs of the year, and they had several great videos as well. Check them out if you haven’t already.
#1 Sick Move “Intrusive Thoughts” (Self-Released)
My favorite release of 2024 was the 8-song EP by Sick Move. “F.Y.H. (Fuck Your House)” and “Hey Ma” were my top tracks of the year, and “Beshu” and “Intrusive Thoughts” were up there as well. This was the only band that I actually bought a T-shirt from Bandcamp (probably to wear at Punk Rock Bowling); this release was just too good not to. This was a tough decision, with over 400 releases that I spun and 150 that I liked enough to review. This record smokes, and I hope you like it too (or will give it a try). I can’t wait to see what they do next year.
