Martin’s Favorite Four Canadian Albums Of 2024

2024 Albums of the Year

Following the feature last week that chronicled what I consider to be my 20 favorite Canadian albums released across 2024, it was an incredible challenge to whittle the list down to just four finalists (I struggled to reduce the number from five incredible albums – unfortunately, something had to give). With our appreciation for Francophone music, and the abundance of quality releases from across Canada, was it any surprise to find six outstanding French language albums make our list – compared to just two last year? Not at all – with one of those albums earning a spot here today.  

So here they are – my Favorite Four Canadian Albums of the Year, with one hard fought and incredibly amazing victor. 

Runner Up: Terra Spencer, “Sunset” 

This latest release from Windsor, NS contemporary singer-songwriter Terra Spencer once again demonstrates the sheer talent of her artistry (do you hear whispers of Joni Mitchell comparisons?). If every musician could have their image portrayed in a ‘Pictionary,’ Terra’s face would undoubtedly be adjacent to the word ‘consistency.’ With four albums released in a five-year span, each one has made our annual Top 20 lists – two now landing in our final four – and even this early into a bright and rewarding musical career, Terra continues to set an incredibly high bar for all others to follow. 

Runner Up: Brooks & Bowskill, “Blissful State Of Mind” 

This sophomore album from the wife/husband duo of Brittany Brooks and Jimmy Bowskill may be only a couple of months young, but very quickly consumed our listening pleasures (read: dominated) when released. The second of two albums in a two-year span, both easily earned spots in our annual Top 20 lists, but this time around, it is the unexpected progression from their old-time country roots to this phenomenal explosion of folk/country/rock that leaves us shaking our heads in disbelief. We had tickets to a show last month, but due to the arrival of winter weather impeding our potential journey home, unfortunately had to skip town early and miss out – here’s hoping we can rectify that sometime in 2025. 

Runner Up: Sadie Campbell, “Metamorphosis” 

Seemingly, we find each year that an artist previously unknown to us bursts on to the scene, teases with some fabulous single releases, and then unleashes an absolute corker of a full-length debut album into the world that simply knocks our socks off. Prior to this past spring, BC-born (currently TN-based artist) Sadie Campbell had never landed on our listening radar, but once her emotionally charged brand of soul-blues music was discovered, it was here to stay.  If you have been snoozing on this album from Sadie Campbell, jump on board now while you can – don’t foolishly leave anything to a second chance. Here at GDW, we are eagerly awaiting this one to be pressed onto vinyl, to make this a permanent addition to our collection (hint, hint). 

2024 Winner: Le Roy, la Rose et le Lou[p], “Self-Titled”  

I openly admit that when it comes to my music preferences, I am often predictable (hey, I like what I like) – and I’m sure that those who know me well (and know how quickly these three QC youngsters got under my skin) probably sensed where I was heading with my GDW album of choice this year.  If objectivity were the basis of selecting a winner, Sadie Campbell would undoubtedly be listed here – but when personal bias is permitted, subjectivity rules the day. My heart and soul simply refused to offer consideration for any of the other nineteen albums shortlisted this year once I had a copy of this self-titled concert album from the Québecois trio, Le Roy, la Rose et le Lou[p] spinning on my turntable.  

A worthy victor of the top spot, this album from Ariane Roy, Thierry Larose, and Lou-Adriane Cassidy brings with it the realization of a French language recording being crowned our victor over consecutive years. And lest we forget that it was Larose’s “Sprint!” album that earned those 2023 honors – signaling a first for any artist to find themselves in this top spot twice. While this 2024 offering is simply a compilation of tracks captured (likely from the soundboard) and remastered from a handful of live shows in late 2023, it is the sentimental attachment for those who experienced one (or three, for us) of these concerts that drives further its impact. Sure, it may not be engineered to perfection like those pre-planned specifically as a live release (with much larger budgets) – but for those of us seeking to relive the exhilaration, excitement, and emotions that their performances evoked, this is the perfect memento.   

Spotify Unwrapped

Following their disbandment once the 2024 QC festival season wrapped up, the trio promptly earned a prestigious Felix award at the 2024 ADISQ ceremony in the “Show of the Year – Variety / Reinterpretations / Collectives” category – leaving many of us ever hopeful that this collaboration has merely been paused rather than concluded.  Seeing the trio emerge and leave a long-lasting impression with their on-stage energy and infectious tunes, I often found myself in complete awe, contemplating if they are doing for this generation what the likes of Christine McVie, Lindsey Buckingham, and Stevie Nicks did back in the day when Fleetwood Mac took the music world by storm. As for now, Ariane Roy is currently back in the studio and very close to wrapping up her highly anticipated sophomore album, ditto for Lou-Adriane Cassidy, who shall release her third album early in the new year – taking great pleasure in maintaining her wolf persona as the focal point for her new material. No doubt Thierry Larose has future plans too, but nothing official is forthcoming yet.  

As far as this Le Roy, la Rose et le Lou[p] project being truly over – I’m a firm believer in never say never! Not one of these talented artists has posted anything official yet to say that they’ve called it a day. I’m poised and willing to jump on any tickets if a 2025 reunion gig or tour is announced – but for now, shall take pride in giving this GDW 2024 Album of the Year many more revolutions on the turntable to satisfy my cravings. Subjectivity – after all – dictates that there is much more at stake here than simply being the album of choice – it is also a reflection of personal favorite (and monumental) music events we experienced over the last thirteen months – and would do so again in a heartbeat. To quote Thierry’s closing comments at each show we attended – “Vive la musique québécoise!” 

The British guy that crossed the ocean and crash landed in central Pennsylvania (to quote Greg Keelor, “And I wonder what am I doing here?”). As the youngest of four siblings, exposure to music from a very early age nurtured my passion and appreciation for many musical genres. Continuing to discover some amazingly diverse and talented musicians based in Canada, I gravitate to live music experiences and remain devoted to spreading the word about such a vibrant music scene.

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