The best album of 2024 dropped earlier this month

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As a seasoned music enthusiast who’s been to more concerts than I can count, I can confidently say that the Linda Lindas have taken the stage with an unparalleled brilliance in 2024. Their latest release, “No Obligation,” has left me utterly spellbound, and I’m not just saying this because I’ve got a soft spot for bands that defy expectations.

As a gamer, I’ve been jet-setting quite a bit lately, mixing work and play. It’s not all bad, honestly, everything has been running smoothly…well, almost everything. The one hiccup is that I missed the release of what’s being hailed as the best album of the year on October 11. Being away meant I couldn’t pen down my thoughts about it, and that’s something I regret.

Some individuals might perceive the Linda Lindas’ second studio album, “No Obligation,” as having certain limitations. They could argue that since the band consists of four young women aged between 14 and 20, they may not match up to more seasoned adult rock bands. Alternatively, due to their leaning towards punk rock, they might question whether they can be fully embraced as a popular mainstream pop group.

Poppycock. (I wanted something stronger there, but we’re a family-friendly website.)

The Linda Lindas might have released the best album of 2024 this month

As a passionate gamer, let me say that among all the genres out there, nothing quite beats the raw energy and talent of the Linda Lindas. They’re not just the “most promising” act; they are the absolute best rock band we have today. Their latest album, dropped in 2024, is hands down the best rock/pop gem I’ve heard this year, no ifs, ands, or buts about it!

I’ll openly acknowledge my prejudice: I held the expanded version of their debut album, “Growing Up,” as the top album of 2023. Having heard half of the songs on “No Obligation” prior to its release, I anticipated it would be excellent, but I chose to wait for the full album before making any definitive statements.

I can finally do that.

Without venturing beyond the initial two songs of the album “No Obligation“, it’s evident why this four-piece band from Southern California is so powerful. The title track, penned by bassist Eloise Wong, sets one boundary. Wong takes charge of the most intense punk tracks that the LLs create. Her voice, raw and filled with fury, delivers an explosive performance on “No Obligation”, striking with a speed that feels like a thousand miles per hour.

She expresses that you’d find me more appealing if I were neat and tidy – She expresses that you’d like me better if I wore a dress!” This statement is shouted out over an intense guitar riff and fast-paced drums, which are skillfully provided by the youngest Linda, Mila de la Garcia. It quickly becomes clear that if Growing Up focused on typical coming-of-age matters, No Obligation will delve deeply into exploring the role of young women in today’s world. There will be feelings of fear and anger, confessions of self-doubt, and strong statements about personal liberty.

In “All in My Head,” which is the second track, we find most of what’s mentioned above. This track is immaculate power pop from Lucia de la Garza, Mila’s sister. Lucia possesses an extraordinary talent for singing timeless sunshine pop melodies with the grit of a genuine punk rocker. “All in My Head” delves into the theme of isolation, a recurring motif in the album No Obligation. Often, this isolation is self-imposed as a shield against the breakneck pace of modern life. There might not be a more fitting lyric in all of 2024 pop music than Lucia’s words at the start of the second verse…

Coming up with plans feels like an endless nightmare for many teenagers and young adults.

If the Linda Lindas solely depended on Wong’s melodic punk and de la Garcia’s hard-edged pop styles, they would already be an exceptional rock band. However, they possess an additional strength – Bela Salazar, their guitarist, who is the oldest among them at 20, effectively combines those two musical influences.

In “Lose Yourself,” the initial martial tune transitions into a back-and-forth pattern, featuring a harsh, repetitive verse (“What’s your next move? What’s your next move?”) contrasting with a melodious, rhythmic chorus that speaks of hiding behind a mask and avoiding the question posed in the verse. Meanwhile, Salazar delivers an intense punk-rock performance on “Resolution/Revolution,” characterized by its aggressive, confrontational chorus.

“You don’t know how to face it – Your arguments are baseless – You don’t have any takes and – Your sympathy is wasted.”

The band acknowledges that every one of its members contributes to all their songs. Occasionally, it seems like a specific track might have been created solely by one member, such as “Yo Me Estresso” by Salazar or Wong’s “Excuse Me.” However, there are instances when it appears the song is a genuine collaboration, like “Too Many Things,” led by drummer Mila de la Garcia initially, and then amplified on the chorus by the entire band.

The Linda Lindas truly demonstrate their strength as a band. They are authentic and don’t rely on a single lead singer or primary songwriter. Instead, they collaborate effectively, allowing each member to express their unique perspectives. As a result, their album “No Obligation” offers an eclectic mix of top-notch modern tunes that span across various genres such as pop, punk, and everything in between.

Just as every track on a fantastic album shines, No Obligation doesn’t disappoint. Apart from the tunes previously noted, you’ll find Lucia’s nostalgic pop hit “Nothing Would Change,” reminiscent of sunshine pop from 2000, along with a revitalized version of Kim Wilde’s “We’re the Kids in America.” Salazar’s “Don’t Think” (“Sometimes things that seem fun aren’t enjoyable for me”) mirrors contemporary unease as accurately as any song released this year.

Salazar performs the song “You Me Estresso” in Spanish since she feels less at ease expressing her feelings openly like Wong and de la Garcia do. The Lindas persuaded Weird Al Yankovich, known for his reserved nature, to participate in a powerful rhythmic tune addressing anxiety. Given that Weird Al is selective about what he endorses, this collaboration boosts the band’s credibility even more.

Instead of just starting out with Bikini Kill’s Kathleen Hanna or performing on a national Green Day tour alongside Rancid and Smashing Pumpkins as typical high school achievements, The Linda Lindas are now taking center stage by headlining their own tour, which kicks off in late March of ’25 and spans from the Fillmore in San Francisco to Brooklyn Steel in New York.

Secure your tickets ahead of time since The Linda Lindas have gained wide recognition and are now widely acknowledged as the outstanding American rock band currently in existence. Until the concerts, take pleasure in what has been hailed as the top rock album of the year.

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2024-10-29 16:03