(Un)Focused Definition Ep. 12: 2024, A Slightly Past Mid-Year Review

I’m about halfway through the next Flower Kings review, and also have a bunch of catchup work, both paying and not, that’s kept me from regular posting this week. So we’re going to keep things brief for this week’s playlist, which is going to highlight tracks from my favorite albums of the year so far. Think of it as a mid-year report, except it’s coming about a month and half too late. And to make up for the lack of commentary, and because there’s so much to love about music in 2024, we’re expanding one time from 1 hours to 2 hours.

Lots of different styles and genres within, so let’s cut the chit-chat and get to it.

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gary clark jr - jpeg raw

Gary Clark Jr: JPEG RAW (2024)

We’re wrapping up my Best of 2024 (so far) series with another artist not content to remain within a proscribed genre or form. And no, I’m not talking about the latest from Beyoncé (though I could and will because it’s also one of my favorites this year): I’m talking about the guitar powerhouse that is Gary Clark Jr. and his new boundary pushing album JPEG RAW. I don’t think Clark’s ever been content to sit as just another guitar prodigy, and like his previous banger This Land his latest sees the artist continue to embrace his influences, even having them accompany him on the album.

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gary clark jr. - story of sonny boy slim

Gary Clark, Jr.: The Story of Sonny Boy Slim (2015)

Day 24 of the #mayvinylchallenge takes a look at etchings, whether it’s the weird title messages scratched into the dead wax of a record or a full side sketch for those albums that don’t fit a double album format. Thinking about that brought me back to The Story of Sonny Boy Slim, the chameleon rock second record from Gary Clark, Jr. At 53 minutes it more than fits on a CD, but the vinyl version only takes up three sides, allowing for a gorgeous scratch design on Side D. So it fits the category; now let’s talk about the music.

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