Zomie! Media’s Favorite Releases 2024
2025 is here! Whether we like it or not. While looking forward to the music the next 12 months will bring us, I’d like to share some music I listened to in 2024. Portland’s scene is very alive and very well, bands from all over are touring again in full swing and it’s never been easier for bands to drop new music. (Spotify is completely sabotaging independent artists but that’s another topic for another time).
Some of these records I worked on and some I didn’t, regardless there’s so many works of art from 2024 worth highlighting! Here’s some rad bands that put out rad music this year!
unreal | portland, oregon
These dudes dropped their highly anticipated Self Titled LP in September which is the follow up of their 2022 release Life After Sportsman. I love the melodies and bass lines on this record. The production sounds great too! Favorite song - Dead Eyes
Species | las vegas, nevada
Species came through the studio on tour earlier this summer and we tracked a couple singles. One of which was a Pearl Jam cover of “Bugs” …an amazingly odd deep cut that I think they hit out of the park. This song shreds and I am really stoked to be a part of it!
midnight picture show | portland, oregon
I got to work with MPS on their latest release Grave Dealings EP back in March. This album is full of astounding musicianship, these dudes are absolute pros in the studio. Everything from tempo changes to melodies were strategically planned and it paid off. I love how it came out. Favorite song - THE WAVES
The Howlin’ Roosters | oceanside, California
The Howlin’ Roosters are a southern California hidden gem blending punk rock and roll, psychobilly and stoner metal. Their latest single “When the World is Done Falling Apart” did not disappoint. Leaning on their raw, punk rock roots this is easily one of my most played songs since it dropped back in early November. Recorded and produced by Eric Ortiz and sent out to me to mix in Portland. I love working with these dudes!
the emergency exit | PNW
Absolutes from the pacific northwest’s own The Emergency Exit has been on rotation since it dropped November 22nd. Masterclass on song writing and full of guitar hooks, it’s a classic melodic punk rock record from start to finish! Favorite song - Even the Heartless Bleed
gfl | Portland, oregon
GFL’s new single “Stand Your Ground” is so heavy! When we talked about working on this record together and they were showing me demos, I knew right away that I wanted to make it sound as huge as possible while keeping it thrashy. I love the way it turned out and it’s by far one of my favorite songs to drop this year!
seventeen excuses | Longview, Washington
Seventeen Excuses is one of my favorite folk punk/ solo artists around. Great song writer and an all around stellar dude. He’s got a southern California vibe to his songs that pull me in everytime and his 2024 releases did not disappoint. His 2 Eps Whiskey Hurts and Nine Lives display his veteran craftsmanship in songwriting and storytelling. I fucking love the steel pedal in “Whiskey Hurts”. So good. Favorite song - Whiskey Hurts
streetwalker barbie | portland, oregon
From the worlds FIRST Dreamhaus Rock band Streetwalker Barbie, Kazoocore is 24 min and 42 seconds of punk rock gold. We tracked the LP in a very rainy February at the top of 2024 and it was released June 14th to kick off summer with a fucking bang. It’s the record the world needed this year and I dig it! Favorite song - I Hope You’re Sadnessfied
swigfoot | tucson, arizona
Ska Punk from the desert! Swigfoot dropped 6 singles this year and all of them make you want to drop what you are doing, get a beer and skank… It’s great! Clever and often comedic themed lyrics strung up by horns and punk riffs, 2024 was a rad year of music from the Swigfoot camp! Favorite song - Fight Party
attack of the hooligans! | galt, california
Northern Californian punks Attack of the Hooligans! dropped two EP’s in 2024: Friends /// Long Hauls & Close Calls & Scream Into The Void /// Hold Fast. Both contain killer street punk tracks combining screams and melodies. Favorite song - Friends
ninjas with syringes | portland, oregon
Ninjas embody all that is Trout with their 2024 release Funnerer. The 6 song EP is a healthy blend of progressive riffs and pop punk anthemic melodies, not to mention the drums and bass are off the fucking charts. Loved working on this record with these super talented dudes! Favorite song - Nightingale
the supernothings | Portland, oregon
The SuperNothing’s debut EP dropped October 27th. It’s written from the dark depths of hell and seems to be summoning all that is evil and rock and roll, and that is fucking cool. It’s a great gothic pop punk record! Favorite song - Graveyard Romantics
the vampirates | reno, nevada
The hardcore punk trio dropped #trending in December, a full length that absolutely shreds from start to finish. I’ve always been a fan of Chris Fox’s use of augmented and dissenent riffs being thrown around the guitar at lightning speed. It’s a sound that resonates with me and this album has plenty of it. Such a killer record! Favorite song - Downfall Collective
THe doug fury’s | pnw
Cascadian punks The Doug Fury’s dropped Sorry Mom in February of 2024. I’ve always loved what the band has been about so working with them on this EP meant a lot to me. From screaming songs of rebellion against the ruling class in “This machine” to stories of the 13 limbed creature “Gumbaroo”, this EP kicks ass and is still heavily in my rotation. Favorite song - Sorry Mom
the way below | portland, oregon
The Way Below dropped their debut EP PROJECT: HORIZON September 29th. With post 2000’s grunge vibes and really solid songwriting, I’m stoked to see what they do next! I got to master this project for them and I love the way it turned out. Favorite song - EMPATHY
swiss army wife | portland, oregon
Swiss Army Wife has been putting out banger after banger for years now, and 2024 was no exception. With multiple singles out including a killer comp: The Ultimate Emo Album by Really Rad Records back in January and a split with Kerosene Heights November 1st, they dropped some great emo tunes in 2024. Favorite Song - Raccoon Eyes
Déjà Rêvé | Portland, Oregon
The debut single “Composure” dropped November 12th. I’m always a sucker for emo/punk vibes and rad bass lines! They’re working on new material for the new year, excited to hear more from them.
posm | POrtland, Oregon
Portland bubble grunge band Posm dropped their 1st self produced tracks in 2024 and are already standing out and carving their own path in the scene. We’re currently working on a new EP at Zomie Media HQ! Keep an eye out for a release date. Also, POSM might stand for please order some marmalade. Fav song - Sunset
Nowhere Fast | Portland, Oregon
Portland’s pop punk shredders dropped Emotional First Aid Kit September 9th. So many memorable riffs on this record, the vocals are catchy as hell and the composition is top notch. The album sounds great and they play it great live too! I highly recommend catching a Nowhere Fast show. Favorite Song - The Waiting
the mfa | Portland, oregon
Post Apocalypse Depression is a rock opera that takes you on a quest brimming with shreddy skate punk leads, pop punk choruses and death metal growls. Basically what it sounds like barely surviving your own personal battles while combating the hellscape of an actual apocalypse. It’s such a diverse album! Favorite Song - All the Way
old cross | Portland, oregon
We worked our asses off on this record! It finally dropped in October. The record Dead End Lullabies is somewhat of a departure from the dark skate punk antics of 2020’s Daggers. With that said… I’m not going to sit here and review my own record. Favorite song - Pop Rocks
Of course, this is just a tiny snapshot of all the killer music that came out last year. I would love to hear all the music I missed and the music soon to be released. Let me know in the comments!
Check out the playlist here: SPOTIFY PLALIST 2024
Happy 2025 ya psychopaths!
-Chris