Oh sure, we're a full month into 2025 now, but let's talk about the best surf releases of 2024. Who am I to say what's best? Well this is all as subject to whims and biases as anybody's would be, but I can say that I've listened to an awful lot. I made a big huge list of every surf release I could find and listened to some of almost all of them. That's gotta count for something!
The Gremmys have a certain overwrought format. It has several categories, the criteria for which is as dubious and subjective as the choices themselves. Each category has exactly one winner. It also has as many honorable mentions as I feel like, each of which I feel are roughly equally recommendable and close to as good as the winner. There are plenty of good, even great, albums that will not be on this list, and that always pains me. That's part of why I have the Guest Gremmys, alleviating my guilt by either confirming my choices or letting others give deserving albums their due.
Here are the categories. They will turn into links as each category is posted
- 2024 Master List: Not exactly part of the Gremmy Awards, but part of the process.
- Best Album Art: Self-explanatory. The music inside is less important, though bonus if the art reflects the music well.
- Best Trad Surf Record: Traditional surf music, trying to sound straight outta the 1960's.
- Best "Rad" Instro Record: Surf/Instro that focuses on aggression, often with punk influence.
- Best Modern Surf Record: Usually the largest category. Surf music that doesn't really sound like the 60's, incorporating other more modern influences.
- Best "Mad" Instro Record: Weird stuff that one would call surf at least to some extent, perhaps for lack of another word.
- Guest Gremmys: Favorites from respected members of the surf community.
- Rest of the Best: Scraps that I feel need mentioning.
- Hunter's non-surf favorites: Posted on WTUL's website. Just in case you're curious.
And now my favorite part: the poll. Vote for your favorites. This poll is easily manipulated, sometimes tilted by bands asking fans to vote for them. Essentially meaningles... and fun.
What's your favorite surf record of 2024?
