Cleveland's local music scene is busier than ever — and we've followed the year of new tunes with plenty of new releases featured in our Cleveland Current playlist every month. (Follow the playlist for even more music in 2025!)
As the year comes to a close, dig in and read more about 55 new albums and EPs that arrived this year out of Greater Cleveland.
Still want more Cleveland music? Check out our playlist below, featuring songs released in 2024, by 200 different artists in the region.
200 Stab Wounds, Manual Manic Procedures
Death metal standout 200 Stab Wounds ramped things up in a big way this year, with its critically acclaimed, heavy-as-heck album Manual Manic Procedures — and a tour that brought the group on a tour across Europe in October and November. 200stabwounds.net
Adam Reifsnyder, Better Late Than Never
This Cleveland singer-songwriter, known for his work with bluegrass group Honeybucket and indie-pop band Walk the Moon, released an acoustic guitar-driven album this year. The batch of songs were written years ago, and finally saw the light of day in October. adamreifsnyder.com
AngeOnymous, Glow
Ange Padin, the neo-soul artist behind the moniker “AngeOnymous,” put out her debut full-length record Glow in early August — an exploration of love and heartbreak, packaged in 12 lushly produced R&B songs. “When I wrote the album, it was kind of like my glow-up,” she says. @_angeonymous_.
Annabel, Worldviews
Akron rock band Annabel returned after nine years away with its latest album Worldviews — “our signature sound taken in a more modern, experimental direction,” says guitarist and lyricist Ben Hendricks. The band’s new tunes were recognized in Cleveland Magazine’s Best of Cleveland 2024 issue. facebook.com/annabelband
Auntie Piggy, IDGAF (I Don’t Got Any Flaws) and Chane’l
Rapper Auntie Piggy released her second and third EPs this year: IDGAF (I Don’t got Any Flaws) in May and Chane’l in September. These two EPs are short — but not too sweet — comebacks after a two-year hiatus.
(Photo courtesy Jessica Klodt)
The Baker’s Basement, Down Down Domino
The duo of Kate Dedinsky and Adam Grindler manages to create a huge soundscape with basic instruments: a bucket drumset and a guitar, backing their voices. It all comes together in a delightful way on their playful, folky new album. thebakersbasement.com
The Black Keys, Ohio Players
Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney returned with a new The Black Keys record this year — one inspired by iconic Dayton funk band Ohio Players. Here, you’ll see the chart-topping Akron duo get a little more upbeat and a little more groovy on its 12th full-length release. theblackkeys.com
Brian Bacon, Murder of Crows
Cleveland singer-songwriter Brian Bacon shows a theatrical flair in his folk rock opera album, which he recorded with Nashville-based producer Nick Bullock. The songs follow stories about everyday people and locations, including a farming family, a valet parker at a Tremont restaurant and a person at a drive-thru liquor store. “It’s these small, commonplace moments that have something mythical about them,” Bacon says. brianbaconmusic.com
Chanelle Kazadi, Mean Mug
Former boxer Chanelle Kazadi dropped her second studio album Mean Mug in September. This eight-track heavy hitter comes two years after Kazadi’s debut album Make It Work, and explores her journey to success and the realities of rising to the top. chanellekazadi.com
Clare Feorene, Peculiar Places
Dubbing herself “Cleveland’s Princess of Sad Girl Folk Pop,” Clare Feorene funnels emotionality into her latest album, with straightforward but captivating delivery, pairing her vocal work with guitar and otherwise sparse instrumentation. instagram.com/clarefeorene
Cloud Nothings, Final Summer
Iconic Cleveland indie-rock band Cloud Nothings stands as a reminder that the classic 2000s rock sound is still prevalent with its immersive ninth studio album Final Summer. cloudnothings.com
(Photo courtesy Jordaine Dinorog)
Crown Shy, Comfort Film
Started by Jimmy Wilkens, a guitarist and keyboardist of The Sonder Bombs, Crown Shy released their debut album, Comfort Film in October. The 11-track album is 32 minutes of nostalgia-influenced rock songs — a more polished evolution of Wilkens’ former Jimmy Lo-Fi project. instagram.com/crownshy_cle
D’Asia Simone, Pluto
R&B singer D’Asia Simone, who is also an astrologer and Reiki practitioner, found a way to implement her spiritual practices into her EP Pluto. Produced by Rocki Laurenç, each song has a tune that’s associated with Solfeggio frequencies to represent the seven chakras. dasiasimone.com
Da Land Brass Band, Heard It Before
Ten musicians come together to make up this group known for horn-heavy music that blends elements of funk, jazz, R&B, hip-hop and rock. Following the release of the group’s new EP, Da Land Brass Band was an editor’s pick in Cleveland Magazine’s Best of Cleveland 2024 issue. facebook.com/dalandbrassband
Dan Miraldi, Ulysses
Cleveland-born and New York-based singer and songwriter Dan Miraldi released Ulysses, his eighth studio album, this past summer. The 10-track album is a blend of power pop and garage rock, and paints a picture of modern-day dating and love with its vulnerable and relatable lyrics and vivid imagery. danmiraldi.com
Dave Rich & His Enablers’ new albums
Not one, not two, not three … prolific Akron rocker Dave Rich released a whopping four albums in 2024: Fumbler’s Archive, Heedless by Any Measure, Phantom in a Bucket and the forthcoming (Dec. 30) Secondary Postcard Market. daverichandhisenablers.com
Disintegration, Shiver in a Weak Light
Local post-punk band Disintegration fleshed out its sound on its debut 2023 EP Time Moves For Me, and expanded into futuristic, synthy territory on its well-rounded debut album Shiver in a Weak Light. instagram.com/disintegrationband
(Photo by Angelo Merendino)
Doug McKean, Enduring Freedom
Doug McKean's new home-recorded album features a few notable collaborations, like The Wallflowers drummer Mark Stepro, pianist Justin Gorski and pedal steel player Al Moss. “I feel this is a really simple, pretty record,” McKean says. “I think there’s a theme of things kind of coming apart from the songs, and so they’re kind of grouped together based on that." dougmckeanmusic.com
Eli Tha Don, Ghetto Beethoven
Released in September, Eli Tha Don’s Ghetto Beethoven is 33 minutes of raw, uncut lyricism complemented by 808s and snares. In a time when hip-hop is evolving in sound and intention, Eli sticks to his 90s roots. “Music is just in me. I grew up around [my dad] my whole life, and he was a hip-hop head. I remember sneaking into the basement watching him make beats,” Eli said in a Cleveland Scene interview. elithadon.com
Emyrson Flora, Every Song Is About You
Two and a half years after she competed on the 20th season of American Idol (and, impressively, finished in the final 10 contestants on the show), Twinsburg native Emyrson Flora released her new EP — an emotional exploration of past situation-ships. emyrsonfloramusic.com
The Fifth Wheel, Tilt
Longtime Akron rock band The Fifth Wheel returned and, in April, released its full length album Tilt: a mix of old and new tracks, and well-structured flow. “There are some rockers and some thoughtful compositions,” says bassist Tom Weyand in a press release. “All four of us nailed it and hope the fans love the outcome.” thefifthwheelmusic.com
(Photo courtesy Photos by Mariposa)
Floco Torres, This Creative Life
On his 38th birthday, Floco Torres released his 38th project: a full-length genre-blending album. Kicking off with the track “1986” in honor of Torres’ birth year, the introspective 14 songs examine what it means for the musician to lead a career in music. nobodycaresnews.com
The Frans, The Frans
Inspired by public transit, this Cleveland-based rock band had a special way to show its appreciation for Cleveland’s RTA with its self-titled album The Frans. Through riveting storytelling about the typical bus-rider’s experience, and what kind of rider you might cross paths with, the band spreads awareness of the importance of public transportation in a unique way. instagram.com/thefransmusic
Fruitfly, When the Weather is Nice
Fruitfly brings a distinct sound to indie-rock with its album When the Weather is Nice, blending personal lyrics with a Rolodex of genre influences and inspirations for a batch of new rippers. fruitflymusic.bandcamp.com
Guice Mann, Fries and a Salad
Self-taught artist and rapper Guice Mann showcases his many talents in his album Fries And A Salad. Produced by himself and Cleveland-based producer Unknownphrazes, the sprawling 28-track album is “guaranteed to boost your central nervous system to high octane levels.” guicemann.com
Josee McGee, Weeper
You can find Josee McGee often performing covers at venues in Northeast Ohio, but the singer-songwriter’s original work should be sought out, too. In particular, the singer-songwriter’s 2024 album Weeper shows her soulful, slightly twangy approach to music-making on songs like “No More Graves” and “All Fine.” joseemcgeemusic.com
(Photo courtesy Amanda Cool)
Kid Tigrrr, Stoned and Animald
Jenna Fournier, known for her band Niights, released her first full-length solo album as Kid Tigrrr this year — a dreamscape in 11 songs, ebbing around her delicate vocals and personal lyrics. Stoned and Animald was released through The Smashing Pumpkin singer Billy Corgan’s label Martha's Music, funneled through his Madame Zuzu’s teahouse and record store. (Fournier also sang backup vocals on the new Smashing Pumpkins album, Aghori Mhori Mei.) kidtigrrr.bandcamp.com
A Killer’s Confession, Victim 1
Former Mushroomhead vocalist Waylon Reavis formed A Killer’s Confession, in 2016 — and has been rocking hard with the Cleveland-based, conceptual group ever since. On Victim 1, expect a new manifestation of the same dark, alternative metal aggression the band has been honing in the past eight years. akcglobalrecords.com
Kultures, Dreamstacks
Kultures is led by vocalist and songwriter Justin Miller, known for his former work with indie-rock band Polars. In Dreamstacks, the band's sophomore album, Miller explores the complexities of human relationships, making each track “an exploration of emotion.” kulturesmusic.com
Lowspot, Committee of Public Safety
Lowspot’s latest EP is anything but a musical low spot — the group’s loud five-song effort brings catchy hooks and an exciting, energetic voice to Cleveland's indie-punk scene. facebook.com/lowspot.cle
Maxwell Stern, In The Good Light
The frontman of Cleveland indie-punk band Signals Midwest remains tethered to his hometown in his new album In The Good Light. “Everything I do is still connected back to Cleveland somehow,” Maxwell Stern says. The album shows a gentler, folkier side to Stern’s releases, building off of his 2020 album Impossible Sum. instagram.com/maxwellstern
Michael Weber Show, Stereogram
Local rockstar Michael Weber recorded Stereogram in his Hudson-based Lighthouse Recording Studio with his band: bassist Evan Baker, drummer James O’Connor and pianist Will Baughman. The 10-track album features Weber’s singing, guitar-playing, keyboard-playing and songwriting skills, dipping into power-pop, ‘70s alternative, punk, indie and new-wave influences. themichaelwebershow.com
(Photo courtesy Manny Wallace)
Mourning A BLKstar, Ancient//Future
Like all of Mourning [A] BLKstar’s musical releases, all members of the collective contributed to the band’s current sound which, on its latest album Ancient//Future, traverses scuzzy grunge, shimmery R&B, soulful blues and experimental jazz. The album is the first to feature Pete Saudek on guitar and the first to even have a six-string guitar in the mix. “I feel like each album progresses, based on who we are in that time — not just who we are personally, but also what’s going on in the world, how we deal with what’s going on in the world, how we deal with what’s going on with ourselves,” vocalist LaToya Kent says. mourningablkstar.com
Mr. Gnome, A Sliver of Space
After eight years away, Nicole Barille and Sam Meister brought their band Mr. Gnome back to the stage — many stages — this year. The musical married couple toured in support of its album A Sliver of Space, an intense indie powerhouse of an album. It's just the latest musical milestone for Mr. Gnome, which will reach its 20th anniversary in 2025. “It’s awesome. I feel so lucky that people still care about what we’re doing,” Barille says. mrgnome.com
Orange Animal, Still Frames
It’s been five years since indie-rock band Orange Animals’ last album No Song Sick Hearts. The Akron group released the impactful Still Frames earlier this year, telling stories of strength, trials and love. orangeanimal.com
Post Saga, Circles
Post Saga released some of its most pop-driven songs yet with its EP Circles. The project arrived after a brief band hiatus in 2023, and membership shifts which resulted in saxophone and trumpet being added to the mix. postsaga.com
Qdajuice, K9
Short and sweet: Cleveland hip-hop artist Qdajuice, who also goes by "Quincy Bones," packed nine minutes of tight rhymes and pristine production in his latest EP K9. Impressively, the musician says he knocked out the entire project in just one month. instagram.com/qdajuice
(Photo courtesy AlexaArt)
Rachel Brown and the Beatnik Playboys, Full Moon Rendezvous
Mixed with country and blues, Full Moon Rendezvous is a romp through a ‘60s country sound. Throughout the album, you can hear Rachel’s influences from country icons such as Patsy Cline and Johnny Cash. The 15-track album features Beatnik Playboys Dave Huddleston, Roy King and Bill Watson and various artists from Northeast Ohio. rachelbps.com
Regas-McDonald, Moon Paint for Black Winter
Cousins Sam Regas and Matt McDonald (the Regas-McDonald duo) create a fusion of experimental psychedelic and electronic music with their third album Moon Paint for Black Winter. regasmcdonald.bandcamp.com
The Rosies, Vol. 3
This Cleveland quartet has been refining its punky flavor of rock music over the past few years, and making a name for itself with wildly energetic live shows. Every new Rosies song feels like a party — and we got five of them this year in the form of Vol. 3. facebook.com/therosies
Rye Valley, Miss River
Rye Valley singer-guitarist Brett Auerbach centers his band’s latest folky album on his travels along the Mississippi River in 2022 and 2023. The group — primarily a duo of Auerbach and singer-percussionist Landon Kearns — recorded in its full band format, with pedal steel player Tyler Lobdell, bassist Kevin Brosien and drummer Tim Ellinger at Tuck Mindrum’s Plastic Dino Records in Bay Village. ryevalleyband.com
(Photo by Kevin Kopanski)
Sam Supreme, Tears & Triumph
Flexing her production skills, hip-hop artist Sam Supreme put out her hard-hitting, excellent six-track Tears & Triumph EP in August. You might also recognize the musician from her past work with LMNTL and Freshproduce. instagram.com/thesamsupreme
Seeress, Empathy
Post-rock and metal band Seeress returned to release Empathy five years after their last album. The album explores the many stages of grief and puts the complexities of the human experience into words. seeress.bandcamp.com
Shawn Poe, Fruit Ninja
Colorful fruits like strawberries, pears, peaches, cherries and pineapples all blend together in a musical smoothie on the latest project from local hip-hop artist Lashawn Gordon — aka Shawn Poe. instagram.com/shawnpoe216
SLUG, Ohio
SLUG’s debut album Ohio, released on Delayed Gratification records, showcases the band’s well-known intensity in the state’s thriving hardcore scene. instagram.com/slugclevo
Sound on Tape, Digits EP
Cleveland producer and DJ Sound on Tape takes on a new definition to electronic music with his jazz-infused Digits EP, which was released in November. instagram.com/sound.on.tape
Tropidelic, Royal Groove
This local standout put out an impressive reggae-funk-rock fusion record featuring collaborations with national standouts like The Elovaters, Palmer Squares and The Pharcyde, all in a series of 10 vibey tracks. tropidelic.com
Wave Rowanne, Technotic
Rowanne Atallah and Donald Malloy, aka Wave Magnetik, first met in 2021 at a New York wedding band gig — and soon formed a band of their own, bonding over their love of electronic dance music. Wave Rowanne showcases its sonic backgrounds: Malloy’s, in jazz and spiritual music, and Atallah’s in international and Middle Eastern music. The resulting music is a mix of Arabic, English, French and Spanish-influenced dance music, which you can hear on the band’s Technotic EP. instagram.com/waverowanne
(Photo courtesy Monterra Warmuth)
Will Cherry, Somewhere In Ohio
Somewhere in Ohio is inspired by the hero’s journey, highlighting Ohio’s underrated creative scene. Will Cherry, who produced, mixed and mastered the album himself, released the album in November after two years of production. The 31-track album features mainly Ohio artists. Along with the album, Cherry produced and released his short film Somewhere in Ohio. willcherry.us
Window Dogs, Wishing Well
This local indie-rock band closed out the year with a four-song EP, a catchy folk-pop-punk project (due Dec. 21) — and one that also celebrates the band reaching a decade of music-making together. facebook.com/windowdogs
Zach Angeloni, Versions of Ourselves
Singer-songwriter Zach Angeloni’s debut solo album centers on relationships with loved ones. “They’re all really inspired by family members and friends. I started thinking about grandparents and ancestry; I like to go there a little bit when I’m writing, and I think I let all of these songs come out of that space a little bit,” Angeloni says. instagram.com/zach_angeloni_tunes
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