RIFF’s best albums of 2024 include Ariana Grande, Zach Bryan, Suki Waterhouse, Rosali, Doechii, Johnny Blue Skies (Sturgill Simpson), Father John Misty, A.G. Cook, Fontaines D.C., Remi Wolf, Norah Jones, Pearl Jam, Maggie Rogers, Nilüfer Yanya and Ray Lamontagne. Never before has the music landscape been so fragmented. But…

It’s undeniable that Jónsi epitomized whimsical folk rock on his 2010 solo debut, Go. The album’s jubilant boisterousness—let’s call it “youth retreat campfire folk”—came ripe for mumblecore drama movies and summer camp recap videos, all while carrying the depth and dynamics the Icelandic prodigy built as the frontman of post-rock…

SAN FRANCISCO — The stage at The Independent was bare save for a small shrine lit by electric candles. Projected onto the back curtain was a blackened image of a wrought iron gate. A witchy, silent blonde stood at the shrine in a gold-sequined black jumpsuit, summoning long drones…