Each day of December this year, I’m highlighting one of my favourite albums of 2024. Counting down the list, we start with #31 on December 1st and go all the way down until we’ve reached #1 on December 31st. Today, #3 on my Album of the Year list: Gurriers – ‘Come And See’.

If you would’ve asked me exactly one year ago what my favourite discovery of 2023 was, chances are quite likely I would’ve answered with “Gurriers”. Having seen the Irishmen play 4 rock solid shows in the time span of 9 months (though one of ‘em was this year), the Dubliners made a rapid rise straight to the top of my bill. Amidst reviewing the year that was 2024, I can only draw the conclusion that Gurriers still is amongst my favourite artists of the moment.

There’s a bit of an unusual sentiment lingering around this album for me. I usually really dislike albums that happen to be a collection of previously released singles only (it’s one of the reasons PLAZA’s debut didn’t make it to my Top 31). Now, ‘Come And See’ is not completelyfilled with previously released singles. During time of release, there were plenty of new tracks on this piece, too. However, by seeing Gurriers live so many times, I might’ve shot myself in the foot. Most songs have obviously been played live already, therefore there was but few novelty to this debut for me. Though, this didn’t seem to bother me one bit in this case. Fact is that ‘Come And See’ is absolutely full to the brim with some of both post-punk and noise rock’s best songs of recent years so how could I even begin to dislike this album with so many brilliant tunes on it.

Because, let’s face it: this album is an absolutely thrilling ride from the start. Not necessarily because it doesn’t take any breaks throughout its entirety, but as soon as fan favourite ‘Nausea’ kicks in, there’s just not a song in sight that doesn’t hit hard. Followed by ‘Des Goblin’ and ‘Dipping Out’, ‘Come And See’ starts off strong with some premier Gurriers songs. ‘Prayers’, targeting none other than the pope, might be a bit of a slower follow-up but easily makes up for it with its sharp lyrics. Most of the topics on this album coincide with what you would expect from a post-punk group. It’s the refreshing and powerful instrumentation that really keeps you hooked and craving for more. Somewhat surprisingly, the real highlights on ‘Come And See’ are made up out of the 2 outliers: ‘Top Of The Bill’, a beautifully melancholic anthem, and title track ‘Come And See’. The latter, an almost slacker-like 90s inspired alt. rock song, turns out to be the ideal closing to this impressive debut. After being spun up and down by soon-to-be classics such as ‘Approachable’ and ‘Sign Of The Times’, this ending creates a marvellous perspective to this debut and proves Gurriers has everything in store to stick around their fellow successful Dubliners for years to come.