I told Mia Lust (vocals/guitar/keys) – one quarter of Manchester-based band Chemtrails – that I’d be listening to The Joy of Sects, their third album, shortly after its release on the 19th of January. And that I would be judging.

I had high expectations for this given that I’ve been a fan since discovering them as they played at a fringe event in Shakepeares around Sheffield’s annual Tramlines Festival in 2017, and I haven’t looked back.

Their stuff is definitely out there, but in a way that fully engages the listener if they choose to buy in. And with some wonderful song titles too, Exhibit A: check out ‘A Beautiful Cog in the Monolithic Death Machine’ from debut LP Calf of the Sacred Cow for size! There are others that match up too.

Chemtrails have received end-of-year Top 20 recognition from me before, their song ‘Frightful in the Sunlight’ taking pride of place in my 2020 vintage. Even today, four years on, if it makes an appearance in a setlist at a live show I’m at, it will be fully appreciated.

But back to the work in question, and The Joy of Sects is the historic piece of work that will forever have the honour of being the first LP in this blog that will have the LG RECOMMENDS stamp of approval attached to it. Yes, I did judge. And yes, I was more than happy with it.

With positive anticipation built up with preceding singles ‘Business Class War Paint’, ‘Detritus Andronicus’, ‘Join Our Death Cult’ and 2024 Top 20 contender ‘Bang Bang’, it had a lot going for it. And it delivered.

Usually I tend to focus a little harder on the songs on an album that weren’t previously out as singles, and no complaints here on that score. But a very special mention has to go to ‘Superhuman Superhighway’, ‘Apocalypstick’ and ‘(Post-Apocalypstick)’. Frantic, crazy and full of energy. And quite frankly one of the best three song sequences you’ll hear on any album released this year.

Simply put, I love this body of work in full. And it – along with every album released in 2024 that I discuss here – will have a chance to make an end-of-year top ten albums list. Only if I make one though, that isn’t guaranteed like the Top 20 is.

But you know what, don’t just take my word for it. Have a listen for yourselves. If the band/artist concerned allows for it, I’ll include an appropriate playlist below. So no excuses!

One final time. The Joy of Sects. A quality album.