Did Travis Release the Album of the Year?

As 2024 draws to a close, many of us are leafing through our new music libraries and thinking back over the albums that defined these past twelve months. It’s been a year rich with experimentation, where established stars tried out new sounds and fresh voices emerged. In this busy landscape, plenty of records have vied for attention, and deciding which one truly stands out as Album of the Year is no small task.

Among the most talked-about releases is “LA Times,” the July 2024 comeback album from Travis. This Scottish band—hailing proudly from Glasgow, a city that takes immense pride in its musical exports—hadn’t made much noise in recent years. Did absence make the heart grow fonder for the band? It certainly appears so.

A Long-Awaited Return

Travis rose to fame in the late 1990s and early 2000s with melodic, thoughtful rock. At their height, they were considered a key part of the British music landscape, known for earnest lyrics and tuneful guitar lines that provided a comforting soundtrack to everyday life. In more recent times, the band’s output slowed. Long-time fans hoped for a reawakening, but few guessed that 2024 would bring them back into the spotlight.

Then came “LA Times,” an album that reflects lead singer Fran Healy’s extended stays in Los Angeles. These songs feel like postcards from a life split between two places, blending sunny California influences with the band’s Scottish roots. The result is a record that’s both familiar and gently updated. In many ways, it’s a nod to their past, but it also shows a willingness to embrace new ideas gathered during their time away.

Mixing Old and New

Critics generally greeted “LA Times” with positive, if not universally rapturous, reviews. Metacritic, which averages scores from a range of publications, gave it around 71 out of 100—solidly favourable. Reviewers praised the combination of Travis’s traditional strengths—straightforward melodies, introspective lyrics, a steady hand at the guitar—with subtle shifts inspired by Healy’s experiences on the US West Coast.

Publications such as Clash Magazine noted that the album gently tests the band’s boundaries, while Far Out Magazine highlighted how it balances their classic approach with something more contemporary. In other words, it’s Travis doing what they do best, but not just rehashing old hits.

Clever Collaborations

An interesting detail about “LA Times” is its subtle collaborative streak. Fran Healy has mentioned playing the tracks for Chris Martin of Coldplay while cruising along the Pacific Coast Highway. Martin, taken by what he heard, suggested adding extra voices and depth. This idea led to Brandon Flowers of The Killers joining in quietly on the track “Raze the Bar.” Neither Martin nor Flowers overshadows Travis; their involvement is more of a gentle seasoning than a headline feature. This small step outside Travis’s comfort zone shows they’re open to fresh ideas, even this late into their career.

The Glasgow Connection

Travis’s Glasgow roots give the band an enduring connection to their home city—a place that’s long celebrated its musical heritage. Glasgow has launched many celebrated acts, and locals take pride in supporting their own. With “LA Times,” Travis remind fans that, no matter how far they travel, the influence of their home turf is never completely lost. Indeed, while the songs may evoke Californian highways and Hollywood sunsets, the underlying sensibility is still shaped by a city that treasures authenticity and honest musicianship.

There’s also something very humble about Travis, which is another endearingly Glaswegian trait. During the past few years, plenty of Travis’ contemporaries have “sold out” by doing things like licensing their tracks to “jukebox” online casino games. From Megadeth to Guns n’ Roses and Ozzy Osbourne to Alice Cooper, plenty of legendary musical names can now be found within the virtual confines of online casinos, but you’ll never find the name “Travis” on a UK online casinos list. Healy would consider it unauthentic, and we suspect the rest of the band would agree with him.

Stiff Competition

Back on the topic of the album, 2024 hasn’t been a quiet year in music. Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” took her into more country-tinged territory. Charli XCX’s “Brat” has pushed forward a lively brand of pop that bends the rules and brings underground club vibes into the mainstream. These high-profile records are just two examples from a year when big names have continued to experiment and less familiar acts have risen through the ranks.

Some of these releases have drawn intense praise, sparking debates and inspiring think-pieces. Others have been slow burners, gradually winning over listeners who gave them a chance. With all this happening, can “LA Times” truly claim the top spot? There are many contenders, and each might appeal to a slightly different set of tastes.

What Makes an Album of the Year?

Deciding which album stands tall at year’s end is never straightforward. For some, Album of the Year must be something that challenges conventions, turns heads, and sets the agenda for the future. Others believe it should be a record that brings comfort and reliability. Sometimes, it’s the album everyone talked about; other times, it’s the one that grows on you, sticking around in your mind long after the buzz fades.

“LA Times” might not have the shock value of a big reinvention. Instead, it’s more like a thoughtful letter from old friends who’ve been away, gathering stories and insights. For people who’ve missed Travis’s presence and appreciate their gentle approach, this album could easily be a personal favourite. Its honesty and warmth, combined with its quiet nods to new horizons, are enough to make it feel special.

Is It the Album of the Year?

So, did Travis release the best album of 2024? It might depend on what you look for in music. If your measure of greatness involves ambitious new directions, maybe you’ll choose one of this year’s more radical releases. If, instead, you value a gentle evolution that brings a band’s past and present together, “LA Times” could well claim a spot at the top of your list.

In the end, Album of the Year is a matter of personal taste. For devoted fans and those who’ve followed Travis from their Glasgow beginnings through decades of shifting musical scenes, “LA Times” might be exactly what they’d hoped for – a strong return that makes sense of where they’ve been and where they’re going. As we settle into the quieter weeks at the year’s end, there’s plenty of joy in pressing play on this record and deciding for ourselves if it deserves that top prize.