Jesse Vitelli Newsletter Chaos

Hello, as per usual it’s been a busy week with my trip to LA for The Game Awards, recovering form my trip to LA for The Game Awards, and being too tired to do anything after my trip to LA for The Game Awards.

Seeing friends was fantastic and a much needed recharge to end the year. I have a lot fo content planned both on the freelance side (some of which has already been published and some that is still being worked on before year’s end.)

Let’s get into it.

Table of Contents

• Top 10 Albums of the year

• Some work of mine

• I had a funeral

• Photo Dump

• Ok thank you for your time

Top 10 Albums of the year

It’s the end of the year and I figured since other places got to see it, I’d share my top 10 certified banger albums of 2024. Please enjoy

#10 The Story So Far - I Want to Disappear

They've been moving in this direction for quite some time, but interesting to see Parker commit to this sound for an entire album. Really enjoyed it front to back.

#9 Origami Angel - Feeling not Found

Feeling not Found is tonally all over the place but still feels consistent as a whole work. It's got some real bangers on there, and a solid follow up album to GAMI GANG in 2021.

#8 Kublai Khan - Exhibition of Prowess

Easily one of Metalcore/Hardcores best bands on the scene right now. Exhibition of Prowess is non stop heat all the way through. Just a real sludge record. A bucket of dirt. Sonic Vomit in the best way possible.

#7 St. Vincent - All Born Screaming

Yes, always give me more St. Vincent. I could dance to this record, cry to this record, scream to this record.

#6 Porter Robinson - SMILE! : D

Finally took the dive into Porter with this new record, and guess what, it's good! I get it now. SMILE :D is filled with musical cliches, but instead of dunking on them, they are celebrated and championed to make an all around excellent record.

#5 Career Day - I’ll Always Be This

Sure this isn't a full record, but I've gotten more mileage out of these four songs than a lot of other music this year. If you want Pop Punk/Emo that actually wants to talk about the issues in this country, Career Day is your place.

#4 Clairo - Charm

Man, what a record. It's whimsical production with soft vocals make it smooth, without sanding down the edges of some of the more emotionally potent hits. I don't love it as much as 2019's Immunity, but few things compare.

#3 Kendrick Lamar - GNX

I mean, look at the year Kendrick had. Look at everything that led to this moment. GNX isn't just a victory lap, but a fully separate powerhouse of a record. Keeping a lot of the interesting production we've seen from him this year, isn't afraid to be goofy.

#2 Mannequin Pussy - I Got Heaven

Mannequin Pussy continues to push the envelope with their fourth studio album. I Got Heaven turns the heat up on pushing back against desire, religious chokeholds, and being devastated by failed love.

#1 Waxahatchee - Tigers Blood

Ditching the DIY punk roots for something all Americana. I didn't think I'd fuck with this record the way I did. All consuming, Tigers Blood is by far my favorite album of 2024. One that deserves all of the praise.

Some work of mine

Here’s some stuff I worked on while in LA

First I attended the Warframe 1999 luncheon to chat with Creative Director Rebb Ford and Voice Actor Neil Newbon (Astarion in Baldur’s Gate 3) all about what it’s like to work together again and what people can expect from the new Warframe narrative chapter that’s out now! Always a blast to catch up with these two and it was a really fun interview. Glad I got to chop it up with them.

I also got to check out the newest robot shooter from Wargaming. it’s neat and really piqued my interest. There’s a playtest happening for the next couple of days if you’re into that kind of thing.

Got a few more things before end of year so keep an eye out.

I had a funeral

Some of you know me as Young Elmo, and well, all good things must eventually come to an end. Young Elmo Died last week, and the folks at Giantbomb who brought him to life also took him out Tekken style. This platform won’t let me post the raw video, so enjoy this partial cut of it from my BlueSky account. I really recommend watching this one even if you’re not from the games part of my life. It’s pretty damn funny.

The video cuts off, but I was thrown into a volcano.

Anyway!

Photo Dump

Here’s a bunch of photos from my LA trip.

Ok thank you for your time

It’s been real y’all! See ya later.