10 Best Albums of 2024
Imaginal Disk - Magdalena Bay: The best album of the year for me, which is saying a lot, because there were so many amazing records released in 2024. The lyrical themes delved into on this album make it a wonderfully executed concept album. When I first started doing this, I never thought my favorite album of the year would end up being a dance-pop album, but things can change rapidly. Listening to newly released music and reviewing it has been incredibly rewarding and fun for me, as I’ve become a fan of so many different artists, genres of music, and I’ve noticed things on multiple listens that I may have not noticed initially. Back on topic though, the production on this album is truly euphoric, whether it’s the warm synthesizers, soft pianos, or groovy guitar riffs featured on it, and the songwriting centered around romance is relatable, emotional, and illustrative. Some of my favorites from the album include, “Image,” and “Death & Romance,” Just an amazing record all around.
Brat - Charli xcx: This album wasn’t just a musical masterpiece, it was a cultural phenomenon. “Brat summer,” was a real thing worldwide, and when I was London back in July, there were Brat posters in the London Underground subway stations. This album singlehandedly got me into electropop artists such as Charli, Slayyyter, Ellie Goulding, and Lykke Li. I still have to listen to the Brat remix album, but I’ve heard the remixes of “Girl, so confusing,” and “Guess,” and I enjoyed them immensely. Whether it’s a personal track about her self-comparison, insecurities, and suicidal ideation such as “Sympathy is a knife,” or a braggadocios club banger like “Von dutch,” this album has something for everyone. I admire how personal and relatable Charli lets herself be on this record, I’m really excited to see her at Coachella this April.
Submarine - The Marías: Another artist that I’m psyched to see at Coachella, this band I feel is still incredibly underrated and doesn’t get enough praise. Submarine is a key reason why I believe this. An unheralded masterpiece of a dream pop album, lyrically, it tackles the themes of loneliness, nostalgia, and relationship paranoia, while on the instrumentation front, it features echoey pop guitars, glassy synths, funky bass riffs, and even trumpet. I love how wonderfully written this album is, as while sure, it’s a breakup album, it doesn’t fall into becoming too clichéd, and sonically it’s unpredictable. “Run Your Mouth,” is one of the funkiest tracks on the album, while tracks like “Real Life,” “Paranoia,” and “Blur,” are a lot more dreamy and psychedelic.
GNX - Kendrick Lamar: The best hip hop album of 2024, in a year that also had exciting releases from ScHoolboy Q, Vince Staples, and JPEGMAFIA, all of whom are honorable mentions on this list, even though, I loved their records. That’s how great of a year this was for hip hop. Anyways, GNX is by no means Kendrick’s best record, and there’s a few weaker tracks, but the majority of the album is the kind of stuff you’ll have on repeat for years. Whether it’s a 90s west coast throwback like “squabble up,” or “tv off,” or personal storytelling tracks such as “heart pt. 6,” or “gloria,” GNX is an album that will be regarded as a classic for decades to come. Kendrick’s wordplay and lyricism is unmatched, and the more you listen to it, the better it gets.
This Is How Tomorrow Moves - Beabadoobee: Beabadoobee managed to make the best pop rock album of the year, and I really loved the indie rock-influenced sound of this album. She has such a warm and beautiful voice, and she doesn’t do anything too complicated vocally, but her lyrics and delivery are captivating. Rick Rubin did excellent on the production front, and Beabadoobee is a great guitarist as well. This album was so nostalgic for me as it reminds me so much of indie rock from the 2000s that I enjoy like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Modest Mouse, while also providing fresh innovative production and relatable lyrics. This album like Brat is a personal reflection, where Beabadoobee sings about her insecurities, her personal relationships, as well as her mental health. It’s another great album that talks about the human experience. “Beaches,” “California,” and “Take a Bite,” were three highlights for me.
CHROMAKOPIA - Tyler, the Creator: Easily one of the most talented artists in all of hip hop, as he’s not only a lyrically skilled rapper, he’s a top-notch producer, as well. Every time Tyler drops an album, the expectations are always sky-high, and ever since his 2017 record, Flower Boy, Tyler has continuously released century-defining records. If Kendrick didn’t drop GNX this year, this would easily be my pick for the best hip hop album of 2024. There’s great features on tracks like “St. Chroma,” and “Darling, I,” emotionally investing lyrics on tracks like “Hey Jane,” and “Noid,” and thumping foot stomping energy on tracks like “Rah Tah Tah.” It’s an album that defies genres as there’s a lot of elements of Neo-sou, jazz rap, and psychedelia incorporated as well.
Hit Me Hard and Soft - Billie Eilish: All I need to say, is that Billie Eilish is only 23, yet she’s won 9 Grammy awards so far in her career. She has a beautiful, distinct voice, is a talented songwriter, and this album is no different. Her brother Finneas did a wonderful job producing this record, and her vocal performances on this record might be some of her best. Her incredible vocal range is demonstrated on tracks like“Chihiro,” “Birds of a Feather,” and “Wildflower,” and her mixture of lyrical topics on this record make for an engaging listen.
Cutouts - The Smile: One of my favorite rock records released this year, Radiohead bandmates Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood are a big reason why this album is so beautiful. The first track, “Foreign Spies,” is one of the most sonically beautiful tracks released in 2024, and “Instant Psalm,” features minimalist acoustic guitar with these emotive violins. “Colours Fly,” has this Led Zeppelin kind of sound that I enjoyed as well. I love how experimental this record is, as it features all sorts of sounds and riffs that just blow my mind.
Samurai - Lupe Fiasco: The most underrated hip hop album of 2024, Lupe Fiasco’s slick flow and impressive lyricism over jazzy old-school beats that are mostly produced by Soundtrakk, make this record intriguing. I have no idea how this album flew so under the radar, Lupe has been one of the most talented lyricists in the game for over 20 years now, and it surprises me that more people haven’t talked about this album, as he’s far from an underground artist. “Cake,” and “Til Eternity,” are two of my favorite tracks on this album.
Here in the Pitch - Jessica Pratt: I first heard of Jessica Pratt through ASAP Rocky’s 2024 single, “Highjack.” Ever since hearing that track and hearing her contribution, I grew interested in her music. Her sound is very retro and reminds me a lot of folk music from the 1960s and 1970s. I mentioned in my review that Jessica Pratt is a wonderful songwriter, and her singing is warm and calming. She has a very distinct voice as well, and this was one of the most cohesive records I have heard all year. “Empires Never Know,” and “By Hook or By Crook,” are two of many highlights for me