TOP 24 Albums of 2024

24 Crumb – AMAMA

Alternative New-York quartet, Crumb, experiments with a new psychedelic sound on third studio album AMAMA. Through the neo-hypnotic elements, lead singer Lila Ramani weaves through relationships, homesickness, and existentialism on “Side By Side,” “Crushxd,” and “XXX”.

23 English Teacher – This Could Be Texas

“This Could Be Texas” from English Teacher recently won the prestigious Mercury Prize and deservedly so, as the album is sharp, witty, chaotic and unpredictable. At times the band gets grungy and lyrically blunt like in “R&B” and in another moment, get in their feels like the ballad “Blister My Paint” which is otherworldly and beautiful, showcasing the band’s talent in creating a diverse group of songs that are also cohesive.

22 BLACKSTARKIDS – Saturn Dayz

Earworms are all over the album ‘Saturn Dayz’ by BLACKSTARKIDS, a fun and energetic project that takes the listener through a genre-defying journey through the realms of indie rock, hip-hop, and pop. The instant familiarity of 90s funk R&B and hip-hop make songs like “SOULMATEZ” and “EMANCIPATION OF STEVIE WONDER” standouts that showcase their brewing talent.

21 This is Lorelei – Box for Buddy, Box for Star

In the age of the genre-less artist where anything goes, This is Lorelei’s ‘Box for Buddy, Box for Star’ accomplishes that spirit expertly and successfully. The solo record from Nate Amos of Water From Your Eyes, the project is blends stylings of dream-pop, indie and electronic into and shoegaze. “Dancing in the Club” showcases an interesting and excellent use of auto-tune in the dancey, upbeat track, while “I’m All F**d Up” is a straight-ahead indie track.

20 Luna Li – When a Thought Grows Wings

The sophomore album from Luna Li “When a Thought Grows Wings” is enchanting and calming while filled ethereal vocals that float over Li’s signature diverse instrumentation, including harp, flute and guitar. Songs like “Golden Hour,” and “Minnie Says (Would You Be My)” are exquisite and atmospheric while “Fantasy” is dreamy and takes the listener into another world, a few of which encapsulates the multi-instrumentalist’s immense talent.

19 The Last Dinner Party – Prelude to Ecstasy

The Last Dinner Party had lots of momentum going into 2024, having broken out the year prior with “Nothing Matters” and with the release of their debut “Prelude to Ecstasy” early in 2024, they solidified their standing as one of the most exciting new artists of the year. The album is grandiose, emotionally charged and filled with lush instrumentation and dramatic vocal. The theatrics can be heard in tracks like the aforementioned “Nothing Matters”, “Sinner” and “The Feminine Urge” that evoke the imagination with every listen.

18 HINDS – Viva Hinds

Spanish indie rock outfit HINDS returned with “Viva Hinds,” this year and did so most triumphantly. A celebration of friendship and rising above the hard times, the album is filled with energetic songs that blend their signature garage rock sound with pop sensibilities. Highlights include “Coffee”, which is a fun and bouncy while “Superstar” is catchy while the lyrics cover the need for closure after a loved one is no longer in their life without explanation. To make things even more interesting, HINDS collaborated with the likes of Beck (“Boom Boom Back”), Fontaines D.C. frontman Grian Chatten (“Strangers”) and other tracks feature Pete Robertson of The Vaccines contributed on drums and production.  Long live HINDS indeed.

17 Sarah Kinsley – Escaper

On her long-awaited album Escaper, Sarah Kinsley makes a noteworthy debut full of vibrant melodies, piano riffs, and unique synths. Kinsley’s charming vocals and lyricism are hard-hitting on “Knights” and “Realms.”

16 Liana Flores – Flower of the Soul

For anyone with a slight appreciation of Bossa Nova, the debut album from Liana Flores, “Flower of the Soul” will take that to another level. Wisftful and intimate, the delicate melodies set the soundscape to the incredible musical vignettes of “I Wish For The Rain” and the viral “rises the moon”. Flores’ voice is gentle and complement the songs which will have the listener dancing to the Bossa Nova vibes of “Butterflies” or letting their imagination run wild as “Nightvisions” plays, which is what any artist strives for.

15 Sun Room – Can’t Explain

Sun Room’s “Can’t Explain” is a sun-soaked slice of indie rock that captures the carefree spirit of youth. The album is awash in jangly guitars and infectious melodies, evoking comparisons to early Arctic Monkeys and The Strokes. Standout tracks like “Summer’s Here” and “Crashed My Bike” showcase the band’s knack for crafting catchy, indie-rock hooks. “Get Me Outta New York City”, already on our list of top songs for the year and “Hate It When You Call” are fun and catchy that have us excited for the band’s future.

14 AURORA – What Happened To The Heart?

AURORA’s What Happened To The Heart? channels the singer-songwriter’s love for experimenting with synths, hymns, brutal honesty, and angelic vocals. Dreamy and poetic, AURORA’s fifth studio album focuses on healing and reviving passion with tracks such as “Invisible Wounds” and “The Blade”.

13 Confidence Man – 3AM (La La La)

With their album ‘3AM (La La La)’, Confidence Man delivered a love letter to club culture that was the soundtrack many late nights in 2024 and likely many more to come.  The Australian electro-pop outfit crafted an album that feels like a non-stop party, with tracks like “JANET” and “Who Knows What You’ll Find” as major standouts, blending classic UK dance influences with modern production techniques.

12 Remi Wolf – Big Ideas

Remaining as eclectic and saturated as ever, Remi Wolf questions herself and others with her own brand of theatrics on Big Ideas. Album opener “Cinderella” channels dance-funk and Wolf’s unique energy while revealing some of her anxieties.

11. Kendrick Lamar – GNX

After a summer of notorious singles, Kendrick Lamar’s surprise drop of GNX hooked fans from the first track “wacced out murals,” Tupac inspired “reincarnation,” and the homage to California in the “squabble up” music video. The critically acclaimed Compton rapper moves in silence to produce a complex, raw piece of work on rap, community, and catharsis.

10 NewDad – Madra

Irish indie rock band NewDad made a huge impression with their debut album ‘Madra’ early in the year. A collection of dreamy, shoegaze-inflected tracks songs like “Nightmares” and “Angel” showcase lead singer Julie Dawson’s ethereal vocals over reverb-drenched guitars creating a lush soundscape that’s both nostalgic and fresh.

9 Charli XCX – Brat

Arguably the year of “brat”, synonomous with the album (and song) of the same name, Charli xcx elevated her profile tenfold. The album sonically blends club/hyperpop sensibilities with Charli’s knack for mainstream pop appeal. Lyrically, the songs get introspective, tackling a variety of topics including grief, motherhood, friendships and her career amongst others. Aside from the viral tunes of “365”, “Apple” and “360” there are many other standouts including her tribute to SOPHIE in “So I” that’s incredibly touching and expressive while “Everything Is Romantic” starts off with frentic sonics as she sings about the smaller wondrous moments of life, crescendos and evolves into echos of “falling in love again” is an incredibly well-produced song.

8 Vampire Weekend – Only God Was Above Us

It was more than worth the wait for the fifth studio album from Vampire Weekend, ‘Only God Was Above Us’. The project is filled with incredible instrumentation ranging from saxophones, psychedelic guitars and production that finds the band pushing their sound into bold new territory. “Ice Cream Piano” is a great demonstration of this as the song blends baroque pop with electronic flourishes and a surprising gospel choir finale. “Classical” is a standout, its driving rhythm and angular guitar work recalling the urgency of their early work while incorporating new textures.

7 Sabrina Carpenter – Short ‘n Sweet

Sabrina Carpenter’s cheekiness and pop-ridden Short n’ Sweet skyrocketed the talented vocalist, singer-songwriter further into high fame. Carpenter fluctuates between lively, pop hits such as “Taste,” “Please Please Please,” and “Bed Chem” with slowed down, reflective tracks “Don’t Smile” and “Lie To Girls.”

6 Clairo – Charm

The queen of bedroom pop, Clairo, returned in 2024 with a spectacular album filled with 1970s-inspired melodies and her signature warm vocals. Exploring the nuanced romantic experiences, standout tracks like “Juna” and “Sexy to Someone” demonstrate her growth as as songwriter and penchant for catchy tunes that solidifies her place as one of the great artists recent years.

5 The Smile – Wall of Eyes

‘Wall of Eyes’ sees The Smile further distancing themselves from Radiohead’s shadow, crafting a sound that’s both familiar and refreshingly distinct. Thom Yorke’s ethereal vocals float over intricate rhythms and atmospheric textures, creating a hypnotic listening experience. Standouts “Teleharmonic” showcases the band’s ability to blend electronic and organic elements seamlessly and Jonny Greenwood’s guitar work shines on “Bending Hectic”, a sprawling epic that recalls the best of Radiohead’s experimental phase.

4 Tyler, the Creator – Chromakopia

Focusing on his various personas, fears, and his connection to his ancestors, Tyler, the Creator explores new depths on eighth studio album CHROMAKOPIA. Electric and intense as ever, the rapper is cutthroat on tracks “I Killed You,” “Judge Judy,” “Like Him,” and “I Hope You Find Your Way Home.”

3 Fontaines DC – Romance

Fontaines D.C.’s fourth studio album, ‘Romance’ showcases the band in a more experimental and introspective light that sees them drawing inspiration from Britpop-era grandiosity while maintaining their signature lyricism. Lead track “Starburster” demonstrates the band’s newfound swagger, while the shoegaze-inspired “Sundowner,” written and sung by guitarist Conor Curley, adds a surreal quality to the album’s diverse soundscape.

2. Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft

Billie Eilish explores distinct sonics on her third studio album Hit Me Hard and Soft in which she embraces femininity, sexuality, and maturity. Eilish transforms on tracks “Birds of a Feather,” “The Diner,” and “Skinny.” 

1 Magdalena Bay – Imaginal Disk

2024 was hands-down the year of the “pop-girlie” in music but that also extended to indie/alternative in the form of Miami’s Magadlena Bay. The duo of Mica Tenenbaum and Matthew Lewin made a huge splash with their critically acclaimed debut ‘Mercurial World’ and built upon that success with an amazing album. ‘Imaginal Disk’ is a cinematic and colorful journey through hyperpop, disco, and progressive pop, establishing their place as one of the most exciting and innovative artists today. “Death & Romance” is filled with bass-heavy grooves, piano flourishes, and sweeping arpeggios to create an emotionally charged piece of work while the disco-tinged “Image” is an instant club-classic built for endless remixes. The album has created yet another world that is colorful and vibrant yet also thought-provoking euphoria that has us excited for more from this talented duo.