There are just a few days left in 2024 and while the world around us is growing increasingly crazier, if you’re anything like me by finding solace in music, then this year had plenty of highlights that helped along the way.
From classics-in-the-making to breakthrough projects to sonic reminders of the year that was. Check out my picks for the best albums of 2024.
Billie Eilish – HIT ME HARD AND SOFT
Billie is one of those artists that make music fans thankful to be around to experience her career unfold in real-time. Though in some corners of the Internet you could see people wondering if Billie was going to flop, 2024 turned out to be filled with success for the young LA artist. Hit Me Hard and Soft sees a more musically mature artist showing what that gifted mind can accomplish, delivering yet again on that hype she’s been generating since she was just a young teen. She’s already known for caring little about sticking to a singular sound or genre, and the way that manifests in her third studio album is that she can go from Pop perfection in “Birds of a Feather” to epics like the Techno-House-tinged R&B “Chihiro” or the Jazzy “L’Amour de Ma Vie” with ease in a way that all feels like signature Billie. This album feels like it’ll be treated as a classic in due time by a generation of fans that’s growing up with her, and I love this for them.
Charli XCX – BRAT
An album so good we named our summer after it. Charli XCX has been thee party girl since the days when I used to party (an era that’s long gone by now), so it’s been especially dope to see her finally get the massive mainstream success that brat brought. The textures on this album are incredible, producing a wide variety of dancefloor-ready tracks that harness the power and energy of a rave in a way that will make people treat Dance music with more respect. I especially appreciated the realness of having party bangers and more personally contemplative songs comingle with each other, reflecting a struggle every person that understands the importance of partying eventually faces when they want to continue living life to the fullest but leave room to remind themselves to look inward from time to time as their age starts to get more serious than their day-to-day reality. In a year that took so much from us, it was great to have Charli provide an escape like this while also giving party girls everywhere their flowers for existing as they do.
Clairo – Charm
Any time Clairo releases a new album, I’m reaffirmed she’s got the sauce. This Neo-Soul adventure is Clairo’s latest step away from the Bedroom Pop that first helped her draw people’s ears, and it’s in this latest sound that it feels like it’s exactly where she should be creating music for a while (I’d hope). Her velvet-soft vocals have always been a highlight of her music, and the way they pair so well with the rich textures of pianos and wind instruments makes this such a great album to vibe out to. You know how certain albums make you nostalgic for a time period you didn’t experience yourself? Charm feels like the kind of album you’d invite your friends over to listen to with you in your new conversation pit.
Doechii – Alligator Bites Never Heal (MY FAVORITE PROJECT OF 2024)
Doechii’s having a breakthrough year thanks to her masterful mixtape, a modern approach to Boom Bap Hip Hop that feels like the genre has uncovered a new generational star. The production on this mixtape helps reinforce the idea that Hip Hop does not have to sound any specific way, and when you add creative lyricism with a punchy delivery and you’ve got 19 tracks that it will make you perk your ears out so you don’t miss your next favorite bar.
Jack White – No Name
No Name is our unfriendly reminder that Jack White is one of the few guitar gods around that can still turn heads years into their career.
Kali Uchis – ORQUÍDEAS
Kali Uchis’ album arrived early early in 2024, gifting fans all 12 months of the year to enjoy it. ORQUÍDEAS feels like the Latin experience for immigrants and children of immigrants in this country, a collage of sounds from across Spanish-speakings nations like the more traditional merengue and boleros tracks to our people’s contributions to modern House and Pop. While I really enjoyed more music I can vibe to that showcases her beautiful voice, what I enjoyed most was how much this album made me want to move.
Kaytranada – TIMELESS
Kaytranada told no lies when he named this album Timeless. Is there anyone groovier than him? Can anybody make you feel more like you’re the coolest mf in the room when your song comes on?
Kendrick Lamar – GNX
If I had to pick an artist of the year, based on influence and the impact of their output, there is no other choice than Kendrick Lamar. The surprise drop of the Compton rapper’s sixth studio album was the culmination of one of the most remarkable runs I’ve seen a rapper have within a year.
Fontaines D.C .- Romance
These Irish rockers shined brighter than they ever had before on the backs of some of their best songwriting.
ScHoolboy Q – BLUE LIPS
TDE had a landmark year, and one of the biggest reasons for that was the return of ScHoolboy Q. It takes a lot for a rapper to have this many years in the game, and Q has been able to come this far through his ability to evolve and mature in his craft in a way that stays more true to himself and his pen than wanting to keep up with the times. Blue Lips is some of his most interesting work to date, getting more adventurous with genre-bending production and sharing the spotlight with dope collaborators such as Rico Nasty and Ab-Soul.
Tyler, the Creator – CHROMAKOPIA
Tyler did it again. With CHROMAKOPIA it’s getting harder to see this Odd Future alum like anything other than one of the best artists of his time. In this album we learn more about Tyler’s personal life challenges from being married to the game to wanting to create art for no one’s validation but his own to being weary of the world around him the higher climbs the ladder of superstardom. His exploration as a producer and his ability to form these musical landscapes continues to bear fruit for him.
Vampire Weekend – Only God Was Above Us
Ezra Koenig and the rest of the Vampire Weekend crew hasn’t lost a step. Only God Was Above Us feels like vintage Vampire Weekend again, but in its ambition and spirit more than simply fitting back in with the Indie Pop people love from their earliest albums. There’s an edge to the music of this album that isn’t overt but it surely can be felt the more it unfolds. It’s rich, it’s grand.
