My top 10 albums of 2024
It’s been an absolutely delicious year for music (thank God, we needed it). In the spirit of Spotify Wrapped dropping and the end of the year scarily creeping up, I’ve decided to discuss my top ten favorite albums dropped this year. Spotify Wrapped was quite a disappointment in terms of graphics, categorizations etc. and a lot of people are saying theirs doesn’t feel wholly accurate. Apparently, Spotify let go over 1,000 members on their team and people are assuming they replaced their manpower with AI, which of course was a failure. That’s a different conversation- I’m just using Spotify Wrapped Day as a vehicle to convince you to listen to these fantastic bodies of work, if you haven’t already.
Honorable Mention: This is How Tomorrow Moves by Beabadoobee, Big Ideas by Remi Wolf, Charm by Clairo
Top 10 Albums of 2024
HIT ME HARD AND SOFT by Billie Eilish: I’ve always been a Billie fan, but I think with this album she may end up in my top five artists next year. It’s such a moving album and by far her most complete body of work. This and a night drive? Perfect combination. Rooting for her (and all the black women, obviously) in the Grammys this year.
Top 2 faves: The Greatest, L’amour de ma vie
Brat by Charli xcx: She needs no explanation. I actually think the reason Charli was my number two artist is because going into the year, I was in my Crash era and was listening to that album on repeat. Then, of course, with the release of Brat, I doubled down on my Charli time, solidifying her in my top five. Remix album also delivered, SWEAT tour delivered- she’s on a roll.
Top 2 faves: Von dutch, Everything is romantic
Submarine by The Marias: Words cannot describe how much I love this album. The heavy bass in the first half into a dreamier, floatier sound in the second half takes you on the most beautiful journey and the production is so seductive. It’s sex in an album.
Top 2 faves: Echo, Sienna
For Cryin’ Out Loud! By FINNEAS: It’s been a great year for the Eilish siblings, to say the least. I’ve been a fan of Finneas’s music since he first started releasing, but there’s a special, addictive magic in this album that I can’t explain. My mom is also obsessed with this album, which I see as the highest stamp of approval.
Top 2 faves: Sweet Cherries, What’s It Gonna Take To Break Your Heart
Kansas Anymore by ROLE MODEL: I love saintlaurentcowboy and I love this album. I think I’ve fallen in love with Tucker as a person, which has made me love his music even more. This album feels like he’s really found his sound, a fun pop-country-folk mix, and it was such an emotionally mature and vulnerable album. I desperately need to see him live next year.
Top 2 faves: Look at That Woman, Superglue
CHROMAKOPIA by Tyler, the Creator: It was a big year for vulnerable music, and this album was no exception. I loved the features on this album and overall production. There were a lot of repetitive themes, but the way they were explored in each song felt fresh and exciting. I think currently this is my second favorite album from Tyler, but I think it’s timeless and could move up to number one soon.
Top 2 faves: Balloon, I Hope You Find Your Way Home
COWBOY CARTER by Beyoncé: This album makes me so nostalgic. Anytime a song from this album pops up on my playlist, I’m immediately transported to the night before I left St. Louis for good, when my best friends and I were finishing packing in the living room and cleaning with this playing in the background. Everyone was fighting tears and our soft smiles thinly veiled our sadness, and it makes me so emotional to think about. I also think about my less than 72 hours in Nashville during the spring, and the beautiful chaos of that weekend is infinitely tied to this masterpiece of an album.
Top 2 faves: Tyrant, American Requiem
Short n’ Sweet by Sabrina Carpenter: Miss Sabrina has had a wonderful year and I’m glad the larger population is waking up to her witty lyricism. I personally resonate with emails i can’t send more, but this album is pop perfection and made for some very fun, and fast, end of summer drives!
Top 2 faves: Good Graces, Don’t Smile
Alligator Bites Never Heal by Doechii: Everyone, and I mean everyone, should listen to this album. She sings, she raps, she’s extremely playful lyrically and the production choices are exquisite. Doechii considers this a mixtape, which I understand, but it was just too good not to include in my top 10.
Top 2 faces: Beverly Hills, Nissan Altima
What’s Wrong With New York by The Dare: People are hating this album from The Dare, but I listened to a decent amount of LCD Soundsystem’s discography, and while I can see the influence, I see no copycatting occurring. This album is raunchy and unserious- in many interviews, it was described as “debaucherous” and I’m not sure if that’s Harrison’s interpretation or a projection of interviewers. Either way, it’s a great listen and I’m excited to see what comes from him next.
Top 2 faves: Good Time, I Destroyed Disco
