As the year draws to a close, it’s time to reflect on the incredible music that defined 2024. From boundary-pushing debuts to triumphant returns by iconic artists, this year has offered something for everyone.
We’ve handpicked the best of the best for our end-of-year list.
Here’s a rundown of the albums that made us hit repeat again and again.
The Hard Quartet – Self-Titled
This striking debut is a masterclass in genre fusion, blending jazz, post-rock, and experimental sounds into an immersive listening experience. The Hard Quartet crafts complex yet deeply emotional compositions that reveal something new with every spin. A standout introduction to their distinctive sound.
The Decemberists – As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again
The Decemberists return with their most reflective album yet. As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again delivers lush arrangements and poetic storytelling, with tracks like “Sea of Silence” showcasing the band’s mastery of folk-inspired melancholia. A timeless addition to their discography.
Clairo – Charm
Charm is aptly named—this album is irresistibly enchanting. Clairo’s dreamy blend of indie pop and shoegaze creates a warm, hazy atmosphere perfect for long afternoons. Tracks like “Golden Threads” and “Softly Spoken” are destined to become staples for chill playlists.
Ducks Ltd. – Harms Way
Ducks Ltd. prove once again why they’re at the forefront of modern jangle pop. Harms Way is filled with sunny melodies and infectious energy, reminiscent of ‘80s indie greats. This album feels like a joyful burst of serotonin.
Idles – Tangk
Idles push their sound further with Tangk, a raw and relentless record that channels rage and catharsis into every note. Tracks like “Iron Resolve” and “Heavy Bones” deliver the unfiltered intensity fans have come to expect, while exploring deeper emotional terrain.
A. G. Cook – Britpop
A. G. Cook reinvents Britpop for a new generation with this audacious, glitchy take on the genre. Packed with bold production and experimental twists, Britpop is an ode to the past and a leap into the future.
Vince Staples – Dark Times
Vince Staples turns inward on Dark Times, an introspective and moody exploration of personal struggles and societal challenges. The minimalist production lets his sharp lyricism shine, making this one of his most poignant releases yet.
Knocked Loose – You Won’t Go Before You Are Supposed To
Knocked Loose’s latest offering is a relentless assault of hardcore fury. With bone-crushing breakdowns and raw emotional intensity, You Won’t Go Before You Are Supposed To solidifies their position as leaders in the modern hardcore scene.
Johnnie Blue Skies – Passage du Désir
This gorgeous, cinematic album takes listeners on a journey through wistful melodies and lush instrumentation. Johnnie Blue Skies weaves a tapestry of sound that feels both intimate and expansive—a must-listen for fans of ambient and neoclassical music.
The Cure – Songs of a Lost World
The Cure’s long-awaited return does not disappoint. Songs of a Lost World is hauntingly beautiful, with Robert Smith delivering some of his most vulnerable and poignant lyrics to date. A triumphant addition to their legendary catalog.
Floating Points – Cascade
With Cascade, Floating Points delivers a breathtaking collection of ambient and electronic pieces. The album’s sweeping textures and subtle progressions make it a transcendent listening experience—ideal for both focused listening and introspection.
Ride – Interplay
Ride continues to evolve their shoegaze legacy with Interplay. Packed with lush guitar layers and soaring melodies, the album captures the euphoric highs and reflective lows that have defined their career, while pushing their sound into new directions.
Real Estate – Daniel
Daniel is Real Estate at their melodic best, with breezy guitar lines and introspective lyrics that evoke a sense of nostalgia. It’s a record perfect for sunny days and quiet evenings alike, effortlessly balancing charm and depth.
Denzel Curry – King of the Mischievous South
Denzel Curry cements his place as one of hip-hop’s most dynamic voices with King of the Mischievous South. Blending Southern rap roots with experimental production, the album is bold, ambitious, and impossible to ignore.
NewDad – Madra
Irish band NewDad captures the ache of youth on Madra, a dreamy mix of indie and shoegaze influences. With lush guitars and haunting vocals, this debut feels like the soundtrack to a late-night drive under starry skies.
Childish Gambino – Bando Stone & The New World
Childish Gambino takes us on an ambitious journey with Bando Stone & The New World. Fusing funk, hip-hop, and experimental sounds, this concept album is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining.
Brittany Howard – What Now
Brittany Howard’s powerful voice shines on What Now, an album that’s equal parts soulful and experimental. With deeply personal lyrics and fearless production, it’s a testament to her artistic versatility.
Ezra Collective – Dance No One’s Watching
Ezra Collective’s Dance No One’s Watching is a joyous celebration of jazz, Afrobeat, and funk. Packed with infectious rhythms and virtuosic performances, it’s an album that demands movement.
Kim Gordon – The Collective
Kim Gordon’s The Collective is raw, experimental, and unapologetically unique. With its blend of noise, punk, and avant-garde elements, this album is a bold statement from an iconic artist.
Kendrick Lamar – GNX
Kendrick Lamar delivers yet another masterpiece with GNX, an album that’s introspective, politically charged, and musically innovative. It’s a reminder of why he’s considered one of the greatest of all time.
Kublai Khan TX – Exhibition of Prowess
If raw, unrelenting power is what you crave, Exhibition of Prowess delivers in spades. Kublai Khan TX once again asserts their dominance in the hardcore scene with blistering riffs, crushing breakdowns, and lyrics that explore themes of struggle and defiance. It’s an album built for catharsis, unapologetic and unforgettable.
DIIV – Frog In Boiling Water
DIIV takes their signature dream-pop and shoegaze sound to darker, more introspective depths on Frog In Boiling Water. With shimmering guitars and hazy vocals, the album explores themes of environmental collapse and existential dread, yet still feels achingly beautiful—a haunting triumph from start to finish.
NIA Archives – Silence is Loud
NIA Archives has cemented herself as one of the most exciting voices in electronic music with Silence is Loud. Blending jungle, breakbeat, and soulful vocals, this album celebrates rhythm and resilience. Standout tracks like “Echoes of Us” and “Still We Rise” will have you moving and reflecting equally.
Michael Kiwanuka – Small Changes
Michael Kiwanuka’s Small Changes is a gentle yet powerful exploration of love, identity, and self-discovery. The album pairs his soulful voice with rich instrumentation, creating an intimate listening experience that feels timeless. A collection of songs that radiates warmth and sincerity.
Bolis Pupul – Letter to Yu
Experimental electronic artist Bolis Pupul delivers a deeply personal and avant-garde masterpiece with Letter to Yu. Drawing from influences as diverse as techno and classical music, the album is a sonic journey that defies categorization. It’s as cerebral as it is emotional, making it a standout in electronic music this year.
Charli XCX – BRAT
Charli XCX continues her reign as pop’s fearless innovator with BRAT. This album is unapologetically bold, blending hyperpop with punk influences to create a chaotic, exhilarating soundscape. With razor-sharp lyrics and infectious hooks, BRAT is a celebration of individuality and rebellion.
Dog Unit – At Home
Post-rock newcomers Dog Unit make an impressive debut with At Home. This instrumental album builds intricate soundscapes that feel cinematic and deeply emotive. Layers of guitars and percussion ebb and flow with precision, creating a listening experience that’s both meditative and dynamic.
Whitelands – Night-Bound Eyes Are Blind to the Day
Whitelands’ latest offering is a dream-pop gem that’s equal parts haunting and ethereal. Night-Bound Eyes Are Blind to the Day pairs lush, reverb-soaked guitars with introspective lyrics, creating a sound that feels both intimate and otherworldly. A must-listen for fans of shoegaze and dream-pop.
The Smile – Cutouts
The Smile (featuring Radiohead’s Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood) continues to push boundaries on Cutouts. The album is a masterclass in experimentation, weaving together angular guitar riffs, electronic beats, and Yorke’s haunting vocals. It’s a bold, genre-defying project that demands attention.
Amyl and the Sniffers – Cartoon Darkness
Australia’s finest punk rockers return with Cartoon Darkness, a raucous and unapologetic album packed with raw energy. Frontwoman Amy Taylor’s fiery vocals and the band’s relentless rhythm section make this a headbanging, fist-pumping triumph that’s impossible to ignore.
Wunderhorse – Midas
On Midas, Wunderhorse delivers a stunning blend of raw emotion and powerful alt-rock. With heartfelt lyrics and soaring melodies, this album is deeply personal and intensely captivating. Tracks like “Golden Chains” highlight the band’s knack for balancing vulnerability with explosive energy.
Adeem The Artist – Anniversary
Adeem The Artist shines on Anniversary, a deeply heartfelt Americana album that explores love, identity, and the human experience. With poetic lyrics and rich storytelling, each song feels like an intimate conversation. It’s a beautifully crafted record that lingers long after the last note.
2024 has been a year of bold creativity and emotional resonance across every genre. Whether you’re drawn to the raw power of Kublai Khan TX, the shimmering beauty of DIIV, or the avant-garde brilliance of Bolis Pupul, this year’s best albums have something for everyone.
We will be updating our long list to create our final top 10 and from this top 10, we will be making one of them our curated and classic albums for December.
Comments