My Favorite Albums of 2024

A list of my favorite 25 albums of the year.

What a great year for entertainment. You know it’s a fun time in music when essentially every artist that’s ever performed is doing a reunion tour and/or recording new music.

Below is the annual countdown of my favorite 25 albums of the year. I hope you enjoy.

25. Erika De Casier - Still

Erika de Casier released her third studio album "Still" on February 21, 2024 through 4AD. Here are the key details about the album:

Album Information

  • Title: Still

  • Release Date: February 21, 2024

  • Label: 4AD

  • Length: 43:17

  • Genre: R&B, Electronic, Pop

24. Michael Kiwanuka - Small Changes

Michael Kiwanuka released his fourth studio album "Small Changes" on November 22, 2024 through Polydor Records. Here are the key details about the album:

Album Information

  • Title: Small Changes

  • Release Date: November 22, 2024

  • Label: Polydor Records

  • Producers: Danger Mouse, Inflo

  • Length: 11 tracks

  • Genre: Soul, R&B, Folk

23. Z Berg - Strange Darling - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Z Berg released the album "Strange Darling - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack" on August 23, 2024, through Warner Records. This album serves as the soundtrack to the film "Strange Darling" directed by JT Mollner, which was released in theaters on the same day.

Album Details

  • Title: Strange Darling - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

  • Artist: Z Berg

  • Release Date: August 23, 2024

  • Label: Warner Records

22. Real Friends - Blue Hour

Real Friends released their fourth studio album "Blue Hour" on October 11, 2024 through independent release. Here are the key details about the album:

Album Information

  • Title: Blue Hour

  • Release Date: October 11, 2024

  • Label: Independent release

  • Producer: Andrew Wade

  • Length: 13 tracks

  • Genre: Pop punk, Emo

21. Soccer Mommy - Evergreen

Soccer Mommy released her fourth studio album "Evergreen" on October 25, 2024, through Loma Vista Recordings. Here are the key details about the album:

Album Information

  • Title: Evergreen

  • Release Date: October 25, 2024

  • Label: Loma Vista Recordings

  • Producer: Ben H. Allen III

  • Length: 41:25

  • Genre: Indie rock

20. Intervals - Memory Palace

Intervals released their fifth studio album "Memory Palace" on May 17, 2024 through self-release. Here are the key details about the album:

Album Information

  • Title: Memory Palace

  • Release Date: May 17, 2024

  • Label: Self-released

  • Length: 36:42

  • Genre: Instrumental progressive metal

19. Astrid Sonne - Great Doubt

"Great Doubt" showcases Sonne's artistic growth, blending elements from various genres including electronic, singer-songwriter, R&B, dub, and hip-hop. The album has been critically acclaimed, with The Face choosing it as one of the best releases of the first quarter of 2024

18. Fine - Rocky Top Ballads

"Rocky Top Ballads" showcases Fine's unique blend of minimal, hypnagogic pop, drawing influences from artists like Cocteau Twins and Mazzy Star, as well as electronic abstractionists like Dean Blunt. The album is characterized by its gauzy tracks and Fine's ethereal vocals, which guide listeners through the record.

17. Salute - True Magic

Salute released their debut studio album "True Magic" on July 12, 2024 through Ninja Tune. This highly anticipated album showcases Salute's artistic growth and unique blend of electronic music styles.

Album Details

  • Title: True Magic

  • Artist: Salute

  • Release Date: July 12, 2024

  • Label: Ninja Tune

  • Length: 14 tracks

  • Genre: Electronic, Dance, House, Garage

16. Tyler, the Creator - Chromakopia

Tyler, the Creator released his eighth studio album "Chromakopia" on October 28, 2024 through Columbia Records. This highly anticipated album follows his 2021 release "Call Me If You Get Lost".

Album Details

  • Title: Chromakopia

  • Artist: Tyler, the Creator

  • Release Date: October 28, 2024

  • Label: Columbia Records

  • Length: 52:54

  • Genre: Hip-hop, Jazz, Soul

15. Tems - Born in the Wild

Tems released her highly anticipated debut studio album "Born in the Wild" on June 7, 2024 through RCA Records and Since '93.

Album Details

  • Title: Born in the Wild

  • Artist: Tems

  • Release Date: June 7, 2024

  • Label: RCA Records, Since '93

  • Length: 54:26

  • Genre: R&B, Afrobeats

14. Fontaines DC - Romance

Fontaines D.C. released their fourth studio album "Romance" on August 23, 2024 through XL Recordings. This highly anticipated album marks a significant evolution in the band's sound and artistic direction.

Album Details

  • Title: Romance

  • Release Date: August 23, 2024

  • Label: XL Recordings

  • Producer: James Ford

  • Length: 36:57

  • Genre: Indie rock, Alternative rock

13. Kendrick Lamar - GNX

Kendrick Lamar released his sixth studio album "GNX" as a surprise drop on November 22, 2024, through PGLang and Interscope Records. This 12-track album follows his 2022 release "Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers" and marks his first full-length project since departing from Top Dawg Entertainment and Aftermath Entertainment.

Album Details

  • Title: GNX

  • Release Date: November 22, 2024

  • Label: PGLang and Interscope Records

  • Length: 44:20

  • Genre: West Coast hip hop

12. The Last Dinner Party - Prelude To Ecstasy

The Last Dinner Party released their debut studio album "Prelude to Ecstasy" on February 2, 2024, through Island Records. This highly anticipated release showcases the band's artistic growth and has received widespread critical acclaim.

Album Details

  • Title: Prelude to Ecstasy

  • Artist: The Last Dinner Party

  • Release Date: February 2, 2024

  • Label: Island Records

  • Producer: James Ford

  • Genre: Indie rock, Glam rock, Pop rock

11. Jessica Pratt - Here in the Pitch

Jessica Pratt released her fourth studio album "Here in the Pitch" on May 3, 2024, through Mexican Summer. This highly anticipated follow-up to 2019's "Quiet Signs" showcases Pratt's artistic growth and refinement of her sound.

Album Details

  • Title: Here in the Pitch

  • Artist: Jessica Pratt

  • Release Date: May 3, 2024

  • Label: Mexican Summer

  • Length: 27:14

  • Genre: Folk-pop, Indie folk, Psychedelic folk

10. Lawrence - Family Business

Lawrence, the NYC soul-pop band fronted by siblings Gracie and Clyde Lawrence, released their fourth studio album "Family Business" on June 21, 2024, through Beautiful Mind Records.

Album Details

  • Title: Family Business

  • Artist: Lawrence

  • Release Date: June 21, 2024

  • Label: Beautiful Mind Records

  • Length: 42:33

  • Genre: Soul-pop, Funk, Pop

9. Tiny Habits - All for Something

Tiny Habits, the folk-pop trio from Boston, released their debut album "All For Something" on May 24, 2024, through Mom+Pop Records. This highly anticipated release follows their 2023 EP "Tiny Things" and showcases the group's artistic growth.

Album Details

  • Title: All For Something

  • Artist: Tiny Habits

  • Release Date: May 24, 2024

  • Label: Mom+Pop Records

  • Length: 42:33

  • Genre: Folk-pop, Indie folk

8. Waxahatchee - Tigers Blood

Waxahatchee, the musical project of Katie Crutchfield, released her sixth studio album "Tigers Blood" on March 22, 2024, through Anti- Records. This highly anticipated follow-up to 2020's "Saint Cloud" showcases Crutchfield's continued artistic growth and refinement of her sound.

Album Details

  • Title: Tigers Blood

  • Artist: Waxahatchee

  • Release Date: March 22, 2024

  • Label: Anti- Records

  • Producer: Brad Cook

  • Length: 42:46

  • Genre: Alt-country, Indie rock, Singer-songwriter

7. MJ Lenderman - Manning Fireworks

MJ Lenderman, the North Carolina-based singer-songwriter and guitarist, released his fourth studio album "Manning Fireworks" on September 6, 2024, through ANTI- Records. This album follows his 2023 live record "And the Wind (Live and Loose!)" and his critically acclaimed 2022 album "Boat Songs".

Album Details

  • Title: Manning Fireworks

  • Artist: MJ Lenderman

  • Release Date: September 6, 2024

  • Label: ANTI- Records

  • Length: 38:51

  • Genre: Alt-Country, Slacker Rock, Singer-songwriter

6. Doechii - Alligator Bites Never Heal

Doechii, the American rapper and singer, released her highly anticipated mixtape "Alligator Bites Never Heal" on August 30, 2024, through Top Dawg Entertainment and Capitol Records. This 19-track project marks Doechii's third mixtape and her first full-length release under a major label.

Album Details

  • Title: Alligator Bites Never Heal

  • Artist: Doechii

  • Release Date: August 30, 2024

  • Label: Top Dawg Entertainment, Capitol Records

  • Length: 46:53

  • Genre: Hip-hop, R&B, Experimental

5. Cindy Lee - Diamond Jubilee

Cindy Lee's "Diamond Jubilee" is a critically acclaimed triple album released on March 29, 2024, through Patrick Flegel's own label, Realistik Studios. This ambitious project marks Cindy Lee's seventh studio album and has received widespread recognition for its innovative approach to psychedelic and hypnagogic pop.

Album Details

  • Artist: Cindy Lee (project of Patrick Flegel)

  • Title: Diamond Jubilee

  • Release Date: March 29, 2024

  • Label: Realistik Studios

  • Length: 122:09

  • Format: Triple album (double CD, 3xLP)

4. Nemahsis - Verbathim

Nemahsis, the Palestinian-Canadian singer-songwriter, released her highly anticipated debut album "Verbathim" on September 13, 2024. This 12-track LP showcases Nemahsis's artistic growth and fearless approach to music-making.

Album Details

  • Title: Verbathim

  • Artist: Nemahsis (Nemah Hasan)

  • Release Date: September 13, 2024

  • Label: Independent release

  • Length: 12 tracks

3. Jacob Collier - Djesse Vol 4

Jacob Collier's "Djesse Vol. 4" is the highly anticipated final installment of his ambitious four-part Djesse project, released on February 29, 202413. This album serves as a synthesis of the musical styles and themes explored in the previous three volumes, while also pushing boundaries in new directions.

Album Details

  • Artist: Jacob Collier

  • Title: Djesse Vol. 4

  • Release Date: February 29, 2024

  • Label: Hajanga

  • Length: 69:17

  • Producers: Jacob Collier

2. Magdalena Bay - Imaginal Disk

Magdalena Bay's second studio album "Imaginal Disk" was released on August 23, 2024, through Mom + Pop Music1. This highly anticipated follow-up to their debut "Mercurial World" showcases the duo's growth and artistic evolution.

Album Details

  • Title: Imaginal Disk

  • Artist: Magdalena Bay

  • Release Date: August 23, 2024

  • Label: Mom + Pop Music

  • Genre: Synth-pop, Dance-pop, Electronic rock

  • Length: 53:36

  • Producers: Mica Tenenbaum and Matthew Lewin

1. Mk.gee - Two Star & the Dream Police

Mk.gee, the stage name of American singer-songwriter Michael Gordon, released his debut studio album "Two Star & the Dream Police" on February 9, 202412. This critically acclaimed album showcases Gordon's talents as a multi-instrumentalist, producer, and vocalist.

Album Details

  • Title: Two Star & the Dream Police

  • Artist: Mk.gee (Michael Gordon)

  • Release Date: February 9, 2024

  • Genre: Bedroom pop

  • Label: R&R

  • Length: 33:18

  • Number of Tracks: 12