Best Albums of 2024

In 2024, the pop music scene flourished with exceptional albums that captivated audiences worldwide. Among the standout releases was Charli XCX's "Brat," a banger-heavy electropop sensation that not only topped charts but also sparked the "Brat summer" cultural phenomenon, influencing fashion and social media trends throughout the summer of 2024. Taylor Swift's "The Tortured Poets Department" showcased her poetic reflections on tragic romances, earning her the title of Spotify's most-streamed artist globally for the second consecutive year. Beyoncé ventured into country music with "Cowboy Carter," delivering a genre-defying album that resonated with fans and critics alike. Billie Eilish's "Hit Me Hard and Soft" further solidified her unique place in the music industry.

In the rock domain, The Cure made a triumphant return with "Songs of a Lost World," their first album in 16 years and maybe their best since the early 90s. Jack White released a surprise album out of nowhere "No Name", as great as it was a viral marketing stunt; The Smile decided to release not one but TWO albums; b>Fontaines D.C. stepped into the realm of britpop-inspired post-punk on "Romance"; Nick Cave found the light again "Wild God"; Godspeed You! Black Emperor's post-rock opus, "NO TITLE AS OF 13 FEBRUARY 2024 28,340 DEAD" stood out for its politically charged themes and expansive compositions; and Blood Incantation gave us their third consecutive prog-metal/synthesizer fusion masterpiece.

In hip-hop, Kendrick Lamar's surprise album "GNX" dominated the charts, while the indie scene saw the awesome return of Beth Gibbons and Vampire Weekend. And Adrianne Lenker cemented that she is a singular songwriting talent on her album "Bright Future".

The modern country music scene was enriched by several standout albums that resonated with both critics and fans. Zach Bryan's "The Great American Bar Scene" emerged as a 2024 standout further cementing Bryan's status as a modern country powerhouse. MJ Lenderman's "Manning Fireworks", was an alt-country highlight for music connoisseurs worldwide; Sturgill Simpson, under the alter ego Johnny Blue Skies, entered a new phase in his career, blending country, pop, and rock influences on "Passage du Desir"; and Sierra Ferrell got a major breakthrough with "Trail of flowers" after having been an underground neo-traditionalist country favorite for years.

You'll find these and many other Best of 2024 albums below!