10 best albums of 2024

2024 has been the year of music. Bringing back genres we’ve overlooked and artists coming back better than ever giving us some of the best albums of the year. At the same time we’ve seen a wave in the music industry of welcoming so much fresh talent in just the last 12 months more than we’ve seen in the last couple years. These albums have captivated audiences and topped charts throughout the year. We’ve had it all from heartfelt, lyrically vulnerable, and beautifully composed albums to albums that have culturally shifted the industry as we know it. We’ve also gotten collaborations we would’ve never even imagined that have reset standards for features. This year has truly marked an awakening in music for artists and fans alike so let’s take a deep dive into the 10 best albums of 2024. 

 “Orquidias” Kali Uchis

Orquidias was a special album in more ways then one. Kali Uchis is a proud Columbian American artist who celebrates her culture. This album was a predominately Spanish album with a hit song “Igual que un Angel” with latin sensation Peso Pluma. This collaboration took the media by storm as he is traditionally usually singing to regional Mexican music so this was a new sound for his fans. This song was number 1 on the Hot latin song charts and was number 10 on the Billboard global charts. On the 14 track album she also collaborated with many well loved latin stars like Karol G, El Alfa, JT, and Rauw Alejandro. The album ranged from latin pop to traditional mariachi, salsa and so much more.

“Eternal Sunshine” Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande took the world by storm releasing Eternal Sunshine marking her seventh studio album after a three year break. She had seemingly taken some time off to film the long awaited Wicked film and shocked fans announcing a album featuring 13 tracks within the same year as the anxiously awaited movie. This was one of Grandes most lyrically vulnerable albums with songs that were incredibly heart wrenching and some that were a completely different sound for the pop star. Eternal Sunshine charted number 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, with the lead single “Yes And?” charting number 1 on the Billboard hot 100. This album marks one of Grandes most lyrically vulnerable albums and with unexpected but pleasantly surprising collaborations  including Mariah Carey, Troye Sivan and Brandy & Monica.

 GNX- Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar released his sixth studio rap album GNX. After the success of “Not Like Us” peaking at #1. This album came stacked with features like many of the albums this year. Some of the features included SZA, Young Threat, Roddy Rich and many more. The 12 track album is a testament to the sincerity of Lamars LA roots and overall rap career. He even incorporated the sounds of a local LA mariachi singer into multiple songs on the album one of which was “Reincarnated” the 2PAC tribute on the project. This blend of sound is one thats new in the Rap genre and one that fans seemed to really enjoy.

 Hit Me Hard and Soft Billie Eilish

Billie Eilish had a pretty eventful 2023 with her hit song “What Was I Made for” from the Barbie Soundtrack winning her an academy award and grammy. So she shocked fans announcing her third studio album “Hit me Hard and Soft”. This album featuring 10 tracks charted at number 2 on the Billbaord 200 with all 10 songs on the album charting in the top 40 on the Billboard hot 100 and “Birds of a Feather” charting at number 1 on the Billboard global 200 chart. This album included new sounds for the artist with songs like “Lunch’ and “L’MOUR DE MA VIE” that fans and listeners all over seemed to have loved. There was a heavy pop electro influence to some songs and jumped over to jazz alternative in some while still catering to that bedroom pop sound her fans love.

 brat Charli XCX

Charli XCX released her sixth studio album just in time for summer. Her newest album brat charted number 3 on Billboard and took the internet by storm coining the term brat summer and the iconic viral apple dance that she’d later incorporate on her headline tour with Troye Sivan. This album was arguably the album of the summer with the the catchy electro/pop/synth songs. But she didn’t stop there shed later rerelease the album with each song having a feature like Ariana Grande, Lorde, Billie Eilish, Kesha, and The 1975 to name a few. This album made waves not only in the music world but everywhere with her album name coining the new slang “brat summer”.

 Short n Sweet Sabrina Carpenter 

Sabrina Carpenter dropped her much anticipated 6th studio album proceeding the success of her two summer hits “Espresso” and “Please Please Please”. Carpenter reached her first single in the top 10 on the billboard hot 100 with “Espresso” sitting at #3 which was quickly taken over with a #1 slot by “Please Please Please”. The album also had major commercial success peaking at number one on the billboard 200 album charts for a whole three weeks. “Taste” was her third song from the album to chart sitting at #2. This album had everything from pop, country and even some more indie alternative sounds truly catering to her massive audience. The 12 track album was impressive on its own showing Carpenters vocal range especially in her deeper register but also how dedicated she is to her music her last album had only come out the year before in 2023 so the album being constructed within a year is impressive within itself gaining herself the title of pop princess this year.

Submarine – The Marias 

The Marias released their second studio album Submarine proceeding the success of their 2021 album Cinema. The album peaked at #17 on the billboard 200 charts. This year was the year of indie and pop so its no surprise the indie pop band has nearly doubled their fan base since the release of their first studio album. However what makes this album and The Marias so special is the fusion and mix of english and Spanish songs. It is something that has lent a hand to reaching both english and Spanish speakers through their raw lyrics and vocals. The 14 track album is beautifully curated and sonically authentic to what The Marias are. While the sound is similar to their previous album the production and cleaner instrumentals just go to show their growth as artist as well. Submarine was matured version of Cinema and its one of the best indie albums of the year.

Chromakopia -Tyler the Creator 

One of the albums with the most commercial success this year despite being released in October was Tyler the Creators 8th studio album. The album peaked at number 1 in 8 different countries with all 14 tracks charting in the top 40 on the billboard hot 100. Like many artists this year, Tyler gifted fans with long awaited features and even featured smaller artists. The album featured Daniel Cesear, Doechii, Sexxy Red and Lola Young to name a few. The intricate production and mastering is nothing new however there was definitely new sounds for the artist in this project that made it stand out amongst the Rap/Hip Hop space.

Cosa Nuestra– Rauw Alejandro 

Rauw Alejandro released his 6th album this year Cosa Nuestra he has consecutively released an album every year since 2019 and you would assume that could mean rushed and poorly developed projects but not in his case. Alejandro keeps getting bigger and better he was #6 of the Billboard 200 album charts with his album and number one on the latin album charts. This album was truly a treat for any and all latin music fans because of the amount of amazing collaborations on the project. It seems everyone in the latin space joined in on this project with 8 of the 19 track album having features. Some of these features included Bad Bunny, Feid, Romeo Santos and Pharrell Williams to name a few. The album also incorporated more traditional latin beats, latin r&b and his beloved reggaeton beats.

This Wasn’t Made For You- Lola Young 

Lola Young is one of 2024 breakout alternative indie rock stars. Her newest album This Wasn’t meant For You comes after only a year of her second album with her first charting single. However she was able to proceed it with her newest charting single “Messy” a lyrically venerable masterpiece that caught the attention of many resulting in a TikTok trend relating to the raw lyrics. “Messy” also charted at #20 on the US rock charts. She also garnered attention after being featured on Tyler the Creators most recent album were we see Young’s incredible vocal range. She is known for her really honest writing and confessional vocal tone but this album truly solidified her as a up and coming star.