Top 50 Albums of 2024

From Denzel Curry to Sam Barber and everything in between.

1. Prelude to Ecstasy (The Last Dinner Party)

The best album of the year goes to The Last Dinner Party who combine pop, rock, uber-confidence, and sexuality into twelve ear worms that have not left my rotation since February.

2. Imaginal Disk (Magdalena Bay)

3. King of the Mischievous South (Denzel Curry)

4. In Lieu of Flowers (Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties)

5. Tigers Blood (Waxahatchee)

6. Iechyd Da (Bill Ryder-Jones)

An intimate, acoustic release from the former "Coral" guitarist with no lows throughout the entire LP. Simultaneously low-key and bold, Ryder-Jones combines weaving instrumentals with poignant imagery in "Iechyd Da," an artistic, indie rock milestone.

7. CHROMAKOPIA (Tyler, the Creator)

8. The Future is Our Way Out (Brigitte Calls Me Baby)

9. No Name (Jack White)

10. What Now (Brittany Howard)

11. Bright Future (Adrianne Lenker)

12. Hit Me Hard and Soft (Billie Eilish)

13. Songs of a Lost World (The Cure)

The Cure are back with their first album in well over a decade and I was taken aback with how many steps they hadn't missed. The album is eerie, thorough, and vintage Robert Smith.

14. A Dream is All We Know (The Lemon Twigs)

15. Don’t Forget Me (Maggie Rogers)

16. GNX (Kendrick Lamar)

This year was full of surprises (and rap drama), and arguably none were bigger than Kendrick releasing GNX, his latest LP that sees him continue to evolve and solidify himself as the greatest rapper there is. Highlights include luther, his latest SZA collaboration, and tv off, his latest MUSTARD!!! collaboration.

17. The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow (Charles Lloyd)

18. Doing It For Me (Larry June)

19. Deeper Well (Kacey Musgraves)

20. Romance (Fontaines D.C.)

21. In a Landscape (Max Richter)

22. As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again (The Decemberists)

23. Lily of the Valley (22* Halo)

24. Dark Times (Vince Staples)

25. Only God Was Above Us (Vampire Weekend)

26. Bando Stone and The New World (Childish Gambino)

27. Wall of Eyes (The Smile)

28. Cyan Blue (Charlotte Day Wilson)

29. BLUE LIPS (Schoolboy Q)

30. Low End Love Songs (Pale Jay)

31. Restless Mind (Sam Barber)

I didn't expect Restless Mind to stick with me the way it has. Usually I would condemn a twenty-eight song release as ridiculous and saturated but Sam's youthful vocal prowess and songwriting has seen me come back to the record time and time again. Highlights include "Evil Place," "Indigo," and the incredible "Thought of You."

32. Wine on Venus (Grace Bowers & The Hodge Podge)

33. Vera (The Hanseroth Twins)

34. HEIS (REMA)

35. My Method Actor (Nilufer Yanya)

36. Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs (Alkaline Trio)

37. Dark Matter (Pearl Jam)

A great comeback record for the rockers after their last release was underwhelming. Dark Matter is chockfull of Eddie Vedder's best vocals since Yield, and features classic stadium rock, elaborate drum work, and heavy guitar. The album flows and feels like an early Pearl Jam release...in 2024.

38. The Gloss (Cola)

39. Your Own Becoming (MILLY)

40. Purgatory (The Mystery Lights)

41. Shooting Star (Benjamin Tod)

42. Songs From A Thousand Frames of Mind (Kate Bollinger)

43. INSANO (NITRO MEGA) (Kid Cudi)

44. Undefeated (Frank Turner)

45. Paint a Room (Chris Cohen)

46. Rack (The Jesus Lizard)

47. Memoir of a Sparklemuffin (Suki Waterhouse)

48. Hybride (Joe Rocca)

49. Different Type Time (Cavalier)

Abstract, experimental hip-hop with jazz, and classic drum beats.

50. Fate and Alcohol (Japandroids)