In the age of so-called albums that are so short they should be labeled as EPs, singles with a three-minute-or-less run time, and even shorter clips of songs going viral as TikTok “sounds,” I am still a fervent believer in the album as an art form.
I relish any opportunity to slow down and give my precious time and attention to a whole album start to finish. I care about the effort and intention put into track listings. I thrill in returning to a particularly resonant record to let the music and themes sink into my consciousness for weeks, months, years on end (especially if it’s a concept album — oh, how I will obsess). And I anticipate every New Music Friday as an amazing chance to dive into the newest releases from my favorite artists or discover artists and albums I will come to love! Looking back, I’m so glad 2024 was an exciting mix of both for me, and in my opinion a banner year for creativity in music overall…as is any year Queen Bey puts out a new album, if we’re being honest.
In release date order, here are 24 of my favorite albums of 2024, plus my three favorite songs from each in track list order, because sometimes it’s just too hard to pick a Number One! Here’s to much more music and magic in the new year!
| The Last Dinner Party – Prelude to Ecstasy Burn Alive Caesar on a TV Screen Nothing Matters | Zach Bryan – The Great American Bar Scene 28 American Nights Better Days (feat. John Mayer) |
| Mk.gee – Two Star & the Dream Police How many miles Candy Breakthespell | Clairo – Charm Sexy to Someone Slow Dance Terrapin |
| Ariana Grande – eternal sunshine bye supernatural we can’t be friends (wait for your love) | Remi Wolf – Big Ideas Soup Toro Kangaroo |
| Kacey Musgraves – Deeper Well The Architect Heart of the Woods Flower Child (from Deeper into the Well) | Ashton Irwin – Blood on the Drums Straight To Your Heart I See The Angels Rebel At Heart |
| Sierra Ferrell – Trail of Flowers American Dreaming I Could Drive You Crazy Lighthouse | Role Model – Kansas Anymore Writing’s On The Wall Oh, Gemini So Far Gone (feat. Lizzy McAlpine) |
| Beyonce – Cowboy Carter AMERIICAN REQUIEM II MOST WANTED (feat. Miley Cyrus) YA YA | Foster the People – Paradise State of Mind Take Me Back Let Go The Holy Shangri-la |
| Khruangbin – A La Sala May Ninth Pon Pon Juegos y Nubes | Ray LaMontagne – Long Way Home Step Into Your Power Yearning And They Called Her California |
| Taylor Swift – The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology But Daddy I Love Him Florida!!! (feat. Florence + the Machine) The Prophecy | Magdalena Bay – Imaginal Disk Image Death & Romance Love Is Everywhere |
| Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft CHIHIRO BIRDS OF A FEATHER WILDFLOWER | Suki Waterhouse – Memoir of a Sparklemuffin My Fun OMG To Love |
| Zayn – Room Under the Stairs Alienated Stardust Something In The Water | Leon Bridges – Leon Laredo Peaceful Place Ghetto Honeybee |
| Charli xcx – Brat 360 Talk talk Girl, so confusing (feat. Lorde) | Thee Sacred Souls – Got a Story to Tell Lucid Girl Live For You Somebody Knew |
| Hermanos Gutierrez – Sonido Cosmico Low Sun El Fantasma It’s All In Your Mind | Halsey – The Great Impersonator Ego Panic Attack Lonely is the Muse |
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