The Year in Music: A Retrospective on 2024’s Best Albums

The list of 2024’s fan-favourite albums has been compiled for all the music enthusiasts and listeners. Take a look! 

1) Charli XCX – Brat

Charli XCX’s Brat tops the list with its collection of twelve songs. The album has been produced by A. G. Cook, SOPHIE (posthumous), and Dylan Brady.

Charli XCX, originally named Charlotte Emma Aitchison, is a 32-year-old British singer born in Emma Aitchison in Essex, UK.

Applauding the songstress for her brilliant work, NME stated, “Charli XCX continues to push the boundaries of pop with ‘Brat,’ an album that is both exhilarating and experimental.”

The songs include, “Beg for You,” “Baby,” and “Every Rule.”

2) Beyoncé – Cowboy Carter

Cowboy Carter is one of the last two major hit albums of Beyoncé she has released lately. The other one is Renaissance, and interestingly both of these albums do not have any videos.

The work comprises of 14 songs some of which can be named as “Break My Soul,” “Cuff It,” and “Plastic On The Sofa.”

As per Rolling Stone, in this album “Beyoncé delivers another masterpiece with ‘Cowboy Carter,’ an album that is both sonically adventurous and deeply personal.”

3) Fontaines D.C. – Romance

Curated by Fontaines D.C., Romance is the fourth album released by the Dublin’s musician.

Explaining the vast variety of themes, Allmusic wrote of the album, “When all is said and done, they remain fantastic songwriters, able to convey a variety of emotions without relying on the trappings of punk. The corners may have been sanded off, but it has only revealed new and interesting textures underneath.”

Songs include, “Roman Holiday,” “Jackie Down The Line,” and “Nabokov.”

4) Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard And Soft

Billie Eilish released her third, studio album, titled, Hit Me Hard and Soft, on May 17, 2024.

The 10 tracks from the album include, “Skinny, Lunch, Chihiro, Birds of a Feather, Wildflower, The Greatest, Lamour De Ma Vie, The Diner, Bittersuite and Blue.”

Weighing in on the sentimental value that Billie’s work holds, Variety addressed, “Billie Eilish’s ‘Hit Me Hard And Soft’ is a raw and vulnerable exploration of love, loss, and identity.”

5) MJ Lenderman – Manning Fireworks

MJ Lenderman’s breakthrough album Manning Fireworks has been branded as “tender, melancholy and wryly funny.”

Hailing the crooner, Paste Magazine billed, “Lenderman’s ‘Manning Fireworks’ is a captivating blend of indie rock and folk, showcasing his unique voice and songwriting talent.”

6) The Cure – Songs Of A Lost World

The Cure unveiled their latest work, comprising of tracks, after sixteen years in the making.

Speaking of the band’s phenomenal comeback, Time magazine mentioned, “It’s no exaggeration that this is an album haunted by death, so it’s almost ironic that, musically speaking, there hasn’t been this much life in The Cure for decades.”

Tracks such as “Alone,” “End,” “Lullaby” have been the highlight of this album.

7) Cindy Lee – Diamond Jubilee

Claimed to be “one of the year’s most mysterious records,” the seventh album by Cyndi Lee provides listener with a full-fledged list of 12 “sun-baked to perfection” songs.

In addition to this, Resident Advisor penned about the musical collection, “Cindy Lee’s ‘Diamond Jubilee’ is a bold and innovative album that pushes the boundaries of electronic music.”

8) Waxahatchee – Tigers Blood

The album’s singer-songwriter Katie Crutchfield takes listeners on her journey to sobriety while tackling everything from anxiety and self-doubt.

As per NPR Music, “Waxahatchee delivers a raw and intimate album with ‘Tigers Blood,’ showcasing her vulnerability and lyrical prowess.”

9) Kendrick Lamar – GNX

Produced by Kendrick Lamar and Boi-1da along with Sounwave, GNX happens to be Kendrick Lamar’s surprise sixth album, which comprises of fourteen musical tracks.

According to Pitchfork, “Kendrick Lamar’s ‘GNX’ is a thought-provoking and socially conscious masterpiece that solidifies his status as one of the greatest rappers of all time.”

10) Sabrina Carpenter – Short N’ Sweet

Sabrina Carpenter embraces her “cheeky side” in the album, Short N’ Sweet.

Speaking of her work, the songstress detailed Sabrina Carpenter detailed that her work “was one of the most special, honest, up-and-down, stupid, and fun experiences of her life.”

The twelve tracks from this album allowed listeners to indulge in a revelation of “range, humour, and sophistication,” all at once.

Popular tracks include, “Juno,” “Espresso” and “Please, Please, Please” along with “Nonsense,” “Vicious,” “Skinny Dipping.”

“Sabrina Carpenter delivers a pop gem with ‘Short N’ Sweet,’ showcasing her maturity and vocal range,” Billboard applauded Sabrina’s work.