Top 15 Albums of 2024

2024 was a fantastic year for music in all sorts, providing some great albums in the process. Pretty much every genre thrived this year from the surge of hip-hop into the forefront of the mainstream, to the revival of indie rock to even just quality music from the likes of pop and folk. It was difficult to cut this list down to only 15 but here we go. 

15.     Penalty of Leadership - Boldly James & Nicholas Craven

Boldy James had another career year in 2024 and this album was the absolute best of the bunch.

His penmanship is as solid as ever, there’s not much else you can really say other than he has consistently been one of the most skilled rappers of the past few years. This album captures some of his most exciting flows however, like in ‘Jack Frost’.

I had never heard of Nicholas Craven until this project but based on this album alone he is one of my favourite producers that I have heard Boldy work with. His distinct use of vocal sampling is so recognisable and addicting to listen to and overall his production just always sounds so crisp.

Favourite Songs: Jack Frost, All My Tokens, Murderous Tendencies, Soccer Mom

14.     Why Lawd? - NxWorries

Some of the smoothest and lushest music released this year.

This album is a follow-up to the duo’s 2016 effort ‘Yes Lawd’ and it might have even eclipsed the quality of that record. The production is so sweet and soulful, spearheaded by some wonderful baselines and awesome skittering drum patterns.

Paak is such a fantastic lead vocalist too. He has such a notable presence on a song, whether he is singing softer like on ‘Daydreaming’ or he decides he wants to hit all types of notes like on ‘KeepHer’ you will always feel his addition to the song.

Favourite Songs: OutTheWay, KeepHer, WalkOnBy, Distractions

13.     King Of The Mischievous South - Denzel Curry

This album is the most fun I have had listening to music all year. 19 songs, 51 minutes of straight head bopping, southern hip-hop.

At first it was intimidating seeing so many features across the record but they all add to the energy and overall vibe of the album, bringing their own personality to each track.

Denzel himself spits some of his most entertaining flows ever, all with his usual charisma and swagger that we are used to hearing from him.

Favourite Songs: Cole Pimp, Hot One, Got Me Geeked, Still In The Paint

12.     Blue Lips - ScHoolboy Q

From an elite southern-influenced album all the way over to the west coast, ScHoolboy Q returns from a near five year hiatus with this awesome album. 

Q has one of the most unique voices in all of hip-hop, allowing for some great variety in his music which is especially showcased in this album. He gets super introspective at times whilst still majorly sticking to his usual formula of half energetic songs with exciting flows and half grimy and intimidating gangsta rap.

Whilst not as big of a statement piece as ‘Blank Face LP’, it is still definitely a huge improvement on ‘CrasH Talk’ and a fantastic return to form for Q.

Favourite Songs: THank god 4 me, Blueslides, oHio, First

11.     Charm - Clairo

The classiest pop record of the year, this album’s whole soundscape is just so vintage and pretty. 

Clairo has such a soft voice and it’s mixed perfectly to fit with her production, almost sounding like it’s a whole nother instrument. 

Talking about the production, Clairo and Leon Michels did something special with this one. The piano melodies are so comforting and beautiful, the drums are super jazzy - adding to the vintage feel of the record.

The overall soundscape is akin to a Sade album with all the jazz undertones, just slightly more grandiose at times such as in ‘Add Up My Love’.

Favourite Songs: Add Up My Love, Thank You, Slow Dance, Echo

10.     GNX - Kendrick Lamar

I went through a few phases with this album. At first I adored it purely from the shock of its release, then as time progressed I found myself not returning to many songs, but now as it stands I love this album again.

The only track that I’m still not fond of is the title track, but other than that this album is near flawless. It may be Kendrick’s most well paced album aside from ‘Damn.’, clocking in at 12 songs and 44 minutes, with almost every track being such high quality.

This might be Kendrick’s most varied album yet too. Having lots of west-coast bangers, some chiller and smoother tracks mixed in with Kendrick’s typical introspective and storytelling cuts.

Favourite Songs: reincarnated, luther, peekaboo, heart part 6

9.     #RICHAXXHAITIAN - Mach-Hommy

Some of Mach’s absolute best rapping performances ever, adding to an already stacked resume. 

This record has some of his silkiest flows over really grainy and hazy production, making for one of the more unique and abstract hip-hop albums of the year.

He enlists the services of some great features for this album such as Black Thought, KAYTRANADA and Roc Marciano, having unbelievable chemistry with all of them.

Favourite Songs: Sonje, Copy Cold, #RichAxxHaitian, Antonomasia

8.     Brat - Charli xcx

One of the most critically acclaimed albums of the year and for good reason. This album is pure, unadulterated fun in the form of a pop album.

It’s so concise, only one song that I’m not fond of (Club Classics) but the rest I absolutely adore. Charli’s style has always been quite unique but so captivating so it's amazing to see her burst into the mainstream again.

There isn’t much to say about this album that already hasn’t been said, it’s just a must listen for any music fan.

Favourite Songs: 360, Sympathy is a knife, Talk talk, Rewind

7.     The Thief Next To Jesus - Ka

It was a bittersweet experience listening to this album after the announcement of Ka’s passing, especially since it was my first listen to the album altogether. However, regardless of his death this album is special.

The production isn’t as nocturnal sounding as some of his previous work, but the samples are equally as eerie and still work in tandem with Ka’s calculated delivery.

Ka’s writing is clever and thought-provoking as always, weaving religious imagery and metaphors in and out of making comments on his lifestyle and on religion as a whole. He really wrestles with the morality of Christianity, questioning hypocrisy in the religion and relating it to how it oppresses its followers, primarily Black Americans.

Favourite Songs: Broken Rose Window, Borrowed Time, Hymn and I, Such Devotion

6.     Dark Times - Vince Staples

Vince has consistently been one of the best rappers since he came onto the scene, and this might just be his magnum opus.

The production is expressive when it needs to be but mostly quite bleak and evocative. Vince matches this sound in his voice, which is usually very lively and quite uplifting but on this record he opts for a more deadpan delivery, as-if he is just fed-up and depressed.

The lyrical content of this album reflects every element of the project too. Vince talks a lot about the trauma he faces in his day-to-day life and whilst also juggling his faith. 

Favourite Songs: Black&Blue, Etouffee, Government Cheese, Little Homies

5.     Chromakopia - Tyler, The Creator

A very surprising release, breaking the tradition of Tyler releasing every other year, but a very welcomed surprise.

This album is often deeply introspective, at times loud and eccentric and occasionally smooth and soulful, making for one of the most dynamic listening experiences of the year.

It’s got a sound for everybody, even if you don’t like most of the material you are bound to vibe with at least a song. That’s especially due to Tyler’s unique use of synths in his production. It’s always so recognisable and addictive listening to his beats. 

Favourite Songs: Like Him, St Chroma, Balloon, Take Your Mask Off

4.     Hit Me Hard And Soft - Billie Eilish

This was the most surprising record of the year to me. I wasn’t the biggest fan of Billie’s debut (and admittedly haven’t listened to her sophomore album) so having this album click so much for me was very shocking.

This is one of the most polished pop records of the decade. Billie’s singing is beautiful, complemented by her timid and vulnerable writing style. She has clearly matured so much both lyrically and stylistically since her debut.

This is undoubtedly another one of my most played albums of the year and for good reason.

Favourite Songs: The Greatest, Chihiro, Birds Of A Feather, L’Amour De Ma Vie

3.     I Lay Down My Life For You - JPEGMAFIA

From one of the most soothing albums of the year to possibly the most brash and unhinged.

Peggy’s creativity is on another level from his peers. His use of samples and synths in his music are so unorthodox but always make for some fantastic albums. 

His rapping is top tier on this album too, especially his flow. Peggy has by far one of the most underrated flows in the game, that man can ride any beat as smoothly as any of the all time greats. 

His style may take some time to click with most people, but once it does then there is a truly one-of-a-kind artist in JPEGMAFIA. 

Favourite Songs: either on or off the drugs, I’ll Be Right There, Jihad Joe, i recovered from this

2.     Scrapyard - Quadeca

Who would’ve thought that someone that blew-up by dissing KSI would be making one of the best albums of the entire year?

The fact Quad could curate such a cohesive project purely out of songs that didn’t fit either of his recent albums is unbelievable. Especially when you factor in that this might be his best work to date, and they were originally scraps.

This album expertly blends aspects of art-pop, hip-hop, r&b and folktronica to create an album that transcends musical barriers, creating a world of its own. 

Favourite Songs: Guide Dog, U Don’t Know Me Like That, Easier, Way Too Many Friends

1.     Imaginal Disk - Magdalena Bay

This is the only album all year that I would give the full five stars. That is how good this record is.

A completely immersive experience, taking you into the creative minds of Mica and Matt and just letting you explore and experience all of their artistic ideas.

Another genre-bender, seamlessly blending elements of synthpop, neo-psychedelia and even bordering prog-rock. The instrumental layering walks the fine line of overproduction, making sure to never sound like it’s doing too much. 

Every last detail of this album is crafted with absolute precision and there is nothing that I even remotely dislike about it. That is why it is my album of the year. It is genuine perfection

Favourite Songs: Cry For Me, Tunnel Vision, The Ballad of Matt & Mica, Death & Romance