The Top 50 Albums Of 2024
Presenting the moment you've all been anticipating: our carefully curated list of the Top 50 Albums of 2024.
What a year it’s been for music - one that took us from the chaotic energy of Brat Summer to the anything-goes vibes of Whatever-The-Hell-You-Want Fall. 2024 truly belonged to the pop girlies, with pop artists stepping up to deliver some of the most daring, innovative, and unforgettable music we’ve heard in years.
Curating our Top 50 list is always a highlight of our work at Still Listening Magazine. It’s no small feat, sorting through an overwhelming tide of releases to pinpoint the very best is both exhilarating and challenging. But it’s a labour of love, fueled by the thrill of spotlighting groundbreaking talent and celebrating artists who are reshaping the musical landscape.
This year, we awarded yet another perfect 100/100 score - our third in as many years. And if you’ve been keeping tabs on us (or spent even five minutes chatting with Eliot), our top pick will come as no surprise. However, this list was collaboratively curated by our entire team, so it may not perfectly align with the individual scores we've assigned throughout the year.
From the stellar #50 to the untouchable #1, each album on this list has left an indelible mark on 2024. So, without further ado, let’s dive into Still Listening Magazine’s Top 50 Albums of 2024.
50) The Last Dinner Party - Prelude to Ecstasy
The Last Dinner Party’s debut album is a fearless dive into decadence, blending gothic drama, electro-pop, Bowie-esque glam-rock, and orchestral grandeur. Produced by James Ford (Arctic Monkeys), the record masterfully balances its theatrical ambition with sharp, polished production. From the brooding brilliance of “Feminine Urge” to the euphoric “Nothing Matters” and the haunting beauty of “On Your Side”, the band redefines what a modern guitar band can be. Bold, unpredictable, and utterly intoxicating, this is an album worth getting lost in.
49) Haley Heynderickx - Seed of a Seed
On Seed of a Seed, Hayley Heynderickx seeks solace from the chaos of modern life, balancing introspection with a yearning for simplicity. Six years after her acclaimed debut, I Need to Start a Garden, Heynderickx’s lilting voice and intricate finger-picked guitar reflect on overconsumption, digital distraction, and the pull of the natural world. Tracks like Foxglove and Redwoods (Anxious God) explore the healing power of nature, while moments of intimacy, sharing tea, a road trip sandwich, offer gentle antidotes to universal anxieties. Rich with subtle instrumentation and thoughtful storytelling, the album finds beauty and meaning in life’s small, deliberate acts.
48) Cameron Winter - Heavy Metal
Cameron Winter, best known as the enigmatic frontman of Geese, steps boldly into uncharted territory with his debut solo album, Heavy Metal. The record showcases Winter’s knack for weaving eclectic influences into a kaleidoscopic exploration of existential dread and sly absurdity. Written in places as unorthodox as abandoned basements and taxi back seats, Heavy Metal blurs the line between the grounded and the surreal. Its centerpiece, the sprawling seven-minute opus “$0,” is a feverish, piano-driven saga that channels the brooding intimacy of Leonard Cohen while charting its own unhinged course. At once unsettling, magnetic, and darkly humorous, Heavy Metal affirms Winter’s reinvention as a boundary-pushing storyteller unafraid to embrace chaos and vulnerability.
47) Nice Biscuit - SOS
Nice Biscuit’s SOS is a hypnotic journey through psychedelic rock, blending krautrock, garage, folk, and modern psych influences with the band’s signature dreamy harmonies and enchanting rhythms. Frontwomen Billie Star and Grace Cuell deliver mesmerizing vocals, creating a serene yet defiant response to the chaos of modern life. Highlights include the title track, a looping, fuzzy masterpiece evoking a distant ship calling for rescue, and Rain, a poignant reflection on Australia’s climate crises. Tracks like Fade Away delve into shoegaze territory, while Breathe offers a trippy, trance-like finale.
46) Godspeed You! Black Emperor - “NO TITLE AS OF 13 FEBRUARY 2024 28,340 DEAD”
Godspeed You! Black Emperor's latest album, “NO TITLE AS OF 13 FEBRUARY 2024, 28,340 DEAD”, finds the band navigating the tension between unrelenting despair and fragile hope. While their signature apocalyptic soundscapes remain, this record feels more human and vulnerable, with moments like BABYS IN A THUNDERCLOUD introducing uncharacteristic warmth alongside their sweeping, orchestral intensity. Tracks such as PALE SPECTATOR TAKES PHOTOGRAPHS and GREY RUBBLE – GREEN SHOOTS highlight the contrast between violence and resilience, the latter ending with a gentle interplay of guitars and strings that feels both mournful and defiant. A more scrappy, intimate Godspeed emerges, crafting their most emotionally resonant work to date.
45) Mount Eerie - Night Palace
Mount Eerie’s Night Palace is an ambitious, sprawling return, blending the familiar and the experimental across 26 tracks and 80 minutes. Phil Elverum’s signature themes of nature, mortality, and impermanence are present, but the album also ventures into new territory, from grindcore chaos (“Swallowed Alive”) to glitchy spoken-word musings (“Myths Come True”). Highlights like “Co-Owner of Trees” and “Empty Paper Towel Roll” deliver introspective, dynamic moments, though not every experiment lands; tracks like “Demolition” and “Non-Metaphorical Decolonization” feel overly ambitious but underwhelming. Night Palace is a rich, if uneven, addition to the Mount Eerie catalog.
44) Rose Droll - With Strangers
Rose Droll’s With Strangers is a beautifully off-kilter exploration of isolation and connection, balancing catharsis and calm with masterful restraint. The LA artist’s sophomore album builds on the angular production of Your Dog, weaving unpredictable song structures with delicate synths and inquisitive songwriting. Tracks like List of Things to Do and This Sinking Ship juxtapose serenity with emotional intensity, rewarding patient listeners with moments of striking clarity. With its glacial pacing and perfectly imperfect production, With Strangers is a deeply intimate, challenging, and ultimately comforting record that lingers long after its final notes.
43) Urika’s bedroom - Big Smile, Black Mire
The self-produced and engineered album blends avant-garde sensibilities with an immersive, multi-layered approach to songwriting, delivering a raw and introspective narrative of longing and alienation.The album showcases an uncanny ability to create devastatingly evocative arrangements that linger long after the music fades. At the heart of Big Smile, Black Mire is the concept of emotional juxtaposition: the ability to feel complex, often contradictory emotions at once. This concept is explored through intricate guitar work and a delicate balance of melancholic yet vibrant soundscapes.
42) Warmduscher - Too Cold to Hold
Warmdüscher’s Too Cold to Hold is a kaleidoscopic plunge into their ever-evolving sound, bursting with daring experimentation and infectious chaos. Self-produced and brimming with confidence, the album showcases the band’s ability to juggle a dizzying array of genres—from gritty experimental punk to blues-infused prog, often tied together by their signature disco-bop rhythm. Highlights like Cleopatras (featuring CouCou Chloe) dive headfirst into psychedelia, while tracks like Immaculate Deception and Staying Alive push boundaries with dynamic energy and inventive collaborations. Though its constant genre-hopping might feel disorienting, this is a trip worth taking—a bold, unpredictable, and exhilarating ride through Warmdüscher’s unique sonic universe.
41) Ana Lua Caiano - Vou Ficar Neste Quadrado
Ana Lua Caiano's "Vou Ficar Neste Quadrado" is a captivating fusion of Portuguese folk music and modern electronic elements. With a synthesiser, a loop station, a microphone, a bass drum and various percussive instruments, Ana Lua Caiano intermingles “everyday sounds” with a fierce hint of brewing stardom. This release is all the more impressive for her ability to capture this showmanship as streamable content. Hop on this trend before she takes off.
40) AKAI SOLO - DREAMDROPDRAGON
DREAMDROPDRAGON is AKAI SOLO’s most cohesive and accessible project yet, solidifying its place as one of the year’s standout experimental hip-hop albums. Criminally underrated, the record delves deep into the realm of dreams, with existential beats that perfectly complement AKAI’s smooth, introspective delivery. Compared to his earlier, more resolute work, this album feels strikingly vulnerable, exploring themes of failed relationships, lingering questions about his father’s presence, and the blurred lines between reality and dreams. The result is a thematically rich, emotionally resonant experience that balances chill vibes with profound introspection.
39) Sam Evian - Plunge
Sam Evian’s Plunge is a triumph of 70s groove, country-rock, and synth-blues, showcasing his dynamic musicianship and collaborative spirit. From the timeless "Wild Days" to the sax-infused warmth of "Rollin' In," the album flows effortlessly through genres, with standout moments like the introspective "Why Does It Take So Long" and the swaggering "Freakz." Evian’s Beatles-inspired rock shines in “Runaway,” while the album closes with the poignant “Stay.” Produced with a fresh energy and featuring collaborations from Adrianne Lenker and El Kempner, Plunge is both slick and free-wheeling, a bold step forward in Evian's sound.
38) Shabaka - Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace
With Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace, Shabaka crafts a transcendent meditation on existence, seamlessly merging spiritual jazz, ambient textures, and hypnotic minimalism. Known for his work with Sons of Kemet and The Comet Is Coming, Shabaka shifts focus inward on this deeply personal solo album, exploring themes of impermanence, interconnectedness, and the search for meaning. Ethereal woodwind melodies float over shimmering soundscapes, drawing the listener into a contemplative journey that feels both intimate and cosmic. At once grounding and otherworldly, Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace reaffirms Shabaka’s place as one of the most visionary artists in contemporary jazz.
37) LustSickPuppy - CAROUSEL FROM HELL
Need a taste of avant-garde music in your life (whatever that means)? LustSickPuppy's album "CAROUSEL FROM HELL" is an intense fusion of industrial, punk, and experimental noise. The album explores dark, chaotic themes, reflecting on personal and societal turmoil. Its raw, aggressive sound features distorted beats, heavy basslines, and unfiltered vocals, creating a visceral listening experience. Tracks like "Blood Moon" and "Inferno" stand out for their relentless energy and abrasive production.
36) Eunuchs - Harbour Century
Eunuchs’ Harbour Century is an ambitious concept album that blends orchestration, powerful riffs, and complex narratives to capture the essence of Sydney. From the vivid opener “Magic Death Sea Nemesis” to the haunting “Estuary of Dreams,” the album combines satire, storytelling, and intricate arrangements. Tracks like “Siren” and “Magnificent Stallion” delve into themes of desire and confinement, while “Heroin King” stands out as a 17-minute epic exploring self-image. With its fluid sound and underwater motifs, Harbour Century showcases the band’s dynamic range and solidifies their place in the post-punk scene.
35) Daisy Rickman - Howl
Daisy Rickman’s Howl is a captivating tribute to nature and the Cornish spirit, blending folk, mysticism, and simplicity. The album flows with meditative tracks like “Falling Through the Rising Sun,” where Rickman’s ethereal vocals are paired with the sitar’s rich tones. Songs like “Signpost to the Stars” tackle grief with tenderness, while “Feed the Forest” invites listeners into Cornwall’s wild beauty. The album’s sparse, yet profound lyrics and intricate arrangements create a sense of connection to both the earth and the self, offering a mystical, soothing experience that lingers long after the music fades.
34) julie - my anti-aircraft friend
Julie’s debut album, my anti-aircraft friend, is a magnetic fusion of alt-rock and shoegaze, drenched in moody longing and understated intensity. Aloof and enigmatic, the Los Angeles trio eschews modern oversharing, instead channeling their energy into a sound that’s both raw and meticulously crafted. Highlights like very little effort and my clairbourne practice showcase their dual vocal chemistry, blending angelic sweetness with sardonic edge, while tracks like knob and thread, stitch explore dark, experimental territory with groaning guitars and haunting lyrics. Cohesive yet unpredictable, Julie’s debut lingers like a bittersweet memory, promising a future as compelling as their present mystique.
33) Allegra Krieger - Art of the Unseen Infinity Machine
In thirteen songs, Allegra Krieger challenges herself to face her past, present, and a future that she cannot thoroughly envisage. In doing so, she has braved the difficult and unanswerable, culminating in her best work to date on ‘Art of the Unseen Infinity Machine’. While Krieger has been a soul-stirring powerhouse on her own, collaborating with a band on ‘Art of the Unseen Infinity Machine’ completely brought the full spectrum of her experience to life. A masterful, unforgettable offering, it is an exciting new phase in Krieger’s artistic direction which has shown a succinct reinterpretation of what modern songwriting can be.
32) NewDad - MADRA
NewDad’s debut LP MADRA blends rock and shoegaze with emotional depth, balancing vulnerability and power. The album’s title, a Gaelic word for dog, reflects themes of feeling small yet yearning for release. Produced with care, the album benefits from atmospheric nuances, creating a bigger, more ambitious sound. Standout tracks like "Angel" and "Let Go" showcase the band’s emotional range, with "Nosebleed" offering haunting vulnerability and "Let Go" serving as a cathartic, rock-driven release. MADRA concludes with its title track, a powerful return to rock that highlights NewDad’s storytelling strength, making this an album worth revisiting for its intricate emotional journey.
31) Two Shell - Two Shell
With their self-titled debut, Two Shell deliver a compelling future-facing albums that blurs the lines between club euphoria and experimental intricacy. The enigmatic duo distill UK bass, hyperpop, glitch, and ambient influences into a sound both immediate and otherworldly, layering playful vocal chops, elastic rhythms, and shimmering textures with effortless precision. Two Shell is a sonic playground where high-energy beats collide with introspective atmospheres, creating tracks that are as cerebral as they are dancefloor-ready. Equal parts fun and forward-thinking, this record cements Two Shell as one of the most innovative forces in contemporary electronic music.
30) Haitus Kaiyote - Love Heart Cheat Code
Love Heart Cheat Code marks another dazzling chapter in Hiatus Kaiyote's boundary-defying discography. Each track is an intricate blend of beautifully constructed arrangements and deeply personal reflections. The album's lead single, "Love Heart Cheat Code" encapsulates the essence of the record: an exploration of love as a universal "cheat code" to life's challenges, wrapped in a playful yet profound melody. Tracks like "Everything’s Beautiful" show Hiatus Kaiyote’s lyrical depth, weaving themes of joy and acceptance into their complex rhythms and textures. On this album Hiatus Kaiyote expertly balance playful experimentation with poignant reflections on love, identity, and the universe.
29) Body Meat - Starchris
Chris Taylor's debut album Starchris under his musical moniker Body Meat is a whirlwind of chaotic energy, genre clashes, and pop allure. Drawing from the narrative complexity of role-playing video games, the 13-track journey mirrors a hero’s quest, taking the listener through a spectrum of emotions, from turmoil and confusion to self-realisation and peace. The album unfolds like an unpredictable adventure, balancing intricate storytelling with bold, experimental soundscapes.
28) Lip Critic - Hex Dealer
Lip Critic's debut LP Hex Dealer is a chaotic, electrifying blast of electropunk that fuses hardcore, breakbeat, industrial, and hip-hop into a frenetic, genre-defying sound. With abrasive vocals and dense, aural collages, the band captures the raw energy of their live shows, blending aggression with skewed humour. Tracks like "Spirit Bomber" and "Milky Max" are frenzied, while "Love Will Redeem You" explores a gritty, experimental mix of gabba and musique-concrete. Hex Dealer is a thrilling, confrontational album that balances chaos with creative precision, cementing Lip Critic as a force to be reckoned with.
27) Kneecap - Fine Art
KNEECAP’s sophomore album Fine Art marks a bold step forward, solidifying the Belfast rap group as serious artists. Blending hip-hop with rave and EDM influences, the album combines raw energy with thematic depth, touching on cross-community relations, generational trauma, and recreational drug use. Highlights include the aggressive “I bhFiacha Linne,” the introspective “Better Way to Live,” and the rave-driven “Parful.” The interludes add humor and cohesion, while “Harrow Road” stands out for its affectionate storytelling and smooth flows. With increased production value and lyrical maturity, Fine Art is a confident, infectious release that shows KNEECAP’s growth.
26) E L U C I D - REVELATOR
On REVELATOR, E L U C I D delivers a bold and uncompromising vision, showcasing dense lyricism and avant-garde production. Known for his work with Armand Hammer, E L U C I D ventures further into introspective and experimental territory, combining abstract beats, haunting samples, and fragmented rhythms with his commanding, poetic delivery. The album explores themes of self-discovery, family, resistance, and transcendence, offering a raw yet cerebral meditation on the complexities of existence and his experience as a new york native and world traveller.
25) PREGOBLIN - Pregoblin II
This album stands out for its bold ambition and creativity. The album is rich with musical references, from 70s-style Queen-esque guitar solos to pop-infused vocal melodies that linger in the ear. There’s a balance of sorrow and joy, underpinned by a subtext that pokes fun at the absurdity of contemporary life. Tracks like “Nobody Likes Me” and “Everybody’s Ill at the Moment” (both parts, no less) are brimming with joyous exuberance. Yet, the record doesn’t shy away from more somber moments, with lyrics that delve into themes of isolation and a resigned acceptance of personal failings and missteps. It’s a work that musically defies easy categorisation, creating its own unique world. PREGOBLIN’s Pregoblin II might occasionally feel like the musings of a madman and perhaps, in some ways, it is. But that doesn’t detract from its unapologetic brilliance.
24) English Teacher - This Could Be Texas
English Teacher's debut album This Could Be Texas is a captivating mix of complexity and tenderness, blending whimsical post-punk, dreamy indie, and experimental sounds. Led by the evocative vocals of Lily Fontaine, the band crafts a unique atmosphere, from the sedate opener "Albatross" to the energetic "Nearly Daffodils." Tracks like "The World's Biggest Paving Slab" and "Not Everyone Gets to Go to Space" showcase their adventurous spirit, while "Mastermind Specialism" offers a quiet respite. Full of quirky charm and eclectic influences, This Could Be Texas proves English Teacher are a band destined to dazzle.
23) Orla Gartland - Everybody Needs a Hero
Orla Gartland's Everybody Needs a Hero delivers a confident, energetic indie pop-rock blast, mixing personal storytelling with fist-pumping anthems. The album opens with a raw exploration of toxic relationships before shifting to more empowering tracks like "Little Chaos" and "Backseat Driver," where Gartland balances introspection with catchy rhythms. With standout moments like the heartfelt "The Hit" and the spirited "Kiss Ur Face Forever," the album showcases Gartland's talent for blending vulnerability and infectious hooks. A dynamic, confident release, Everybody Needs a Hero cements Orla as a refreshing voice in indie-pop.
22) Laura Marling - Patterns in Repeat
Laura Marling’s Patterns in Repeat is an intimate, tender portrait of motherhood and the familial threads that bind us across generations. Written and recorded at her London home studio, often with her infant daughter by her side, Marling captures the fragile beauty of the domestic sphere through poetic reflections on love, legacy, and the “banal constellation” of family life. With delicate production from Dom Monks and stirring strings by Rob Moose, this eighth studio album marks a profound new chapter in Marling’s career, interlacing her expected folk brilliance with a deeply personal reckoning of life’s extraordinary ordinariness.
21) Fat Dog - WOOF.
Fat Dog's WOOF. is a chaotic yet cathartic debut that captures the visceral energy of their legendary live shows while offering surprising depth and purpose. Blending electro-punk, orchestral strings, and absurdist flair, tracks like the sprawling "King of the Slugs" and the anthemic "Running" channel both riotous fun and poignant introspection. With explosive production and a knack for turning chaos into catharsis, WOOF. cements Fat Dog as one of the most exciting and original acts in the UK. It's absurdity with heart, and in their words: "You can kill the man. But you cannot kill the dog."
20) Lime Garden - One More Thing
Lime Garden’s debut album, One More Thing, is a dazzling showcase of their self-styled “wonk pop,” blending electronic indie, folk, post-punk, and bedroom pop into a sound that’s both playful and poignant. From the infectious humor of “Nepotism (Baby)” to the introspective depths of “Pine” and “Fears,” the Brighton-based quartet navigates themes of identity, self-doubt, and human connection with wit and heart. Produced by Ali Chant (PJ Harvey, Yard Act), the album’s lush, intricate soundscapes perfectly complement its emotional range. With standout tracks like the disco-charged “Pop Star” and the hauntingly beautiful closer “Looking,” One More Thing establishes Lime Garden as one of the year’s most exciting new voices.
19) Kendrick Lamar - GNX
Kendrick Lamar’s surprise album GNX reaffirms his status as one of hip-hop’s most compelling figures. Brimming with West Coast energy, the record feels like a victory lap, blending aggressive bangers like "Squabble Up" with introspective tracks such as "man at the garden." Balancing reflection on his recent Drake feud and heartfelt tributes to L.A., Kendrick explores themes of authenticity, legacy, and resilience. While its rawness contrasts with the meticulous polish of To Pimp a Butterfly or Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, GNX delivers immediacy and confidence, proving that Kendrick operates in a league of his own.
18) Fontaines D.C. - Romance
Fontaines D.C.’s fourth album, Romance, marks a bold reinvention, pushing the band’s creativity into uncharted territory. Leaving their Irish roots behind, they craft a futuristic world rich with cinematic soundscapes, subtle synths, and grand string arrangements, all while maintaining their raw, rock-driven core. Grian Chatten’s vocals show newfound versatility, and the band explores themes of reinvention, connection, and vulnerability. Standouts like “Starburster” and “In the Modern World” showcase their evolution into arena-ready visionaries, blending ambition with heartfelt authenticity. Romance is a daring, expansive triumph that cements Fontaines D.C. as one of the most dynamic bands of their generation.
17) Tapir! - The Pilgrim, Their God & The King Of My Decrepit Mountain
Tapir!’s debut album, The Pilgrim, Their God & The King Of My Decrepit Mountain, is a spellbinding journey through mythic landscapes, blending contemporary folk with theatrical storytelling. Structured in three acts, the album captures a vivid narrative through lush instrumentation, diverse moods, and collaborations with Kyle Field of Little Wings. Drawing inspiration from art and classical music, with nods to Henri Rousseau and Erik Satie, Tapir! crafts a richly textured and authentic sound. Playful, melancholic, and sentimental in turn, this ambitious debut is a triumph of creativity, heart, and meticulous artistry.
16) Jazmin Bean - Traumatic Livelihood
Jazmin Bean’s Traumatic Livelihood is a striking debut, blending infectious melodies with raw emotion to craft one of the best alternative pop albums of the year. Channeling the anthemic energy of early 2000s icons like Avril Lavigne while forging a unique path, Bean delivers tracks like the defiant title anthem, the hauntingly honest "Piggie," and the genre-transcending "Terrified." Themes of vulnerability, recovery, and empowerment run deep, enhanced by lush production and captivating performances. Fearlessly exploring personal demons, Bean solidifies their place as a compelling voice in contemporary pop, emerging triumphant with a debut brimming with authenticity and resilience.
15) Tyler, The Creator - CHROMAKOPIA
CHROMAKOPIA stands as Tyler's most intimate and introspective work to date. The album is a masterful blend of vivid storytelling, distinct production, and deeply personal reflection. It feels as though Tyler has synthesized the essence of his past three albums into one kaleidoscopic whole: the polished vulnerability of Flower Boy, the abrasive darkness of IGOR, and the sharp clarity and brash confidence of Call Me If You Get Lost. In CHROMAKOPIA, Tyler's emotional resonance reaches new depths, as he grapples with his age, the complexities of relationships, societal pressures, and the disillusioning effects of fame and its accompanying paranoia. It’s Tyler at his most devastating and transcendent, delivering his most profound work yet.
14) Kim Gordon - The Collective
On her second solo album, The Collective, Kim Gordon teams up with producer Justin Raisen to craft a thrilling, genre-defying exploration of isolation, consumer culture, and modern disconnection. Lead single “BYE BYE” sets the tone with abrasive percussion, distorted guitars, and Gordon’s signature deadpan delivery. Tracks like “Shelf Warmer” blur lines between love and commodification, pairing raw lyrics with unsettling, experimental soundscapes. Balancing cacophony with introspection, The Collective pushes boundaries while solidifying Gordon’s place as a fearless and ever-evolving artist.
13) Clairo - Charm
Clairo’s third album, Charm, refines her '70s-inspired sound, blending jazz, psychedelic folk, and soul with the warm touch of Leon Michels’ production. Tracks like “Sexy To Somebody” and “Thank You” showcase her growth, pairing intricate arrangements with a newfound optimism. While less immediate than earlier hits, Charm highlights Clairo’s vocal intimacy and artistic maturity, delivering her most cohesive and thoughtfully crafted work yet. A soulful evolution that rewards patient listening.
12) Mdou Moctar - Funeral For Justice
Mdou Moctar’s Funeral for Justice is a powerful fusion of political defiance, cultural homage, and musical mastery. The album blends desert blues with rock and North African influences, delivering intricate guitar work and soulful expression. While fiercely political, addressing postcolonial exploitation and celebrating the Tamasheq language, it remains deeply enjoyable, showcasing Moctar’s guitar as both an instrument of protest and beauty. Tracks like "Imouhar" highlight the album’s seamless mix of musicality and message. With its technical complexity and emotional depth, Funeral for Justice is a standout in 2024, offering a bold and timeless listen.
11) Naima Bock - Below a Massive Dark Land
Naima Bock’s Below A Massive Dark Land is a soul-stirring exploration of time, connection, and self-reflection. Building on the intimacy of her debut Giant Palm, this album expands into lush, collaborative arrangements, from the sweeping instrumentation of opener “Gentle” to the poignant minimalism of “My Sweet Body.” Themes of ageing and nostalgia permeate tracks like “Age,” while the collective spirit shines in moments like the clapping rhythms of “Takes One.” Concluding with the serene “Star,” this meticulously crafted album cements Bock as a singular voice in modern folk, delivering one of the year’s most transportive listening experiences.
10) Cumgirl8 - the 8th cumming
cumgirl8’s debut LP, 8th Cumming, cements their reputation as avant-garde provocateurs, blending gothic pop and post-punk revival with cyberfeminist flair. Recorded live on analog, the album pulsates with raw energy, fusing dystopian industrialism à la Nine Inch Nails with Ladytron’s shimmering synth-wave, all underscored by the gritty edge of ESG and Peaches. Tracks like “Karma Police” and “Greta’s Dream” showcase their knack for chaotic storytelling, balancing darkwave experimentalism with wry humour and innuendo. Themes of environmental decay, cybernetic entanglement, and societal collapse are delivered with playful defiance, while their immersive visual world-building amplifies the theatricality.
9) samlrc - A Lonely Sinner
samlrc’s A Lonely Sinner is a sprawling, emotionally charged debut that cements itself as one of the year’s most intriguing and underrated post-rock releases. With a sound reminiscent of Godspeed You! Black Emperor infused with a progressive edge, the album navigates a dynamic spectrum, shifting from atmospheric and dreamlike to explosive and abrasive, with distorted guitars erupting unpredictably. Rich imagery of sheep, themes of loneliness, and a profound connection to nature weave through the record, carried by stunning vocals and haunting compositions. A Lonely Sinner is a deeply resonant exploration of beauty, isolation, and raw power, leaving an unforgettable impression.
8) Joanna Wang - Hotel La Rut
Joanna Wang’s Hotel La Rut is a kaleidoscopic, highly imaginative genre-defying odyssey that brims with eccentricity and charm. Inspired by a Kids in the Hall sketch, the album unfolds like a surreal anthology, each track introducing quirky characters and bizarre situations within the titular seedy hotel. Musically, the album is incredibly ambitious in it’s diversity of styles: Baroque pop, ska, jazz, synth-driven prog rock, indie, and even sci-fi TV themes, all tied together with Wang’s sharp performances and eclectic flair. Surprisingly the album is an incredibly coherent listen, sparkling with creativity. It’s an ambitious, rough-edged, lo-fi experiment that showcases Wang’s knack for blending absurdity with depth, making Hotel La Rut a delightfully unpredictable and deeply rewarding listen.
7) Fievel Is Glauque - Rong Weicknes
US-Belgian duo Zach Phillips and Ma Clément deliver a dazzling, boundary-pushing debut on Fat Possum Records. Rong Weicknes expands on their lo-fi roots, blending art-jazz-pop with restless, genre-hopping experimentation. Tracks like “As Above So Below” and “Love Weapon” teem with inventive arrangements, surreal lyrics, and maximalist energy, evoking everything from Renaissance tavern music to retro-futurist soundscapes. The duo’s meticulous process - recording multiple live takes and distilling them into a kaleidoscope of sonic ideas - yields a richly layered album that feels spontaneous yet intricate. Eclectic and unrelenting, Fievel is Glauque’s chaotic brilliance cements their place as avant-pop innovators.
6) Geordie Greep - The New Sound
Black Midi frontman Geordie Greep’s solo debut, The New Sound, is an ambitious, eccentric exploration of hyper-masculinity’s fractured facades. Filled with witty vignettes and maximalist, genre-blending instrumentation, tracks like “Holy Holy” and “Through a War” showcase Greep’s knack for theatrical storytelling and earworm-worthy prog flourishes. With its unique, whimsical soundscapes and sharp lyricism, The New Sound walks the line between brilliance and chaos—a likely future cult classic for the adventurous listener.
5) Nala Sinephro - Endlessness
Nala Sinephro’s Endlessness is a meditative exploration of ambient jazz, a masterful follow-up to her acclaimed Space 1.8. The album's ten continuums are built around gentle arpeggios, creating fluid soundscapes where serene ambience meets responsive improvisation. Featuring a stellar ensemble including Nubya Garcia and Black Midi’s Morgan Simpson, Sinephro guides each musician to contribute with restraint and harmony, crafting a cohesive, deeply affecting experience. Balancing tranquility with nuanced intensity, Endlessness transcends its genre to offer a healing, spiritual respite, solidifying Sinephro’s place as one of the most exciting voices in modern jazz.
4) JPEGMAFIA - I Lay Down My Life For You
JPEGMAFIA’s I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR YOU is a bold, boundary-pushing blend of punk rock energy and experimental hip-hop finesse. Seamlessly weaving eclectic samples, explosive production, and razor-sharp lyricism, Peggy delivers a project as introspective as it is defiant. Standouts like “SIN MIEDO” and “JPEGULTRA!” showcase his versatility, while features from Vince Staples and Denzel Curry amplify the album’s impact. Despite its chaotic brilliance, Peggy’s emotional vulnerability shines through on tracks like “either on or off the drugs” and the poignant closer “i recovered from this.” A testament to his artistic evolution, it’s one of the year’s most compelling hip-hop releases.
3) Cindy Lee - Diamond Jubilee
Cindy Lee’s Diamond Jubilee feels like a buried time capsule unearthed, radiating nostalgic beauty and experimental brilliance. Across two hypnotic hours, Patrick Flegel blends haunting guitars, cinematic strings, and lo-fi synths to craft a kaleidoscopic exploration of love, loss, and bittersweet longing. From the tortured resonance of the title track to the ethereal closer “24/7 Heaven,” Diamond Jubilee is a masterclass in pushing boundaries while retaining an aching, pop-infused sentimentality. Flegel’s introspective songwriting and daring production create a deeply immersive, emotionally rich experience—an avant-garde gem that dazzles with its warmth and depth.
2) Charli XCX - Brat
Charli XCX’s sixth studio album, BRAT, is a fearless, addictive exploration of modern womanhood wrapped in boundary-pushing electro-pop. From the unapologetic swagger of “Club Classics” to the intimate vulnerability of “I Think About It All the Time,” Charli balances personal revelations with dancefloor anthems, creating a record that’s both thrilling and deeply introspective. With themes of language, identity, and societal pressure woven through maximalist production and sharp lyricism, BRAT captures the chaos and beauty of life’s contradictions. It’s a dazzling, self-assured statement from one of pop’s most innovative voices.
1) Magdalena Bay - Imaginal Disk
A triumph of progressive pop, Imaginal Disk sees Magdalena Bay push their sound and storytelling to new heights. Inspired by metamorphosis, the album crafts an intricate narrative of growth, loss, and self-discovery. From the glitchy, lush opener "She Looked Like Me!" to the poignant closer "The Ballad of Matt & Mica," the duo delivers a cinematic experience rich with emotional depth and sonic innovation. Highlights like the euphoric "Cry For Me" and the haunting "Death & Romance" showcase their impeccable production. Expansive, harrowing, and meticulously crafted, Imaginal Disk is a bold evolution and a defining masterpiece of 2024.