The Best Albums of 2024 (So Far)

Declan McKenna, What Happened To The Beach?
Release Date – 2/9/24

Being the first one on this list, this album almost feels like a release from last year. However, the beachy vibes—that accurately match the album title—make Declan McKenna’s third album a timeless record. As he does best, the 24-year-old found even more ways of creating a genre-bending, original sound, that still matches the one he’s created so far with his first two projects.

Recruiting Gianluca Buccellati (Arlo Parks, Tei Shi) for most of the album’s production, Declan got a chance to reinvent himself musically, with instrumentals that manage to somehow be even more fuzzy and dreamy than he’s ever done before.

At the same time, as he continues to come of age, the Brit also seems to sound a little less hopeless in his lyrics, although still singing about the struggles of life and of becoming a part of the machine that is the music industry, but this time in a more reminiscent and accepting way. What Happened To The Beach? might still be a sleeper album for some people, but with the (extremely delayed) explosion of McKenna’s 2016 single “Brazil” and his cover of “Slipping Through My Fingers,” it was a great moment for Declan to show new listeners what he’s truly made of.
– Javi

Katelyn Tarver, Quitter
Release Date – 2/9/24

Considering the success of female singer-songwriters like Maggie Rogers and Gracie Abrams releasing big albums in 2024, I was hopeful that singer-songwriter and actress Katelyn Tarver would find the same acclaim with her sophomore album Quitter. However, after grasping this album conceptually, I can state with a lot of confidence that Tarver doesn’t really care about the spotlight.

I truly feel like Quitter should be required listening for those of us trying to figure out our paths and discovering what truly makes us happy: and what it feels like to deal with the current state of the world as a millennial woman (Tarver is 34-years-old).

Quitter dives headfirst into the nuances of coming to terms with knowing you’ll never fully come to terms. That we actually don’t know anything at all, and we’ll never know what would have happened if we headed in the other direction at the fork in the road of life, but accepting that it’s okay. That it’s important to ask questions we’ll never get the answers to, and just how warranted it is to find good in every day, and that the only thing constant is that things change every day. – Kristin

Royel Otis, Pratts & Pain
Release Date – 2/16/24

I’m already 90% sure that Royel Otis’ debut album will be my favorite of the year: it’s one of the few records where all the songs feel unskippable to me, either if I’m listening to them in order or if one comes on shuffle. The entire project feels incredibly cohesive and well-rounded, and all while sounding really original and just very them. Roy and Otis’ love for the music of past decades can be felt through the production, with nostalgic touches of synths and fuzzy guitars, and contagious chorus that are perfect for jumping around your room (or a concert venue if you get to see them live)!

Still at the beginning of their career, the Aussie duo had already released three EPs that were clearly just the build up to the culmination for their artistry that is PRATTS & PAIN, but are still very much worth revisiting. However with two of their covers, of Sophie Ellis-Baxtor’s “Murder On The Dancefloor” and The Cranberries’ “Linger,” going absolutely viral, the Sydney-duo had to come out with a bang. And they surely did. As they tour around the world, Royel Otis’ reach and audience seems to grow bigger by the second, giving PRATTS & PAIN the best possible timing to become alive. – Javi

Bleachers, Bleachers
Release Date – 3/8/24

Despite the way that a man named Jack Antonoff continues to polarize pop fans around the world, he can make a damn good song. And most songs that his band, Bleachers, releases certainly make me feel like I’m experiencing the past, present, and future simultaneously.

Their self-titled, fourth album Bleachers is arguably their tightest, most cohesive release to date, after (in my opinion) taking a misstep with their 2021 release, Take The Sadness Out of Saturday Night: an album that had a few decent songs, but overall didn’t work for me. But Bleachers certainly does: proving that three years and a whole lot of life changes will absolutely make your music sound different.

Jack Antonoff’s wife, actress Margaret Qualley, is clearly one of the muses of this album: a beautiful acknowledgement that the world spins a bit differently when you’re in love.

Featuring collaborations from artists like Bartees Strange, Lana Del Rey, and Sam Dew, Bleachers is a remarkable representation of their journey as musicians and humans experiencing the trials and tribulations of life, and the lessons learned along the way (cheesy, I know). – Kristin

Kacey Musgraves, Deeper Well
Release Date – 3/15/24

Kacey Musgraves has done it again with her latest album, Deeper Well, created in collaboration with Ian Fitchuk, who also co-produced her critically acclaimed Golden Hour. Following the conceptual and slightly experimental Star-Crossed, which had a Romeo and Juliet vibe and marked a departure from her signature sound, Deeper Well feels like a return to form.

The album strikes a perfect balance between upbeat, folksy songs and slower, more introspective ballads. Each track is a testament to Musgraves’ growth as an artist, blending her signature style with deeper, more mature themes. Songs like “Too Good to Be True” and “Cardinal” bring infectious energy, while tracks like “The Architect” offer poignant emotional depth.

Musgraves has been touring extensively with Deeper Well, bringing these new songs to life on stage and connecting with fans in a profound way. – Jesse

Adrianne Lenker, Bright Future
Release Date – 3/22/24

This album holds a special place in my heart, particularly after having the privilege to listen to it before its release. I meticulously analyzed the lyrics, each one imbued with a deep sense of nostalgia. Adrianne Lenker, the singer and lyricist for Big Thief, crafted Bright Future during what was essentially a musician’s retreat, with daytime recording sessions and nighttime campfires.

The result was a project that felt incredibly special to me. Each track has its own delicate beauty, with lyrics that deliver a gut punch still to this day. “Sadness is a Gift” and “Ruined” are currently the highest streaming tracks on the album and probably the saddest, reflecting the raw emotional depth that Lenker brings to her music.

Bright Future‘s gorgeous, raw quality and emotional resonance make it a standout, showcasing Lenker’s unmatched ability to create music that is both intensely personal and universally relatable. – Jesse

Vampire Weekend, Only God Was Above Us
Release Date – 4/5/24

You know you really love an album when you go to listen to it on Spotify, and you can see that you’ve added nearly every single song on it to some sort of playlist. For me, that album is Vampire Weekend’s fifth studio release, Only God Was Above Us.

The impressive thing about Vampire Weekend is that each of their albums are so distinct from each other, while also all being solid releases, that it’s easy to understand any of their albums being someone’s favorite. Only God Was Above Us is easily my favorite release the band has ever put out. I was hooked early into the album’s leadoff track, “Ice Cream Piano,” and never strayed. There’s small flourishes throughout the album that blow me away every time I listen — the piano intro of “Connect,” the infectious chorus of “Capricorn,” the blistering guitar throughout “Gen-X Cops.”

Another thing that helps this album skyrocket to the top of my favorite albums of the year (so far) list? I saw Vampire Weekend on the tour for it, and they were unbelievable. Sure, they probably always have been—but I’ve never seen them live before! I’ll always link this impressive show, and this incredible album together. – Erin

Taylor Swift, The Tortured Poets Department
Release Date – 4/19/24

Look: I’m pretty certain that most of you reading this post were already anticipating that Taylor Swift’s 11th studio album The Tortured Poets Department was a shoe-in for this list, but I have to say: it was a harder decision to include it than I expected.

We’ve all heard the discourse surrounding this 31-song long project, and all of the critiques about it being too long and too unedited are certainly valid. But I can’t ignore the fact that TTPD (at least, my version that’s 23-songs long instead of 31), is a collection of songs that I have revisited more than any others of the year so far: which is saying something.

Taylor gets introspective on this album, more so than any other body of work she’s released thus far into her career (in my opinion), and that’s a big statement to make, considering she’s released nearly 250 songs in her entire career. She outs herself as an “emotional cheater” and admits to feeling suicidal at the thought of her ex partner leaving her. She scolds her fans, she admits she can do it with a broken heart, and she rhymes “bottles” with “Aristotle.”

The Tortured Poets Department is certainly not Swift’s most digestable body of work, but one can make the argument that it’s the most compelling. – Kristin

Cloud Nothings, Final Summer
Release Date – 4/19/24

It’s a surprisingly rare thing when a musician or band can continuously release solidly good projects, but Cloud Nothings is one of those bands. And the Cleveland-based group’s ninth LP, Final Summer, isn’t just good—it’s great.

From the instantly infectious title track, “Final Summer,” which kicks off the album with its buzzy melodies, to the powerhouse track, “I Get Along,” with its simple but booming chorus, the album showcases the band’s impressive musicianship as well as its ability to construct a pretty flawless rock album.

It’s impressively compact, too. There’s no messing around for Cloud Nothings—just 10 extremely solid songs in less than 30 minutes.
– Erin

Matt Champion, Mika’s Laundry
Release Date – 4/22/24

As a widow of Texas rap-collective BROCKHAMPTON, I’ve been trying to compensate by paying way too much attention to their solo releases in the past couple of years, and Matt Champion’s Mika’s Laundry has made it all more than worth it. Collaborating with the likes of Dijon, Dora Jar, and even BLACKPINK’s JENNIE, Matt’s first solo record is an enjoyable and light album, with strokes of BROCKHAMPTON’s essence and sound, but balancing it out with Matt’s own flavor and personal style.

This is a completely new chapter to the multi-hyphenate 29-year-old, and without the support of twelve other members under one name for virtually the first time, he’s doing a pretty good job figuring out his place in the music world. Alongside Kevin Abstract, who’s been releasing solo music for much longer now, I think Matt Champion is probably the second most likely member of BH to thrive on his own, and I hope old and new fans are as receptive as I think they must be to this project. – Javi

Luke Hemmings, boy
Release Date – 4/26/24

As a longtime 5SOS girly, I am naturally biased towards anything pertaining to the band’s members, BUT I genuinely believe Luke Hemmings’ boy is an undeniably amazing project. Although it’s just a 7-track EP, it manages to showcase Luke’s talents, growth, and overall artistry. Revisiting some of the topics from his 2021 album When Facing the Things We Turn Away From, the singer-songwriter gets deeply personal and vulnerable in his lyrics, and his soothing but powerful voice goes perfectly along with all the emotions he’s trying to express.

After over a decade in the spotlight, the Sydney-native has obviously had his ups and downs, and now that he’s older (and even married!), he’s become comfortable enough to acknowledge all those struggles and dark times: luckily, in the way of writing beautiful songs. As he continues to split his time between his band, his solo career, and being a human being, it will probably be a while since we get more Luke Hemmings music, but this carefully and wholeheartedly written collection of songs should be able to keep us content, at least for a bit. – Javi

Dua Lipa, Radical Optimism
Release Date – 5/3/24

Dua Lipa has once again stunned the music world with her latest album, Radical Optimism. Fresh off her electrifying Glastonbury set—a lifelong dream she wasn’t shy about sharing—Dua showcased her star power with three dazzling outfit changes and a surprise appearance by Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker. Parker, who was part of the team behind Radical Optimism, helped bring a fresh sound to the highly anticipated album.

Radical Optimism was eagerly awaited, especially after the massive success of Future Nostalgia. Fans and critics alike were curious to see how Dua would follow up such a hit. This new album, with its distinct vibe and different collaborators, does not disappoint. Kevin Parker, Danny L Harle (known for his work with Caroline Polachek), Tobias Jesso Jr. (who has collaborated with Haim), and Caroline Ailin (a long-time collaborator with Dua) have crafted an album that is not only seriously fun but also showcases a newfound maturity and immense staying power.

The collaboration has resulted in a collection of tracks that feel both fresh and timeless, with a certain depth that reflects Dua’s growth as an artist. – Jesse

Kacy Hill, Bug
Release Date – 5/3/24

The moment I heard the opening notes on Bug, I knew I had stumbled onto something special. I’ve stayed up to date on Kacy Hill’s music at an arms’ length over the years, but something just clicks for me when I hear her newest project.

Bug is a short and sweet representation of processing a breakup of a long relationship that ended due to feeling unfulfilled: a very real problem that is harder to come to terms with than “he was an asshole.”

But you won’t find dark, depressive songs about heartbreak and missing your person on Bug, you will actually discover quite the opposite: ethereal production, airy vocals, and bass-synths. Talking with Nylon, Hill mentions that the album was inspired by ‘the things that kept her going’ amidst the hardship: an ode to gardening, cooking, and of course: bugs. – Kristin

Whethan, DO YOU REMEMBER?
Release Date – 5/3/24

I plugged back into all things electronic earlier this year, chiefly catalyzed by Whethan’s recent releases. Whethan commands a hypnotic and layered melody on the moody “MONEY ON THE DASH,” skating in perfect unison with pop star Elley Duhe. This track embodies a strikingly club-meets-complextro style (reminiscent of debut Zedd or Porter Robinson). 

Whethan delivers another BPM-banger in partnership with Snakehips and AG Club called “ROOM IS ON FIRE”—where their tastes combine to fire off snappy bars and equally broody beats. This eclectic EP contains four of the tracks Whethan plans to include on his fourth studio album, teased to be released some point this year. Other subsequent releases include the groovy “Cruise Control” with Lyn Lapid and the bulky “STEALTH BOMBER” featuring Flowdan.
– Sean

Dreamer Boy, Lonestar
Release Date – 5/10/24

This one was actually a surprise on my personal list, because even though I’ve been a fan of Dreamer Boy’s music for a few years, I don’t think I had connected to it this much until now. Zach Taylor’s third major project, LONESTAR, takes the artist’s discography into an almost completely new direction, taking inspiration from old school rock and folk music, and finally allowing us to hear Zach’s vocals in full gear.

Written with the purpose of being performed live, the 12-track record is full of energy and bliss, even when the lyrics take a less joyful turn. Dreamer Boy’s journey is told by his music and the different steps and directions he’s taken with each album, and I think this one might be one of his strongest moments as a musician, songwriter, and vocalist. It’s been incredibly entertaining and endearing to watch him evolve and grow, and I’m so happy that this album finally feels fully like him; vibrant, earnest, and, for lack of a better word, really really good. – Javi

Billie Eilish, HIT ME HARD AND SOFT
Release Date – 5/17/24

Billie Eilish has once again captured the music world’s attention with her latest album, Hit Me Hard and Soft. Following their award-winning release of “What Was I Made For” from Barbie, Billie and her brother Finneas found themselves creatively unblocked, which led to this remarkable project. In interviews, they discussed how working on the Barbie song helped them dive deeply into their next endeavor.

They approached Hit Me Hard and Soft with the idea that it might never be heard, allowing them to fully explore their artistic vision. The result is their most complex work to date, with gorgeous instrumentation that feels cinematic. Standout singles like “Chirio”, “Lunch”, and “Birds of a Feather” have already gone viral on TikTok, resonating deeply with listeners.

Hit Me Hard and Soft showcases Billie’s growth and willingness to push boundaries, solidifying Billie Eilish’s place at the forefront of contemporary music. – Jesse 

Wallows, Model
Release Date – 5/24/24

It’s honestly been a minute since I fell in love with an album’s intro track at a moment’s notice, and “Your Apartment”—the kickoff to Wallows’ latest studio album Model—quelled that drought. Lyricism meets powerfully prominent drums and sleek guitars on this track. “Your Apartment” feels familiar, like I’ve known it my whole life—a staggering feat for a song that’s only been public for just over a month’s time. You’ll catch yourself singing along to this one during each playback.

Aside from the slightly redundant “Always, Anytime,” this album continues to pack punches with the likes of “Call Me Anytime” and “A Warning.” There are chiller moments on “You (Show Me Where My Days Went)” and “She’s an Actress,” succinctly solidifying my claim that there’s something for everyone here. Kudos to Wallows for experimenting while also staying true to their roots—they have found their winning formula. – Sean

Maya Hawke, Chaos Angel
Release Date – 5/31/24

I have an embarrassing admission: when I saw that Maya Hawke was releasing music, I assumed she was just a nepo baby with a passion project. Boy, was I wrong. I’m not the first one who will have misjudged Maya Hawke based on her parents, I won’t be the last one, but I’m thankful as hell that I gave her a shot, because Chaos Angel, Hawke’s third studio album, completely floored me.

The album showcases Hawke’s impressive storytelling ability, each song on the album is a visual and vulnerable snapshot into the rising megastar’s thoughts and history. That includes the lead single, “Missing Out,” which chronicles Hawke’s experience of living near Brown University, where the singer’s brother attended, after never having attended college herself and her feelings of missing out on key life experiences.

I may have misjudged Maya Hawke before, but after one listen of the folk-inspired alt-pop album, I’ll admit my serious mistake, and I can’t wait to continue to follow along with her music. – Erin

Fana Hues, Moth
Release Date – 6/14/24

The beautiful irony of having this album included in our Best Of (So Far) list is that I continuously mixed up Fana Hues for Hana Vu—a musician whose name sounds familiar, but doesn’t sound similar sonically whatsoever.

But as I realized how much I enjoyed every single that R&B singer-songwriter Fana Hues was releasing ahead of her third album, Moth, I stopped mixing up their names. As we all know, I’m not one to dapple in the R&B space very often, so it was quite a humbling experience to learn that Hues is pretty popular already, most well-known for her collaboration with Tyler, The Creator on his 2021 album, CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST.

Moth, shortened for ‘Matters of the heart,’ is a beautifully captured body of work that spans just 36 minutes and 39 seconds, referencing contemporary R&B sounds reminiscent of Kali Uchis, Janelle Monáe, and UMI, with a hint of RAYE and Olivia Dean. If you’re a fan of genre-bending artists that take you on a ride between heartbreak and dancing in the club, Moth is for you. – Kristin