Joshua's Best Albums of 2024
Welcome to my second annual favorite albums list writeup! Last year is here. Again, this is a list of my Favorite or Top albums and makes no claim of being the best - I love how diverse and subjective music is. This year I am increasingly aware of how much my mood and life circumstances can change how much I enjoy an album - sometimes I push through and give another chance, other times I say “oh well, too bad” and move on.
Fem pop queens were certainly the overarching story of music in 2024. The biggest names aren’t on my album list just due to personal taste, but I promise I listened to most of them and enjoyed many of their songs ("Apple," "Good Luck, Babe!", and "Birds of a Feather" being among the standouts). That being said, Fem Pop is still a very present theme on my list, which got me thinking about some other themes I’ve highlighted as an unorthodox listening map.
The narrative writing generally gets longer as we get farther down, so read as much as you’re interested in. Each lists a few of my favorite tracks from the album, which are compiled in a playlist here.
If you like any of these or the way I’m thinking about them, check out "Beets (sic)” on Spotify, an eclectic playlist I’ve been making monthly since 2018. If you don’t have Spotify, I share the tracklist each month on my Instagram.
First, shout out to 6 honorable mentions: Rachel Chinouriri, Tiny Habits, Eliza & the Delusionals, Cloud Cult, illuminati hotties, Bleachers
For the ranking, the following themes are present:
A - Involves birds, 1, 10, 21
B - Very emotionally honest and direct, 1, 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 24
C - I liked a previous album more, 8, 10, 14, 22
D - Lush harmonies, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13, 23, 24
E - Fem pop, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 22
F - Album I enjoyed more than any track, 6, 8, 17
G - Piano Moment!, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 13, 24
H - Wish I didn’t struggle understanding lyrics, 7, 13, 18, 20
Now, let’s get to it! Here are 24 albums I loved in '24:
24. Full Rainbow of Light // Tim Baker
B, D, G
I don’t know if this is actually my 24th favorite album of the year, but it stood out clearly from the other contenders. Tim Baker did something lovely and remarkable here. A true Canadian, the guy loves end of year cozy nostalgic season so much that he wrote an entire Winter Holiday album where most of the songs aren’t about a specific holiday, and only one is a cover.
Favorite Songs: "Full Rainbow," "It’s Tonight," "Christmas Rose"
23. Leonardo da Vinci Score // Caroline Shaw
D
This is a 28 track, 78 minute score for a Ken Burns documentary I haven’t seen lol. Caroline Shaw is my favorite contemporary composer. She got an absolute all-star cast together for this: Attacca Quartet, Sō Percussion, Roomfull of Teeth, and John Patitucci. This felt like watching Michael Caine in The Muppet Christmas Carol. They didn’t have to go this hard, but they did it for us.
Favorite Songs: "Symbol of the Modern Idea", "Senso Comune", "The Last Supper"
22. Blue Raspberry // Katy Kirby
C, E
Kirby writes distinctly bouncy melodies that suit her voice so well.
Favorite Songs: "Redemption Arc", "Cubic Zirconia", "Drop Dead"
21. The Pilgrim, Their God and The King of My Decrepit Mountain // Tapir!
A
This album functions like a musical/play with its commitment to an overarching narrative story. The middle is a bit dry, but the beginning and end are really lovely. Oscillates between sparse guitar with voice and beautifully intricate orchestration.
Favorite Songs: "On A Grassy Knoll", "My God", "Untitled"
20. Right Place, Wrong Person // RM
H
So glad I stumbled on this solo album by the BTS producer because Little Simz guests on a song. Incredibly catchy and diverse production on this genre-bending project.
Favorite Songs: "Nuts", "LOST!", "Domodachi", "Groin"
19. Riley // Riley Mulherkar
Thoughtful instrumental jazz/blues album. You can often hear Riley’s breath in the trumpet, creating a unique relational space for the listener. Brilliant restraint in composition and occasional unorthodox mixing techniques.
Favorite Songs: "King Porter Stomp", "Hopscotch", "Ride or Die"
18. Dunya // Mustafa
H
I’m a sucker for music that blends Western and Eastern sounds and styles. Mustafa’s voice is beautiful and distinct. Hearing the “n” word in soft sparse folk music rewired my brain a bit. It’s been awhile since I was so captivated by an opening track.
Favorite Songs: "Name of God", "Imaan", "SNL"
17. Don't Forget Me // Maggie Rogers
E, F
A well-rounded cohesive set of pop songs. No big standout singles, but no skips either. You can feel a weight/pressure lifted from Rogers here. A reliable comfort album for me this year.
Favorite Songs: "It Was Coming All Along", "Don’t Forget Me", "The Kill"
16. Verbathim // Nemahsis
B, E
Every year there’s an album or two that I stumble onto late and get more into the following year. This will almost certainly be that. A really beautiful, creative, poetic, and cutting full-length debut. Direct and risk-taking musically and lyrically, especially remarkable given that the hijab-wearing Canadian-Palestinian artist was dropped by her label on 10/12/23 and ostracized by other labels forcing an independent release.
Favorite Songs: "stick of gum", "coloured concrete", "you wore it better", "dead giveaway"
15. Alligator Bites Never Heal // Doechii
E
Doechii is doing something truly original and inventive. It’s exciting to see her executing this bold vision from music production and rapping, to fashion and choreography. Her performance on Colbert is a must watch. Tiny Desk Concert is also excellent.
Favorite Songs: "Denial Is A River", "Boiled Peanuts", "Nissan Altima"
14. What Now // Brittany Howard
C, E
Howard’s voice is ascendant, expressive, and incredibly controlled. While I found the lyrical subject matter less compelling than her first solo album, the dense soul/funk sound is infectious. Renowned drummer Nate Smith provides an unreal groove backbone throughout, best heard on "Red Flags."
Favorite Songs: "Red Flags", "Power To Undo", "What Now"
13. Collapse List // Novo Amor
D, G, H
I’ve come a long way from the first time I heard Novo Amor years back and felt like he was straight up ripping off Bon Iver – credit me being a little less of a hipster, but mostly his increasingly original and complex writing and arranging. Mastery of dynamics is particularly effective and affective.
Favorite Songs: "Me V2", "Same Day Same Face", "Co-Pathetic"
12. Deeper Well // Kacey Musgraves
E
Don’t let anyone say I’m incapable of liking a country album. "Cardinal" was already one of my two favorite 2024 opening tracks before I learned about the folklore/superstition the song is referencing.
Favorite Songs: "Deeper Well", "Cardinal", "Lonely Millionaire"
11. Songs About You Specifically // MICHELLE
D, E
My favorite Pop right now. So catchy. I dare you to listen to this album without nodding your head along.
Favorite Songs: "Mentos and Coke", "Oontz", "I’m Not Trying", Blissing"
And now, for my Top 10!
10. OBSERVATIONS FROM A CROWDED ROOM // Joy Oladokun
A, B, C, E
Certainly was not expecting another album so soon after Proof of Life, my #1 album last year. There are some songs I don’t vibe with, but the good ones still hit, and the candid talking tracks are touching, profound, and hold the album together well. Loved the few dense harmony moments harkening back to Joy’s Black gospel upbringing. I do think last year’s album is a better introduction if you haven’t heard them yet.
Favorite Songs: "DRUGS", "GOOD ENOUGH", "I’D MISS THE BIRDS"
9. Empathogen // WILLOW
B, D, E, G
This album is a real triumph to me. Hella syncopated funky intensely harmonied tunes - real music nerd stuff that’s still accessible to non-music-nerds. All accompanying the introspective, emotional, quirky lyrics you’d expect from WILLOW. While I’ve loved a few songs in her diverse experimental career, this is the most compelling project to me.
Favorite Songs: "home", "symptom of life", "b i g f e e l i n g s"
8. Only God Was Above Us // Vampire Weekend
C, F, G
Listen, I’m always down to hear new Vampire Weekend. With such a distinct sonic palette, how every album feels simultaneously fresh, new, and familiar amazes me. This is my favorite of theirs since the debut album despite not having a standout single. I credit the magical heavy use of a slightly out of tune piano.
Favorite Songs: "Connect", "Hope", "Ice Cream Piano"
7. Two Star and the Dream Police // Mk.gee
H
Do I wish I could understand the lyrics more? Yes. Is this still a top 10 album for me based on the lyrics I do understand, as well as the catchy hooks and fascinating, inventive production? Yes. Also, amidst all the incredible production, this man is doing incredible things on the physical electric guitar.
Favorite Songs: "Are You Looking Up", "New Low", "Candy"
6. Arms // San Fermin
D, F, G
I like this album a lot more than I should on paper. I don’t gravitate toward songs about messy and unhealthy romantic relationship dynamics. I typically like a few tracks with bombastic orchestral dynamics more than full albums from San Fermin. But gosh darn it this is a beautiful and cohesive set of love and breakup songs with a relatively restrained sound (for this group). It became a comfort album I returned to frequently this year.
Favorite Songs: "Weird Environment", "Can’t Unsee It", Wasting On Me"
5. ten days // Fred again...
A cohesive electronic album with diverse sonic writing and audio clips from real life. The guest features are thoughtful and seamless, each distinct even with heavy vocal effects. I found this album more expansive in sound than other projects without giving up his infectious bounce. I first listened to this while walking/commuting via public transit, which felt like the perfect atmosphere for this danceable work with confident uplifting lyrics.
Favorite Songs: "adore u", "just stand there", "places to be"
4. All Now // The Staves
D, E, G
Genuinely some of the most compelling songwriting I’ve heard in a while. Original and timeless Fleetwood Mac-esque melodies. Poetic and direct lyrics, both challenging and comforting. Folk-rock instrumentation is intricately layered, intentional, and tight. Being their first album without the third sister, I’m grateful they kept 3+ part harmony. That familial bond knows exactly when to sing solo, unison, and harmony. I saw them live earlier this year and I still can’t confidently assess who is singing lead on each song. I let go of a little more of my internal emotional weight and perfectionism with each “You Held It All” listening.
Favorite Songs: "All Now", "You Held It All", "Fundamental Memory"
3. The Process // Judah and the Lion
B
Over 19 tracks, this album works through the 5 stages of grief, carefully honoring the weight and importance of each, while acknowledging the process as messy and at times cyclical. The chief experience being processed is the singer’s divorce. Rather than write a typical breakup album, Judah and Brian were in honest pursuit of a deeper healing. The result is more universally resonant than any one heartbreak or grief experience. More synths are laid atop their blend of bluegrass, pop, and rock. Cathartic group shout choruses abound. One of my favorite lyrics of 2024 illustrates their equally sincere holding of seriousness and levity:
“And I guess that I hope when it’s my time to go
that they say I was alive and I tried to be kind
And at times at bars with karaoke, I fully ascend
that I left this place better than I found it.”
Favorite Songs: "Long Dark Night", "Leave It Better Than You Found It", "F LA", "Floating in the Night"
2. Country // Medium Build
B, G
I first found the opening track off-putting, honestly. But the second track, an ode to being an insecure queer teenage boy more interested in connection than hyper-masculinity, is so tender and authentic that I was right back on board. This album is so raw and complex. It’s melancholy, but never at the expense of love and hope.
Favorite Songs: "Stick Around", "In My Room", "Knowing U Exist", "Can’t Be Cool Forever"
1. Little Deaths // The Collection
A, B, G
If we’re being honest, this was probably my favorite album of 2024 before the year even started, having heard three of its singles in 2023. David Wimbish writes startlingly direct songs that cut right to the heart while still being catchy and thoughtfully arranged. He tackles so many taboo experiences in this album – my four top tracks address (in order) taking antidepressants, being so depressed you can’t hold most conversations, how to be a friend to someone with manic episodes, getting over addiction. If you deal with mental illness or love someone that does, please give this a listen. If you just want to reflect on how to stay open to life and humanity, please give this a listen. This was their last album as a full band, so you’ll now find them under “David Wimbish and The Collection”. These people were a real balm for me. I saw them live 4 times in the last two years, twice driving out of state. I can’t wait to see what’s next.
Favorite Songs: "Medication", "The Weather", "The Come Down", Over You"
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