As we draw upon the final quarter of 2024, it seemed an apt moment to pause, reflect and note some of the stand-outs from a litany of releases through this year. From pop hedonism, to energised dance hits and darkened metal-inspired ruminations, read further for the best picks of the bunch from 2024.
20. The Collective, Kim Gordon (Matador)
19. Fearless Movement, Kamasi Washington (Young)
18. Cowboy Carter, Beyoncé (Parkwood Entertainment / Columbia)
17. Cascade, Floating Points (Ninja Tune)
16. Ultra 85, Logic (BobbyBoy)
15. No Hands, Joey Valence & Brae (Self-released)
14. Lives Outgrown, Beth Gibbons (Domino)
13. Why Lawd?, NxWorries (Stones Throw)
12. Chelsea Wolfe, She Reaches Out To She Reaches Out To She (Loma Vista)
11. Bright Future, Adrianne Lenker (4AD)
10. Smile! :D, Porter Robinson
(Mom + Pop)
The third LP from Porter Robinson proves yet another reinvention of the introspective, heartfelt and emotive electropop artist; consumed by empowering anthems and overwhelming production across its 40 minutes.
Highlights: 'Knock Yourself Out XD', 'Cheerleader', 'Russian Roulette'
9. No Name, Jack White
(Third Man)
This unforeseen release from Jack White's elusive and acclaimed repertoire seethed with a righteous rock n' roll flare which caught many unawares. Accentuated by an air of lo-fi, proto-rock qualities, White dutifully returns to the genre's roots for one of the year's best surprises.
Highlights: 'Old Scratch Blues', 'That's How I'm Feeling', 'Archbishop Harold Holmes'
8. Only God Was Above Us, Vampire Weekend
(Columbia)
The U.S. indie-rock stalwarts continue to develop, evolve and transcend across their acclaimed lane of modern rock, inflicted by greater tones of chamber pop and psychedelia as Ezra Koenig's entourage amass one of their most seismic and intricate releases to date.
Highlights: 'Ice Cream Piano', 'Classical', 'Capricorn'
7. In Waves, Jamie xx
(Young)
The U.K. electronic producer excels in his most highly-acclaimed release thus far; revelling amongst his upbeat, euphoric and infectious dance floor bangers with an enticing listening experience for all to get lost within.
Highlights: 'Treat Each Other Right', 'Baddy on the Floor', 'All You Children'
6. I Lay Down My Life for You, JPEGmafia
(AWAL)
The Baltimore rapper marks revenge and retribution amidst a tumultuous year of commotion and controversy, inflicting a gritty and interminably bitter brand of rapping, mixed with signature sampling, than ever before; all within the abrasive name of this rousing release.
Highlights: 'Sin Miedo', 'Don't Rely on Other Men', 'Exmilitary'
5. Prelude To Ecstasy, The Last Dinner Party
(Island)
A scintillating debut release from the British 5-piece, afflicted by the opulence and grandiose veneer of art-rock and baroque-pop; clad in an antiquated facade and affronted by a sanguine charisma, this record inspires a uniquely transcending experience full of temerity.
Highlights: 'Caesar on a TV Screen', 'My Lady of Mercy', 'Nothing Matters'
4. Carousel From Hell, Lust$ickPuppy (Self-released)
A traversing, whirlwind of a trajectory invariably comes upon listening to Lust$ickPuppy's debut release; one which will grapple with you and converge into the spellbinding worlds of modern hip-hop and breakcore with cataclysmic, albeit frightening, effect.
Highlights: 'American Healthcare', 'Ketchup Mustard', 'Chokehold'
3. Imaginal Disk, Magdalena Bay
(Mom + Pop)
Such is the trend of our modern times, Magdalena Bay's duo have similarly undergone a reinvention, and revisiting, into the dance-afflicted fields of synth-pop; an insatiable run of well-produced, well-grooved dance floor hits which intertwine effortlessly with one another in a mesmerising timeframe which glistens by.
Highlights: 'Image', 'Tunnel Vision', 'That's My Floor'
2. What Now, Brittany Howard
(Island)
Clamouring together the worlds of rock, neo-soul and psychedelia, Howard remains triumphantly bold and daring on her second solo release; enacting a fortifying retribution against lost love, affixed with a splurge of solos, wailings and unbridled confidence which leaves one righteously vindicated.
Highlights: 'What Now', 'Red Flags', 'Power to Undo'
Brat, Charli XCX
(Atlantic)
Since the self-acclaimed conclusion to 'Brat summer', perhaps not much else can be added to the modern canon of such a once-in-a-generation, zeitgeist release. Sparked by an indelible self-reinvention, imbued by the club scene of old and armed by the pristine production of A.G. Cook, Charli XCX has rightfully garnered waves of critical acclaim for this insatiably dance-fuelled experience which establishes her at the very apex of her powers: a truly indelible, transcendental body of work.
Highlights: 'Everything is Romantic', Girl, So Confusing', '365'
Honourable Mentions:
Big Ideas, Remi Wolf
I Got Heaven, Mannequin Pussy
Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace, Shabaka
Silence is Loud, Nia Archives
Tangk, Idles
The Healer, Sumac
Wall of Eyes, The Smile
Wild God, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
RICHAXXHAITIAN, Mach-Hommy
Catch the latest and greatest singles of 2024 from EM's playlist below.
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