When I made my list of my favorite albums of 2023, I mentioned that I had felt like it was a bit of a down year for music. In fact, I had felt like it had been a down couple of years. The chaos of 2020 and 2021 had created some pretty bold and exhilarating music, and it felt like that magic had been mostly lost in 2023. Don’t get me wrong, some very good music did come out last year, but overall it looked like things were trending down. Fortunately, that trend did not continue into 2024. As far as music lovers go, we were so up in 2024. So much great music came out this year; I truly think what will be some of my favorite music for the next several years came out. The year started off super hot with great records from artists like Schoolboy Q and Ariana Grande and came an awesome climax with Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s releases. Honestly, it was kind of tough for me to whittle this list down to only 20 albums; I feel like I could write about at least 30 records from this year that I truly enjoyed for this list. I do not want to make this write-up too long-winded, though, so I will stick to 20. Before I get into the actual list, though, I did want to shout out about five records that just missed this list. They are SZA’s LANA, Beababoobee’s This Is How Tomorrow Moves, 414bigfrank’s Never Make Me Hate You, Yeat’s 2099, and Kehlani’s Crash(there are several others I could mention, such as Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet,  Kali Uchis’ ORQUÍDEAS or Tyla’s TYLA, but this is getting long-winded). With that being said, here are my favorite 20 albums of 2024. Please let me know in the comments below how you felt about these records, and also comment on what your favorite albums of the year were!

BEYONCÉ – COWBOY CARTER

To be honest, there are not many artists that could get me to listen to a 20-something song Country record, but Beyoncè is definitely one of them. The best way I have heard COWBOY CARTER being described, though, is that it is a Beyoncè album with a Country twist, and not vice versa. All of the magic and spectacle of a Beyoncè record is certainly here. The sentiment is strong and the production is pristine. As one would expect, Beyoncè’s vocals are excellent throughout. It was really cool to see her go out of her comfort zone here, and for the most part, she nails it. Of course, it can feel a bit long-winded, as any 20-something song album can, but there is still so much quality here. With COWBOY CARTER, Beyoncè again shows no limits to her artistry. 

FUTURE & METRO BOOMIN – WE DON’T TRUST YOU

If you know me personally, you probably know how much I love Future. He is not the most sophisticated artist you will ever hear, but he is so good at what he does and sets the bar high. One can say the same about Metro Boomin, who has been one of the best producers in Hip Hop for over a decade. These icons came together for two joint projects this year, WE DON’T TRUST YOU and WE STILL DON’T TRUST YOU. Both projects have a ton to love, but the latter takes the cake for me. It spawned great tracks like ‘Type Shit,’ ‘Like That’(which spawned the whole Drake and Kendrick beef), and ‘Fried(She a Vibe)’(one of my favorite songs of 2024 easily). WE DON’T TRUST YOU is great for what it is. This record is full of Trap bangers that will get any function jumping, and it proves Future and Metro Boomin are still at the top of their game.

MGMT – LOSS OF LIFE

Now, going into listening to MGMT’s Loss of Life, I honestly did not know what to expect. I was a big fan of theirs when they popped off in the late 2000s, but I had been pretty indifferent to their releases up until this point following their debut. I didn’t know I would end up being into a Folk record from an artist I associated with bubbly ElectroPop, but I have to say that Loss of Life is pretty cool. The best thing about this album to me is how raw it is, sonically and lyrically. Hearing MGMT open up and go out of their comfort zone like this was pretty damn cool. This album does not have a ton of pizzazz, but it is very succinct and is high quality for what it is. If you did Folk music and never gave this a listen, MGMT’s Loss of Life is so worth looking into. 

ARIANA GRANDE – ETERNAL SUNSHINE

I feel like when Ariana Grande’s Eternal Sunshine came out, the reception and perception of it were a little lackluster. This album does not really have the kind of fiery Hip Hop-tinted bangers people would expect from Ariana due to her last couple of records. Sonically, it is a lot more subtle and more fluid than her most recent albums. What makes Eternal Sunshine hit for me, though, is how raw and honest Ariana is throughout it. She bares her all and lets fans into her mind in a way that is captivating, and i appreciate her vulnerability. Eternal Sunshine is not the most flashy release, but it is very succinct and real, and it flows together well as a whole. 

BLACKSTARKIDS – SATURN DAYZ(AND HEAVEN ON URF

As I have stated in so many write-ups, one of my favorite things to do is to discover and cover awesome Independent artists. One of my favorite Indie releases of the year easily was BLACKSTARKIDS Saturn Dayz and its follow-up Heaven on Urf. These projects are so conceptually and sonically riveting. Their sound is intense and bold. The songs have roots in old school Hip Hop, R&B, Soul, and Synthpop; they are arranged in a way that makes these projects feel super fresh and modern, even if the basis of the instrumentals is not. Conceptually, these records are riveting. They focus on themes of racism and inequality, but tackle these topics in a manner that is so engaging and cool. If you like Neo-Soul music, Saturn Dayz and Heaven on Urf are projects I highly recommend. 

GLORILLA – EHHTHANG EHHTHANG(AND GLORIOUS)

Over the course of the last year or so, GloRilla has grown into one of my favorite Hip Hop artists. She has this infectious, raucous energy that I love, and she embodies the classic Memphis Trap feeling so well. Both of her releases this year, the mixtape Ehhthang Ehhthang and the album GLORIOUS, have a ton to love. These are not necessarily the most innovative or deep records you will hear, but that is okay, as they are great for what they are. Sometimes you just need albums full of entertaining bangers that will put you in a good mood, and both of these projects achieve that. They both have major highlights that I know I will be bumping for years. GloRilla proved she’s here to stay with Ehhthang Ehhthang and GLORIOUS. 

BIGXTHAPLUG – TAKE CARE

Speaking of rappers with a classic flair to them, next I have to talk about BigXThaPlug. I will admit, I was fully asleep when it comes to BigXThaPlug until about a few months ago. He was a rapper who I had heard of and was sort of on my radar, but up until his album TAKE CARE came out, I had not been paying attention to him. I now realize I should have been paying attention because BigX is special. There is so much about this record that stands out. For one, the production is superb. BigX loves to rap on the chopped-up, sludgy Trap instrumentals that use super interesting retro Soul music samples. There is not another rapper out right now using these kinds of samples right now, and it stands out in the best way. BigX’s rapping on the record is just as cool as the instrumentals. His husky tone and commanding flow draw me in as a listener, and his story-telling nature makes these songs hit hard as well. I am not a big fan of BigXThaPlug due to his performance on TAKE CARE, and I promise I will be following everything he does in the future. 

THE MARIAS – SUBMARINE

I originally came across The Marias due to a meme that went viral regarding their live performances. I am glad that meme led me to check out Submarine, as this album was a welcome surprise and such a good listen. Submarine is a groovy Pop/Rock and Soul record with a bit of a Latin flair. A lot of the mixing on this record makes it sound very wavy and almost underwater, which goes with the title and overall theme of the record super well. Submarine does not contain the most high-key music. But that is totally okay. It has a very relaxing sound, and it flows so nicely when listening to it. Submarine is a soothing, crisp record that is great for what it is, and it makes me want to hear more from The Marias. 

JACK WHITE – NONAME 

Although I am admittedly not the biggest expert in Rock music, I was pretty into Punk and Garage Rock back in the day. One of my favorite Rock artists as a kid was The White Stripes, as I dug their gritty and raw sound. After they broke up, Jack White opted for more experimental Folk and Blues music for years, which is cool but not my cup of tea. He returned to his roots on his new album Noname, though. This album straight up sounds like an early White Stripes project, and I dig it so much. It has this raucous, underground energy that is so powerful; this album feels like a breath of fresh air compared to the other Punk music that is big right now. Noname is a blast of the past from one of the coolest Rock artists of the last 20 years, and it shows that Jack White still has that hunger in him. 

AYOOLII, FEARDORIAN, AND POLO PERKS – A DOG’S CHANCE

Anyone who says that Hip Hop has become stale needs to look into these three artists. AyooLii, Polo Perks, and FearDorian all have a sound that is so unique and captivating, pushing every boundary possible. The joint album these three made in 2024, A Dog’s Chance, takes all of their best qualities and blends them super well. This record is thrilling, exhilarating, and all over the place in the best way. The instrumentals that drive this record all use cool samples, but they are flipped on their head and arranged in a way that is unlike anyone else. The vocals are just as fun as the instrumentals, with AyooLii and Polo Perks accentuating the crazy sound of the record. A Dog’s Chance is unlike anything I heard from anyone else this year, in the absolute best way. These three riding artists are stars, and they will be setting the bar high for years to come. 

QUADECA – SCRAPYARD

Speaking of Hip Hop music that is different from most, Quadeca also had one of the most interesting releases of the year in Scrapyard. He has stated that this project mainly consisted of throwaways and unfinished tracks from his last couple of records, and that experimental and scattered feeling is prevalent throughout the record. Honestly, though, that is what makes the project special. Quadeca pushes himself more than ever sonically and vocally on Scrapyard, and that is one of the things that makes it stand out the most. Like A Dog’s Chance, Scrapyard has a sound and essence that can not be replicated by Quadeca’s peers, and that is what makes it awesome.

DOECHII – ALLIGATOR BITES NEVER HEAL

At this point, Doechii can not be considered the best-kept secret in Hip Hop anymore. She has blown up into superstardom over the last couple of months, and for good reason; her mixtape Alligator Bites Never Heal is just great. There are elements of old-school Missy Elliott in this record, but also major shades of Nicki Minaj. This is all packaged in a manner, though, that is totally Doechii. Even though she wears her influences on her sleeve, Doechii’s infectious attitude and energy runs through this project. Doechii proves there is no one like her coming up in rap music right now on the mixtape. Alligator Bites Never Heal is sonically diverse, lyrically complex, and overall just a blast to listen to. Doechii has arrived onto the scene, and she’s poised to take over. 

BILLIE EILISH – HIT ME HARD AND SOFT

Now we get into the section of the list where I think every album is truly excellent. Apart from the top two or three(which I do think set themselves apart), the next several are equally as good as the last. Billie Eilish’s Hit Me Hard and Soft is the favorite album of the year by many people, and it is easy to see why that is the case. Although the production is generally subtle, the songs on this album carry so much weight. The simplicity and intricacy of this album is exquisite. As a listener, I feel like I really get into Billie Eilish’s psyche when listening to this record, and it is very cool. Billie’s vulnerability and honesty make this album shine; her beautiful vocals only add to the already emotional feeling of this record. Hit Me Hard and Soft shows Billie Eilish is still growing and maturing, which is amazing because she already seems like such a complete artist. 

LEXA GATES – ELITE VESSEL

I wish I could say that BLACKSTARKIDS was my favorite indie Hip Hop artist I discovered in 2024, but that is not the case. As much as I dug their projects, Lexa Gates is on another level for me. Her album Elite Vessel is easily one of my favorite projects of the year. There is so much about this record that stands out, and Lexa Gates really shines throughout. I love the Jazzy, Soulful, whimsical production that drives this record. The production on this album feels retro and nostalgic, but also has this underground and fresh feeling that really pops. As nice as the production is, Lexa Gates’s rapping and singing are what makes Elite Vessel so great. Her flows are sticky and addicting, her tones are dynamic and unique, and her lyricism is punchy and real. Lexa Gates is an up-and-coming star that I am pretty positive will be a major staple in Hip Hop in the near future, and I am glad I got introduced to her through hearing Elite Vessel this year. 

TYLER, THE CREATOR – CHROMAKOPIA

Tyler, The Creator is someone whose artistry seems to know no limits. He is constantly pushing himself to go bigger and bolder; the best thing about Tyler is you truly never know what you are going to get. CHROMAKOPIA is as harsh, audacious, and riveting as anything he has put out. This album is not quite as succinct or tight as his last couple, and that is totally okay. It is as if Tyler let everything out of the bag on this record, which I love. Apart from this record’s huge and bold sound, one of the coolest things about it is how open and real Tyler gets. He talks about so many personal things in his life that help him become more relatable than ever, and it helps make sense of the wild sound of the record. CHROMAKOPIA is as brash as it is deep, and it is a captivating listen. 

CHIEF KEEF – ALMIGHTY SO

Now most people may think I am crazy for having a Chief Keef project so high on this list. Surely, it can not be as quality as some of the albums surrounding it at the top of the list, right? Hear me out, though. I realize that Chief Keef does not make the most profound or complex music. I also realize that the particular style of hard-hitting Drill music is certainly not for everyone. But in the summer of 2024, Chief Keef released the highly anticipated(by fans of Drill music) and long overdue sequel to his iconic mixtape Almighty So. One of the most noteworthy things about this project is that it was entirely produced by Chief Keef himself. This is important because the production of Almighty So 2 is excellent. These beats are massive, brash, in-your-face, and intricate. Chief Keef shows how great of a producer he is on this project for sure. His vocals on this project are great as well. Chief Keef pushes himself more than ever on Almighty So 2 and proves he still has a lot in the tank and has room to grow. Almighty So 2 is not an album I expected to rate so highly, but I have to give credit where it is due, and this project does rule. 

MAGDALENA BAY – IMAGINAL DISK

Every year, I seem to find at least one new Indie Pop artist that is incredibly individual and is totally thinking outside of the box. Last year, I would say that was probaby Holly Humberstone. This year, it is Magdalena Bay. When I first listened to their album Imaginal Disk, I will admit that it challenged me. This album stands out in pretty much every manner possible. For one, it is sonically vast and eccentric. This album is full of a variety of vibrant sounds, and its sonic themes go all over the place. Every song has elements of New Wave Synth Pop, but you get various forms of Electronic Dance music, Funk and Soul, R&B, and more on this record. Conceptually, Imaginal Disk is just as wild and crazy as its sound. This album has a theme that centers around someone trying to break out of the shackles their society is trying to put on them. This theme is realized through a story about aliens brainwashing/reprogramming humans. This may sound weird, but once you get it, the album truly shines. There is truly nothing like Magdalena Bay’s Imaginal Disk, and it is so cool for what it is. Magdalena Bay is a special artist with some incredible ideas, and Imaginal Disk shows that. 

SCHOOLBOY Q – BLUE LIPS

As I mentioned in the introduction, 2024 started off on a very high note for me with the release of Schoolboy Q’s Blue Lips. This was an album I was highly anticipating since it was announced in late 2023, and it was a record I had been waiting on for 6 years(Schoolboy Q’s last album before this was 2018’s Crash). I have been a massive fan of Schoolboy for such a long time, and I was excited for him to finally step back into the ring. Schoolboy Q pulls out all of the stops on Blue Lips. Everything that has made him great in the past is very apparent on this album. There are brash, pounding bangers full of an awesome amount of energy, and there are more low key cuts that calm things down a bit. Schoolboy Q gives some of his most jarring vocal performances to date, but there are also moment where he shows a softer side. Schoolboy Q really opens up on this record, talking about the juxtaposition he has in still having that tough gangbanger inside of him while wanting to be a loving suburban dad. Blue Lips shows that Schoolboy Q still has it and that he is as hungry as ever, and I love that we finally got this phenomenal piece of music from him. 

CHARLI XCX – BRAT

Like Schoolboy Q, I have been an enormous fan of Charli Xcx for a very long time. I have been majorly into her music since I was a teenager, and I think my appreciation has only grown as time has moved along. I also think that Charli has steadily progressed as an artist as time has progressed. It seems with each release, she is just getting better and honing her craft. This has culminated in the magnum opus that is Brat. There is honestly so much I could say about this album(go read my review of it and of the deluxe version for my in-depth appreciation and analysis). Everything about it is exceptional to me. The instrumentals are zany, immense, captivating, and vibrant. The production on this album is just amazing, with each song bringing something different that is just awesome to the table. The vocals are great as well, with Charli showing how much she has improved and how she is so good at using the talents she has. Charli is more vulnerable than ever on Brat, letting the listener into her mind and helping them connect with her. Ultimately, Brat is a perfect Pop record; it just does not get much better than this. 

KENDRICK LAMAR – GNX

Up until about a month and a half(or so) ago, I was positive that Charli Xcx’s Brat would be my album of the year. I mean, how can it get better than a 10/10? Well, Kendrick Lamar was somehow an album to exceed the quality of Brat with GNX. Once again, this is an album I could yap about for hours. There are just so many positive things to say about this record(please go read my review and watch my video about it to see all of my thoughts). To keep things succinct, Kendrick really just does the damn thing on this record. He sounds as motivated and confident as ever throughout GNX. He wanted to assert himself as the king of Hip Hop, and he more than does that on this album. Every song on GNX is literally great in its own way. There is nothing that I would take away or change at all. Kendrick shows that he is more creative than everyone, more lyrical than everyone, as brazen as anyone, and ultimately, that he is better than everyone. Not only is GNX the best album of the year, but it is as good as anything Kendrick has ever put out, and will probably go down as one of the albums of the 2020s as a whole when the decade is complete.