1. Charli XCX - Brat (Atlantic): This is the album that Charli XCX has been building towards her entire career. Musically, it’s an affirmation of her mastery of contemporary pop. Club music, hyperpop, whatever you want to call it, the beats and hooks and melodies are there on track after track. That alone makes this a fantastic album, but what really elevates it are Charli’s lyrics. For music that, on the surface, screams “PARTY!!!”, there’s a lot of self-reflection, like when she visits a friend with a newborn and wonders whether she should have a baby. Everything But The Girl’s Tracey Thorn noted in a column for The New Statesman that this album encapsulates being a woman at age 32, between youth (and being nostalgic for it) and the rigors of middle age, and that beneath the confident exterior, there’s a lot of doubt here. So compelling.
2. Gillian Welch and David Rawlings - Woodland (Acony): The first album featuring Welch originals in 13 years (and seven years for Rawlings) finds the couple in peak form, with this stellar set of songs. Named after their Tennessee studio which was significantly damaged by a tornado in 2020 (and obviously rebuilt), this is an inspired effort. Welch and Rawlings, whether singing together or alone, sound great, and the arrangements and playing on this material is perfect. The resilience it took to rebuild the studio is felt in these songs, which encompass a range of emotions on an album that is timeless.
3. Michael Kiwanuka - Small Changes (Polydor): On his fourth album, for the third consecutive time, Kiwanuka teams up with Inflo and Danger Mouse for more of his patented brand of modern folk-soul. After the last two albums expanded the instrumental attack, this is a subtler effort, with often minimal backing that leans on Kiwanuka’s expressive vocals and simple and compelling tunes. One artist who came to mind during my first few spins was Sade – like Sade, who Kiwanuka has called an inspiration, there’s a remarkable consistency and mood, yet there’s still enough variety in the approaches to keep it from being monochromatic.
4. Les Amazones d’Afrique - Musow Danse (Real World): This is the third album from this formidable collective of African women. Working with Irish producer Jackknife Lee, who provides the electronic backing, these are sharp slices of Afropop that don’t lose their flavor due to the inorganic instrumentation. The women take on social issues from an Afro-feminist perspective, with the intent to inspire, so they motivate rather than harangue. The performances are joyful, as the singers are clearly reveling in their freedom of expression.
5. Steve Dawson - Ghosts (Pravda): Dawson can go toe-to-toe with any acclaimed singer-songwriter of the past few decades. He has shown he’s not afraid to go out of his comfort zone, and push how he presents his music. No envelopes are (arguably) pushed this time around, but this might be as effective a showcase for his singing and songwriting talents as any of his work, solo or fronting Dolly Varden. There are soul-inflected songs, melodic adult pop that would make a Crowded House fan’s ears perk up, gentle folk-rock, plenty of moments of beauty, and in a reminiscence of growing up in small-town (on “Leadville”) pure, cathartic vitriol.
6. Kali Uchis - Orquídeas (Geffen): The second Spanish-language album from the Colombian-American singer is another remarkable display of her facility with a wide variety of R & B and pop styles. There is also some Latin pop influence here, and this mix of mid-tempo charmers and slow burning tracks is superbly produced with just the right amount of features. Uchis is an underrated singer, who doesn’t show off like so many of her contemporaries, but always serves her songs perfectly.
7. Robber Robber - Wild Guess (self-released): This Burlington, Vermont quartet is centered around singer-guitarist Nina Cates and drummer Zack James, and the music finds a mid-point between noisy ‘90s indie rock and post-punk. James is a ridiculously creative drummer, Cates (along with James and Will Krulak) get great sounds out of the guitars, and the songs consistently go in unpredictable, but always welcome, directions. One of the most original guitar rock albums that I’ve heard in years.
8. Beyoncé - Cowboy Carter (Parkwood/Columbia): No, it’s not a country record. It’s more like BeyoncAmericana, as Ms. Knowles-Carter meets country and folk themes on her own terms. At times, the music is more of that bent, but in many cases, it’s more the lyrical themes that carry the day, as a fair amount the songs here are just really well done pop-R & B. Bey sounds as good as ever, and she goes to some places that she might not have without the concept. The album is a bit overstuffed, but that’s a quibble.
9. Nia Archives - Silence is Loud (Island/Hijinxx): Archives calls her mix of jungle and ‘90s neo-soul “future classic.” Whatever one calls it, this is an exciting record, with propulsive, skittering beats, and Archives overlaying R & B and pop song structures, with plenty of hooks throughout. With all of the razzle dazzle in the upbeat music, the songs have a strong emotional core, as Archives’ lyrics are more introspective than one would expect.
10. The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis - The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis (Impulse): I never expected that any former members of Fugazi would appear on a record released on the legendary Impulse! jazz label. But The Messthetics defy expectations with their arty rock approach that certainly is heavily steeped in jazz. This collaboration with saxophonist James Brandon Lewis is jazz fusion with a modern twist. The playing is terrific, but not so much focused on technical virtuosity. The balance of rock elements and jazz elements is pretty close to perfect, making for some really exciting music.
11. Waxahatchee - Tigers Blood (Anti-): Katie Crutchfield has honed her country rock sound, which is perfect for her drawling vocals in the vein of Lucinda Williams. The album exudes confidence, as every song quickly insinuates itself with strong melodies and instantly memorable hooks. The album has a nice balance of punchier songs and more reflective ones, and it sounds like she could kick out LPs this good for years to come.
12. The Cure - Songs of a Lost World (Capitol): I’ve never been a gigantic fan of The Cure, but I’ve come to appreciate more of their music over time. The one album that I instantly took to was Disintegration, and this effort, the band’s first in 16 years, is very similar in spirit. Robert Smith and crew create tapestries of gothy post-punk tuneage, enveloping the ears. And Smith sounds like he hasn’t aged a day. This might have been the best 2024 album to listen to after the presidential election.
13. Laura Marling - Patterns in Repeat (Chrysalis/Partisan): Marling’s last album was addressed to a fictional child. The latest comes after she became a mother, and did lots of other interesting things. One noticeable thing on this LP is Marling’s precise finger picking on the guitar. She’s evolved so well as an artist, such that her influences are no longer at the forefront, as she has developed her own distinctive identity as a singer-songwriter. For me, as long as the songs are of sufficient quality – and these certainly are – it’s going to result in an album I love.
14. Lizzie No - Halfsies (Miss Freedomland/Thirty Tigers): This is part Americana, part singer-songwriter, with other influences strewn throughout. Lizzie is clearly an increasingly confident songwriter, with acute lyrics and compelling melodies. She puts her songs in different settings, from the most delicate and intimate, to some flat out rock. And, to her credit, she sounds comfortable in all of them.
15. The Effigies - Burned (BFD): When John Kezdy passed in 2023, word got out that he and his bandmates were working on the first Effigies album since 2007’s Reside. This is a worthy, belated follow up, with the late lead singer remaining one of the most commanding figures from the early heyday of American punk. Like Reside, the music is much more in the vein of the band’s early material, rather than the post-punk of their second and third albums. It’s muscular, at times borderline metallic, equaling the intensity of Kezdy’s vocals and lyrics.
16. Hifi Sean & David McAlmont - Daylight (Plastique): Hifi Sean is Sean Dickinson, the former frontman of the Soup Dragons, who repurposed himself as a club DJ. David McAlmont is the singer, best known for his collaborations with former Suede guitarist Bernard Butler. Together, they produced this buoyant slice of celebratory pop. Dickinson applies his club music skills to propulsive music tracks and McAlmont’s vocals are ecstatic, making this the most joyful album I heard this year.
17. Clairo - Charm (Clairo): Claire Cottrill started making music at age 13, and this, her third album, came out when she was 26. This LP marks the maturation of her bedroom pop into something more in line with classic ‘70s singer-songwriters and contemporaries like Kacey Musgraves. Cottrill co-produces with Leon Michels (of El Michels Affair), and he is an excellent collaborator. The album is full of great production touches, with subtly effective rhythm tracks, well arranged backing vocals, and lots of nifty embellishments. Meanwhile, Clairo may not be the rangiest vocalist, but she’s surprisingly expressive, while her songs have a classic sound.
18. English Teacher - This Could Be Texas (Island): Whatever one thinks of Dry Cleaning, one can’t deny their influence, as there have been a lot of sing-speak bands that have come along in their wake. English Teacher belongs at the top of the heap. This is primarily due to singer Lily Fontaine, whose literate lyrics and compelling persona are well supported by her bandmates. They mix in slow burners, with some British indie rock moves, dream pop, and on the re-recording of single “R & B”, frenzied post-punk.
19. Pernice Brothers - Who Will You Believe (New West): For much of the Pernice Brothers existence, every album matched Joe Pernice’s melodic songs to specific approaches (‘70s singer-songwriter one album, ‘80s British indie pop the next, and so on), but as the albums have been more spaced out, you get collections like this swell effort. You could probably match every song with a prior album where it would have fit, and fit well. Pernice’s songs remain adult pop gems, with his gentle vocals, and clever lyrics. The variety of approaches makes for a good listen, and the quality of the tunes is high, on a lovely album.
20. The Softies - The Bed I Made (Father/Daughter): The Softies are the team of Jen Sbragia, who was in the All Summer Fun Band, and Rose Melberg of Tiger Trap, both bands I really dig. I knew of The Softies, but had never heard them. Thank goodness for this album, their first in 24 years. It’s a collection of short, sweet songs, mostly about the ups and downs of romance. These are simple songs, superbly executed, with wonderful vocals throughout. It’s a very comforting album.
21. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Wild God (Bad Seed/PIAS): Nick Cave is becoming as famous for his considered answers to fans’ questions on the Internet as his music. And, in many respects, this album represents an intersection of those things. The edgy, explosive post-punker of The Birthday Party has fully morphed into a warm, humanistic songwriter and performer. After albums that clearly reflected the loss of his son, this is much more optimistic. The music is full and inspiring, and Cave really gives stirring performances throughout.
22. Jon Langford & The Bright Shiners - Where It Really Starts (Tiny Global Productions): Yes, 2024 brought yet another musical project from Langford. Langford's many bands don't so much reflect restlessness, so much as show that he's a man who clearly relishes collaboration and understands that in music, a certain group of musicians can create a special chemistry. That is certainly true of this combo of Langford, guitarist John Szymanski, violinist Tahmineh Gueramy, and singer Alice Spencer. Langford came up with a strong batch of songs, and this group really brings them to life, giving each tune the best possible musical setting.
23. Lady Blackbird - Slang Spirituals (Foundation Music/BMG): After showing off her chops as an interpretive singer on her debut LP, Lady Blackbird co-writes every song on her sophomore album. The result is a set of songs with a modern approach, but rooted in classic soul, jazz, and gospel music. While Blackbird can really belt it out, and many of these songs are specifically designed to let her do that, she is capable of great reflection, and that shows on some less showy numbers.
24. Real Estate - Daniel (Domino): Real Estate is one of those bands who stick with what they know. And what they know is indie jangle pop, with bits of British indie, their ‘80s American counterparts, and a dollop of Go-Betweens. They are remarkably consistent, and, objectively, this is probably about as good as their other albums. Or maybe it’s just a notch or two better, as the moment I first heard this, it stuck with me a bit more than their prior albums.
25. Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 - Heavier Yet (Lays the Crownless Head)(Record Kicks): Six new songs from Seun and crew, with features from Damian Marley and Sampa the Great. Kuti and his band are as sharp as ever, with a mix of mid-tempo Afro-pop and red hot funk. I think this is just a notch below the last couple of albums, but it's always great to hear more new music from this group.
26. Pet Shop Boys - Nonetheless (x2/Parlophone): No one should take for granted that Pet Shop Boys, nearly 40 years after their original breakthrough, still make quality pop records. Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe have always kept their ears in the clubs, and while I can’t say if their tracks are keeping up with the latest trends, they seem to have come up with a unifying electro-disco sound that somehow sounds both modern and classic. The dry hooks are still there, and Neil Tennant can go from clever to emotionally resonant as well as any pop writer ever has.
27. St. Vincent - All Born Screaming (Total Pleasure/Virgin): After the surface-level foray into ‘70s music on the prior Daddy’s Home LP, which seemed forced to me, St. Vincent gets back to the arty, icy, and sometimes a little sexy, rock that she specializes in. Lots of distinctive rhythms, twists and turns in the melodies, and the expected cool guitar work (without ever showing off). There is a lot of room for to operate in this area, as she pulls together so many cool sounds to make her sound.
28. Sofie Royer - Young-Girl Forever (Stones Throw): The singles between her prior album (her second) and this, her third one, found Sofie Royer crystallizing her sound. It’s a mix of ‘60s yé-yé, ‘70s AM gold and disco, and city pop, with her yearning, unaffected vocals and off-kilter lyrics. It’s retro pop both in approach and in the production, sounding like a greatest hits of a cult European star, which makes sense for an Austrian of Iranian descent.
29. Jessica Pratt - Here in the Pitch (Mexican Summer): This album got more attention than prior ones, perhaps because she was overdue for it, and perhaps because the production on this album is relatively sharper than on the previous ones, going from low-fi to mid-fi. The songs still sound haunted, but just a tad less ghostly, with a certain late ‘60s/early ‘70s pop sensibility. This album also finds some other influences, like bossa nova creeping in. I think this is a really good transition album.
30. Leyla McCalla - Sun Without the Heat (Anti-):The Haitian-American singer-songwriter blends music like nobody else. It’s guitar-based, but incorporates string instruments in a much different way, while also experimenting with different rhythms. The songs are good, for sure, and her playing, the production, and especially her singing, take them to another level.
31. Laura Jane Grace - Hole in My Head (Polyvinyl): Another great mix of electric guitar punk rockers and acoustic guitar punk rockers. Grace maintains the intensity throughout, with direct lyrics that run the gamut from funny to poignant, and one true classic in “Punk Rock in Basements”.
32. Joan As Police Woman - Lemons, Limes and Orchids (PIAS): I was always intrigued by Joan Wasser’s solo music, from spinning it at CHIRP Radio, but only a couple of years ago did I dive in, picking up the three-CD Joanthology. Boy, I learned what I was missing out on. Her songs are soulful, sexy, slow burners. There’s definitely a strong ‘70s vibe in her music, and this is a record that creates a mood and sustains it for a whole album in a way that really appeals to me.
33. Ducks Ltd. - Harm’s Way (Carpark): The caffeinated jangle pop really hits the spot. The Canadians come from a somewhat similar place as Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever, but with an extra springiness. The songs are never fast, but are never slower than a galloping tempo, and the constant lead lines give it an energetic feel that I love.
34. Ian Hunter - Defiance Part 2: Fiction (Sun): Working again with a wide array of guests (Joe Elliott, Brian May, Billy Bob Thornton, and the late Jeff Beck and Taylor Hawkins), the former Mott The Hoople frontman has still got it. His Dylan-ish voice has barely aged, and he still knows a good riff. The opener “People”, ranks there with his best solo tunes, and he still has a way with melodies that shows up on the few slower tunes.
35. FINOM - Not God (Joyful Noise): Another swell showcase of Macie Stewart and Sima Cunningham’s art pop, that finds a space in between The Roches, St. Vincent, The B-52's, and Pylon. While it may be arty, it’s never fussy or feels like homework. These two are having a lot of fun.
36. Kacey Musgraves - Deeper Well (MCA Nashville/Interscope): There had always been a fair amount of ‘70s singer-songwriter in Musgraves’ approach to music, so it was likely only a matter of time before she fully took the plunge. The lyrics get a little precious in spots (or, more accurately, more precious than previous), but the songs go down so smoothly. This album was a real grower for me.
37. Ginger Root - SHINBANGUMI (Ghostly International): The collective led by Cameron Rew just keeps getting better and better, with its city pop meets disco party vibe. Everything sounds like it was manufactured somewhere between 1975 and 1982, and not everything’s hooky, but it’s danceable and so much fun.
38. MICHELLE - Songs About You Specifically (Transgressive/Atlantic): This New York City sextet really stepped up the songwriting since the last album. This must explain, in part, the confident performances. This is great R & B-pop with roots in the past, but sounds very contemporary.
39. BONZIE - When I Found the Trap Door (Beevine): Nina Ferraro has been putting out records since she was a teenager, and she continues to progress in all aspects of record making. Her performances, both as a singer and an instrumentalist, her production, and songwriting get more sophisticated. This is a modern singer-songwriter record, which is rooted in keyboards and electronics, without sounding sterile. Each BONZIE album has taken a very specific approach – I’d love for her to stay in this space for a while. It sounds so classic.
40. Madi Diaz - Weird Faith (Anti-): This is a great example of an artist who has continued to grow as a songwriter, and concurrently just keep getting better at making records. There aren’t a wide variety of styles here, but the way Diaz finds different approaches in terms of rhythms, melodies, and arrangements, make this a really strong singer-songwriter effort.
41. Richard Hawley - In This City They Call You Love (BMG)
42. Raveena - Where the Butterflies Go in the Rain (Moonstone)
43. Iron & Wine - Light Verse (Sub Pop):
44. FLO - Access All Areas (Island):
45. Angélica Garcia - Gemelo (Partisan):
46. Hurray for the Riff Raff - The Past Is Still Alive (Nonesuch):
47. Liam Bailey - Zero Grace (Big Crown):
48. Hana Vu - Romanticism (Ghostly International):
49. Sheer Mag - Playing Favorites (Third Man):
50. Jade Hairpins - Get Me the Good Stuff (Merge):
51. The Lemon Twigs - A Dream Is All We Know (Captured Tracks):
52. Dua Lipa - Radical Optimism (Warner)
53. Leon Bridges - Leon (Columbia)
54. Nadine Shah - Filthy Underneath (EMI North)
55. Omni - Souvenir (Sub Pop):
56. Dwight Yoakam - Brighter Days (Via/Thirty Tigers)
57. T Bone Burnett - The Other Side (Verve)
58. Oceanator - Everything Is Love and Death (Polyvinyl)
59. Swamp Dogg - Blackgrass: From West Virginia to 125th St. (Oh Boy)
60. Sahra Halgan - HIDDO DHAWR (DANAYA)
61. Peter Perrett - The Cleansing (Domino)
62. Linda Thompson - Proxy Music (Storysound)
63. The Mavericks - Moon & Stars (Mono Mundo)
64. Les Savy Fav - Oui, LSF (Frenchkiss)
65. Bill Ryder-Jones - Iechyd Da (Domino)
66. Orla Gartland - Everybody Needs a Hero (New Friends)
67. Rachel Drew - Old Sky New (Floop)
68. Confidence Man - 3AM (LA LA)(Chaos/Polydor)
69. MJ Lenderman - Manning Fireworks (Anti-)
70. Fievel Is Glaque - Rong Weicknes (Fat Possum)
71. The Secret Sisters - Mind, Man, Medicine (New West)
72. Shonali - One Machine at a Time (Little Lamb)
73. Maxïmo Park - Stream of Life (Lower Third)
74. Nilüfer Yanya - My Method Actor (Ninja Tune)
75. Thee Marloes - Perak (Big Crown)
76. illuminati hotties - POWER (Snack Shack Tracks/Hopeless)
77. That Woman - Find Joy (self-released)
78. The Well Wishers - Just So You Know (self-released)
79. Marcos Valle - Túnel Acustico (Far Out)
80. Lesibu Grand - Triggered (Kill Rock Stars)
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