Throughout the year, many big name and independent artist drop so much new music that you'll miss some good stuff if you're not plugged in. To put a bow on 2024, continue through this gallery of the best album to release this year — in no particular order.
Beyoncé
March 29, 2024
Channeling Western grit with a Texas-sized dose of swagger, Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter is a genre-bending ode to Southern grit and resilience, she merges trap beats with twangy guitar riffs, forging a sonic trail that’s as fearless as it is groundbreaking. With storytelling at its core, the album is both a celebration of roots and a bold redefinition of genre boundaries. It’s Queen Bey’s most fearless frontier yet.
Charli XCX
June 7, 2024
Charli XCX's sixth studio album, Brat, delves into the hedonistic and anxious facets of rave culture, effectively bringing underground pop into the mainstream. The album's raw and gritty sound has been lauded as one of her best works, with critics praising its emotional vulnerability and sophisticated production.
Photography: Instagram/@charli_xcx
Childish Gambino
July 19, 2024
Donald Glover proclaimed well before its release that Bando Stone in the New World would be the very last Childish Gambino album. It’s an epic 17-song project that spans multiple genres, and precedes a feature length film of the same name. There’s the pop-rock anthem Lithonia, hard-hitting hip-hop verses on Yoshinoya and tracks that harken back to Gambino’s early sound like Survive feat. Chlöe. Rounding out this sonic masterpiece are features from Flo Milli, Amaarae, Jorja Smith and Glover’s son and Bando Stone cast mate Legend.
Eminem
July 12, 2024
Eminem closes the chapter on his notorious alter ego with The Death of Slim Shady, an album steeped in introspection and lyrical ferocity. Collaborations with Anderson .Paak on "Hollow Crown" and Dr. Dre on "Coup de Grâce" remind listeners of Em’s roots and enduring influence. The album is a gritty, soul-baring confession, blending fierce wordplay with haunting orchestral beats.
Tyla
March 22, 2024
South African singer Tyla's self-titled debut album blends Afrobeats, amapiano, pop, and R&B, highlighting her versatility and staying true to her roots. The album has received critical acclaim for its authentic sound and solid production, positioning Tyla as a promising new star in the global music scene.
Billie Eilish
May 17, 2024 Hit Me Hard and Soft showcases Billie Eilish at her most dynamic, effortlessly balancing stark vulnerability with blistering confidence. The album shifts between whispery introspection and seismic beats, proving she’s unafraid to push sonic and emotional boundaries. It’s a haunting yet addictive journey through the duality of human nature.
Tyler, the Creator
October 28, 2024
In Chromakopia, Tyler, the Creator crafts a lush sonic universe where vibrant melodies and textured beats collide, reflecting the kaleidoscopic nature of human emotion. The album is a genre-bending exploration of love, self-reflection, and identity, told through Tyler's distinctive voice and layered production.
Taylor Swift
April 19, 2024
The Tortured Poets Department is Taylor Swift at her most literary, weaving intricate narratives of heartbreak, ambition, and identity. The album feels like a collection of short stories, with Swift’s confessional songwriting and lush production as its binding thread. It’s a tour de force that reminds us why she’s pop’s preeminent storyteller.
Sabrina Carpenter
August 23, 2024
Sabrina Carpenter's Short n' Sweet is a confectionary dream of effervescent pop bops and poignant lyricism. Each track feels like a playful flirtation with life’s little highs and lows, delivered with her signature sugar-and-spice vocal charm. Carpenter’s ability to balance whimsy with raw emotion makes this a breezy yet impactful listen.
Ariana Grande
March 8, 2024
Grande’s Eternal Sunshine radiates with her iconic vocal prowess but dips into ethereal, orchestral experiments that feel like a sun-drenched daydream. The album is an exploration of timeless themes—love, loss, and rebirth—packaged in melodies that shimmer with both vulnerability and resilience.