The 2024 Best-Ofs! - LP edition
December 9, 2024 9:58 AM   Subscribe

Following are the "Best Albums of 2024" picks from a variety of media outlets. In most cases, these were a rank-ordered "Best 25" or "Best 50," although a few outlets simply did a best-of with no "winner" at no.1. I extracted the top 10 from those longer than 10 out of space considerations and listed them nos. 10 to 1, top to bottom. In a few cases, however, the albums were unranked and just over 10 in number, so I included all of them. Many of the following plus others are listed at AlbumOfTheYear.org. One thing I learned in compiling this: Boy, do media outlets hate consistency in capitalization (see: Billie Eilish/Beyoncé/Charli xcx LPs). And, so, in no particular order:

Rolling Stone
Waxahatchee: Tigers Blood
Doechii: Alligator Bites Never Heal
Ariana Grande: Eternal Sunshine
Tyla: Tyla
Future and Metro Boomin: We Don’t Trust You
Billie Eilish: HIT ME HARD AND SOFT
Sabrina Carpenter: Short n’ Sweet
MJ Lenderman: Manning Fireworks
Beyoncé: COWBOY CARTER
Charli xcx: BRAT

Slate
أحمد [Ahmed]: Wood Blues
Arab Strap: I’m Totally Fine With It 👍 Don’t Give a Fuck Anymore 👍
Madi Diaz: Weird Faith
Doechii: Alligator Bites Never Heal
Mary Halvorson: Cloudward 
Hurray for the Riff Raff: The Past Is Still Alive
Various Artists: I Saw the TV Glow (
Ka: The Thief Next to Jesus
MJ Lenderman: Manning Fireworks 
The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis: The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis
Peso Pluma: Éxodo
SML: Small Medium Large

The New York Times:
Nala Sinephro: Endlessness
The Cure: Songs of a Lost World
Elucid: Revelator
Beth Gibbons: Lives Outgrown
Willow: Ceremonial Contrafact (Empathogen Deluxe)
Kali Uchis: Orquídeas Parte 2 (Deluxe)
Billie Eilish: HIT ME HARD AND SOFT
Vampire Weekend: Only God Was Above Us
Brittany Howard: What Now
Charli xcx: BRAT (and) BRAT and it’s completely different but also still BRAT

Vulture:
mediopicky: Bexaco y rico
Various Artists: TRAИƧA
Fontaines D.C.: Romance
Rachel Chinouriri: What a Devastating Turn of Events
MJ Lenderman: Manning Fireworks
Mustafa: Dunya
Bilal: Adjust Brightness
Ka: The Thief Next to Jesus
Mach-Hommy: #RichAxxHaitian
The Cure: Songs of a Lost World

Pitchfork:
Kim Gordon: The Collective
Astrid Sonne: Great Doubt
Bladee: Cold Visions
Mount Eerie: Night Palace
Waxahatchee: Tigers Blood
Nala Sinephro: Endlessness
MJ Lenderman: Manning Fireworks
Jessica Pratt: Here in the Pitch
Charli xcx: BRAT
Cindy Lee: Diamond Jubilee

Metacritic:
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds: Wild God
Mdou Moctar: Funeral for Justice
Bill Ryder-Jones: Iechyd Da
Los Campesinos!: All Hell
Kim Deal: Nobody Loves You More
Beyoncé: COWBOY CARTER
Laura Marling: Patterns in Repeat
Blood Incantation: Absolute Elsewhere
The Cure: Songs of a Lost World
Charli xcx: BRAT

The Wire (subscribers only):
Beings: There Is a Garden
Caxtrinho: Queda Livre
Kim Gordon: The Collective
Moin: You Never End
Cindy Lee: Diamond Jubilee
Still House Plants: if I don’t make it, I love u
Moor Mother: The Great Bailout
Elaine Mitchener: Solo Throat
Rafael Toral: Spectral Evolution
[Ahmed]: Giant Beauty

MOJO:
Kim Gordon: The Collective
Jane Weaver: Love In Constant Spectacle
The Lemon Twigs: A Dream Is All We Know
Fontaines D.C.: Romance
Kim Deal: Nobody Loves You More
Bill Ryder-Jones: Iechyd Da
Gillian Welch & David Rawlings: Woodland
Beth Gibbons: Lives Outgrown
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds: Wild God
Jack White: No Name

jazzwise:
John Surman: Words Unspoken
Wadada Leo Smith/Amina Claudine Myers: Central Park’s Mosaics of Reservoir, Lake, Paths and Gardens
[ahmed]: Giant Beauty
Pat Metheny: MoonDial
David Murray Quartet: Francesca
James Brandon Lewis Quartet: Transfiguration
Mary Halvorson: Cloudward
Milton Nascimento and esperanza spalding: Milton + esperanza
Charles Lloyd: The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow
Samara Joy: Portrait

KCRW:
Soweto Gospel Choir X Groove Terminator: History of House
IDLES: TANGK
Cindy Lee: Diamond Jubilee
Ezra Collective: Dance, No One’s Watching
Billie Eilish: HIT ME HARD AND SOFT
Fontaines D.C.: Romance
Clairo: Charm
Jamie xx: In Waves
Jessica Pratt: Here in the Pitch
Justice: Hyperdrama

Bandcamp:
Blood Incantation: Absolute Elsewhere
Caribou: Honey
Caxtrinho: Queda Livre
Julie Christmas: Ridiculous & Full of Blood
Dummy: Free Energy
Elucid: REVELATOR
Amaro Freitas: Y’Y
Nubya Garcia: Odyssey
Helado Negro: PHASOR
Iglooghost: Tidal Memory Expo
J.R.C.G.: Grim Iconic…(Sadistic Mantra)
Kronos Quartet & Friends: Outer Spaceways Incorporated: Kronos Quartet & Friends Meet Sun Ra
La Luz: News of the Universe
Machine Girl: MG Ultra
Saudi Matsiko: The King of Misery
Previous Industries: Service Merchandise
Rosali: Bite Down
Nala Sinephro: Endlessness
SML: Small Medium Large
Rafael Toral: Spectral Evolution
Tristwch Y Fenywod: Tristwch Y Fenywod
Kamasi Washington: Fearless Movement

The New Yorker:
Billie Eilish: HIT ME HARD AND SOFT
Vampire Weekend: Only God Was Above Us
Mdou Moctar: Funeral for Justice
Charli xcx: BRAT
Beyoncé: COWBOY CARTER
Waxahatchee: Tigers Blood
Bon Iver: SABLE,
Sabrina Carpenter: Short n’ Sweet
Mk.gee: Two Star & the Dream Police
MJ Lenderman, Manning Fireworks

NPR:
MK.gee: Two Star & The Dream Police
Hurray For The Riff Raff: The Past Is Still Alive
Waxahatchee: Tigers Blood
Jessica Pratt: Here in the Pitch
Beth Gibbons: Lives Outgrown
Angélica Garcia: Gemelo
Charli xcx: BRAT
Gabriela Ortiz: Revolución Diamantina
Rema: HEIS
JPEGMAFIA: I Lay Down My Life For You
Doechii: Alligator Bites Never Heal
Immanuel Wilkins: Blues Blood
Tyler, The Creator: CHROMAKOPIA

The Line of Best Fit
Yung Lean and Bladee: Psykos
Kendrick Lamar: GNX
Charli xcx: BRAT
Mk.gee: Two Star & The Dream Police
Nala Sinephro: Endlessness
Mannequin Pussy: I Got Heaven
Chanel Beads: Your Day Will Come
Cindy Lee: Diamond Jubilee
MJ Lenderman: Manning Fireworks
Cassandra Jenkins: My Light, My Destroyer

The Quietus:
Nadine Shah - Filthy Underneath
Oranssi Pazuzu - Muuntautuja
Shovel Dance Collective - The Shovel Dance
Still House Plants - If I don't make it, I love u
Mohammad Syfkhan - I Am Kurdish
Xiu Xiu - 13" Frank Beltrame Italian Stiletto with Bison Horn Grips
Moin - You Never End
Tristwch Y Fenywod - Tristwch Y Fenywod
Ex-Easter Island Head - Norther

The Washington Post
Elori Saxl : Earth Focus
Ice Spice: Y2K!
Anno: Anno
Vijay Iyer, Linda May Han Oh & Tyshawn Sorey: Compassion
Straw Man Army: Earthworks
Molly Nilsson: Un-American Activities
Kim Gordon: The Collective
Kendrick Lamar: GNX
Jessica Pratt: Here in the Pitch
Charli xcx: BRAT

Bleep:
SOPHIE: SOPHIE
Nala Sinephro: Endlessness
Hainbach: Breve
KMRU & Kevin Richard Martin: Disconnect
Kim Gordon: The Collective
Jlin: Akoma
Still House Plants: if I don't make it, I love u
Iglooghost: Tidal Memory Exo
Monolake: Studio
Squarepusher: Dostrotime
posted by the sobsister (36 comments total) 14 users marked this as a favorite
 
I'm happy to see Mannequin Pussy on one of those lists, that album is AMAZING and I am going to see them in January, and taking Amtrak to get there and back which is not only mind-blowingly fast compared to regional rail but also shockingly affordable at $24 round trip!!!
posted by grumpybear69 at 10:10 AM on December 9


Does this mean that Robert Smith can finally cheer the fuck up?
posted by Lemkin at 10:14 AM on December 9


Sorry, Washington Post, but putting Ice Spice on a Best Of list in the Year of Our Doechii means I will never, ever take you seriously.

(edit: by "you" I mean "your music critics" to be clear)
posted by biblioPHL at 10:17 AM on December 9


The Blood Incantation record is fantastic but while I’m happy to see it get some recognition, it would be terrific if more than one metal album per year got any attention from the bigger outlets. They’re converging with the Grammys in terms of being out of touch on this
posted by sinfony at 10:23 AM on December 9 [2 favorites]


One of these days, I'm going to have to start listening seriously to something recorded after 1993.
posted by outgrown_hobnail at 10:24 AM on December 9 [5 favorites]


only two metal/hardcore albums? Like how is the new knocked loose not getting any love here?
posted by MisantropicPainforest at 10:24 AM on December 9


30 years on, this reminds me of my favourite answer to a question.

It was both complete, but total word soup out of context.

BBC radio one, the resident music critic was asked what their favourite album of 1994 was:

"almost certainly definitely maybe"
posted by many-things at 10:30 AM on December 9 [2 favorites]


I can't believe Los Campesinos (indie pop band) is still making music, let alone considered among the best of the year. How did I miss it?
posted by The_Vegetables at 10:32 AM on December 9


Not a major media outlet, but a favorite blog even if they're only publishing one post a year these days:

Said the Gramophone
Kahil El' Zabar's Ethnic Heritage Ensemble: Open Me, A Higher Consciousness of Sound and Spirit
King Hannah: Big Swimmer
Being Dead: EELS
Adrianne Lenker: Bright Future
Erika Angell: The Obsession With Her Voice
Josh Johnson: Unusual Object
Jessica Pratt: Here in the Pitch
Andrés Vial Percussion Ensemble: Spirit Takes Form
Phoebe Go: Marmalade
Mk.gee: Two Star & The Dream Police

But the list of favorite albums is a side effect of compiling a list of 100 favorite songs of 2024. Lovely writing, well worth pursuing particularly if you like pop music.
posted by Bryant at 10:35 AM on December 9 [7 favorites]


One of these days, I'm going to have to start listening seriously to something recorded after 1993

Every time I hear “Ice Spice” I think it’s a new Spice Girl and I become confused and irritable.
posted by Lemkin at 10:39 AM on December 9 [3 favorites]


Definitely recommend giving Tristwch Y Fenywod a listen. It isn't really my thing, but I found it very interesting to listen to once and I bought it for a friend who I think will be more into it.

I did like Molly Nilsson's Un-American Activities, and while I don't go to the Washington Post for music recommendations generally, I am happy to see it get a mention.
posted by EvaDestruction at 10:41 AM on December 9


My 12 year old daughter is into Mk.gee and I now count myself a fan. Very unique sounds and he's blessed with a great voice.
posted by thoughtful_jester at 10:44 AM on December 9


That Willow album was a pleasant surprise. Despite being a typical nepo-baby, she surrounds herself with excellent musicians.
posted by thoughtful_jester at 10:45 AM on December 9


Seeing Kim Gordon and Kim Deal both on these lists made me think maybe it was 1993 for a minute.
posted by SaltySalticid at 10:52 AM on December 9 [5 favorites]


grumpybear69, fully agreed. Mannequin Pussy definitely one of my top 3. Also want to give a shout out to Bandcamp for recognizing J.R.C.G. I liked their first album better, but it's always good to see the psychedelic noise acts getting love.

Albums I didn't see on anyone's list that I think deserve mention:
Goat, Goat
Sturgill Simpson, Passage du Desir
Rosie Tucker, UTOPIA NOW!
Yanis and the Yaw, Lagos Paris London
Wishy, Triple Seven
Willi Carlisle, Critterland
Manu Chao, Viva Tu

Completely unacceptable that Yanis and the Yaw aren't on any lists, especially the jazz-centric one. Huge miss there.
posted by Smedly, Butlerian jihadi at 10:58 AM on December 9 [2 favorites]


Tyler, The Creator's CHROMAKOPIA being on only of those lists is a crime against good music.
posted by NoMich at 11:08 AM on December 9


I know it's the flavor of the month, but Country music has become leftovers after Thanksgiving: Country-Pop, Country-Rap, Southern-Fried Country Rap, Techno-Dance-Country, Country That's Really Just Pop With A Single Mandolin Lick, etc... I'm sure I'll get backlash, and it's warranted, but I'll happy when this fad goes the way of '90's Swing revival music.
posted by hairless ape at 11:56 AM on December 9


Wish we could sort these lists by genre...
posted by gottabefunky at 11:56 AM on December 9


Usually I'd spend most of 2025 trying to catch up with the Pitchfork list, but I just threw everything in the OP (+ Said the Gramaphone list) in this Spotify Playlist: 1391 songs, 89 hours

I think I'll just leave it on shuffle for the next couple weeks and see what stands out for me. I have to be careful what I listen to since I have kids now, so I have to be careful about stuff like Doechii popping up when I'm cooking dinner.
posted by daHIFI at 12:01 PM on December 9 [3 favorites]


I'm glad to see Jlin's Akoma on one of these lists! I'd add Nia Archives's Silence is Loud.
posted by Wobbuffet at 12:04 PM on December 9


I know it's the flavor of the month, but Country music has become leftovers after Thanksgiving: Country-Pop, Country-Rap, Southern-Fried Country Rap, Techno-Dance-Country, Country That's Really Just Pop With A Single Mandolin Lick, etc... I'm sure I'll get backlash, and it's warranted, but I'll happy when this fad goes the way of '90's Swing revival music.

Shaboozey just set a new record for the longest #1 Billboard Pop hit ever, displacing Old Town Road, which is basically the same genre. Take that The Beatles. Oddly enough, his album is not considered among the best.

Basically this genre isn't going away, and has been sticking around longer than you might have thought.
posted by The_Vegetables at 12:23 PM on December 9


Opera by Fleshgod Apocalypse is by far the album to which I've listened the most and found most exciting this year. It's a dense and complex album with a lot of metal but many other genres, particularly classical.
posted by ElKevbo at 12:25 PM on December 9


@The_Vegetable
The kids are NOT alright.
posted by hairless ape at 12:42 PM on December 9


Not a single list has Goat Girl's "Below the Waste" on it, huh?
posted by dis_integration at 12:53 PM on December 9 [2 favorites]


Tyler, The Creator: CHROMAKOPIA
Every generation gets the Have Another Beer with Fear it so richly deserves. Congratulations, millennials: This one’s yours.
posted by pxe2000 at 12:59 PM on December 9


Stereogum:
Charli XCX
MJ Lenderman
Kendrick Lamar
Waxahatchee
Magdalena Bay
Jessica Pratt
Mount Eerie
Cindy Lee
Doechii
Los Campesinos!

(And forty more after that :))

Top five from me, because what the hell:
Arooj Aftab - Night Reign
Cassandra Jenkins - My Light, My Destroyer
Jeff Parker ETA IVtet - The Way Out of Easy
Matthew Shipp Trio - New Concepts in Piano Trio Jazz
Nala Sinephro - Endlessness
posted by box at 12:59 PM on December 9


The Cindy Lee record is great, hopefully the accolades expose more people to that not-so-easily streamed album.
posted by kensington314 at 1:00 PM on December 9 [2 favorites]


Happy to see Waxahatchee: Tigers Blood on several lists. That was my fave of the year (and was fortunate to see them live a few months ago too). Lots of unknowns for me in these lists too. I have more listening to do!
posted by JonathanB at 1:18 PM on December 9


Here's my personal top 20 I just submitted for AllMusic.com (actually 18 total, in order).

Almost strictly indie-adjacent, although metal/hardcore fans might be okay with noise-rockers Chat Pile.

Jessica Pratt - Here in the Pitch
Fontaines D.C. - Romance
Jack White - No Name
Dehd - Poetry
Vampire Weekend - Only God Was Above Us
Magdalena Bay - Imaginal Disk
Julia Holter - Something in the Room She Moves
Clairo - Charm
BODEGA - Our Brand Could Be Yr Life
Chicano Batman - Notebook Fantasy
Chat Pile - Cool World
Jane Weaver - Love in Constant Spectacle
Michael Kiwanuka - Small Changes
Monolake - Studio
MJ Lenderman - Manning Fireworks
La Luz - News of the Universe
Beth Gibbons - Lives Outgrown
Ducks Ltd. - Harm's Way
posted by saintjoe at 1:22 PM on December 9 [1 favorite]


Rosie Tucker was further down the NPR List.

Can someone do a weighted average of all the lists and come up with a best-best of?

Jessica Pratt seems to be on a lot of lists.

Meanwhile took me untill a couple months ago to really get into Chappel Roan
posted by CostcoCultist at 1:26 PM on December 9


So, Chappell Roan's album came out in 2023 but didn't really hit until this year. Otherwise no question it was the best album of 2024, sorry Kendrick and Charli XCX.

@dis_integration, I hear you. That was a really strong album. Probably more in my 15-20 range, but very good. Plus, "Below the Waste" is an amazing album title.

@CostcoCultist, I'm glad somebody else listened to Rosie Tucker. Felt very much like I was on an island with that one. So witty and relevant. Whimsical, yet bleak? Heck yeah, I listened to that album a lot.
posted by Smedly, Butlerian jihadi at 2:11 PM on December 9


I really like Romance by Fontaines D.C. but listening to it makes me realize just how good their previous album, Skinty Fia, was.

I really enjoyed Vampire Weekend's album as well. I've liked previous songs of theirs but the albums as a whole didn't hold my attention. This one hooked me from start to finish.

My top 5 albums by time listened was
Idles - Tangk
Vampire Weekend - Only God Was Above Us
Waxahatchee - Tigers Blood
Fontaines D.C. - Romance
Beth Gibbons - Lives Outgrown
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 2:14 PM on December 9 [1 favorite]


Nice to see Clairo get a mention on at least one list. Criminally overlooked artist, imho.
posted by Thorzdad at 2:46 PM on December 9


[ctrl-f "SPRINTS"] No hits, huh? Everybody is wrong except me. Letter to Self is a revelation.
posted by General Malaise at 3:21 PM on December 9 [1 favorite]


My favorite album of the year, which isn't on any of their lists, is The Future Is Our Way Out, by Brigitte Calls Me Baby. I first discovered them early this year and saw them at a tiny club with a capacity of only 300. Wes Leavins, their lead singer, sounds like a combination of Morrissey, Elvis Presley, and Roy Orbison, and he's very charismatic on stage.
posted by mike3k at 3:58 PM on December 9


Can someone do a weighted average of all the lists and come up with a best-best of?

This isn't that, but from the original list, the top 4 sorted by frequency alone are:

Charli XCX (Brat) – 8 mentions
MJ Lenderman (Manning Fireworks)– 6 mentions
Nala Sinephro (Endlessness) – 5 mentions
Kim Gordon (The Collective) – 5 mentions
posted by jeremias at 4:33 PM on December 9


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