Top 50 Albums Of 2024: THE TOP 10

I am so excited to share these. Let's GO!

I’m publishing this at 9 AM (EST) today if it’s the last thing I do! There will be no weather woes. No issues accessing my playlists. No computer issues. I have said it, and it will be so!

LOL. I’m writing this up the night before and scheduling it. That way I have NO excuses!

But you’re not here for my blather. You’re here to check out my TOP 10 albums released in 2024. Let’s go!

My Top 10 Albums: 2024 Edition!

NUMBER 10: Vicious Creature by Lauren Mayberry

This album was released on December 6, 2024. It’s THE newest album on my entire list (all fifty albums). I had a hard time justifying it’s high rank with only a few listens. And then I remembered, this is MY list, based on my opinion and my listens. And I decided this would lead off my Top 10.

It appears plenty of listeners agree. Her numbers aren’t HYOOGE, but they’re more than respectable, and I’m pretty sure many of the indie artists I’ve highlighted in 2024 would be MORE than happy to get as many listens as she has.

Lauren is a pop powerhouse. You’ll want to sing along. You’ll want to dance in your desk chair. Maybe you’ll even jump up and dance with your full body. Never say never!

I don’t add a lot of pure pop to my playlists. That alone should tell you I think this release is something special. Give it a listen and see if you agree!

Standout Tracks: “Crocodile Tears,” “Shame,” “Sorry Etc,” and “Sunday Best”

Apple Music Album Link:
https://music.apple.com/us/album/vicious-creature/1769020814

NUMBER 9: MACHINISM by Man Of Moon

Here’s one of the two Scottish artists to land in my Top 10. This is also my favorite dark wave/electronic recording of the year. Shoutout to my Threads community for turning my ears in this direction (not this band specifically, but the style of music as a whole).

Though there are many differences, I get a Maserati vibe from these fine fellas. Especially on “You And I.”

I love the range of sounds. It can be dark and disturbing or incredibly upbeat and bouncy. And sometimes both at once. Sometimes it’s sinister and forboding. And sometimes it’s clean and clear and refreshing.

I love that you don’t know exactly what the next song is going to sound like, while still being a cohesive listen.

I was a latecomer to this album, which came out in May. Had I listened to it since its release, it might have landed in a spot with single digits. If you enjoy darkwave and/or industrial music, this is something you’ll want to check out.

Standout Tracks: “Rise,” “You And I,” “Swim,” “In The Water,” and “Reign”

Apple Music Album Link:
https://music.apple.com/us/album/machinism/1727617787

NUMBER 8: Interlaker by Interlaker

I loved Lonely The Brave in the early days, when David Jakes was the lead singer. So it’s no surprise that I immediately loved his latest endeavor, Interlaker.

That voice. It soars with sadness, longing, loss and so much more. And the music soars along with his vocals. It’s raw, emotional, and it brought tears to my eyes, literally.

2024 was a year that hit me with several losses. I weathered them as best I could. Music was often my balm. And this album was one that I often turned to when I needed to feel my feels and let them out.

This will be a top choice for reflective rainy day listens, or days when it takes everything I’ve got to get out of the bed in order to face the day.

Standout Tracks: “The Hunger,” “Ghostride,” “End Unknown,” “Coming Out,” and “Bottomless Pit”

Apple Music Album Link:
https://music.apple.com/us/album/interlaker/1773791751

NUMBER 7: Lady Lou & All Her Friends by HAFFWAY

It will surprise none of you that voices played a huge role in the selection of my Top 10 albums. Sam, the singer behind HAFFWAY, has one of those voices. A voice I couldn’t ignore if I tried.

He styles his music as folkternative, and it’s a fitting descriptor. It would be hard to describe the sound without mentioning folk. But it’s not like any of the traditional folk that fills so many of my playlists.

And the “reprises” sung as duets? Normally I’d take points off for that, but not this time. All of these songs are the kind I listen to on repeat, so a slightly different version makes me all the happier!

Standout Tracks: “Lady Lou,” “Burden,” “Home For The Weekend,” and “Right Here”

Apple Music Album Link:
https://music.apple.com/us/album/lady-lou-all-her-friends/1769259568

NUMBER 6: Stampede by Orville Peck

I’ve long loved country music. My mother reared my little sister and me on Dolly, Willy, Kenny, Eddie Rabbitt, Glen Campbell, Alabama, and The Oakridge Boys. I took Dolly, Kenny, and Glenn into my adult listening years, and I’m not ashamed to admit it.

As a lover of a glorious vocal, it would be shocking if I didn’t have a thing for Orville Peck. Don’t you think.

Stampede is full of duets. In fact all fifteen tracks are sung as duets, trios, or quartets. I think that made a few listeners loathe to share it in their top lists. But, who am I to quibble with his choices? It’s also full of covers. Again, why would that stop me from including this stellar album? It didn’t.

The duets are delightful, the trios terrific, and the quartets – give me a few minutes to come up with an adjective that starts with “q” – quintessential! (That might have been a bit of a stretch, but I’m hoping you’ll allow me a little leeway. Regardless, the vocals are top notch!

I love that Peck lets the other contributors shine, because a voice as strong as his could easily overpower the others. It’s a truly collaborative effort, no mean feat, and that’s one more reason this album deserves its Top 10 slot.

Standout Tracks: “The Hurtin’ Kind,” “Back At Your Door,” “Death Valley High,” “Papa Was A Rodeo, “Conquer The Heart,” and “Rhinestone Cowboy”

Apple Music Album Link:
https://music.apple.com/us/album/stampede/1749379116

NUMBER 5: Hold My Hand, God Damn It by Gaffa Tape Sandy

Is this the one,

Lou Tilsley

? LOL. Sorry about that, had to check in with my most prolific and consistent commenter!

It’s rare for the first track on an album to be my favorite. While opening tracks are incredibly important, and they often make my top tracks lists, the chances of them being my overall favorite are slim. The gang (trio) that make up Gaffa Tape Sandy decided that needed to change!

“Body In The Water” was one of my most played songs in 2024. Only a song by Wrest and one by There Will Be Fireworks, beat it out. Both Scottish bands. SHOCKER!

The energy, the wall of noise, the angst are all tempered with the quirky la-da-da chorus. WOW!

And the rest of the album, while not quite as explosive and loud, continues to rock! I love the way the vocals trade off between Kim Jarvis (a fella, in case there was any doubt) and Catherine Nielson. She provide the sweetness and sass while he growls, yelps, and hollers!

This is the awesomeness that comes from three great friends creating the music they love together!

Standout Tracks: “Body In The Water,” “Scrapbook,” “Evil, Evil, Evil,” “Energy,” and “Queasy”

Apple Music Album Link:
https://music.apple.com/us/album/hold-my-hand-god-damn-it/1740195826

NUMBER 4: Fate & Alcohol by Japandroids

This is another album that’s received a lot of buzz, even before its release. Probably because the band’s fans know it’s their last and we all hoped they’d go out with a banger (see what I did there?).

While it might not be the banger that Post-Nothing or Celebration Rock were, it still rocks. And there’s MORE!

While there’s always plenty of reflection and pondering in Japandroids songs, the duo took it up several notches on their 2024 release. This is their “thinker” album. The songs are particularly introspective. There’s a lot of knowledge and experience being shared, most of it raw and heartbreakingly honest.

The whirling, swirling, snarling sound is still there. The vocals are still full of energy, power, and angst. But it’s all take up a notch. Even when the music slows down a bit, the impact is still hard-hitting.

Standout Tracks” “D&T,” “Alice,” “Upon Sober Reflection,” “Fugitive Summer,” and “All Bets Are Off”

Apple Music Album Link:
https://music.apple.com/us/album/fate-alcohol/1753698390

NUMBER 3: Mirror Starts Moving Without Me by Pom Pom Squad

To paraphrase Stefon from Saturday Night Live, this album has everything!

Ballads and rockers. Beauty and ugliness. Energy and mellow vibes.

In one word, this album is GORGEOUS.

You never know exactly what you’re going to get with the next song, which I love. We’re taken from quiet reflections to in your face harangues about wrongs we must work together to right.

I fell in love with Mia Berrin and her Pom Pom Squad project the first time I heard “Head Cheerleader,” especially with how dark the song gets. It’s this darkness, never masked by her beautiful vocals, that makes her albums so fantastic.

If you haven’t already, you need to experience this record. I DO NOT think you’ll be disappointed!

Standout Tracks: “Spinning,” “Streetfighter,” “Everybody’s Moving On,” “Villain,” “Messages,” and “Doll Song.”

Apple Music Album Link:

NUMBER 2: Dulling The Horns by Wild Pink

This was my BIG surprise this year. I liked an occasional song over the past nine years, but I was never a fan or avid listener. Wild Pink releases were never on my radar. They were just a band I’d heard of and never really connected with.

Until now.

I’m not sure what made me dive into their 2024 release. I didn’t see it talked about much on Substack or Threads. I may have stumbled upon it when I was double-checking 2024 releases to make sure I didn’t miss anything I needed to hear. I don’t know what pushed me to press play, but I’m so glad I did.

This album became a contender from the moment I pressed play. And each repeat listen had it climbing higher and higher, until it was vying for the top spot. It didn’t quite make it there, but a number two berth ain’t nothing to sneeze at.

It was recorded live, in a living room in a rented house, to sound more like the band’s live show experience. Maybe that’s the appeal. It’s rough around the edges, gritty, a little raw and very real. Grungy, grinding guitars, a dark and dirty beat, and honest vocals make this a must listen!

Standout Tracks: “Cloud Or Mountain,” “Sprinter Brain,” “St. Catherine St.,” “Catholic Dracula,” and “Bonnie One”

Apple Music Album Link:
https://music.apple.com/us/album/dulling-the-horns/1754242773

NUMBER 1: Darker, Louder by New Year Memorial

I immediately responded to the vocals. They felt so familiar. They were so soothing and calming. They enveloped me in a soft, snuggly blanket of sound. Why was I so sure I’d heard them before.

Because I had! I may be one of very few Americans who remembers the short-loved lions.chase.tigers. It’s that voice that I remembered. There’s so little information available about the band, that I only know the singer’s last name, Thomson. I believe his first name is Iain, but I couldn’t find verification.

On earlier albums and singles, Thomson traded lead vocals with Nicholas McManus, more known for There Will Be Fireworks, one of my favorite bands. I adore Nick’s vocals, but there’s something “more” to Thomson’s.

I feel comforted and comfortable when listening to Darker, Louder. It’s like a cocoon, but with no restriction or claustrophobia. This album has been my go-to since its release. When I can’t sleep, when I need a break from sitting at my computer. When I’m feeling sad, happy, tired, irritated, angry, or unsure.

Some might think the songs all bleed together. But it’s that continuity and consistency that has me coming back, again and again. It’s never boring. I never feel like a change. There are minute changes in pace and emotion that keep me listening.

It’s an album you have to hear to understand. And I’ll understand if you don’t hear and feel what I do.

Tell me you want to feel
Just like you used to feel …

Standout Tracks: “I Carried You Home,” “So Delicate,” “Only You,” “Glitters,” “Chorus Boys,” and “Darker, Louder”

Apple Music Album Link:
https://music.apple.com/us/album/darker-louder/1753829669

There you go. My Top 50 Albums of 2024 all listed and accounted for. It was a fantastic year full of awesome albums, gorgeous voices, and standout songs. I can’t wait to see what 2025 brings to our hearts and ears.

I hope you’ve found some new listens while checking out my lists over the last five days. I’ve enjoyed the chats and discussion. I’ve enjoyed the repeat listens. But most of all I’ve enjoyed sharing the songs that matter to me with you. Even if we’re not in agreement on the merits of a specific album.

I can’t wait to share and discuss music, with all of you, in the New Year!