Well, I certainly chose a nuts year to start taking this seriously. 2024 has a great chance of being known as a historic year for music. Across all genres, artists have put out some of their best work to date, broken out to reach new heights, or even redefine the expectations of a genre. The pop landscape is dominated by a who’s who of women under 30 that may dominate until the sun collapses. The dust has settled on the hip hop scene and we have a better understanding of the hierarchy. Rock holds steady, country is thriving, the hits and as sophisticated as ever.

I had to cap myself at 20, so here are some honorable mentions of albums I enjoyed but didn’t have much to write about.

• beabadoobee – This Is How Tomorrow Moves
• Beyoncé – COWBOY CARTER
• Zach Bryan – The Great American Bar Scene
• Godspeed You! Black Emperor – “NO TITLE AS OF 13 FEBRUARY 2024 28,340 DEAD”
• IDLES – TANGK
• Knocked Loose – You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To
• MJ Lenderman – Manning Fireworks
• MGMT – Loss of Life
• Mount Erie – Night Palace
• Vince Staples – Dark Times

Let’s get it.

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Apple Music // Spotify // Genre: Synth-Pop, Indie

Following the acclaim of the Nisemono EP, Cameron Lew continues to bring the signature sound of Ginger Root to the forefront of the indie pop landscape. In a time where Japanese pop music from the 70s and 80s is being rediscovered, Ginger Root brings modern sensibilities to the genre with stellar production choices and hooks that burrow in your brain in a way only Vulfpeck can rival. Listen to No Problems and truly feel, wait for it, no problems.

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Apple Music // Spotify // Genre: Indie Rock

Sigh. It is now time for me to publicly defend Jack Antonoff. When he isn’t producing pop artists in a way that may or may not benefit them, he’s doing earnest work creating New Jersey rock music that’s clearly inspired by the New Jersey rock guy before him. On this self-titled album, Bleachers brings what they’re known for, including bangers (Modern Girls), soft ballads (Isimo), and songs about loving Margaret Qualley (Tiny Moves) (also me too Jack). I would still listen to 2022’s Take The Sadness of Saturday Night first, however this album works in its own way. Side note, it is truly insane to have a 2017 BROCKHAMPTON demo on this album. If you know, you know.

Editor’s Note: Ben wrote this before GNX came out. Stay tuned for further analysis of the music industry’s most controversial producer.

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Apple Music // Spotify // Genre: Blues Rock

It is the year Two Thousand Twenty Four, and Jack White is still fucking doing it. While nothing groundbreaking or new, No Name is authentic in its execution and sound, which is what makes it an enthralling listen. Jack’s dedication to creating the perfect blues electric guitar soundscape only improves throughout the years as he hones in his craft and collection of amps/pedals/pickups from 1947 (exaggeration). Once you’re 30 seconds deep into the opening track Old Scratch Blues, you realize he’s about as close to mastering the sound as he’ll ever be. Until the next album, I’m sure.

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Apple Music // Spotify // Genre: Pop

Remi Wolf has arrived, and goddammit you are going to have fun listening to her. Big vocals, bright production, immaculate vibes. Big Ideas, ironically, brings the fundamentals of what makes an act like Remi Wolf successful and turns it up to 12. Soup, Cinderella, and Toro bring the catchiness and power, while Cherries & Cream and When I Thought Of You bring softer moments that still show Remi’s ability as a singer. A fun time all around, and a pop girlie that should get more attention amongst the renaissance of the genre.

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Apple Music // Spotify // Genre: Pop

Getting this out of the way now, songs about cunnilingus rule. Great job by her adding to the collection. ANYWAY. Billie’s run of first three albums rivals that of her contemporaries. With a slim 10 tracks, Eilish gets to the goods of her and Finneas’ abilities with the high quality results you’d expect. BIRDS OF A FEATHER, THE GREATEST, and BLUE being standouts especially. That being said, this opinionated fool thinks it’s time for them to split. This third album to me shows that Billie and Finneas have explored all they can sonically, and there’s more interesting places Eilish can go with her music going forward. Listen to the Guess remix again to prove my point.

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Apple Music // Spotify // Genre: Alternative Rock

God damn, this is their debut album??? What a joy to find a band like TLDP where their sound is so well established right from the start. Baroque pop, shades of Bowie, dashes of 70’s prog rock, it’s all there and executed with precision. Catchy choruses on Nothing Matters, soaring ballads on Beautiful Boy, and straight rocking songs like Sinner are just some of the examples of the greatness that this albums brings to the table. I look forward to hearing them more as they continue to put out this quality sound.

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Apple Music // Spotify // Genre: Indie Pop, Singer/Songwriter

Those who are diehard fans of MUNA won’t bat an eye to the quality that a Katie Gavin solo record brings. Yet, it’s surprisingly refreshing to hear this side of the singer in a hue that is close to the band while being its own sound. Sonically, things feel stripped down in comparison to the choruses of What I Want and Stayaway. Production and vocals take inspiration from 90s-00s female records, ranging from Fiona Apple to The Chicks. Katie’s writing is as personal and powerful as ever, it’s clear why these songs fit in a better context of solo material than with the band. All this makes for a cohesive record that rewards multiple listens. Highlights for me so far include Aftertaste, The Baton, Sanitized, and Inconsolable. Also, great album cover.

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Apple Music // Spotify // Genre: Rap

Being late to this shit sucks. I gotta drag my ass back to the archives to listen to Doechii after her incredible Balloon verse (more on that later), and realize that I completely MISSED on her greatness when I could’ve been ahead of the curve. Sickening. Alligator Bites Never Heal is as cohesive of a mixtape you can get. Doechii is in her element with the lyricism she brings to the table. Composition is on point with bouncy and smooth production across all tracks. She can even make fart noises on Boom Bap and make it memorable. And the one-two punch of Boiled Peanuts and Denial Is A River creates an statement of arrival like no other. If Doechii’s undeniable energy continues to translate into her music, look forward to a dominant 2025 with the release of her debut album.

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Apple Music // Spotify // Genre: Alt-Country

Sometimes you gotta look inward and realize that if the people in your life you respect have Waxahatchee in their Spotify Wrapped, it’s probably something you missed out on that you should fix. Tigers Blood is a statement piece of an album with the warmth and depth you would expect from an Americana album. The lyricism and vocals of Kathryn Crutchfield that burrows into your brain and leaves a lasting impression. She is able to paint a picture of emotions in minimal strokes, a sign of a talent no doubt. The band that accompanies her is on their A-Game on this album, with balanced soundscapes and steady rhythms. I am forever so so mad I missed seeing this live with Tim Heidecker as an opener (yes, that Tim Heidecker).

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Apple Music // Spotify // Genre: Indie Rock

If any album gives off the vibe of “we are so fucking back” it’s this one. Five years removed from the polished and divisive Father of the Bride (an album I’ll happily defend), VW return to their roots with a sense of urgency not felt in years. From the moment Ice Cream Piano kicks into high gear, you know you’re in for the New York indie rock you once loved here again. Classical, Capricorn, Gen-X Cops, Mary Boone, and Pravada all are standouts that show just how capable the band is when all parties are present and firing on all cylinders.

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Apple Music // Spotify // Genre: Pop

It’s certainly not a new concept to have a pop artist sing about themselves with confidence, it’s just that Sabrina’s flavor of confidence stands out so strong alongside her contemporaries that more likely to be introspective. Carpenter knows that she is hot, funny, horny, and worth it. Heaven pray for the man that fucks it up, or as Please Please Please so aptly puts it “Heartbreak is one thing, my ego’s another, I beg you don’t embarrass me Motherfucker.” Sonically, Sabrina shows much more comfort in sampling many styles of pop, rock, and country as compared to her previous records that had more bland, pseudo r&b production. Take Coincidence, for example, which sounds like something from peak Sheryl Crow. Even look at Slim Pickins, a lovely Dolly Parton impression for what it’s worth. Sabrina has all the talent in the world to hold herself up to par with her peers, and do so in a way unique to her.

Editor’s Note: Ben wrote this before the Barry Keoghan break-up news, and didn’t mean to write a line so foreboding as “Heaven pray for the man that fucks it up.”

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Apple Music // Spotify // Genre: Pop, Indie

Everyone sit your ass down and LISTEN to the originator of the bedroom pop you know and love. Charm is about as strong as a Clairo album gets, leaning into all the right angles of her abilities and aesthetics. Every track here is concise, lush, and familiar in sound while completely new. Simply, no one does it like her, despite any imitators that may be out there. I don’t have much else to write. I’ll just list tracks that I love. Thank You, Juna, Add Up My Love, Glory of the Snow. This is journalism folks.

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Apple Music // Spotify // Genre: Folk, Singer/Songwriter

After the critical success of Big Thief’s double album Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You, Lenker strips things down and makes a defining album that showcases her strengths. Adrianne is simply on another level with her songwriting abilities. That in combination with the stylistic choices she makes with her songs creates lore and mystique that only so few artists of her caliber can garner. Take Vampire Empire for example. Multiple versions of this song now exist in a way that mystifies it to a degree not seen in some time in this scene. Production on this track and across the album bring an intimacy and raw feel to the recording that rivals her last solo work, songs. All in all, this is just a beautiful, haunting work of art that lingers with every listen.

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Apple Music // Spotify // Genre: Dance

Harsh. Brash. LCD Soundsystem rip off. Vapid lyrics. Lonely Island sounding vocals. Feels trashy when you listen to it. Gives off poser vibes. There are all COMPLIMENTS that I give to The Dare’s debut album. The influences are blatant, the fingerprints of New York City 2000’s indie rock are everywhere, and yet I am left not caring as I bang my head to this shit. The Dare goes full tilt into the aesthetics, and nothing is being half-assed here. The one-two punch of Perfume and Girls is about as intoxicating as music gets for making you move. All Night is infectious with its LA TO NEW YORK, NEW YORK TO LA bouncing chorus. I get that the founder of drew-lamp.com has hesitation, and to some extent I’m right there with him. Yet, I dare to say that for once, when it comes to this album, it’s not that deep. Shake ass.

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Apple Music // Spotify // Genre: Rock, Progressive

The most obnoxious music bro you know fell to their knees at your local vintage shop when they learned that signature rock band Black Midi would be dissolved indefinitely. Shortly after the news broke, it was known that lead vocalist and guitarist Geordie Greep would be coming out with a solo record. Aptly titled The New Sound, Greep assembled some of the top session musicians to make one of the most engaging progressive rock records of the year. Right out the gate, the opening track Blues establishes what we’re about to embark on. Heavily influenced by Brazilian music, Greep brings a level of groove to tracks that are addicting to listen to. Lead single Holy, Holy continues the trend while establishing more of the concept of the record. An album roughly about experiencing delusions of grandeur as a side effect of coping with the crippling realities of being an adult, Greep sings with urgency and insanity. What results is a whirlwind of emotional highs and lows, all accompanied by incredible instrumentation. It’s clear that Geordie Greep is one to watch for future musical endeavors.

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Apple Music // Spotify // Genre: Experimental Rap

When Peggy opens this album with the line “If I was a NBA player I’d be Dillion Brooks, but worse” you immediately realize what the tone of this album will be. Like Dillion Brooks, JPEGMAFIA is not changing who is he for anyone, ensuring he’s as polarizing and brazing as ever, and making his haters mad. What results is Peggy’s most cohesive project to date, with a slim track list that packs a punch at every turn. As expected, production on this album is absolutely bonkers. Who else samples Brian Cox in Succession, reinterprets a Wu-Tang classic, and flips an AI interpretation of a song, all in a 13 minute span over 4 tracks? Absurd. If JPEGMAFIA isn’t in someone’s list of great rappers today, stop listening to them.

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Apple Music // Spotify // Genre: Rap

When Kendrick Lamar released untitled unmastered in 2016, it was made clear that even his b-sides are just as good as anyone else’s a-sides. It was at this point pundits would be left to wonder what Kendrick couldn’t do? Maybe it was commercial appeal? DAMN. partially silenced that critique, but still showed that when Lamar puts out an album it will be a project that has a concept centered around it. Is it in Kendrick’s wheelhouse to simply put out an album with quality tracks? GNX answers that question with a loud yes, and he can do it at will. Producers revealed that Kendrick was asking for beats two days before the album dropped. UMG didn’t know the album was coming out until the morning of. Make no mistake, Kendrick is ready at any given time, he just knows when to drop and when to not.

GNX is the final victory lap on an insane 2024 filled with diss tracks that turned into summer anthems. Production on this album is lead by Soundwave and…wait for it…Jack Antanoff! Y’know, the guy I begrudgingly defended earlier? The thesis on Jack now is simple, put him with an artist that pushes his capabilities and he will deliver. I think GNX and Lana Del Ray’s recent records prove this. Lyrically, Kendrick is as sharp as ever, rapping about a wide range of topics and putting everyone in their place. If this is an ode to the west coast mixtape that many have exclaimed, let it be known that this is the strongest west coast mixtape in a long while. Listen to reincarnated, tv off, and heart pt. 6 to understand the vision.

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Apple Music // Spotify // Genre: Rap

How do you follow up a three album run that brings you all the success and critical acclaim in the world, establishes your versatilities in the subgenres that rap can have, and solidifies you as part of the big three in hip hop today? Tyler, The Creator has nothing left to prove at this stage of the game. He could simply phone it in if he wanted to. In some ways, the argument could be made that he did. Tyler has very much found his lane with production and continues to beat that drum. What makes CHROMAKOPIA stand out is the lyricism. Paranoia, pregnancy scares, black hair, and growing up all are covered in what can be considered Tyler’s most personal project yet. A shock considering what Flower Boy and Igor covered thematically. What truly stands out on this project though is the HITS that Tyler can create. Rah Tah Tah, Sticky, and Thought I Was Dead all show that Tyler knows how create a rap song that folks are gonna go insane for live. The highlight of the album is Balloon, featuring amazing production and a Doechii guest verse that makes everyone understand who she is and why she needs to be on your radar. Tyler’s star power continues to rise, and it’s unclear if anything is going to bring him down.

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Apple Music // Spotify // Genre: Pop

2024 has been a year of Charli xcx getting her flowers. Commercial success, critical acclaim, sold out tours, hit songs, hit remixes, and viral moments throughout. All of it stems from the perfection that BRAT brings to the table. Charli crafted a project with no skips, consistent messaging, authenticity, and an overall synthesis of her musical aesthetics. There will surely be debates on whether or not this is her best album (it’s not), but it’s clear that it is her most important. Pop music has long been needing this moment, as the work Charli, SOPHIE, A.G. Cook, and other peers have put in over the last ten years. The critical recognition and audience approval shows that they had the right idea all along as to what pop music should sound like in the 21st century. The question now comes; how does all of this get followed up? Charli’s next album will be one to watch.

BONUS DELUXE ALBUM REVIEW: Let me be so clear: I hate the trend of deluxe albums these days. Re-releasing your album on streaming after two weeks just to add two bonus tracks is not a deluxe experience (and doing it multiple times over multiple months is desperate COUGH COUGH but that’s a different article all together). Charli’s remix deluxe album sets the standard for what these types of albums can be. Every track off BRAT is new again with smart features and thoughtful interpolations. It brings new depth to the tracks and what they can mean to any given listener. More importantly, it brought Lorde back in conversation with her peers, which we are truly missing in this decade.

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Apple Music // Spotify // Genre: Alt-Pop

Yeah, I gotta be me on this one.

From the moment the opening track She Looked Like Me hit my ears, I knew something special was about to happen. Little did I know this would be 15 tracks of incredible pop music in all its forms held together by a trippy concept that even I still don’t fully have my head wrapped around. Regardless, every track here is compelling. Killing Time grooves in a way that brings a great forward momentum to the start of the album. Image is lush and sexy in its execution. Death & Romance fucking bangs. And that’s just the first three songs after the opener (there’s also an interlude in between but shh). Matt and Mica are masters of taking so many niche elements of pop music from multiple decades and weaving them together into a project that makes them look like technicolor in a black and white world. They also are masters of building a track up to its crescendo and keeping you engaged throughout. The layers of tension that get added on tracks like Vampire in the Corner, Watching T.V., and Tunnel Vision, all leading to their own apexes, and transitioning right into other, shows a level of conceptual art in music not seen often in a pop landscape. The album concludes with the run of That’s My Floor > Cry for Me > Angel on a Satellite > The Ballad of Matt & Mica. This is my favorite run of tracks on an album this year, and perfectly encapsulates the sounds brought to this album. Vaugely, this is an album about getting older, identity, and coming to terms with yourself. Directly, this album is a statement piece on what Mag Bay can create with their wide knowledge of niche pop trends over the last 15 years and make it work as an epic conceptual landmark.

BONUS CONCERT REVIEW: I bought overpriced resale tickets to Mag Bay on a whim at the Royale in Boston on a random Wednesday night in September. It’s my favorite show I’ve gone to in years. The energy of the songs translate so well live, including a live drummer who fucking killed it while Matt switched between bass and keys. Mica’s vocals were stellar and brought an incredible stage presence. I would let her [REDACTED] me.

I can’t end this on a thirst sentence. ANYWAY. What makes this my album of the year is how it is impossible for me to not listen through all the way each time I listen to a track. Imanginal Disk engages the listener in way that engrosses you in the entire project. In a time where albums can just be 30 track dumping grounds for maximum streaming, Matt and Mica dare to make a complete listening experience. That is something to be rewarded.

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Thank you for reading all of this if you got this far. I greatly appreciate you and wish you texted more often. This is my first venture in writing like this, so any feedback is welcome.

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Ben May is a contributing writer/editor on drew-lamp.com, and an opinionated hack. You can find them on this dying format serving dumb takes, or on this alright format serving face cards or whatever they call it.

Coming Soon: Ben May’s Fav Films of 2024