Top Ten Albums of 2024
I list my favorite albums from Band-Maid and Palaye Royale to Royal Republic
It’s that time of year again when I reflect on this year’s entertainment, by revealing my ten favorite albums of 2024. This year it was tough to pick ten albums that stuck with me beyond their initial release. The main qualifiers for my list this year, was if I came back to it 2+ weeks after release. With that I have my ten albums, so let’s begin.
10. From Zero – Linkin Park
The Nu-metal, rock outfit returned from a hiatus I believed to be permanent after the death of Chester Bennington. They returned with new vocalist Emily Armstrong and the album From Zero. I thought this was a great comeback album, announcing the new line-up and highlighting there is still a road left to travel. Mike Shinoda and Co sounded rejuvenated and hungry to make music again. Emily was a fantastic choice bringing her own style to tracks like Heavy is the Crown. You can read my full review here.
9. Negative Spaces – Poppy
Poppy for a long time was just a YouTube personality who did music, but they weren’t on my radar. That was until Scary Mask dropped and they dive-bombed into metal. Negative Spaces continues that journey with some of their best tracks to date. No two Poppy albums are the same, with them always experimenting and pushing themselves to evolve. I was hooked from the first track and have felt myself drawn back to the album again and again.
8. Darker White – Fever333
Jason Butler knows how to write a hit that doesn’t sugarcoat the message. Darker White is a fantastic album that grabs you from the first note and doesn’t let go. There is no mistaking the message behind each track, and they are not lip service. You feel the anger, hurt, and joy in the lyrics. Fever333 isn’t here to play games. They have a message and people need to hear it.
7. Epic Narratives – Band-Maid
My favorite J-rock band once again made my favorite albums list. The most hard-working bands out there, put their all into everything they create, and Epic Narratives is their magus opus. The guitar and bass work is mesmerizing as they push themselves. With each album, I hope it will be the one that introduces them to more ears here in the west and I believe this is the album that will do it. Especially with another international rising star band The Warning featuring on SHOW THEM. Band-maid has never sounded better, and you can check out my full thoughts here.
6. Ignore This – Dead Pony
Ignore This was a statement of an album title and a statement they backed up with fantastic hooks, lyrics, and the ability to have fun. Their debut album was one of my anticipated of the year and it did not disappoint. Ignore This is their musical playground and their having fun. Check out my full review here.
5. Keep Me Fed – The Warning
This was a band that was on my radar for a while, but it was this album that got my full attention. This is a no-holds-barred thrill from start to finish with vocals filled with angst and energy. Percussion to get your heart racing and a bass to die for. You can check out my full review here.
4. Death or Glory – Palaye Royale
Before the release of Death or Glory, I had only been a casual fan listening to a single here and there, in the same vein as The Warning, and in that vein, it all changed with their latest album. A party from start to finish with bright guitars and thumping drums hiding the sinister undertone of the lyrics. A seductive cocktail that you can’t help but come back for seconds.
3. Trap [Original Motion Picture Score] – Herdís Stefánsdóttir
This was a shock to me but one I couldn’t deny. Had never really paid attention to the score of a film before. I have mostly just seen them as an extension of the film. That was until I heard Herdís Stefánsdóttir’s score for Trap and instantly knew why people fell in love with movie scores. I felt haunted by this score the moment I left the theatre and I had to research and buy this score. I’ve had this album on repeat daily since the film’s release. I do urge you to check out the score and the film.
2. Gloom Division – IDKHOW
Gloom Division was released back in February, but it has been in constant rotation since then. It is a sophisticated jazz party that hits you with a layer of bubble gum joy that hides the darker undertones of the lyrics. It's a beautiful blend that I love when a band can do it right and IDKHOW does it to perfection.
1. Love Cop – Royal Republic
Before seeing my Spotify Wrapped this year, I was convinced it would be My House. That track was a hell of an earworm that I had on repeat. That is why it was no surprise that Royal Republic’s Love Cop is my favorite album of the year. There is one thing you can guarantee with a Royal Republic album and that’s a good time and that’s what they deliver here. This album is a party, and you can read my full review here.
That’s my list for this year. I would love to know what you thought and who your picks were in the comments. I will be back before the year ends with a playlist of my favorite tracks and plans for the future. Be sure to subscribe to be notified when all that drops and more.