This year has been the year of music, bringing back genres we’ve overlooked and artists coming back better than ever. With this, we’ve been given some of the best albums of 2024 that have captivated audiences and topped charts throughout the year. We’ve had it all, from heartfelt, lyrically vulnerable, and beautifully composed albums to albums that have culturally shifted the industry as we know it. We’ve also gotten collaborations we would’ve never even imagined that have reset standards for artist features.
This year has truly marked an awakening in music for artists and fans alike, so let’s take a deep dive into the 10 best albums of 2024.
Eternal Sunshine by Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande took the world by storm releasing Eternal Sunshine, marking her seventh studio album after a three-year break. She had seemingly taken some time off to film the long-awaited movie “Wicked,” and shocked fans by announcing a full-length album within the same year as the highly-anticipated film. This was one of Grande’s most lyrically vulnerable albums, including surprising collaborations with Mariah Carey, Troye Sivan and Brandy & Monica. Eternal Sunshine charted number 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, with the lead single “Yes And?” charting number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Hit Me Hard and Soft by Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish had a pretty eventful 2023 with her hit song “What Was I Made For” from the “Barbie” (2023) soundtrack winning her an Academy Award and a Grammy. Hit me Hard and Soft was an equally exciting follow-up, keeping her massive success consistent throughout 2024.
Hit Me Hard and Soft features 10 tracks, all of which charted in the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 with “Birds of a Feather” charting at number two on the Billboard 200. This album included new sounds for Eilish that were featured on fan-favorite tracks like “Lunch” and “L’MOUR DE MA VIE.” The album carried a range of influences, such as electro-pop, jazz and alternative, while still catering to her signature bedroom-pop sound.
Orquidias by Kali Uchis
Kali Uchis is a proud Columbian-American artist who celebrates her culture. This album was predominately Spanish, including the hit song “Igual Que Un Ángel” featuring Latin sensation Peso Pluma. This collaboration took the media by storm, as he traditionally sings to regional Mexican music. The song peaked at number one on the Hot Latin Song Charts and was number 10 on the Billboard Global Charts. On the final track of the album, “Dame Besso // Muévete,” Uchis collaborated with other well-loved Latin stars such as Karol G, El Alfa, JT, and Rauw Alejandro. The album ranged from Latin-pop to traditional mariachi, salsa and so much more.
GNX by Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar released his sixth studio rap album GNX after the success of “Not Like Us,” peaking at number one on Billboard’s Hot 100. This album came stacked with features including SZA, Young Threat and Roddy Rich, to name a few. The 12-track album shows sincerity of Lamar’s L.A. roots and overall rap career, even incorporating the sounds of a local L.A. mariachi singer Deyra Barrera into multiple songs on the album.
brat by Charli XCX
Charli XCX released her sixth studio album, brat, just in time for summer 2024. The album charted number three on the Billboard charts and took the Internet by storm, coining the term “brat summer” and the iconic viral Apple Dance that she’d later incorporate on her headline tour with Troye Sivan. This album was arguably the album of the summer with the catchy electro-pop, synth songs. Charli didn’t stop there, as she’d later re-release the album with each song having a featured artist, including Ariana Grande, Lorde, Billie Eilish, Kesha, and The 1975, to name a few.
Chromakopia by Tyler, the Creator
One of the most commercially successful albums this year – despite being released in October – was Tyler, the Creator‘s eighth studio album. Chromakopia peaked at number one in eight different countries, with all 14 tracks charting in the top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100. Like many artists this year, Tyler gifted fans with long awaited features and even featured smaller artists as well. The album featured the likes of Daniel Cesear, Doechii, Sexxy Red and Lola Young. The intricate production and mastering is nothing new, however there were definitely new sounds for the artist in this project that made it stand out within rap and hip-hop spaces.
Submarine by The Marías
The Marías released their second studio album Submarine, proceeding the success of their 2021 album Cinema. Submarine peaked at seventeen on the Billboard 200 charts. This year was the year of indie and pop, so it’s no surprise the indie-pop band has nearly doubled their fan base since the release of their first studio album. However, what makes this album and The Marías so special is the fusion and mix of English and Spanish songs. It is something that has lent a hand to reaching both English and Spanish speakers through their raw lyrics and vocals.
The 14-track album is beautifully curated and sonically authentic to what The Marías are. While the sound is similar to their previous album, the production and cleaner instrumentals just go to show their growth as artists as well. Submarine was a matured version of Cinema, and it’s one of the best indie albums of this year.
Cosa Nuestra by Rauw Alejandro
Rauw Alejandro released his sixth album, Cosa Nuestra, this year. He has consecutively released an album every year since 2019 and you would assume that could mean rushed and poorly developed projects, but not in his case. Alejandro keeps getting bigger and better. He was number six on the Billboard 200 album charts with Cosa Nuestra and number one on the Latin album charts.
This album was truly a treat for any and all Latin music fans due to the amount of amazing collaborations on the project. It seems everyone in the Latin space joined in on this project, with eight of the 19 tracks on the album having features, including Bad Bunny, Feid and Romeo Santos. The album also incorporated more traditional Latin beats, Latin R&B and his beloved reggaeton compositions.
This Wasn’t Made For You by Lola Young
Lola Young is one of this year’s most prominent, breakthrough indie rockstars. Her newest album, This Wasn’t Meant For You Anyway, comes a year after her second album which included her first charting single. However, she was able to proceed it with her newest charting single “Messy,” a lyrically venerable masterpiece that caught the attention of many, resulting in a TikTok trend relating to the lyrics.
“Messy” also charted at number 20 on the US rock charts. She also garnered attention after being featured on Tyler, the Creator’s most recent album, were we see Young’s incredible vocal range. She is known for her honest writing and confessional vocal tone, but this album truly solidified her as an up-and-coming star.
Short n’ Sweet Sabrina Carpenter
Sabrina Carpenter dropped her much-anticipated sixth studio album Short n’ Sweet, following the success of her two summer hits “Espresso” and “Please Please Please.” Carpenter earned her first top 10 single on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Espresso” sitting at number three, which was quickly taken over with a number one slot by “Please Please Please.” Sitting at number two was “Taste,” her third song from the album to chart.
The album also had major commercial success, peaking at number one on the Billboard 200 album charts for three weeks. This album had everything from pop, country and even some more indie-alternative sounds, truly catering to her massive audience. The 12-track album was impressive on its own, showing Carpenter’s vocal range – especially in her deeper register – as well as how dedicated she is to her music. Her last album had only come out the year before, so her latest album being constructed within a year is impressive within itself, earning Carpenter the title of pop princess this year.
What was your favorite album from 2024?
