Best Albums of 2024 (Part 3)

Numerous albums emerged in 2024 across various genres, with a significant number of exceptional works. Throughout the year, I encountered a lot of music and discovered many new artists that left a lasting impression on me. I present the final installment of a three-part series highlighting my favorite albums released this year, with the aim to being more active on this site in 2025.

Dark Timesby Vince Staples

With Dark Times, Vince Staples adds another masterpiece to his discography. Dark Times excels because, although many of the songs are catchy and luscious, it becomes clear how intimate and emotional this album is for Vince as you start to peel back the layers. With each song on the record, Vince reveals a new aspect of his inner turmoil and deepens his sadness. This album is full of sorrow, melancholy nostalgia, rage, suffering, reflection on the purpose of life, and the need for a deep connection that gives life purpose. Tragically poignant, Dark Times effectively conveys its message, lives up to its title, and maintains a brief, succinct subject. It’s difficult to put into words all of the specific emotions and ideas that Vince’s new album evokes, making it a record we will keep coming back to for the years to follow.

TIMELESSby Kaytranada

TIMELESS adheres to KAYTRANADA’s R&B/house genre, utilizing his natural talent for creating memorable earworms that are appropriate for any late-night dance party. Each performs exceptionally well on their particular tracks, so as a curator, he understands who to choose for guest features. The production on here is similar to KAYTRANADA’s previous outings, which is slick, glossy and always perfectly done to make you groove to his beats. KAYTRANADA truly shines on TIMELESS, delivering some incredible vibes. His unique musical style feels more polished this time, ensuring you’ll be dancing along for the entire album. The tracks along with several high profile guest features elevate the album significantly and make him shine on his big stage moment.

Samuraiby Lupe Fiasco

Lupe Fiasco collaborates once again with producer Soundtrakk to create a smooth, jazzy album that reflects on the struggles and hardships of maintaining a career in the arts. Using a 2015 documentary based on the life of Amy Winehouse as reference, Lupe Fiasco writes the story of Amy Winehouse becoming a battle rapper. The album’s brief duration calls for a high standard of excellence. It kicks off with a strong start, Lupe’s wordplay and lyrical skill remain outstanding, and the beats stay engaging and brilliant throughout the run time of the record. Saumari beautifully captures the essence of one artist’s deep affection for another, showcasing how musicians inspire each other to grow and evolve. Lupe skillfully conveys this idea with a heartfelt passion, avoiding the heavy-handedness that sometimes characterized his previous work, which could alienate devoted fans. You can appreciate it simply as an exploration of Lupe’s own past and possibilities, or you can delve deeper to experience his interpretation of Amy Winehouse’s unique vision, blending it with the sharp edge of Wu-Tang-style battle raps. The balance between thought-provoking and effortlessly cool is perfectly struck here, highlighting the best qualities of Lupe as an artist in a vibrant and engaging way.

I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR YOU by JPEGMAFIA

JPEGMAFIA has always been a game-changer in the Hip Hop scene. His career is defined by bold experimentation, earning him a reputation as one of the most creative artists in the genre. With his latest project, I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR YOU, JPEGMAFIA takes another daring leap. This album delivers the same high energy fans have come to expect, while also showcasing new facets of Peggy’s artistry. I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR YOU highlights JPEGMAFIA at his most adaptable. It’s a collection of cuts that is both challenging and surprising, seamlessly merging various genres and emotions, from punk vigor to reflective ballads. For those who appreciate experimental music and seek an artist willing to defy conventions, this album offers an exhilarating and unpredictable experience. Once again, JPEGMAFIA demonstrates why he stands out as one of the most vibrant and inventive voices in modern music.

Imaginal Diskby Magdalena Bay

It is very rare that we stumble upon an album that wraps around us like a cozy hug—full of energy and happiness, yet so captivating that it makes us pause. It’s not often we find an album that checks all those boxes while also being abstract enough to keep us coming back for more, revealing new layers and interpretations with each listen. Imaginal Disk by Magdalena Bay is just that. The album has a loose storyline about a girl named True Blue who embarks on a journey of self-discovery and love after an alien doctor implants a disk in her forehead. As she travels, she comes to understand that the disk itself doesn’t hold any real power; instead, it’s her faith in it that helps her believe in herself and unlock her true potential. The album is intentionally ambiguous, allowing for various interpretations, yet clear enough to keep us engaged in True Blue’s adventure. The record is full of party bangers and heartfelt songs that will make you feel your emotions while you groove to the beats.

GNXby Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar has released 18 tracks this year and dominated one of the most legendary rap showdowns ever. Lamar understands that his biggest competition is himself. With GNX, Kendrick boasts a stellar lineup of collaborators like Sounwave, Mustard, and his new favourite collaborator Jack Antonoff. GNX showcases a clearer songwriting style that was sometimes missing before. While it’s more accessible, the lyrics are still packed with deep references and meanings. Instead of filling the album with big-name stars (aside from a couple of smooth features from SZA), “GNX” features a bunch of rising rappers, adding a fresh layer to the album’s goals. The pressure is on, but Kendrick rocks that crown like it’s meant for him.

CHROMAKOPIAby Tyler the Creator

Tyler stands out as one of the most versatile artists in the music scene, and what really sets his work apart is his totally distinct vision that shines through in everything he does. Whether he’s rapping on a bulldozer in a video, performing in a wild windstorm at an awards show, kicking off his Coachella set dressed as a forest ranger, or just laying down some tracks, you can always tell it’s him. There are endless questions to ponder with each moment of his album (like, what could that beat switch or that vocal inflection meant?) but it’s consistently innovative, wonderfully bizarre, and often downright funny. It’s tough to pick out just one standout aspect whether it is the sequencing of the album, the beautiful beat selection, the guest verses or Tyler’s performance as an artist and as a curator. Whatever you choose, you can agree that Tyler is on a generational run that might never be matched.

Brat/Brat and It’s Completely Different but Also Still Bratby Charli XCX

It is fair to say that Charli ruled 2024 with the brat summer and the reason for it was the incredible record BRAT. Charli XCX’s blends sparkle and digital noise into something fresh—a striking green, to be exact—and the world is finally catching up. “Brat” is more than just music; it’s a multimedia experience that showcases Charli’s growth, not just in her sound but also in her lyrics, which dive into personal reflections and character explorations. She then took it a step further with a remix album featuring big names like Lorde, Ariana Grande, and Billie Eilish, completely transforming the original tracks both musically and lyrically, adding new layers to these already bold songs. With her clever and dynamic style, Charli XCX has truly redefined what it means to be a pop star. Brat summer will be remembered for the years to come.

Blue Lips by Schoolboy Q

Q is definitely one of the standout artists from Top Dawg Entertainment. His talent for gritty lyrics, clever wordplay, and unique beats really sets him apart from his peers. Schoolboy Q’s comeback to rap with BLUE LIPS was totally earned. BLUE LIPS not only takes Q beyond the crossroads he faced before the pandemic, but it also solidifies his status as one of the most captivating and bold artists in mainstream rap. There aren’t many MCs, whether on his label or elsewhere, who can juggle so many different styles and still hit the mark without losing their footing. But Q manages to blend the highs and lows of his extravagant life into a wildly fun experience. He dropped an album packed with incredible production that highlights what makes his music so great. The guest features fit perfectly with their tracks, and there are some standout lines and performances that are going to stick with us throughout the year.

WE DON’T TRUST YOUby Future & Metro Boomin

Without WE DON’T TRUST YOU, we wouldn’t have had the incredible year 2024 shaped into. Future and Metro Boomin, the hip-hop tag-team champs, kicked off an epic rap showdown, dropped two incredible albums and changed the landscape of hip-hop forever. On We Don’t Trust You, they take listeners on a wild cinematic journey from start to finish, throwing some shade at Drake and bringing in a whole roster of his rivals to challenge his rap supremacy. But this album isn’t just about the Kendrick and Drake drama; tracks like “Type Shit,” “Cinderella,”” Young Metro,”“Fried (She a vibe),” and the titular opener really hit hard. The record is proof that Future is a legend in his lane and deserves all the respect for his craft.  This album is likely to be remembered as a turning point, marking the shift from the old school to the new generation of stars.

Thank you for checking my year-end list. Do let me know what you think about my list and what would you pick as your top albums of 2024. Check out Part 1 and Part 2 to know about my other picks.