Luna Staff Picks: 2024 Albums of the year
2024 albums of the year
2024 albums of the year
☆ BY THE LUNA COLLECTIVE STAFF ☆
2024 WAS A YEAR OF INCREDIBLE MUSICAL RELEASES - from genre-defying pop anthems to introspective indie ballads, artists pushed creative boundaries and delivered some truly unforgettable albums.
This year saw the rise of new voices and the continued evolution of established artists. Doechii's Alligator Bites Never Heal shattered expectations with its bold blend of hip-hop, R&B, and pop, while Lola Young's This Wasn't Meant For You Anyway offered a raw and vulnerable exploration of heartbreak.
From the experimental soundscapes of Magdalena Bay's Imaginal Disk to the boundary-pushing artistry of Tyler, The Creator's CHROMAKOPIA, 2024 was a year of sonic exploration and artistic growth.
This curated list highlights some of the most impactful and influential albums released this year, showcasing the diversity and creativity that defines the music landscape.
Alligator Bites Never Heal by Doechii
The genius and talent that is Doechii is almost unfathomable but it surely is amazing to witness. From her breakout singles, “What It Is” and “Persuasive”, the rapper already convinced many of her unlimited potential but Alligator Bites Never Heal has taken this promise to new heights. In the middle of July, the TDE signee began releasing short music videos from her Swamp Sessions series, with “Nissan Altima” and “Boom Bap” being standout, riveting and viral singles. These are hits in their own right but the release of the mixtape saw “Denial is a River” becoming a quick and easy fan favorite.
The 19-track mixtape overall is a testament to Doechii’s quirky, intelligent, and versatile pen game. Whether it is RnB or hip-hop, Doechii’s artistry, creativity and intentionality shine through. Her NPR Tiny Desk performance featured an all black women band, and her The Late Show with Stephen Colbert performance featured a remarkably choreographed and beautiful styled showcase. This has been an exciting and inspiring time to be a fan of Doechii and fall in love with her stunning creative expression. It goes without saying that she deserves the Best Rap Album Grammy next year but until then, she has already won this year. (By Nthatile Zinhle)
This Wasn’t Meant For You Anyway by Lola Young
By Sophie Gragg
Lola Young's sophomore album, This Wasn't Meant For You Anyway, is a raw and unflinching exploration of heartbreak, self-discovery, and the complexities of human connection. With her signature blend of soulful vocals and introspective lyrics, Young bares her soul, inviting listeners into her world of vulnerability and resilience.
From the soaring highs of anthemic tracks to the intimate confessions of quieter moments, the album is a captivating journey through the emotional landscape of love, loss, and self-acceptance. This Wasn't Meant For You Anyway is a powerful and poignant testament to the strength and beauty of human emotion, solidifying Lola Young as a voice to watch in the years to come.
Flood by Hippo Campus
After over a decade as a band, Hippo Campus set out to make their best album yet. They wrote over 100 songs, with Flood emerging as a reflection of the band’s dedication, maturity, and long-lasting bond. Hippo Campus refuses to shy away from vulnerability as they enter their thirties. They strip everything back, both sonically and emotionally, to craft a masterful album that transitions from the band’s younger days of experimental production and a wild touring lifestyle.
Coming off a year filled with band therapy, sobriety, and considering what kind of music they want to make going forward, Hippo Campus stands confident in its latest direction. Flood marks a return to a classic indie-rock sound reminiscent of their earlier releases. Lead singer Jake Luppen’s effortlessly smooth vocals blend with the largely acoustic instrumentals. Stand-out moments include guitarist Nathan Stocker’s harmonica solo on the western-inspired “Corduroy” and his bouncy guitar riffs on “Madman.”
The laid-back production allows the band’s raw lyricism to speak for itself. Album opener “Prayer Man” sets the tone as Luppen sings “Breaking down again, I’m struggling / But I’m not too proud to admit it.” Flood overflows with worries Hippo Campus is not too proud to admit: fears of the band breaking up, learning how to be honest about where they are in life, and coming to terms with the hardships of adulthood and mortality. This is Hippo Campus at its best: a group of best friends working together to create their most authentic music yet.
Imaginal Disk by Magdalena Bay
By Aleah Antonio
After the stunning world building of Magdalena Bay's Mercurial World in 2021, Mica Tenenbaum and Matthew Lewin return this year with the highly visual and conceptually dense Imaginal Disk. Mica and Matt set the scene in the music video for “Death & Romance”: The album's main character, True, gets taken away from her lover by aliens, who later tear open her head and insert the imaginal disk. The duo didn't necessarily seek out to create a concept album, but it's refreshing to see the artistry that goes into every part of the record. The costumes, characters, and environments of Mag Bay's world are Windows 2000-level artificial, their campiness reminiscent of the obscurity of I Saw The TV Glow. Tenenbaum has such a charming voice that gets stuck in your head, her's and Lewin's dancey production its perfect companion.
CHROMAKOPIA by Tyler The Creator
What can be described as Tyler, The Creator’s most vulnerable piece of art yet, CHROMAKOPIA explores topics we’ve never heard from the Grammy-winning artist. From family revelations to the emotions surrounding unexpected pregnancies, Tyler bares all in this true masterpiece. For years now, Tyler has expressed his feelings toward the music industry and the invisible rules and restrictions it has placed on its artists, which led him to release the album on a Monday at 6AM EST, breaking the standard that albums should be released on Fridays at midnight. Tyler, The Creator is an out-of-the-box thinker; a visionary whose honesty and explorative production are prevalent throughout the album. In this new era, Tyler performs behind a mask of his face, about which he stated, “this is the first album where everything I said was true. It’s so honest that I think I had to wear a mask of my own face to get some of that sh*t out.” As someone who’s watched Tyler’s career since the Odd Future days, it’s truly incredible to see his growth and watch his artistry change over time. His range of capabilities is unmatched, putting him in a genre that’s completely his own.
BRAT by Charli XCX
From the minimalist bright neon green cover, to sparking an unexpected mass cultural impact. Charli XCX’s sixth studio album, BRAT is undoubtedly one of the most significant & successful album releases this year that has already left quite a mark in both music and pop culture history. Aside from breaking the internet with catchy songs “Apple” and “360” paired with trendy dances, Charli is finally getting the recognition she deserves on her composition and production skills as a musician. She pours herself open through sentimental lyrics that are uniquely embedded into aggressive synths.
BRAT is what it means to be messy, chaotic, fun, and it is an exhilarating representation of Charli’s continuing admiration for club and rave culture.Charli XCX has expanded a paradigm of pop music and even brought back nostalgic feelings of the indie-sleaze, party girl, messy culture that many have reminisced on & yearned for. While this album stands uniquely tasteful on its own, the BRAT remixes only carried on the innovation and vulnerability Charli’s artistry has to offer. BRAT is addictive & her most honest work yet. It's irresistible, and simultaneously simple and fun. Forget, BRAT summer. This was undoubtedly a BRAT year.
Im Not Afraid of Music Anymore by COIN
In the lead up to its release, COIN vocalist described the band’s fifth studio album I’m Not Afraid of Music Anymore as “the most us we’ve ever been”. In that same video, Lawrence admitted he felt ready to quit the band just a few months ago. COIN had reached a tipping point with their discography — and each other. Prompted by producer Gabe Simon, Lawrence, guitarist Joe Memmel and drummer Ryan Winnen’s first days back in the studio became informal group therapy sessions as old tensions resurfaced and the trio confronted their discontentment.
Over a decade’s-worth of the band’s experiences are boiled down to 14 nuanced tracks on brotherhood, legacy, life on the road, and more. The emotional “Strawberry Jam” is a vignette of the trio as they head on tour and try to compensate for leaving their loved ones yet again. In COIN’s “sad bop” fashion, a sunny, harmonica-filled chorus juxtaposes the song’s melancholy storytelling. Conversely, “Problem” is a grungy single about fame and relevance. “It’s Hard To Care About Everything” addresses burnout, with an exasperated Lawrence shouting “I wanna feel alright”.
The unsustainable (but perhaps easy) route would have been to resume business as usual and trudge along as a band. But the trio chose to resolve their interpersonal resentment and overcome their fears. On INAOMA, COIN pulls back the curtain on both the highs and lows of their career — the uncomfortable matters people would prefer not to talk about. The pay off is a career-defining album and a reignited passion for this beloved project.
Two Star and the Dream Police by Mk.gee
By Tyler Smith
With a creak, opener “New Low” sends a fresh pop act burning across the night sky. The first album from producer, songwriter, and six-stringer Mk.gee does everything a debut should and more than most do. In a rip-roaring rejection of monotonous pop, the mercurial mastermind arranges squirrelly woodwinds and spasms of baritone guitar brilliance — sometimes clatter — into undeniable songs. While pop music, intended to relate, is often sleek and refined, Two Star is as unruly, subdued, angsty, vivid, grimy, and spectacular as reality.
The first single “Candy” encapsulates the record's ragged and unhinged sound, contemporary but with soaring leads that evoke roller skates and mullets. He unleashes a dextrous voice on lyrics with wayward explosions of honesty. Between quiet storm jams, “DNM” and “Alesis” bang and clang with deranged fervor and relationship turmoil. Even “Rylee & I,” a devoted romp, challenges initially but drunkenly belches its way into your head and never leaves. Most ‘80s analogs ring hollow by ignoring Mk.gee’s reckless manipulation of the decade’s iconic sounds; he approaches the familiar palette more like a free jazzer — like Albert Ayler or Pharoah Sanders pushing their horns past the limit to hear what feelings poured out.
Older by Lizzy McAlpine
Lizzy McAlpines 2024 album Older will have you sitting in utter admiration for the whole 45 minutes and 41 seconds. The 14 tracks take listeners through McAlpine’s reflection on her life and grief, told through raw lyrics and heartfelt instrumental riffs. Being known for her impressive vocals, this album easily manifests her reputation.
McAlpine’s music soars and recedes with the intimacy in her lyrics. She talks about the pressure of growing up and having everything figured out, and the hardships that she faces from these pressures in life. In “Older”, she sings, “Over and over, watch it all pass Mom's gettin' older, I'm wanting it back”, capturing the bittersweet reflection of the reality of time passing and the uncertainty of what lies ahead.
In essence, Older is a must listen. Each song carries a unique emotional weight and invites listeners to reflect on their lives as well. Through questioning what's to come, heartbreak, times of bliss, and navigating grief, McAlpine tells a beautiful story that resonates with many.
Charm by Clairo
By Marley Scheld
In her third studio album, Clairo continues to experiment and defy expectations with her music, this time adopting a 1970s aesthetic – both visually and sonically – to create the world that is Charm. We’ve seen her tackle and even perfect both bedroom pop and indie genres in the first half of her career, but Clairo has proven that she is a dynamic and skillful artist by pushing her limits. No project has sounded like her last, yet she maintains consistency in her work. Charm is a venture into a complex musical world, one that we saw in her previous album Sling, yet with the laid-back indie pop vibe of Immunity. It is both a perfect blend of her older work and an evolution into a new era of her sound.
The most notable aspect of Charm is its reference to the past: she and producer Leon Michels created the album using analog tape and instruments such as the flute and vibraphone to adopt a warm ‘70s vibe. The result is a soft, jazzy, melodic journey through delicate and intimate moments of her relationships. An album highlight is the fan-favorite “Juna,” a gooey, sultry exploration of attraction. By the end of the song, she breaks into a mouth-trumpet solo, one of the more fun vocal performances alongside the various “da-dum”s and “da da da”s hummed in earlier tracks (see: “Second Nature,” “Slow Dance”). On Charm, even in its darkest moments, everything stays light; it never feels too heavy, too loud, or too much. In this way, Clairo treats us to a whimsical and, well, charming feast of musical brilliance.
