32 Favorite Albums of 2024
Tyler, The Creator, Doechii, Laila! & More
Disclaimer: This post is too long for email, so you will need to view it in your web browser or Substack app to see the full list.
It’s time! Okay, maybe it’s not time. But I have every intention of taking the last few weeks of the year off from writing, so I’m shipping out my end-of-year newsletters. And even on Spotify Wrapped Eve, there’s no better place to start than right here with my favorite albums of 2024.
Since 2015, I’ve chronicled my favorite music from the year by pulling together a list of the albums I loved most. These are the projects I couldn’t stop listening to—and while I won’t go as far as calling them the “best” albums of the year, they are the albums I forged the deepest connection with.
While I’ve avoided the stress of ranking my favorite albums in years past, I recently learned about the Musicboard app, which allows you to build lists, easily order the music you love, and see how everything looks ranked together. This helped me pull my list out of the Notes app and have fun sorting my favorites.
Originally, I was going to do my 10 favorite albums like I did last year, but my weekly-ish Take It or Leave It newsletters helped me listen to new music more regularly throughout the year. So, I ended up with a list of 32 I feel comfortable with.
Ranked in order, here are my 32 favorite albums of 2024:
32. The Black Keys — Ohio Players
I mentioned this album here. As I noted, I had never listened to a Black Keys project before, but the Akron natives’ Ohio Players title intrigued me. And what I found was a rock sound I actually connected with and some surprising rap verses from Lil Noid and Juicy J. Ohio writer Matt Mitchell wrote a wonderful cover story for Paste Magazine interviewing the band about Ohio Players. The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach & Pat Carney called the project “a party album” and said it came from a place of wanting to “make something with [their] friends”—two things I can always get behind.
31. KAYTRANADA — TIMELESS
With a runtime of 63 minutes, this album is longer than I typically go for. But KAYTRANADA rarely misses, so I had to tap in. TIMELESS joined me for several work days and after-work walks. Joining the ranks of other party albums from this year, it made me want to be at a Boiler Room or Black House Radio set sweating my ass off. As
noted in her album revue, “Confidence pulses through the veins of every fret, stanza and clef, matching the punchiness of the beats in a way that invigorates you as you flow from track to track.”30. Childish Gambino — Bando Stone and The New World
Not my favorite Childish Gambino album, but not a bad album by any means. It’s the end of an era and finds the 41-year-old Gambino making music about being a “Dadvocate,” and he even features his son Legend on the song “Can You Feel Me.” My brother
memorialized the ending and Gambino’s growth in one of my favorite pieces of the year, stating: “His fifth and final album… encompasses all the things that made Gambino who they were – an alternative rapper, with a punk emo flare, who could sing falsetto runs like Marvin while delivering punch lines that would make Weezy smile.”29. Rachel Chinouriri — What A Devastating Turn of Events
During a banner year for pop music, it’s important we don’t lose sight of Rachel Chinouriri. As one of several Black women pushing pop forward, Chinouriri delivered a brilliant album with What A Devastating Turn of Events. I agree with the sentiment
wrote in her album review: “It is so refreshing to hear sad girl music made by a black girl.” After Chinouriri opened for Sabrina Carpenter on the European leg of the Short n' Sweet Tour, and as she prepares for more European tour dates in 2025, I’m rooting for her to continue winning.
28. Vampire Weekend — Only God Was Above Us
Vampire Weekend put on one of the best shows I went to this year. The band released its fifth studio album eight months ago, and their Cuyahoga Falls tour stop reminded me how many songs from the album I knew and enjoyed. Even as the band has evolved over the years, Only God Was Above Us resembles older Vampire Weekend records, maintaining key elements of their signature sound while continuing to explore their musical identity. Some artists keep you guessing, but I’m glad Vampire Weekend has proved they mostly know who they are.
27. NxWorries — Why Lawd?
This is an album I wish I spent more time with. Musically, I’m convinced it’s one of the best albums of the year, and I know I’ll only love it more with more listens. Anderson .Paak and Knxwledge are a perfect duo with so many great records under their belt. Why Lawd? continues to build on that fantastic legacy. More collabs, please.
26. Sabrina Carpenter — Short n’ Sweet
Sabrina Carpenter had a generational run of pop hits this year with “Espresso,” “Please Please Please,” and “Taste.” And she only adds to that with this album. I gotta give a special shoutout to “Bed Chem” because not only is that song freaky as hell, but I caught my dad shazaming it at the local sports bar, which is yet another reminder Sabrina isn’t the only short king with Taste.
25. beabadoobee — This Is How Tomorrow Moves
Rob called beabadoobee his celebrity crush on an episode of Love Island USA, and I get it after listening to this album. Very good tunes.
24. Remi Wolf — Big Ideas
I’m pretty sure Remi Wolf released the first five songs from this album as singles before it dropped, but they were all fantastic and made me want to listen to the rest of the project. It came out the same day as Clairo’s Charm, which I’ll say more about later, but it shouldn’t be forgotten. Wolf and Clairo interviewed each other for Interview Magazine and Clairo describes Wolf’s music as “addictive.” I agree because I feel like I listened to “Cinderella” at least once every time I was in the car.
23. Ab-Soul — Soul Burger
I let out an audible “WOO!” when I heard the drums come in on “9 Mile,” the album’s opening track. I’ve admired Ab-Soul’s lyrical prowess since he released Control System in 2012, and he’s always been one of the brightest stars—even if often overshadowed—on a stacked Top Dawg Entertainment lineup, which includes heavyweights like Kendrick Lamar, SZA, and ScHoolboy Q. Much like his 2022 album HERBERT, this project is a reminder that Ab-Soul’s still got it. Don’t sleep.
22. Fousheé — Pointy Heights
I give a small nod to Fousheé’s album here. She has a song on this project called “feel like home,” which will always catch my attention. The album explores a wider variety of sounds than her 2022 record softCORE, helping her talent shine through in a plethora of ways, including an island sound on another one of my favorite tracks, “war.” I’m excited to hear what Fousheé cooks up next.
21. Billie Eilish — HIT ME HARD AND SOFT
This is a beautiful album. Billie’s voice sounds better than ever, and she somehow finds a way to bare her soul even while rocking those J-Kwon fits (sorry, minor stray). For
’s Patreon, he included “BIRDS OF A FEATHER,” one of my favorite songs from the project, as part of his SONGS THAT MAKE ME FEEL series. JT noted that the song is one of the first times Billie wrote a “straightforward pop hit.” Across the board, this album feels more straightforward, which helps her lyrics shine.
20. Kacey Musgraves — Deeper Well
Another one of my favorite concerts this year. Deeper Well is another album released earlier in the year, but seeing Kacey live helped breathe new life into the record. I’ve been a fan of Kacey’s music since she released her 2018 album Golden Hour, which is one of my all-time favorites. And while this isn’t that, it’s still a fantastic album with memorable moments like Kacey sampling JID’s “Kody Blu 31” on “Lonely Millionaire.”
19. Dua Lipa — Radical Optimism
I wrote about this album here. While I know there are mixed feelings about it coming after Dua Lipa’s hit album Future Nostalgia, I really enjoyed Radical Optimism. “Illusion” and “End Of An Era” will always be synonymous with my 30th birthday.
18. Mavi — shadowbox
This album was a slow build for me, but I admire Mavi’s perspective so much I knew I could find my way with shadowbox. His interview with Rae-Aila Crumble for
and podcast conversation on turning the tables helped me better understand the project. And when I returned to it, I especially resonated with how Mavi talked about his religious upbringing on “the sky is quiet.”17. Ariana Grande — eternal sunshine
Ariana is another pop artist who’s been on a generational run this year—purely off the strength of this album and, of course, Wicked. I’m thoroughly convinced “bye” and “the boy is mine” are two of the best songs of 2024. She knows her way around some chords and key changes.
16. Orion Sun — Orion
I don’t know if I’ve ever heard an Orion Sun song I didn’t like, and this is album is no different. The sweetness of their voice lures me to sleep, but I fight to stay up because I don’t want to miss a thing. Also, the album artwork? Stunning.
15. GloRilla — GLORIOUS
GloRilla might have my favorite accent in all of hip hop. And while she’s been cooking almost nonstop for the past couple of years, GloRilla reaches a new level with this project. Just like the title: it’s GLORIOUS.
14. Laila! — GAP YEAR!
I went on-record in the group chat as saying this may be one of the best albums of the year, and I still believe that wholeheartedly. Without realizing it, I first started hearing Laila!’s music on TikTok with “Like That!” She self-produced the entire album, which is impressive enough. And just like she does on the song that introduced me to her work, Laila! remains playful with her melodies throughout the album. The 18-year-old singer, who also happens to be Mos Def’s daughter, has a bright future ahead.
13. Joy Oladokun — OBSERVATIONS FROM A CROWDED ROOM
Joy Oladokun will always hold a special place in my heart because of the similarities in our religious upbringing. Also, I appreciate how she celebrates Blackness and explores unlearning through sad folk music. As evidenced throughout this album, Joy’s pen is sharper than most. I still can’t get over the first two songs on this project, especially the writing on “LETTER FROM A BLACKBIRD” and gospel sample on “AM I?”
12. Tierra Whack — WORLD WIDE WHACK
This is one of the first albums I fell in love with in 2024. While I wasn’t super familiar with Tierra Whack’s music before WORLD WIDE WHACK, I took a chance on this project and loved what I found. The Philly native gets weird and vulnerable on this album, gifting me with one of my favorite lines on “IMAGINARY FRIENDS”: “How can I be lonely when I’m hangin’ with my homie?”
11. Charlotte Day Wilson — Cyan Blue
Released in May 2024, this album is full of songs that always stood out no matter what playlist they were on. As a complete body of work, Cyan Blue is Charlotte Day Wilson connecting with her past, present, and future selves. Interviews like this one with Elle helped me understand the project beyond it just being 13 great songs. For example, “New Day” is “about the grief and pain that you go through as a queer person in a queer relationship when you’re thinking about having children and how only one parent can be genetically tied to that child.” That wasn’t a perspective I had given much though to before. This is a special record.
10. Nascent — DON’T GROW UP TOO SOON
This is one of the projects I was happiest to stumble upon this year. I hadn’t heard of Nascent, but the album artwork caught my attention. And then it was a lock once I saw the tracklist featured some of my favorites like Ab-Soul, Saba, Orion Sun & more. I learned from this profile on Nascent by
that the Chicago producer made the beats for Chance The Rapper’s “Grown Ass Kids” and several songs from Brent Faiyaz’s Sonder Son. Nascent’s latest project reminds me of another Chicago producer’s albums, Kanye West’s College Dropout & Late Registration, with skits throughout and an ode to “Last Call” on the album’s outro “Found You.” I hope more people spend time with this project because it’s one of the best releases of 2024.09. FLO — Access All Areas
The members of FLO see themselves as part of a lineage of Black girl groups, including Destiny’s Child and SWV, as Cynthia Erivo notes in the album’s intro. This project is shimmery and finds FLO perfectly in tune with themselves and each other. The harmonies are tight. The melodies and vocal runs are grand. And the production makes their voices shine even brighter. I’m still relatively new to their music, but they made a fan out of me with this album. It’s stunningly impressive while still feeling accessible, which will keep this one in perpetual rotation.
08. ScHoolboy Q — BLUE LIPS
Q is back, and he delivered a fantastic body of work. From the first moment I first listened, I knew this project would be on my favorite albums list at the end of the year. The TDE lyricist did some of his best rapping on BLUE LIPS and bodied one of my favorite songs of the year, “THank god 4 me.” Along with Ab-Soul’s Soul Burger and the next project on this list, TDE couldn’t miss in 2024.
07. Doechii — Alligator Bites Never Heal
Another TDE juggernaut. While Doechii technically calls this project a “mixtape,” it is album quality and one of the best and most exciting releases of the year. The Florida native raps better than maybe anyone out right now while bouncing between visceral flows and velvety harmonies. If this is just a mixtape, I can’t wait to hear what her debut album sounds like.
06. Mustafa — Dunya
Mustafa’s music was new for me, but it couldn’t have been more timely. The Sudanese-Canadian singer and poet meets the moment, bringing heart and empathy to a war-ridden world. With songs like “Gaza is Calling” and “SNL,” Mustafa unearths layers to the Palestinian people and his Toronto hood that are often ignored. As
explored in her Teen Vogue interview with Mustafa, Dunya is a communal record. “I'm obsessed with community, and I think if you'd ask any of my close friends, the thing that they would pride me on the most is connecting with the community,” he said. “I do it kind of selfishly because I don't know how to live without it.” And this record now feels like part of my community. I don’t know how to love without it.05. Kendrick Lamar — GNX
The shot heard ‘round the world. With fear and trembling, my little brother and several homies hit me with the two most dangerous words one could utter, especially after a year like this: “Kendrick dropped.” GNX is an extension of his love letter to Los Angeles that was The Pop Out, which is an extension of his massacre of Drake through an onslaught of singles, including “Not Like Us,” the new black Air Force 1s national anthem.
wrote my favorite review on the album, which is critical of Kendrick’s “preoccupation with reputation, bitterness.” Holiday recognizes “needing a villain this badly is like needing a family, a brother, mother, father, lover or friend,” and that’s why I connected with Kendrick championing his city and the homies he came up with, especially on “heart pt. 6,” where he raps about Jay Rock: “It was simple math, if he made it, that mean I made it.” While imperfect, I’m excited to keep unveiling new depths to this record; it’s meant to be lived with.
04. Clairo — Charm
I wrote about this album here. A few months back, I got to attend Clairo’s Charm Tour, and it perfectly captured the inviting nature of this project. With the softer tone of Clairo’s voice, we’re enticed to lean in as listeners—and as we inch closer, we feel the warmth of her songs as they gather us in. Charm is sexy. Not in an in-your-face way, but more so like someone catching your attention and, even though you can’t figure out why, you can’t stop looking over to sip another glance. It’s one thing to call your album Charm; it’s another to make music that actually feels charming. Clairo delivers.
03. Horace Gaither — Miss Sissy Grandson
I interviewed Horace Gaither about this album here. My favorite discovery of 2024. The Louisville rapper made a project for his younger self and everyone who knew him as “Little Horace” or “Miss Sissy Grandson” before they knew him as a hip-hop artist. In studying Kendrick Lamar and Pan’s Labyrinth, Gaither crafted a well-detailed album that still feels familiar. This is the project I’m most excited for more people to listen to. The Lou’s got something to say.
02. Charli xcx — BRAT
We can’t talk about music in 2024 without talking about BRAT. I, like so many others, have gotten comfortable with “rotting” and only hanging out with friends a few times a month—and when we do, it has to be something we scheduled weeks in advance. Charli xcx, who is two years older than me, says “fuck that,” without even hinting at an apology. She walks the thin line of being herself without pandering. And while it has resulted in Charli becoming a caricature of herself, or at least others placing that on her, BRAT still feels authentic and sets a standard for past and future works to be measured against and contextualized within. This album defined even more of my year when I got to sweat alongside my friends and other 30-year-olds trying to rediscover their inner party girl at Charli and Troye Sivan’s Sweat Tour. My favorite concert of the year by far.
01. Tyler, The Creator — CHROMAKOPIA
I wrote about Tyler, The Creator more than any other artist this year—most recently with this essay, which is my third most popular newsletter since starting Feels Like Home. Every Tyler music drop feels like a holiday, and I was even more stoked for this project because of how tightly he crafted the rollout. As he requested of listeners, I listened to CHROMAKOPIA for the first time with no distractions. And while I found it impressive then, one of the marks of a great album is how it grows on me and with me over time. I gained a deeper appreciation for this project by recognizing how it lives within the musical lineage of Tyler encouraging himself and others to be who they are. Tyler’s musical and writing sensibilities have always been there, even if clouded by the brazen lyrics in his earlier work. And it’s beautiful to see him removing his mask on this album while hoping we all find our way home.
TASTE. the diversity in genre and region makes my heart sing. a few of these i haven't listened to yet and i can't wait to dive in 🤌🏿
(also 🫶🏿 for reading the mustafa interview and referencing it)
Laila didn't play!!!!!