Replay 2024’s best albums of the year

1/14/25 10:26pm

From long-awaited comebacks to innovative debuts, 2024 was a year full of musical highs and hidden gems. Established icons pushed their sound into fresh territory, while up-and-comers shook up the modern musical landscape. Even the year’s biggest pop hits often felt more experimental than formulaic, adding intrigue to the charts. After much debate, the Thresher’s A&E writers present their picks for the top 10 albums of the year, along with a few honorable mentions that demanded our attention.

Honorable Mentions: 

“Funeral for Justice” by Mdou Moctar

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“Blue Lips” by ScHoolboy Q

“Submarine” by The Marias

“Mahashmashana” by Father John Misty

“No Title As of 13 February 2024 28,340 Dead” by Godspeed You! Black Emperor

“Dopamine” by Normani

10. “Bird’s Eye” by Ravyn Lenae

Ravyn Lenae’s honey-like vocals and stunning lyricism pop in sophomore studio album “Bird’s Eye.” Set to delicate rock, reggae and R&B-adjacent beats, Lenae and producer Dahi craft a fluid, heart-wrenching story of learning and relearning to love across the 11 tracks. With singles like “Love Me Not” and “One Wish,” Lenae’s take on the pop genre stretches across deep notes of pining and heartbreak — continuing to set herself apart as a versatile and captivating artist to watch. 

-  Hannah Son, Thresher Staff

9. “Songs of a Lost World” by The Cure 

“Songs of a Lost World”, The Cure’s first album since 2008, proves the legendary British alt-rockers remain masters of moody, atmospheric soundscapes. Robert Smith’s introspective songwriting culminates in a somber yet profoundly affecting meditation on death and loneliness. 

Sprawling guitar work, melancholic piano interludes and Smith’s unmistakable vocals drive the album’s raw emotional core, culminating with the epic and unforgettable “Endsong.” Achieving their first UK number-one since 1992, The Cure has delivered a stirring, late-career triumph that resonates as both a rebirth and a haunting farewell.

- Arman Saxena, A&E Editor

8. “Hit Me Hard and Soft” by Billie Eilish

“Hit Me Hard and Soft” sees Eilish exploring her relationship with the public eye and her younger self. Themes of body image, sexuality and infatuation emerge with varied productions that are equally unafraid to rely on simple drums and guitar and hypnotic, sweeping synths. 

As a vocalist, Eilish deftly moves between bone-chilling intimacy (“Skinny,” “Wildflower,” “Blue”) and bouncy playfulness (“Lunch,” “L’Amour de Ma Vie”). The album’s most popular track by far is the arrestingly tender, sunlit “Birds of a Feather,” one of Eilish’s best works to date.

- Ashley Wang, Thresher Staff

7. “The New Sound” by Geordie Greep

The announced hiatus of Black Midi was some of the worst music news of 2024, but their former singer-guitarist Geordie Greep spun this lowlight into a highlight with “The New Sound.” As the name implies, this album has Greep taking a unique approach to the heavy prog stylings of Black Midi, incorporating bossa nova, jazz fusion and various session musicians to create a rock record that is just as whimsical and dancey (“Terra”) as it is heavy and harsh (“Blues”). 

This duality is not skin deep, as Greep’s lyrics and penchant for storytelling create a series of pathetic, lovelorn characters defined by their simultaneous comedic obliviousness (“Through A War”) and genuine vulnerability (“The Magician”). All of this comes together in a wonderfully written record that will please those seeking both the technical and the poetic in their hard rock.

- Jay Collura, Film Columnist

6. “Chromakopia” by Tyler, the Creator

By bringing together the captivating introspection of “Igor” and “Flower Boy” and a refinement of the chaotic sound of “Cherry Bomb,” Tyler’s provides a listening experience that is equally thought-provoking and invigorating. “Chromakopia” finds the most success when it’s personal: Tyler’s further exploration of his relationships (“Hey Jane,” “Tomorrow”) and the dichotomy between his personal and professional personas (“St. Chroma,” “I Killed You”) yield standout tracks. “Chromakopia” is an anxious, complex and sincere record that feels wholly fresh while still managing to rank among Tyler’s best. 

- Eric Shackleford, For the Thresher

5. “I Lay Down My Life For You” by JPEGMAFIA

JPEGMAFIA’s “I Lay Down My Life For You” is nothing short of a masterpiece. Self-produced and released without a label, JPEGMAFIA flexes his unmatched artistry with alternative hip-hop beats that blend rock, Brazilian rhythms and experimental artificial intelligence-generated melodies. Tracks like “either on or off the drugs” showcase a groundbreaking use of AI in music, elevating the album to an avant-garde triumph. 

- Charlie Cruz, Thresher Staff

4. “Imaginal Disk” by Magdalena Bay

“Imaginal Disk” is a record that sneaks up on you. After a first listen, I recognized its sleek pop production, innovative synth lines and pitch-perfect vocals, but I wasn’t blown away. Then, I listened to the song “Image” every day for a month; at this point, each song had a similar moment in my music rotation. Whether it's the melancholic melody in “Vampire in the Corner,” the tropical groove in “Killing Time,” or the triumphant piano in “Death & Romance,” one thing is certain: You will not be able to stop listening to Magdalena Bay’s synthpop triumph.

• Jay Collura, Film Columnist

3. “GNX” by Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar's surprise release, “GNX” shocked the music world last November. Dropping without any teasers or lead singles, “GNX” is a celebration of West Coast hip-hop. While it may not reach the heights of his classics like "To Pimp a Butterfly" or "DAMN." it shines with engaging storytelling tracks like "reincarnated," and club-ready bangers like "tv off" produced by DJ Mustard. “GNX” showcases Kendrick's versatility and leaves fans eagerly awaiting his next masterpiece.

• Arman Saxena, A&E Editor

2. “Alligator Bites Never Heal” by Doechii 

Doechii’s “Alligator Bites Never Heal” is a thunderous declaration of intent, cementing her as one of the most electrifying voices in modern hip-hop. The mixtape is brimming with raw emotion and audacious creativity, from the innovative beatboxing anxiety rhythms of “DENIAL IS A RIVER” to the self-proclaimed dominance of “NISSAN ALTIMA,” where she boldly crowns herself “the new hip-hop Madonna.” Doechii’s ability to fuse vulnerability with fearless ambition creates a listening experience that’s as intimate as it is unapologetically powerful. Despite its status as “just a mixtape,” the sheer brilliance of her storytelling and the defiant energy of her artistry leaves no doubt: She is the new queen of hip-hop.

- Charlie Cruz, Thresher Staff

1. “BRAT” by Charli XCX 

With its deceptively simple ‘BRAT green’ album art and hyperpop songs, “BRAT” by Charli XCX made the world glitch.  Fun, hot-girl messy and confident, “BRAT” packs a digital punch with tight synth-heavy dance-pop tracks and lyrics that range from intimate to unabashedly cool (and, sometimes, both at once). XCX strikes a powerful balance between bold provocation and vulnerability, against a pulsing bass and catchy melodies. On “BRAT,” we grieve, laugh, cry and party with Charli as she redefines pop music, leaving us with a genre-breaking album of new club classics.

- Emelia Gauch, For the Thresher

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