Hey everyone,

Most people already made their top album lists in early December and shared their Spotify Wrapped. I’ve taken a bit more time to reflect and listen to some albums I missed during their release in 2024. I have now made an almost perfect list of 8 albums from 2024 that you should definitely listen to.

🥇 Top 8 Albums from 2024

If someone forwarded you this email, think of subscribing to the newsletter to receive the next editions.

Two Star & The Dream Police - Mk.Gee

Mk.Gee has been one of the most praised musicians this year with the release of Two Star & The Dream Police. The guitarist has a very innovative style of playing and Eric Clapton said this about him: “It’s unique. He has found things to do on the guitar that are like nobody else.”. Impressive comment for a musician who just released his first album in 2024, but has been in the scene for a few years now. Mk.Gee produced several songs for other artists, such as the artist Dijon or more recently co-wrote two songs for Fred Again’s last album. He didn’t release any music in the last 3 years to focus on this new sound for his first album. The album is mysterious, with intriguing lyrics and visuals, as you can see on the album cover where we barely see him. There are a few great songs in there and I will definitely follow what Mk.gee will be doing in the coming years.

Favorite song: Alesis

Alligator Bites Never Heal - Doechii

The American rapper, signed to TDE - Kendrick Lamar’s former label, which is still home to Schoolboy Q - released an incredible project this year. I discovered her recently but she has the talent to become a superstar in the US in the coming years. This album shows all her facets: catchy hooks, impressive flows or her ability to act out a song like in DENIAL IS A RIVER. Doechii appeared in a Tiny Desk concert and performed on several TV shows in the US 2024, and her popularity continues to grow. Her ambition is clear: to become number one. She also gained more exposure with a feature on a track from Tyler the Creator’s latest album, which we’ll discuss later.

Favorite song: SLIDE 

Why Lawd? - NxWorries (Anderson .Paak & Knxwlegde)

I’ve already mentioned this album in my edition from June but this new album between Anderson .Paak and Knxwledge is one of the best Soul/R&B albums of the year. After his highly successful collaboration album with Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak keeps it simple, embracing Knxwledge’s amazing Rap/R&B beats. The guest features work perfectly, with standout appearances from Thundercat, Snoop Dogg, October London and Earl Sweatshirt.

Favorite song: MoveOn

Charm - Clairo

Clairo became famous as a teenager when posting her songs over lo-fi beats on YouTube. Three albums later, Clairo released Charm, a Pop/R&b album. Her soft voice fits perfectly with the production creating a sense of warmth when listening. I highly recommend giving it a listen: it’s very easy to listen, especially during those cold long winter nights.

Favorite song: Juna

BLUE LIPS - Schoolboy Q

The rapper from L.A. released Blue Lips five years after his last album, which gave Schoolboy Q some time to reflect over his career. The album’s title refers to the phenomenon of being shocked into speechlessness and after five albums he remains shocked at his success and all the fans he still has. Blue Lips is a real rap album with great production, nice featurings, with new flows and melodies found by Schoolboy Q. It is his best album so far, despite having less commercial success than his previous ones.

Favorite song: Blueslides

HIT ME HARD AND SOFT - Billie Eilish

At 23 years old, HIT ME HARD AND SOFT is Billie Eilish’s third album with her brother. The ambition was to create a masterpiece and I’m not sure if they succeeded but it topped the charts in more than 20 countries. Despite not listening to much pop, the production is great and the melodies are really catchy. Billie Eilish mainly discusses thematics of falling in and out of love, with some great songs in there.

Favorite song: BIRDS OF A FEATHER

CHROMAKOPIA - Tyler, The Creator

After Flower Boy, IGOR and CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST, Tyler, The Creator released another album that I loved. The fourth in a row since 2017. His career is already impressive, and the new album is once again very creative as Tyler embodies a new character, with new visuals and thematics. He is much more introspective (yet still arrogant) and his mother guides him across the album. The production on some tracks is amazing and the guests are bringing a lot of value even if Tyler’s flows or melodies are not as creative as in his previous work.

Favorite song: Like Him (feat. Lola Young)

Dark Times - Vince Staples

2024 was a prolific year for the rapper from Long Beach with the release of the first season of THE VINCE STAPLES SHOW on Netflix, a dark comedy around the rapper’s life as a kind of famous rapper, a world tour with dates in Europe and a new album in March. Vince Staples continues to deliver solid albums since the excellent self-titled album Vince Staples in 2021. He has a kind of dark, funny but very reel way of describing his life and the gang violence he grew up with and has been one of my favorite rappers in the last few years.

Favorite song: Étouffée 

Hopefully you will (re)discover some nice songs in this list. I could have added GNX by Kendrick Lamar or Bird’s Eye from Ravyn Lenae but I already mentioned those albums to you in the last two editions. If you want to listen to more music, go listen to the updated playlist which compiles my favourite tracks released in the last few months. I’ve added some songs from each of those albums in there!

See you next time :)