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We found a place, after the break!
Greetings! It's that time of the year once more when I get to talk about all the albums that soundtracked these 365 days around the sun. What surprised me was how fast this list came together. I originally felt I didn't connect to many new albums, but that was far from the truth.
Made some big leaps during 2024. Broke another cycle too. Felt like my old blogger self started to make a massive comeback for I absolutely loved spending time sharing my adventures around SoCal with you, dear readers! If it wasn't for the new day gig... would've posted way more stories with pictures. They're still scheduled just so you know. Alongside Part 2 of my Lost Years Series which will focus on 2011's Showcases. Trying to figure out a posting schedule for them as I could feature them in countless ways. Much like most of these blurbs.
Originally planned to make this countdown a Zine. Didn't have all that time. Going on another trip in a few days. So the new format will do... which is far more "oogly" efficient. We want the search engines to immortalize these words.
Thanks for sticking with me throughout the year! Expect more of the same in 2025. Here's my soundtrack with stories from the age becoming history once more...
My Favorite Albums of 2024
#25 - 'Vicious Creature' by Lauren Mayberry
Always find it strange Websites don't wait to share their Best / Favorite Albums until January. You usually miss out on all the final December projects. I understand "the content machine" never stops moving but Lauren Mayberry's debut solo project, 'Vicious Creature', would've missed my countdown if I posted the old-fashioned way.
Luckily I'll be entering 2025 with it as my Indie Pop Soundtrack!
I knew this album wasn't gonna be anywhere near CHVRCHES as her singles were more conventional experimental pop rock over "synthetica". Luckily "A Work of Fiction" kinda matches both styles. Making it a strong entry point for those expectations. I love how Lauren is using this opportunity to try different musical aesthetics. Will only make her next album (and any possible future CHVRCHES projects) artistically broader.
#24 - 'Undefeated' by Frank Turner
'Undefeated' is another strong entry from Frank Turner. This listener really loves the first half of the album & the last few tracks. It isn't perfect but really loved hearing these anthems randomly in the car throughout this past summer. Felt like a return to form for an artist I usually really connect with it.
#23 - 'ORQUÍDEAS PARTE 2 (Deluxe)' by Kali Uchis
'ORQUÍDEAS' turned out to be the standout album during my November catch-up. Loved all the sensual R&B vibes that whispered in my ear. Couldn't stop myself from grooving. Still can't as I type these words while listening to it right now. Totally recommend it! Even if you don't speak the language. This is one ride you need to take.
#22 - 'Helldivers 2 (Original Soundtrack)' by Wilbert Roget, II
My favorite video game of 2024 has an amazingly simple soundtrack. My hometown friends and I spent plenty of hours spreading "Democracy" across the universe. Our victories, defeats, fears, and ultimate catharsis were held in tune through Wilbert Roget's classic score. Such a special experience I got to share with my brothers on our many short excursions planetside.
#21 - 'Chariot 20' by Gavin DeGraw
20 years ago I fell in love with Gavin DeGraw's 2003 debut album, 'Chariot', while driving in our family Jeep to my father's digital transfer business one early summer morning. Remember it like yesterday.
Was one of those albums that started my love for indie pop rock. A moment I look back on like the birthing of a star. No joke. It all came from "Belief" playing off a burnt CD. Ended up picking up the 'Chariot (Stripped)' version soon after & the rest is history. Haven't strayed away from indie acoustic rock since. Totally following through, I guess?
Seeing how I wasn't a music blogger back in 2004, nor do I have any interest in creating a "Favorite Albums of 2004" list in the future, felt I could sneak 'Chariot 20' here. Talk about my love and appreciation for it as this album was the catalyst for life's soundtrack in my uncertain post-high school days.
Not much has changed while experiencing these jazzy re-recordings of Gavin's classic debut. Sure I wasn't a fan of him omitting & changing the final lines from "(Nice To Meet You) Anyway" but everything else didn't get lost in translation happily. 'Chariot' remains 'Chariot' and it still gives me belief & strength to this day. That's all this longtime fan can ask for, you know?
#20 - 'Reverie' by Gorgon City
'Reverie' is a daydream. Gorgon City truly captures this trance like state by touching upon sonic themes with pure acid house drip on their 5th studio album. There's nothing too complex either in this distorted sea of sounds. You'll love riding the nostalgic feeling waves up & down. The featuring artists (especially Mougleta & NORTH) don't hold back the feelings either as they create impassion, addicting, anthems that made me want to reach for shore like someone being tricked by sirens. Pity I was just driving the road back home.
If you simply complex EDM, then this album should be pulled from your radar immediately.
#19 - 'Dunya' by Mustafa
Mustafa's debut album, 'Dunya', is a true musical religious experience that confronts faith, love, life, and happiness with all their flaws attached. This listener found such peace while playing it. Hearing Mustafa confront humanities' imperfections from his questionable, yet hopeful perspective felt such refreshing. Put me into a true mediative state.
You might find something you've been searching for by playing this album. I sure did.
#18 - 'PULSE' by Gryffin
Kept a keen ear on Gryffin since his 2019 project, 'Gravity', made my Favorite Albums list back then. So I did my small part to support 'PULSE' on the site before it dropped in August. Dug my time with the album. "LONELY", "DANCE THROUGH THE NIGHT", "WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG:, "MAGNET", and "LAST OF US" has been getting constant replays when I need a BPM bump. All the featuring vocalists are brought that heavenly level by Gryffin as your body & mind soar through the atmosphere.
Most casual EDM listeners will be attracted to this and that's a great thing! The controlled BPM pulse keeps everything addicting.
#17 - 'Disney's A Whole New Sound' by Various Artists
Disney went Retro Pop Punk and it was awesome? Yep! Allowing some of my favorite college artists creative freedom over Disney's iconic songbook really made it all sound so fresh. Gave new timeless classics like "Remember Me", "Surface Pressure", and "Let it Go" a fresh coat of musical paint for parents & their sprouts to enjoy alongside staple classics. Loved the passionate synergy all around this album. Hope there is a volume 2 down the line!
#16 - 'Twisters: The Album' by Various Artists
Twisters, surprisingly, was my favorite movie of 2024! Saw it on our local IMAX screen in July & the whole film experience brought me back to those beloved 90s summer movies days. Being shot on film with a solid country rock music soundtrack also helped too. And I love me some awesomely curated movie soundtracks!
I did listen to more Country music this year. than in 2023 However, this album connected more with me than any solo project from an artist like Luke Combs, Keith Urban, or Miranda Lambert. But this one gives way more flavors.
Can't wait to add this album to my CD Movie Soundtrack collection. Will fit in quite perfectly alongside the original film's album.
#15 - 'eternal sunshine (slightly deluxe and also live)' by Ariana Grande
The "Wickedly" talented Ariana Grande kept it simple with her very personal & passionate, somewhat overlooked, 2024 project 'eternal sunshine'. Took awhile for me to connect with this album but I really wanted to. So I didn't give up listening. Loved her vision for this musical emancipation that really does slowly burn the listener with heartbreakingly romantic R&B vibes. I understand she is shedding her relationship self once more and hopes the listener connects to her poetic rehab. That's why the live tracks felt necessary to include in her latest chapter.
Most of 'eternal sunshine...' does work wonderfully. Hope she loves the new place she built for herself cause everyone deserves true happiness.
#14 - 'Challengers (Original Score)' by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
I still haven't seen "Challengers (2024)" as of this writing. It's only available to stream on MGM+ and no thanks. Sorry! We already support too many streaming services. Don't mind waiting.
Wouldn't be surprised if my love Reznor & Ross' dynamite movie score surpasses what I watch on-screen honestly either. The godly amount of house dance track vibes that this & its remixed album produce when I hit play really transcends the medium. It surprised audiences & this longtime fan too. Glow sticks are needed!
Is it one of Reznor & Ross' best movie soundtracks to date? Possibly! The EDM shock value might've played a huge role for the audience. Everyone seemed distracted by the love triangle storyline before the soundtrack started to trend online. I definitely liked their 'Challengers (Score)' a bit more than their artistic 'Queer' score. But to compare the two stylistic remains quite difficult. The latter has sharp edges & leans more orchestral lovely. Wish I got to spend more time with it. Might've made this countdown as well. Really digging what I'm hearing while writing this blurb.
Have no doubts I'll be glowing about their upcoming "Tron: Ares" movie score next December. Really hyped for that!
#13 - 'HIT ME HARD AND SOFT' by Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish continues to mesmerizes this listener. No album promotion needed. Would've found my way to her artistic projects some way, some how. And she knew that her fans would too.
'HIT ME HARD AND SOFT' definitely struck at my musical heart with its haunting vocals, simple production, and romantic tongue-in-cheek allusions. Sounds effortless, doesn't it? Being a master at her craft after her third album speaks more than I ever could. Billie & Finneas are in their zone. All I can do is support & cheer them on.
#12 - 'From Zero' & 'Papercuts' by Linkin Park
Originally was gonna crowd "Compilations" as my #1 Album of the Year for 2024. Spent many hours playing them... especially Linkin Park's Greatest Hits entitled 'Papercuts (Singles Collection 2000–2023)' that arrived back in April. Didn't move the needle off it for months. Felt so damn awesome bumping all my favorite tracks in the car once more.
Really hoped Mike & the remaining members would drop a new album in 2024 so I include them on this list. Little did this listener know there was a bigger plan in place. "The Emptiness Machine" & "Heavy is the Crown" both dropped in September with the announcement of a brand new album entitled 'From Zero'... starring new lead vocalist Emily Armstrong of Dead Sara fame.
"Did I conjure all of this?", I thought as I listened to album rollout. Picksysticks & I were members Dead Sara's unofficial fan club "The DEADicated" as we had supported them regularly throughout the years. Felt like a strange dream come true. Still does.
Sure her casting did bring up some unexpected controversy that I was initially conflicted about supporting. My heart wished Linkin Park just rebranded with a new name with Emily in this lead role, but I understand the importance of their legacy name to sell this new vision to the casual fans. Makes everything way more sellable. Sad, but true fact that hopefully doesn't taint their memories in the long run.
Having said all that, Emily kills it in her new role. She is pushed to the forefront on 'From Zero' & truly makes these hard rock anthems her own. Did this longtime supporter have any doubts? Of course not. Their musical chemistry soars on this album. I am really curious how she sounds singing Linkin Park's classics in concert. Might have to check them out live next year? Or via some fan cams on "the Tube"
#11 - 'Mat Kearney' by Mat Kearney
Have shared my love for Mat Kearney's 2024 self-titled album throughout the year. Comfort indie pop rock that feels familiar & safe to this listener. Nothing complex to it. Just chill vibes. The kind of music I hope you envision me living life to. Heightens my SoCal hometown anytime it appears on random. Can't put it down once it begins. Makes sense, right? That's a good thing.
#10 - 'Chromakopia' by Tyler, the Creator
Tyler, The Creator is artistically on another level in this age. His Odd Future vision continues to inspire generations. 'Chromakopia' is another stellar entry in his critically acclaimed discography as it pays homage to his west coast upbringing & the lessons that helped shape him as the fame monster continues to eat him up.
I love that it is more clever Hip Hop than funky R&B. "Darling, I" feels like it was pulled from a Power 106 broadcast from the early 2000s. Odd Past more than Odd Future... if you catch my drift? Maybe? That's how I'm reading the text.
#09 - 'Wall of Eyes' & 'Cutouts' by The Smile
Radiohead's Thom Yorke & Johnny Greenwood side project with Tom Skinner blessed us with not one, but two amazing albums in 2024! Most critics like 'Wall of Eyes' more than 'Cutouts', but I'm the opposite squad. 'Cutouts' hits a tad harder for me. Production feels a lot cleaner too.
Not sure why I'm choosing between the two when all 18 tracks make one amazing album merged on a giant playlist. Especially on random. Probably my preferred way to get a close modern day Radiohead fix. Hope The Smile continue this album streak moving forward. Really love the imaginative soundscapes they are producing.
#08 - 'Dark Times' by Vince Staples
We're entering some 'Dark Times' ... probably? Vince Staples set the mood with his most emotional pleasing project to date. He uses his lyrical poetry to express countless deep feelings atop some of the most glorious hip hop beats in his discography. Can imagine he wrote most of this project staring at a ceiling fan. The trance like state 'Dark Times' puts this listener in can't be explained.
Seriously, my words feel so generic while trying to convince you that this is one of the best hip hop albums of the year. One of those records you gotta hit play on. Hope you feel something from it.
#07 - 'Bando Stone & the New World' by Childish Gambino
If 'Bando Stone & the New World' is the finale for Childish Gambino... then bravo! I didn't even know it was technically a post-apocalypse concept album until I started doing research for this blurb. This listener always pictured 'Bando Stone...' as an experiment of musical styles that Childish Gambino wished to explore before walking away. Felt cut from the same cloth as his debut 'Camp' honestly. Figured it was a sequel of sorts because they continue similar musical themes. Except most of these are danceable anthems full of catchy moments.
You'd be surprised to find out 'Bando Stone & the New World' was my longtime #1 contender for favorite album this year until I returned to it a few months ago. Didn't hold up as much as I thought it would. That's on me. Still think 2014's 'STN MTN' mixtape is Gambino's diamond & 'Bando Stone...' doesn't surpass that sadly.
#06 - 'People Who Aren't There Anymore' by Future Islands
Exited 2023 being hyped for a new Future Islands' album being released around my birthday. Felt like an otherworldly gift from my late father.
For it would be 10 years since I first heard Future Islands because he brought home their 2014 project 'Singles' on Vinyl after falling in love with them at SXSW 2014. He passed over a copy on burnt CD so I play it in the car on the morning drive to work. Was a funny copy. He mistakenly put Side B starting at track 1. Actually still love listening to it that way.
It went on to be my Favorite Album of 2014. You can read all about it there. An album forever tied to my father's memories.
'People Who Aren't There Anymore' mostly captures Sam's thoughts & feelings while dealing with the departure of a longtime love. So I was able to connect with everything no matter how difficult the material felt to this listener for I'm still trying to rebuilt myself from past grief too. A rough task to bear. Happily they wrapped these anthems in a nice package that feels soft to the core. Throughout all the fighting... we can seek peace.
Couldn't recommend this album more. Still need to buy the Vinyl.
#05 - 'WE DON'T TRUST YOU', 'WE STILL DON'T TRUST YOU', & 'MIXTAPE PLUTO' by Future (w/ Metro Boomin)
New Type $#!+ that change the coarse of hip hop history. Made 2024 a true moment. Thanks Future, Metro Boomin, and their friends.
Their collective albums were solid listens for me. I do think 'WE STILL...' continues to be underrated between Future's 2024 trinity. There was so much going on musically during that time period that I recommend everyone go back to it. Now that all that drama noise has died down. Think the online grifters dropped it quickly because the narrative didn't fit theirs. 'WE DON'T TRUST YOU' remains superior due the strong production & features regardless.
'MIXTAPE PLUTO' is a fun listen too! Yes, I do love when Future raps carefree and weird. The fact he can effortfully pull a mixtape out of nowhere should be applauded every time. Keep them coming!
#04 - 'Only God Was Above Us' by Vampire Weekend
Vampire Weekend returned to form with 'Only God Was Above Us'. It is a somewhat gritty pop rock album that I could totally feel oozes an east coast city state of mind. Feels like a mature 'Contra' in elegant style & classical subject matter. Didn't know I missed this version of Vampire Weekend, but I kinda did. Rough, imperfect, grandiose, and all around beautiful when it collides together through the speaker.
You might have some moments of clarity like I did.
#03 - 'Ultra 85' by Logic
My homie had a rough 2024. He texted me one day about all his family drama & I strangely replied... "Go play some 'Ultra 85'". Caught him totally off-guard. Logic has always been one of his go-to favorites & I was loving 'Ultra 85' that week. Made me feel better. Maybe it could help him on his long ride homes? It kinda did. Created a fun & memorable story for sure. Music has the power heal.
Loved how Logic attacked his long talked about project. Glad he brought his A-Game on almost track alongside strong cleverly made lo-fi beats. His happiness is infectious most of all. Really wish there were less skits towards the end, but dug the overall story they were telling. Plus Steve Blum returning is so damn cool.
#02 - 'Brat and It's Completely Different but Also Still Brat' by Charli XCX
Thought 'Brat' was pretty good when I first heard it earlier the year. Wasn't my favorite Charli XCX album until her remix b-side album fused with it recently. The features from Bon Iver, The Japanese House, Billie Eilish, Tinashe, Lorde, and the rest completely changed the vibe around these songs in new completely different ways. Similar title & core idea, just projected in a new fresh formula with a friend or two.
Totally genius idea from Charli and her team. Breathes such life into these songs that it made me go back to the originals for the full picture. A song like "Guess" feels complete with Billie wherein Amber takes over "Apple" fully. To evolve her art in such a way takes 'Brat' into another musical stratosphere.
#01 - 'GNX' by Kendrick Lamar
Truth be told... took me a long time to decide on 'GNX' as my favorite album of 2024. Don't think any record on this list was a perfect 5 Stars. Most were 4.5. 'GNX' included. Yet I'm really happy to crown Kendrick Lamar for all his amazing 2024 songs. What he gave to Hip Hop will live forever in the culture & beyond.
Spent most of the year listening to "Not Like Us", "euphoria", "Meet The Grahams", and "6:16 in LA" alongside Drake's disses (which are mostly not all bad). Will always remember experiencing "6:16 in LA" surprise drop before work then running home to watch all the YouTube fan reactions for hours. Made a busy time fly right by. Spent most of my nights like that earlier on in 2024.
Both my Spotify Wrapped & Apple Music Replay speak to that fact.
I had hoped Kendrick would drop his long awaited rumored album by the time I put this blurb together so I could thank him for all the musical moments. Happily... 'GNX' hit streaming last month! I downloaded it in the day job's break room.
Totally personifies West Coast Hip Hop in all its best shades and the album sounds even more awesome in this SoCal setting. Love playing the record in the car than here in this office. Open windows & hard hitting basses are required. Sorry to say.
My love for each track tends to change each session. Right now "dodger blue" is on repeat while writing this.
However, I consider "reincarnated" to be one of Kendrick's most powerful songs to date. The way he manipulates 2Pac's 'Supercop' & 'Gang Related' Soundtrack entries "Made ******" to the tell the story of The Devil's redemption is MASTERFUL! Broke my heart none of the YouTube reactors I watched after 'GNX' dropped knew the sample's origin. My homies were shocked that I had that knowledge in my musical brain. Because I own both CD soundtracks. Bought them as hardcore 2Pac fan back in the day strangely enough. Oh well. Maybe I'm getting too old for all this.
It isn't a perfect album, but so damn fun! Sometimes that's all that matters. Kendrick wanted us to "feel this" & this listener totally did! Maybe the rumored Deluxe Edition will be even better? Only time will tell. Might be next year's #1 album too! #spoilers