How many have you heard? And do you agree with our first-half of 2024 ranking?
We’re past the halfway mark of 2024, and we’re taking a break from humming along to Sabrina Carpenter’s ‘Espresso’ to take a look back at the music highlights that have captured our ears (and hearts) this year.
There’s been so much to enjoy this year, from disco-pop odysseys to club bangers, via lively Irish rap and compelling country storytelling… It’s not been easy whittling down our favourites – but we’ve been brave brats about it.
Without further ado, here is our countdown to the best album of the year so far.
15) NxWorries – Why Lawd?
NxWorries, the collaboration between the unstoppable Anderson Paak and crate-digger, beat maestro Knxwledge, are back, and smoother than ever. Their second full-length project ‘Why Lawd?’, a follow-up to their critically acclaimed 2016 debut, continues on their unique blend of R&B and hip-hop and improves on it. With slicker production and lyrics that cut deeper – exploring the bittersweet nature of heartbreak and hedonism – this is their best work to date. Paak’s unmistakable swagger and playful sexual bravado are still front and centre, but there’s a new layer of introspection, as heard on tracks like ‘MoveOn’ and the Thundercat-assisted ‘KeepHer’, where Paak addresses the futility of material wealth in maintaining a relationship. “Phone off, you said you was sleep / I know you was getting your cheeks beat!” cries the 38-year-old singer/rapper over an irresistibly crispy beat. Throughout, Knxwledge delivers some of the best instrumentals of his career, which seamlessly transition from one to the other. Particular highlights include the hazily smooth ‘Where I Go’ and the dustry, soul-sampling chopped bliss heard on tracks like ‘FromHere’ and ‘SheUsed’. Sprinkled throughout are some welcomed features from the likes of Snoop Dogg, Earl Sweatshirt and H.E.R. Despite the loss and longing that course through the 44-minute runtime, this record ultimately radiates feel-good summer vibes and has ridiculous replay value. TF
14) Dua Lipa – Radical Optimism
Propulsive beats, gleaming vocals, catchy melodies and polished production. Dua Lipa’s ‘Radical Optimism’ is a refreshing burst of dance-pop euphoria, continuing the buoyant legacy of her snappy nu-disco classic ‘Future Nostalgia’ from 2020. With a very digestible runtime of 36 minutes over 11 tracks, it offers a laidback ride through sun-soaked, synth-laden grooves. Kicking off with ‘End of An Era,’ a track enriched by Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker’s psychedelic touch, the album sets a joyful tone that carries through to the infectious ‘Houdini’ and ABBA-inspired ‘Training Season,’ both of which have been a staple of the European club scene this summer. The closing track, ‘Happy For You,’ encapsulates the album’s core themes of personal growth and optimism. While ‘Radical Optimism’ may not redefine Lipa’s sound, it reaffirms her status as one of the brightest stars in modern pop music. TF
13) L’Impératrice – Pulsar
This French pop and nu-disco outfit has been going from strength to strength ever since their 2018 debut ‘Matahari’. And now, for their third album ‘Pulsar’, Parisian sextet L’Impératrice have released a groovy and dreamy fusion of French Touch and Italo-disco for some of the best dance anthems you’ll hear all year. Their overall formula remains the same, but they’ve honed their sensual craft, and enlisted some friends to help out – most notably Maggie Rogers, Erick the Architect and Fabiana Martone, with the latter featuring on album highlight ‘Danza Marilú’. Embracing several languages (English, French, Spanish, Italian), this joyful ride radiates a hypnotic energy that should accompany you throughout the summer (and the rest of the year), whether you’re heading to the dance floor or just keen for a satisfying hit of cosmic pop. DM
12) Khruangbin – A LA SALA
Following the vibrant, party-driven energy of 2020’s ‘Mordechai’, Houston’s psychedelic jam trio Khruangbin take a more relaxed, stripped-back approach with their latest album, ‘A LA SALA’, inviting the listener to sit back and appreciate what’s around them. By now, the band’s sound is unmistakable – reverb-drenched guitars, understated grooves, breezy vocals and a blend of world music influences and funk-rock. This is an album that refreshingly focuses less on lyrical complexity and conceptual weight, and instead offers a space to get lost in and simply vibe out to. Like a long summer evening spent in the park, you can let the sound just wash over you. Think evening drinks with family and friends or lounging on a hammock. ‘May Ninth’, for instance captures this carefree feeling perfectly. Its sun-kissed, dreamy instrumentation and feather-light vocals feel like a warm embrace to the ears. But there’s still plenty of room for a boogie on this record – like on the infectious rhythms heard on ‘Pon Pón’ or the West African-influenced ‘Hold Me Up (Thank You)’. Subtle field recordings of bird song and gentle chatter play throughout, helping to blend the tracks together seamlessly. The record ends with the melancholic and beautiful piano-driven track ‘Les Petits Gris’, perfectly wrapping up just over 39 minutes of laidback sonic loveliness. TF
11) Beyoncé – COWBOY CARTER
Queen B returned this year with the second part of her musical triptych series that kicked off in 2022 with ‘RENAISSANCE’. This time she buckles up listeners for a toe-tapping ride through the heart of country music. Right from the vocal-led opening track ‘AMERIICAN REQUIEM’, Beyoncé asserts her place in a complex genre long dominated by white male voices and entangled in a history marked by the exclusion of Black voices. “Plant my bare feet on solid ground for years. They don’t know how hard I had to fight for this” she declares. Throughout ‘COWBOY CARTER »s first half, the Queen of R&B and pop delves deep into the roots of country music, painting vivid portraits of life down South, on standout tracks like the powerful ’16 CARRIAGES’ and incredibly fun ‘TEXAS HOLD ‘EM’. Yet, ‘COWBOY CARTER’ refuses to be boxed into the confines of country clichés. Tracks like the booming ‘SPAGHETTII’ and the wildly upbeat ‘YA YA’ veer into unexpected territories, blending hip-hop, psychedelic soul, and even flamenco. With a hefty 27 tracks, the album is a sprawling endeavour, but it’s packed with catchy, polished gems that make the journey more than worth it. TF
10) Black Keys – Ohio Players
Granted, The Black Keys’ 12th album is more mainstream-sounding compared to some of their previous works, with the band moving away from the raw and scuzzy feel of their signature garage rock. But the results are hard to argue with, as ‘Ohio Players’ is one of the best rock albums of 2024. It’s Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney’s most collaborative effort to date, with Dan “the Automator” Nakamura, Noel Gallagher and Beck contributing – with the latter claiming a writing credit on half of the 14 tracks. It’s a lively and instantaneously catchy collection, with every song feeling like a joyful head-bopper – including the single ‘Beautiful People (Stay High)’ and the infectious ‘Only Love Matters’. For a soundtrack to the perfect perky party, try this record on for size. DM
9) Kneecap – Fine Art
Belfast rappers Kneecap are having a moment this year, and it’s amply deserved. For those who haven’t yet had the pleasure, Kneecap are two MCs, Móglaí Bap and Mo Chara, along with DJ Provaí. Fond of merging Gaelic with English, balaclava-wearing satire with socially conscious lyrics, and plenty of drug and sex references, the band have been active since 2017. They quickly became an underground hit, earning praise from fellow rappers within the Irish hip-hop scene. However, their dominance on the worldwide cultural scene shifted into gear this year, kickstarted by their eponymous biographical film which premiered to wide acclaim at the Sundance Film Festival. This year also saw the release of their debut album ‘Fine Art’, a raucous, funny, and engaged LP that’s unlike anything you’ll hear all year. Above all, the trio take rap back to its roots as a music genre to voice the ills of opposition and challenge the establishment. A must-hear. DM
8) The Last Dinner Party – Prelude To Ecstasy
Baroque, maximalist, and infectious in its theatricality, ‘Prelude To Ecstasy’ is the UK quintet The Last Dinner Party’s debut album. It showcases assured and foreboding reveries that oscillate between glam pop and more unpredictable indie rock, with touchstones like Siouxsie and the Banshees, Sparks and Florence + the Machine feeling appropriate. However, considering there really isn’t a weak tune in these grandiose earworms (‘Nothing Matters’ and The Feminine Urge’ do remain favourites), The Last Dinner Party are already a reference onto themselves. The public seem to agree, as the album became the UK’s biggest first week selling debut album in nine years (since Years & Years’ ‘Communion’). ‘Prelude To Ecstasy’ is the sound of a singular band who emerge with a precise creative vision and carry it to completion. DM
7) Beth Gibbons – Lives Outgrown
At the age of 59 – and 30 years since the first Portishead album ‘Dummy’ – singer Beth Gibbons finally released her debut solo album this year, and it was worth the wait. There’s something about that uniquely spellbinding voice that can send shivers down your spine. The good kind. Her inimitable croon, coupled with some carefully crafted arrangements, folky guitars and some brassy interludes, make these 10 songs shine in the darkness. Because darkness there is, as the theme of time and mortality is present throughout, making ‘Lives Outgrown’ a very intimate, occasionally challenging, sombre listen. Yet, there’s an oddly comforting feel throughout, as if the listener is privy to the raw wisdom of someone taking stock of the bleaker facettes of middle age. From the entrancing ‘Beyond The Sun’ to the pastoral ‘Whispering Love’ via standout ‘Floating on a Moment’, the implacable march of time has never sounded so affecting. DM
6) Vampire Weekend – Only God Was Above Us
Indie pop darlings Vampire Weekend make a triumphant comeback with their fifth studio album, ‘Only God Was Above Us’, a striking bounce back from the lukewarm reception of their last offering, ‘Father of the Bride’. The new 10-track record is ludicrously good and reestablishes the band’s reputation for inventive, genre-blending mastery. ‘Ice Cream Piano’, the album’s opening track, immediately grabs attention with its buzzing guitars, cascading piano arpeggios and driving snares, building to a frenetic climax. Here, lead vocalist Ezra Koenig introduces musings on authoritarianism and personal reckonings with the past, themes which can be heard throughout the album. The forward-moving momentum continues throughout, constantly keeping the listener on their toes with wickedly fun instrumental shifts, such as the operatic choral elements introduced on the brilliant ‘Mary Boone’. Overall, it’s a dazzling riot of an album and earns a well-deserved place among the top releases of the year. TF
5) Charli XCX – Brat
If you weren’t already aware, this summer undeniably belongs to Charli XCX. Her sixth album has transcended mere music to become a cultural phenomenon, with even Vice President Kamala Harris, the potential future Democratic nominee, jumping on the ‘brat girl summer’ band wagon. With its unapologetic Shrek-green colour palette and « internet girlie » aesthetic, ‘Brat’ makes a bold visual statement. But does the music live up to the hype? In short, it delivers everything you could hope for from the 31-year-old British visionary and more. The 15-track album is an ode to rave culture, brimming with searingly honest and direct lyrics against a backdrop of late-night, electro-trash, pop bangers. Charli dives deep into the full spectrum of emotions – she lays bare her deepest insecurities, navigates themes of loss and friendship and contemplates the idea of motherhood. Tracks like the pulsating opener ‘360’ and the sassy ‘Mean Girls’ are sure to get you moving, while ‘So I’, an incredibly moving tribute to her late friend and collaborator SOPHIE, will have you deep in the feels. Much like a wild, drug-fueled night out, ‘Brat’ offers both ecstatic highs and reflective lows. It’s a perfectly paced, endorphin-charged work of art – her greatest achievement to date. TF
4) Nadine Shah – Filthy Underneath
From her debut album ‘Love Your Dum And Mad’ to 2020’s ‘Kitchen Sink’, Nadine Shah has not faltered once. And this year, for her fifth album, she may have released her strongest LP to date. From start to finish, ‘Filthy Underneath’ is a dark, bewitching and often wryly humorous collection of songs that channel some bleak times in Shah’s personal life – PTSD, heartbreak, addiction. She manages to transform these hardships into melodically epic and rhythmically powerful stunners. The gothic sounds of ‘Greatest Dancer’, ‘Topless Mother’ and the heteroclite collection of items in its frantically joyful chorus, and the laceratingly honest storytelling at the heart ‘Twenty Things’ and ‘French Exit’ make these songs some of the best you’ll hear all year. They reveal ‘Filthy Underneath’ to be a poignant purging of emotions. DM
3) Fabiana Palladino – Fabiana Palladino
The best and most self-assured debut album of the year so far? Better believe it. After years spent as a session musician for the likes of Jessie Ware and Sampha, Fabiana Palladino has taken her time (reportedly 13 years) to deliver a stunning collection of tunes that evoke the best of Lisa Stansfield and Janet Jackson, and make us very glad she’s not on the sidelines anymore. Every one of the 10 tracks on this eponymous album is gorgeous – they’re sophisticated 80s-indebted pop tunes that blend funky soul, R&B, stunning synthy hooks, and even some disco grooves. Standouts include ‘Stay With Me Through The Night’; the sultry ‘Closer’; the HAIM-like ‘Shoulda’; and the Depeche Mode inflected ‘Deeper’. We could go on, as the whole album of hypnotic retro pop is damn close to perfection. “I care, I care / So let’s be together every day,” sings Palladino on the single ‘I Care’, featuring Jai Paul. Fabiana, we care too. A lot. DM
2) Shabaka – Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace
It’s one hell of a time for contemporary jazz music in the UK, with artists like Yuseef Dayes, Nubya Garcia, Ezra Collective, and Alfa Mist leading the charge. Joining this vibrant lineup of talent is London-born musician and composer Shabaka Hutchings, whose latest album, ‘Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace’, offers a gorgeous journey through jazz’s spiritual and transcendent dimensions. The breathtaking 11-track release showcases Hutchings virtuosic playing on flutes and reeds, complemented by additional layered instrumentation (harps, strings, synths and vocals) and notable guest appearances from Floating Points, Lianne La Havas, André 3000 and more. It’s lush on the ears, wonderfully textured and manages to resonate on an emotional level. Highlights include Hutchings’ duet with Moses Sumney’s vocals on the quietly evolving ‘Insecurities’ and the incredibly detailed ‘I’ll Do Whatever You Want’. Undoubtedly one of the best offerings of the year so far. Press play, close your eyes, and let the sonic goodness take you away. TF
1) Hurray For The Riff Raff – The Past Is Still Alive
For our money, it’s Hurray For The Riff Raff’s ninth studio album that is this year’s most essential release so far. Singer-songwriter Alynda Segarra harks back to the country sounds of her earliest work, and the results are stunning. It’s up there with 2014’s ‘Small Town Heroes’ and 2017’s ‘The Navigator’ as one of her very best and most cohesive efforts. Having recorded the album in the wake of her father’s death, ‘The Past Is Still Alive’ taps into that feeling of mourning and observing the passing of time, featuring some of her best writing and storytelling to date. There’s reckoning with loss (‘Alibi’), rebirth (‘Vetiver’), and possibly the gentlest, most warm-and-fuzzies-inducing song of 2024 (so far): ‘Colossus of Roads’ and its delivery of the lines “I know that it’s dangerous, but I wanna see you undress / Wrap you up in the bomb shelter of my feather bed.” Throughout, the trauma Segarra sings about feels like a present stumbling block that can only mean there’ll be rosier times ahead, provided one conjures the will to go on. “Nothing will stop me now,” she sings on ‘Snake Plant (The Past Is Still Alive)’ – and we don’t doubt her for a second. DM
There we have it.
Here are some of our honorable mentions:
Camera Obscura’s stunning first album in 11 years ‘Look To The East, Look To The West; Haitian-Canadian rapper and DJ KAYTRANADA and his new album ‘Timeless’; The dreamy dirge of Cigarettes After Sex’s most cohesive album to date ‘X’s’; Kali Uchis’ fourth album (and second Spanish-language LP) ‘Orquídeas’; Albama Shakes frontwoman Brittany Howard and her second solo release ‘What Now’; The Smile’s sophomore album ‘Wall of Eyes’; 23-year-old Willow (daughter of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett)’s sixth (SIXTH!) studio album ‘Empathogen’; and Taylor Swift’s solid but uneven post-mortem on love and its pitfalls with ‘The Tortured Poets Department’.
What did we miss and what were your music highlights of the year?
We’re already looking ahead to the next half of the year, with The Smashing Pumpkins, Sabrina Carpenter, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Hinds, Max Richter, Jamie xx and Manu Chao all releasing new albums very soon. And that’s all before the fourth quarter. We’ve still got plenty of great music ahead…
Stay tuned to L’Observatoire de l’Europe Culture to find out how many halfway mark albums remain in our end of year Best Albums of 2024 list. And do check out our Best Movies of 2024 So Far and Best TV Shows of 2024 So Far rankings.
Happy listening!
