As 2024 comes to a close, it’s time for the ultimate challenge: distilling a year of outstanding music into a single list. After countless hours of deep dives, rewinds, and replays, I’ve arrived at my top albums of the year—a collection of records that resonated, pushed boundaries, and left a lasting impact. From ELUCID’s visionary lyricism to Cindy Lee’s haunting melodies, Jack J’s genre-blending experiments, and the raw brilliance of Shrapknel, these are the albums that defined my 2024. Dive in and explore the sounds that made this year unforgettable.
Oren Ambarchi Johan Berthling & Andreas Werliin – Ghosted II
Ghosted II stretches time, turning improvised jazz fusion into a hypnotic, ever-shifting soundscape that invites you to get lost in its free-flowing, meditative grooves.
Burnt Pink & Swarvy – Perfectionist
Philly quartet Burnt Pink and producer Swarvy team up to craft a serene, psychedelic journey through hypnotic, long-form songs that balance trippy textures with a meditative vibe.
Cavalier & Child Actor – Cine
A cinematic hip-hop journey, CINE blends Child Actor’s lush beats and Cavalier’s vivid narratives into an album that unfolds like a memoir.
ELUCID – Revelator
Balancing raw intensity with creative risk, Revelator showcases ELUCID’s boldest solo work yet, pushing the boundaries of abstract hip-hop with dark, experimental production and vivid, poetic lyricism.
Fcukers – Baggy$$
Blending lo-fi house beats with cheeky pop flair, Fcukers’ debut EP offers the perfect soundtrack for late nights and living in the moment.
Sam Gendel & Fabian Do Nascimento – The Room
A delicate, intimate journey where intricate guitar chords and whisper-soft saxophone melodies intertwine seamlessly.
Cindy Lee – Diamond Jubilee
Like tuning into the coolest, weirdest radio station you’ve ever heard, Diamond Jubilee blends dreamy girl-group ballads, warped disco grooves and psychedelic rock into two hours of music that’ll keep you coming back for more.
Jack J – Blue Desert
A moody blend of sleek new wave, downtempo grooves, and haunting house vibes all underscored by raw, introspective lyrics, Blue Desert is Equal parts sultry and unsettling.
Jesse The Tree – Not Fade Away
Produced by Andrew of SleepingDogs, Not Fade Away is a cerebral journey through jazzy, psychedelic beats and stream-of-consciousness rhymes that showcases Jesse The Tree’s knack for pushing hip-hop’s boundaries.
Ka – The Thief Next To Jesus
With its rich biblical allegories and minimalist beats, The Thief Next to Jesus reflects on the complex relationship between faith and oppression, leaving a lasting impression of Ka’s profound legacy.
maya ongaku – Electronic Phantoms
Electronic Phantoms blends the energy of maya ongaku’s live performances with vintage electronica and gentle acid folk to create a dreamy, journey that feels timeless.
Meril Wubslin – Faire Ça
Pushing their experimental blend of blues, doom folk, and post-rock into bold new territory, Swiss trio Meril Wubslin deliver an atmospheric and rhythmically intense journey that’s both challenging and deeply rewarding.
MRCY – Volume 1
Inspired by legends like Marvin Gaye, Anderson .Paak and SAULT, MRCY’s debut album is a soulful blend of timeless melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and rich, atmospheric production.
Mutant Academy – Keep Holly Alive
With effortless chemistry between MCs and producers, Mutant Academy’s debut album captures the crew’s decade-long journey while celebrating their roots and collective bond.
Nacho Picasso & Televangel – Jesse’s Revenge
Pairing Nacho Picasso’s dark humor with Televangel’s atmospheric beats, Jesse’s Revenge revisits the chemistry of Nacho’s Blue Sky Black Death era while delivering haunting tracks that linger long after the last note.
Nappy Nina & Swarvy – Nothing Is My Favorite Thing
Blending Nappy Nina’s sharp, introspective bars with Swarvy’s soothing, smoked-out beats, this meditative album explores the tension between life’s fast pace and the need to slow down.
Ol’ Burger Beats – 74: Out of Time
A masterclass in jazzy, soulful hip-hop production, blending a relaxed 74 BPM framework with sharp flows from top-tier collaborators like Quelle Chris, billy woods, and lojii.
Misha Panfilov – To The Mesosphere And Beyond
A mesmerizing two-track journey with sprawling compositions that blend hypnotic jazz and cosmic soundscapes, To the Mesosphere and Beyond is a perfect soundtrack for dreamy nights and moments of calm.
Roc Marciano – Marciology
Packed with trippy, minimalist production and vivid storytelling, Marciology is both a nod to Roc Marciano’s legendary influence and proof he’s still pushing the boundaries of his craft.
Sholto – Letting Go of Forever
A sprawling 26-track album, Letting Go of Forever masterfully blends cinematic psychedelia, experimental soul, and jazz to solidify Sholto’s place as one of the best composers in modern instrumental music.
Shrapknel & Controller 7 – Nobody Planning To Leave
Pairing Curly Castro and PremRock’s razor-sharp verses with Controller 7’s groundbreaking beats, Nobody Planning To Leave is a visceral, boundary-pushing experience you won’t forget.
UTO – When All You Want To Do Is Be The Fire Part Of Fire
An electrifying blend of glitchy beats and tender melodies, French duo UTO create a sound where chaos and calm collide – showcasing hypnotic rhythms, haunting vocals, and unexpected twists that turn introspective lyrics into explosive, danceable anthems.
Wavy Bagels & Driveby – A Carfull
With nods to golden-era hip-hop and a lineup of standout features, A Carfull is an unpredictable, high-energy trip that keeps you hooked from start to finish.
