2024 was a great year for music. Breakout stars Chappell Roan, Charli XCX and Sabrina Carpenter dominated the pop scene, while Beyoncé, Post Malone and Shaboozey rocked the country charts, and Kendrick Lamar emerged victorious in his long-running feud with Drake. However, in an industry that often prioritizes celebrity over sheer musical talent, some of the year’s finest albums emerged outside of the cultural mainstream. Let’s take a look at some of the best albums you might have missed in 2024 from artists that didn’t top the charts or win awards but deserve your attention nonetheless.
Pop
One of 2024’s best debut albums came from indie pop group Melt, a New York-based act that attracted attention for their first single “Sour Candy” back in 2017 when its members were still in high school. Now college graduates (lead singer Veronica Stewart-Frommer graduated from Tufts in 2022), the band released their debut album “If There’s a Heaven” back in September. Melt’s joyful energy comes through in their work, and the band’s lush soundscape is elevated by Stewart-Frommer’s soulful voice and their emotionally resonant lyrics. Highlights include the dreamy single “Heaven” and the rock-infused track “The Idiot.”
Other standout albums in the pop world include “Songs About You Specifically,” the third album from the indie pop collective MICHELLE; “Lockjaw,” the debut album from bedroom pop singer Frances Forever; and “Isotope,” the second EP from jazz-pop band Wasia Project.
Rock
Listen to a few minutes of The Lemon Twigs’ “A Dream Is All We Know” and you might be surprised that it came out just last year. The fifth album from brothers Brian and Michael D’Addario, “A Dream Is All We Know” is a masterclass in power pop that harkens back to the sounds of 1960s chart-toppers like The Beatles and The Beach Boys. Spanning from doo-wop to progressive rock, The Lemon Twigs show off their tight vocal harmonies and multi-instrumental talents on tracks like “My Golden Years” and “How Can I Love Her More?”
Looking for something a little different? Try “The New Sound” by British prog rock star Geordie Greep, “Duck” by instrumental rock trio The Aristocrats, or “South of Here” by folk-rock band Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats.
R&B/Neo-Soul
Blending a traditional pop sound with a three-part horn section, The Dip has been consistently releasing some of the best R&B albums for years. Their latest album, “Love Direction,” proves that they still haven’t lost their touch. Originally formed in 2013 by a group of music students in Seattle, The Dip will quickly win you over with their groovy melodies, lush horn arrangements and tight rhythm sections. Highlights include the energetic track “Doing the Thing,” which features a memorable guitar riff, and the easygoing “Fill My Cup.”
If you like The Dip, try the bluesy “Keep On Diggin’” by The California Honeydrops. If you want something more jazz and pop-inspired, try “Good Together” by Lake Street Dive, “Something for Everybody” by Sammy Rae & The Friends or “Conflict Resolution” by Lawrence.
Rap
With her third mixtape, “Alligator Bites Never Heal,” Tampa-born rapper Doechii has made her mark as one of the biggest rising stars in the hip-hop world. Also known as the “Swamp Princess,” Doechii embraces her Florida roots on her latest mixtape, which explores the pressures of fame and her role as a Black woman in a male-dominated genre. Doechii’s witty lyrics, stylistic versatility and infectious energy are on display throughout the album, with standout tracks including the humor-filled “Denial is a River” and the EDM-inspired “Nissan Altima.” Look no further than Doechii’s incredible Tiny Desk Concert to see her talent on display.
Country
“Beautifully Broken,” the tenth album from country star Jelly Roll, couldn’t have come at a better time. Fresh off a Best New Artist nomination at last year’s Grammys and an appearance on “Saturday Night Live,” Jelly Roll struck gold with his latest album, which explores his journey to sobriety and self-acceptance with candid lyrics and an unmistakably Nashville sound. Last year, Jelly Roll also contributed to the soundtrack of “Twisters,” the Glen Powell-led summer blockbuster that brought more than 30 country stars together for a soundtrack chock full of top-notch original songs.
Folk
Waxahatchee, the indie folk project of singer Katie Crutchfield, is finally getting the attention it deserves. Crutchfield’s sixth album, “Tigers Blood,” is a wonderfully intimate folk-country record elevated by introspective lyrics and vulnerable vocals. Other standouts in the folk scene include “Keep Me on Your Mind/See You Free” by supergroup Bonny Light Horseman and “Observations From A Crowded Room” by rising folk star Joy Oladokun.
Alternative/Indie Rock
“My Method Actor,” the third album from English indie rocker Nilüfer Yanya, is an eclectic mix of styles, seamlessly blending Yanya’s lush, emotional vocals with poetic lyrics and gentle guitar-driven instrumentation. The album explores Yanya’s feelings of melancholy and doubt, creating an impressively complex sonic landscape that will keep you coming back for more. Highlights include the moody “Call It Love” and the hypnotic “Mutations.”
Jazz
Stella Cole’s self-titled debut album, full of jazz standards from a bygone era, is a reminder that traditional jazz is still alive. Cole shows off her silky vocals and crystal-clear diction on tracks like “Moon River” and a memorable cover of Billie Eilish’s “My Future.” For something completely different, check out “Empathogen,” the latest entry from the genre-defying singer Willow.
