my Top 5 albums of 2024
It is beyond difficult to comprehend that 2024 is coming to a close. This may be due to the fact that I’m failing miserably at escaping the impending 30th birthday or that this year was spent so much on the road that I thought it’d last forever; either way, I digress.
What 2024 has undoubtedly brought us was a plethora of good music. I can arguably say one of my favorite albums of all time was released this year, locking in the number one spot on this list.
On that note, let’s begin:
5. Billie eilish- hit me hard and soft
It was THE YEAR for women in pop. The duo of Billie & Finneas never cease to come up with anything short of amazing, out-witting the bedroom laptop warriors while at the same time leaving them inspired to dive deeper into the Logic Pro synth libraries.
Favorite Tracks: BIRDS OF A FEATHER, BLUE
4. JASON WOZNIAK - estates
Jason, the producer and co-writer of BOTH my albums From Bonfires & Slow Devotion went ahead and blessed us this year with his self-produced full length album. I personally feel this album showcases some of Jason’s best production yet, and easily some of my favorite vocal moments of his as well. Fun fact: a song that was originally written for Slow Devotion, “Inside of My Head” was eventually revamped by Jason and found itself on this album. I couldn’t be happier with where it landed.
Favorite Tracks: I Wanna Be Where You Are, Just Surviving, Inside of My Head
3. Cole schafer - love is a hot air balloon burning to the ground
Cole has been an inspiration of mine for quite some time; having released three poetry books and having me be on the receiving end of his copywriting teachings, I was beyond excited to discover he was venturing into the spoken word genre collaborating musically with his brother Trey, Jon Notar, & cinematic composer The Field Tapes. His second album, love is a hot air balloon burning to the ground, dives deep into heartbreak, depression, growth & self-discovery unapologetically. Cole’s voice sounds like embers that filtered motor oil clean enough to run an 80s Trans Am, with the song Fine Bone demanding itself to be placed into a Rocky-esque coming-of-age indie film.
Favorite Tracks: Fine Bone, Super Valium, Ice Queen
2. Clairo - charm
Clairo’s Charm feels like an introspective conversation in a bachelorette’s 70s living room; sitting close on a corduroy loveseat four gin & tonic’s deep while the clock seamlessly passes into the early morning. The production is flawless, with Clairo’s vocals sitting nicely in the new sound she has so eloquently formed. Personally, I think this collection of songs may go down as Clairo’s objective best, although her fan base has Immunity on a non-stop repeat (can you blame them?).
Favorite Tracks: Sexy to Someone, Second Nature, Terrapin
1. The story so far - i want to disappear
The Story So Far has yet to release a “bad album”, with the band arguably progressing their sound with every release. I am unapologetically a fan, having seen them 4 times & chalking up 2018’s Proper Dose as a personal favorite. I was eagerly awaiting this release while lead vocalist Parker Cannon took a side quest into punk project No Pressure, and this is one of the few times I’ve been confident in saying it was worth the wait.
I Want To Disappear is album that dives headfirst into grief; an autobiographical take on losing a loved one to disease and figuring out how to deal with the emotional aftermath. Paired with TSSF’s classic big guitar sound, contagious energy & having the ability to unapologetically turn off the amps and write an acoustic ballad intimate enough to bring even the biggest guys in the mosh pit drowning in their own tears. A fair warning, the lyrical content in this masterpiece of an album is not for the faint of heart. Upon listening, be ready to come face to face with the thoughts and analysis of heartbreak, introspection, and the losing of a loved one.
Favorite Tracks: Letterman, Keep You Around, Watch You Go, White Shores