2024 was a very busy year in music. Almost every big female artist dropped an album, and at some point it became overwhelming to keep up. The release rate was in overdrive—some artists broke new ground and it paid off, others stayed safe with their usual sound (which still worked), and a few, like Katy Perry, honestly need to take a break.
I’m not sure how the shift happened, but I blame whoever started the whole YouTube “visualisers” trend that’s slowly replacing proper music videos. Then we had SZA, Khalid, Tyla, and of course Taylor Swift, pushing the dead-and-buried “deluxe album” trend back into overuse. This shouldn’t be a thing anymore, especially now that tracks are under three minutes thanks to the streaming era, a reflection of the short attention spans shaped by social media.
Streaming has also made it clear how unforgiving the industry is when artists take long breaks. Taylor Swift has cracked this system, constantly feeding her audience with re-recordings, repeats, and new releases. The only person it doesn’t seem to affect is Beyoncé; even Adele hasn’t been spared.
The good thing is that most of the many albums released in 2024 were actually good. The downside is that I had to painfully prune this list down to 21 (which is still a lot). Without much further ado, here are the top albums that meant the most to me and carried me through the year. Once again, music was my safe haven.
21. Morayo – Wizkid
I feel most people did not give this album a chance because the first single (“Piece of My Heart”) sounded too familiar. First singles matter as they set the tone for what’s coming, and truthfully, we were all tired of that same vibe that dominated his last two full-length albums. I almost skipped the project, but I’m glad I gave it a proper listen.
The live production drew me in, and I found a nice balance between the old Wizkid (“Kese,” “Bend”) and his newer sound (since Made in Lagos album) which I hope he can finally move on from. Morayo blends afrobeats, reggae, and dancehall, staying true to his influences. He also paid homage to his late mum with the album art and the track “Pray.”
At this point, I doubt we’ll ever see a Nigerian artist transform personal loss into a full album centred on pain, especially since hit singles dominate success in the Nigerian music industry.
Favourite Tracks – Troubled mind, Piece of my heart, Break me down, A million blessings, Bad for you, Slow
20. The Tortured Poets Department – Taylor Swift
This mention is for the first release only, not the double-disc deluxe she dropped later. Honestly, even Taylor herself probably doesn’t remember most of those Disc 2 tracks. they were as forgettable as the tail end of Folklore and half of Evermore.
Disc 1, though, was complete on its own, even if it suffered from the “same sound” problem that has plagued her past four releases. Fans are tired (check Twitter), we miss the old Taylor, when each album had its own personality. Girl, it’s time to stop working with Jack Antonoff and give us something new!
Still, TTPD makes for an easy, good listen, just nothing exceptional.
Favourite Tracks – Fornight, My boy only breaks his favourite toys, Down bad, But Daddy I love him, Florida!!!, I can do it with a broken heart
19. Short n’ Sweet – Sabrina Carpenter
After five albums, Sabrina finally broke into the mainstream with her sixth. I’d heard some of her earlier work, but the lead single from this project, “Espresso,” (my pick for 2024’s song of the year) showed real growth.
Consistency and strategy paid off. She leaned into a commercial pop sound for the big singles, but I liked how she slipped her signature style into the album’s closing tracks, made for a good balance. Those ending songs on the original release (not the deluxe) are the real gems.
Favourite Tracks – Please please please, Sharpest tool, Bad chem, Espresso, Dumb & Poetic, Slim Pickins, Lie to Girls, Don’t smile
18. Beautifully Ordinary – Tones And I
I discovered Tones And I (Toni Watson) on a Perth radio station. Most of the album is indie pop, but the lyrics feel meaningful — a refreshing contrast to shallow mainstream pop. This was my go-to when I wanted something different from the A-listers.
Favourite Tracks – To be loved, Lose Someone Like Me, Dance With Me, Figure It Out, Wonderful, Raise Me Up, Sorrento, Need You to Love Me, Only One
17. (un-finished) – Rhodes
Ever since his 2015 debut Wishes, I’ve been waiting for new projects from Rhodes. He went silent for a while, and with non-commercial artists, it’s easy to lose track. Imagine my surprise when I found out he released not just one but two albums over the last two years.
This one stood out the most, and I played it on repeat for days. Rhodes’ piercing vocals are as powerful as ever, and his albums remain centered on love and quiet reflection. His emotionally heavy voice carries the message across effortlessly. The track “Happy” really struck me, reminding me to live intentionally and cultivate my own happiness.
Favourite Tracks – That’s How I Love You, Happy, Sunlight, All I’ve Ever Known, Don’t Cry, Faraway, The Drive
16. Eternal Sunshine – Ariana Grande
This feels like Ariana’s most mature album yet. It’s her familiar pop sound, but the lyrics dig deeper, exploring personal growth, image, and failed love (probably her divorce).
I don’t know if mainstream media is trying to cancel her, but “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait For Your Love)” deserved video of the year. This album shows her growth while keeping that commercial appeal. It’s introspective without being heavy, and Ariana’s voice shines clearly throughout.
Favourite Tracks – intro (end of the world), don’t wanna break up again, eternal sunshine, supernatural, true story, we can’t be friends (wait for your love), i wish I hated you, imperfect for you,
15. Leon – Leon Bridges
I will always be a sucker for a quiet album. This album gave me the feels on first listen. Themed around existentialism, it moves like a trance from start to finish, especially on “Simplify,” “Peaceful Place,” and “Ghetto Honeybee.”
Leon Bridges’ voice over minimal instrumentals has a way of pulling you in. This is a true no-skip album for me, one I turned to whenever I needed calmness and grounding. Simply beautiful.
Favourite Tracks – That’s What I Love, Panther city, Ain’t Got Nothing On You, Simplify, Never Satisfied, Peaceful Place, Ghetto Honeybee
14. Madam Dearest, Pt.1 – DOTTi The Deity
Independent artists hold a special place in my heart. DOTTi’s album, themed around love, was a discovery after hearing “Forever Sweet” at a friend’s wedding. While it’s every artist’s dream to gain mainstream success, the best true works usually come from artistic freedom free of trying to please the mass market.
This album is heavy on afrobeats with folk and highlife influences, yet it’s uniquely DOTTi’s own sound. The lyricism blends seriousness with playful moments, reminding me of early Adekunle Gold before he leaned too heavily into mainstream afrobeats.
Favourite Tracks – Balablu, Be My Darling, Big Shirt & Boxers, Sussana, Madam Dearest, Forever Sweet
13. Adedamola – Fireboy DML
I almost missed out on this album as I started losing interest after his last two projects, which moved from the unique sound of his debut to a more commercial, singles-driven style. It was sad watching an artist with so much potential become more of a singles artist than an albums artist. The latter, which I think defines a true artist. The sad thing about focusing on commercial songs? The lyrical depth gets very shallow.
His first album, Laughter, Tears & Goosebumps, will always be in my hall of fame of great Nigerian albums. Reminding myself to embrace artistic growth, I gave this album a proper listen, and it’s actually his most mature and cohesive work yet. Centered on romantic love, a theme he shines in, the album mostly keeps a midtempo flow, with a ballad break on “Ready” featuring Jon Batiste. Two energetic tracks feel out of place, but the rest fits beautifully, closing with the Batiste outro.
You can tell he took his time on this one. The production stands out, avoiding the amapiano trend, and he focused on creativity rather than chasing international appeal like on Apollo and Playboy. Track lengths and arrangements are also much improved.
Favourite Tracks – iseoluwa, call me, hell and back, letting go, back n forth, ready, need me, yawa, everyday
12. HIT ME HARD AND SOFT – Billie Eilish
I thought the ‘establishment’ were going to reward this album with Album of the year at the Grammys, I mean it would have been no surprise to anyone. While I agree it didn’t deserve AOTY, I expected it to grab one or two wins, especially the hit single – “Birds of a Feather”.
I think this is Billie’s most relatable and fun album yet. I love that her vocals are more distinct and audible than her previous two albums, which had more of whisper singing. The production is also sharper and livelier. This is a happy album from Billie, a welcome deviation from her usual dark, melancholic tone.
Favourite Tracks – SKINNY, CHIHIRO, BIRDS OF A FEATHER, WILDFLOWER, THE GREATEST
11. brent iii – Jeremy Zucker & Chelsea Cutler
Jeremy and Chelsea are my favourite indie duo! This album completes the Brent trilogy, which started in 2019. Like the previous parts, it focuses on love, loss, and existentialism, with each of them having a solo track. Brent II (2021) was okay, but not as strong as the first.
This album was love at first listen. It took me back to the COVID era, when I found comfort in mid-tempo EPs from lesser-known artists. It stirred that melancholy warmth I’d been missing, especially on “Just Breathe,” which I always listened to while taking long walks by Champions Lake. It reminded me of those quiet, centering moments I used to cherish. With 11 full-length tracks, it feels much more complete than the previous releases, which were closer to EPs with around five songs each.
Favourite Tracks – ashes & rust, A-frame, terrible things, black & white, love you into loving me, and the government too!, just breathe
10. Revenge – Muni Long
One of my most anticipated albums of 2024, thanks to the hit single “Made For Me.” Boy! This album had me hooked for weeks!
While I am getting more immersed in the slowed down new wave R&B/ambient R&B sound that has less vocal runs, bridges and heavy ad-libs, I still have a huge thing for the 2000s R&B sound that gave us all of that with stunning vocals that carried so much power, passion and emotions. This album did just that for me – vocals — raw, emotional, and relatable.
Tracks like “30s” hit hard. If this were the CD era, I’d have scratched the disc from overplaying. This album perfectly captures love’s passion, heartbreak, and vulnerability.
Favourite Tracks – Superpowers, Made for me, 30s, Revenge, Type Questions, Ruined me
9. The Year I Turned 21– Ayra Starr
When I saw the album title, I expected a more conceptual, introspective project from Arya. But I guess that’s too much for an afrobeat album. Critics called it more mature than her debut, but to me, it feels like two peas in a pod. Both remind me of typical Rihanna albums: a compilation of catchy hit singles with brief moments of vulnerability.
This sophomore album is more focused, exploring sense of self, career, love, and heartbreak, but narrowing it to one or two themes could have made it stronger. The main goal here was commercial success, and she nailed it. The songs are catchy, the features solid, and the production top-notch. I couldn’t stop playing it for days!
Still, I feel she has the potential for a much stronger album, though I’m not sure that’s coming anytime soon, judging by the two lead singles ahead of her next project.
Favourite Tracks – Commas, Control, Lagos Love Story, Rhythm & Blues, 21, Last Heartbreak Song, 1942
8. Tyla+ – Tyla
This is one of the few deluxe albums that actually felt worth it. After her first single, Water, became an international hit, I was eagerly anticipating the album. It’s mostly about love and relationships, capturing the ups and downs, and even though it’s upbeat, the theme still comes through.
I hope she avoids the curse of a strong debut and experiments with genre blending. Amapiano and core afrobeats are fun, but focusing only on them can get repetitive. The future is in blending and sampling, like Beyoncé has done successfully.
Tyla+ leans heavily on Amapiano, which works as it reflects her South African roots, but her talent goes beyond Africa. I am truly rooting for her. Winning a Grammy with a first single is huge, and the pressure to maintain that is real.
Favourite Tracks – PUSH 2 START, BACK to YOU, Water, Truth or Dare, ART
7. Sold out, sincerely – Benjamin William Hastings
Discovered by chance, this gospel album became a personal refuge. Raw emotions, vulnerability, and beautifully crafted songwriting made it one of my go-to albums for comfort and reflection.
An excellently written gospel album, it’s a reminder of God’s unfailing love and His presence in my low moments. One of the most beautiful albums of 2024 I kept returning to.
Benjamin William Hastings, formerly of Hillsong Worship, co-wrote “100 Billion X (So Will I).”
Favourite Tracks – Abandoned, What a friend, Still you, Still see you in it, If it wasn’t for Jesus, I can’t thank you enough
6. Fireworks & Rollerblades – Benson Boone
Each year, I pick one album that had spark. This was the album that gave such vibe in 2024. The album is electrifying and energetic, perfectly depicted in the album art. It brought back the soft rock vibe that’s been missing for years.
It’s his first full-length after the Walk Me Home… EP, and I respect that he included only two EP tracks here. Even with an 8-track EP already out, he delivered a 16-track album with 14 new songs.
What stands out are his sharp, emotional vocals. The album, though made up of mostly up-tempo to mid-tempo tracks, still has ballads where his vocals shine. ‘In the Stars’ is my favourite of such ballads, and lyrical depth and vulnerability were felt all through.
No skips here; I fell in love with the album on first listen. Track arrangement is perfect.`
Favourite Tracks – Be someone, Slow it down, Beautiful things, Cry, Forever and a day, In the Stars, My Greatest Fear, Ghost Town
5. More Than This – CeCe Winans
This album brought me peace in 2024. When life felt overwhelming, I turned to it, even putting my favorite song, “Be Still and Know,” on my Instagram profile. It’s a full worship experience and stands out among her albums for focusing mostly on worship, without her usual contemporary blend. This album, especially the song ‘Be Still and Know’, saved me in 2024.
I also loved that most of the songs were original, unlike the recycled tracks many commercial gospel artists rely on. I was surprised to learn that “Goodness of God” and “Worthy of It All” from her previous album weren’t hers—but even then, I’m glad she introduced me to those amazing songs.
Favourite Tracks – Be Still and Know, Too Late to Lose, Holy Forever, Worthy, More than this, Refiner
4. Trouble In Paradise – Chloe
Chloe’s sophomore album feels like the record she tried to make on her experimental debut. Unlike her first, which lacked cohesion and had too many fillers, this one feels well put together and clearly took time to make. She definitely found her sound here.
Trouble in Paradise is a polished R&B/pop album with a clear theme. She sounds more mature and confident, and everything her debut lacked (from production, vocals, songwriting, track arrangement, album flow, cohesion, to featured artists) is improved.
It’s unfortunate that her overtly sexualized image turned some listeners away, because this is an amazing album. It wasn’t as commercially successful, but I’m rooting for her. Her talent as a vocalist, songwriter, producer, and performer is top-tier, and I hope her next album brings her a big break.
Favourite Tracks – Boy bye, Rose, Same Lingerie, Moments, FYS, Somebody
3. rosie – Rose
I have never been still not a fan of K-pop. I mean, commercial pop has never been my thing. Rose is a member of the popular K-pop girl group, Blackpink. I can’t remember exactly how I discovered this album, but I was blown away on first listen. This album, which was a late 2024 release, turned out to be one of the best releases of the year. See why I always say those Spotify wraps shouldn’t come out early November? Within the first week of its release, this album went platinum on my phone! I could not stop listening to it. It was my major no-skip album of the year.
What surprised me most was her vulnerability. Breaking from her group’s pop sound, she delivered a cohesive debut with a great balance of uptempo and emotional tracks. I honestly didn’t expect any of the members of a K-pop group to have such a level of emotional depth in their artistry. The theme of a relationship gone sour runs through the album, even on upbeat songs. Perfect tracklist, perfect arrangements! A well written and perfectly produced debut from Rose.
Favourite Tracks – All tracks
2. SOS Deluxe: LANA – SZA
Sza has somehow managed to get herself on my top 6 of my year-end albums for three years straight. Interesting how this has been with just one album. From the late release in 2022, to finally settling into the album fully in 2023, to her playing tricks by re-releasing the album as a deluxe in 2014 (we all know she damn well combined two full albums to form a deluxe).
This review focuses more on the Lana disc. Another late release of 2024 (ten days to the end of the year). Honestly, the 19 new songs should have been a standalone album, because stretching a 23-track album to 42 tracks felt unnecessary. Besides, Lana sounds quite distinct from the SOS album, even if the themes are similar. This is more laid-back with a cohesive new-age R&B flow, except for “30 for 30” featuring Kendrick Lamar, which leans pop.
I played Lana nonstop for days, almost like she put crack on the album. One major downer to Lana is the album art; I’m not sure what she was going for with it.
Favourite Tracks – 30 for 30, Diamond Boy (DTM), BMF, Scorsese Baby Daddy, Chill Baby, My Turn, Crybaby, Kitchen, Another Life, Saturn
1. COWBOY CARTER – Beyoncé
This is the album I have been waiting for Beyonce to make since her 4 album! An album full of clear vocals and goosebump-inducing vocal layering. I have missed hearing her truly sing, instead of the rap-singing “bad bitch” era she leaned into since the joint album with her husband on Everything Is Love. It’s great to have an album where her vocals take center stage.
The second part of her trilogy, which fans have since claimed to be the reclaiming of genres started by black artists. Act I of the trilogy was focused on dance genre. Cowboy Carter, officially released as Act II, though initially planned as Act I, is a country-focused album, while Act III has been rumoured to be rock.
Is Cowboy Carter truly a country album? Sort of, I guess. The first part of the album has traditional country vibes, the middle leans new-age country, and the last blends her signature genre mix. While I’ll say “16 Carriages” means so much to me, I think “II hands II heavens” eventually became my favourite song off the album and well, favourite song of 2024.
Though it finally earned her the Grammy for Album of the Year (after much backlash from the public over their racism), some of her previous albums were even more deserving, but that does not take away from Cowboy Carter’s genius.
Favourite Tracks –
Bonus – AMERICAN REQUIEM, 16 CARRIAGES, TEXAS HOLD’EM, JUST FOR FUN, II MOST WANTED, LEVII’S JEANS. FLAMENCO, II HANDS II HEAVEN, TYRANT, SWEET HONEY BUCKIN
WORTHY MENTIONS
- Late Bloomer – Jamie Grey
- The Secret of Us – Gracie Abrams
- Water & Garri (OST album) – Tiwa Savage
- Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going – Shaboozey
- Anything Can Happen (Live) – Ke’Erron
- Me Again – Sasha Alex Sloan
- elijah! (Deluxe Edition) – Elijah Blake
- What a Devastating Turn of Events – Rachel Chinouriri
- Sunday Sadness – Amy Shark
- The Glorification of Sadness – Paloma Faith
- This is how I remember it – Beckah Amani
- The Dichotomy – David Kushner
- My Stupid Life – Brittney Spencer
TOP EPs of 2024
- Forever – Kotrell
Kotrell’s second EP is a collection of love songs that feel honest and reassuring. I discovered him on Apple Music while listening to DOTTi The Deity. Two things stand out: his soft vocals and the sincerity in his lyrics, which together give the songs a tender, warm feel. My standout track is “Now and Always”. It’s the kind of song that makes you want to find your person and serenade them.
2. Are you ok – Anders Hojer
This EP focuses on losing love and trying to win it back. I love how quiet and calming it is. Even though it’s about heartbreak, it soothes me with every listen. My favorite track is “Eclipse.”
3. Crawl back to me – Abe Parker
I think it’s the folk sound that drew me in when I listened to his EP for the first time. My favourite track is “Numb”. I was drawn to the darkness and vulnerability in this self-reflective EP, which sometimes felt like a cry for help, especially on ‘Numb’.
4. Like a flower – Amaeya
I first heard the standout track, “On My Own,” on Instagram stories and had to listen to the full song, which led me to the EP. It’s a solid Afrobeats-influenced R&B EP from a Nigerian artist, centered on heartbreak. I’m excited for her debut album.
5. On Waters Ave – Leo Waters
I love the chilled, moody vibes on this debut EP from Leo Waters. What makes it stand out is the heavy experimentation in the production, such that no two songs sound alike.
Worthy mentions
- Act II – Anne Tracy
- In all of my lonely nights – Henry Moodie
- A minute – Myles Smith
- Phases – Keenan
- Poser – Kayko