MITB's Albums of the Year 2024

With an incredibly year in music slowly drawing to a close, our contributors reflect on their personal picks for Album Of The Year.
 

Tyla – ‘TYLA’

 

‘Water’, ‘Truth or Dare’, ‘Jump’ need I say anymore? The Johannesburg native has been on a mission since her aforementioned breakout hit to make sure she becomes a household name and 2024 has certainly solidified that. Tyla serves music lovers a full three course meal coating palates with Amapiano, serving up some pure pop then presenting listeners with a heavy slice of R&B.

 

- Thomas Melia

Pregoblin - 'Pregoblin II'

The debut offering from London’s Pregoblin (in spite of its title), this instant rock classic has it all: unusual vocals, memorable guitars, a good dose of dark humour, and a collaboration with Pete Doherty. The backbone of the record is pure British rock, the many quirky flourishes give it an unique and captivating voice.

Chiara Strazzulla - @cstrazzull

James - 'Yummy'

Continuing to push boundaries James are demonstrating that age defines no one as they achieve their first number one studio album. their delectable sixteenth studio album 'Yummy' shows their desire not to slow down and to continue to provide creative, progressive and fresh music. This album is a crowd pleaser that will cater to everyone’s taste.

- Joel Harrison -  @throughalensphotography 

Poppy - 'Negative Spaces'

It’s tough to choose just one standout album this year with the highly anticipated release of Bring Me The Horizon’s ‘POST-HUMAN: NeX GEn’, Knocked Loose ‘You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To’, and Linkin Park’s return with ‘From Zero’. However, for me, the real highlight was the sixth studio album from Poppy, ‘Negative Spaces.’

Poppy has had an extraordinary year, collaborating with heavyweights Bad Omens and Knocked Loose, and delivering ‘Negative Spaces’, produced by Jordan Fish with contributions from Stephen Harrison. The album is a rollercoaster of styles, featuring jagged, crushing breakdowns on tracks like ‘have you had enough?’ and ‘they’re all around us’. With seamlessly transitions into ethereal pop melodies on songs like ‘crystallized’ and ‘new way out’, Poppy’s ability to stay experimental and versatile shines through in this brilliantly chaotic and captivating album—an absolute must-listen.

- Ana Joy King - @anajoyking

Suki Waterhouse - 'Memoirs of a Sparklemuffin'

Suki Waterhouse’s 'Memoir of a Sparklemuffin' is a captivating blend of indie pop and alternative rock, combining nostalgia with a modern edge. The production is flawless, with each track exuding a smooth yet deeply emotional strength. Highlights include the introspective 'Faded', empowering 'Model, Actress, Whatever', and the soul-stirring 'To Get You'. Magnificent!

- Danielle Holian

Chase Atlantic - 'LOST IN HEAVEN'

Released towards the end of 2024, Chase Atlantic’s forth album ‘LOST IN HEAVEN’ showcases exactly why they’ve become increasingly more popular. They continue to make a one of kind listening experience with their vulnerable lyrics and hypnotic production that will certainly take you to heaven. It’s their most personal album so far and heavily experiments with different sounds throughout. 

- Emma Turner

Clairo - ‘Charm’

Though my Spotify wrapped may not necessarily agree (being dominated by Chappell Roan and Billie Eilish) my album of the year simply has to be  ‘Charm’ - the third studio record from the people’s princess - Clairo. Delicate, layered and utterly charming, the album firmly establishes the Georgian singer as a lo-fi, soft rock powerhouse. 

- Lana Williams - @_lanaajade 

Linkin Park - 'From Zero'

After seven long years and a line up change, 2024 finally saw new Linkin Park material. Full of nostalgia while surging into a rebirth, it's clear Linkin Park can still go. Whether it caused you delight or disdain there's no denying the album caught widespread attention. Filled with many absolute screamers it's difficult not to love this album!

- Rhys Tagg

Sabrina Carpenter - ‘Short n’ Sweet’

Although she’s five feet (to be exact), the year that Sabrina Carpenter has had is far from being short of achievements. Her 2024 album ‘Short n’ Sweet’ has launched her career into new remarkable heights with ‘Espresso’ being the most streamed song on Spotify and Apple Music, unapologetic songs about love and female sexual freedom, and a Netflixspecial ‘A Nonsense Christmas With Sabrina Carpenter’. Not to mention the buzz and love around her music and world tour, Short n’ Sweet is more than well deserved, receiving 8 GRAMMY Award Nominations such as Best New Artist, Album of the Year, and Record of the Year. 

- Tyra Baker 

The Last Dinner Party - ‘Prelude To Ecstasy’

The Last Dinner Party’s break into the music industry struck with stunning debut album, ‘Prelude To Ecstasy’. Released at the beginning of 2024, The grand and cathartic sounds of this piece notion towards themes such as womanhood, identity and their rise to fame. The award winning album takes us on a journey through highs and lows— from the extremes of the operatic title track ‘Prelude To Ecstasy’, to the exhilaration of ‘My Lady of Mercy’ and to Brit certified gold hit single, ‘Nothing Matters’, the album truly is a cacophony of ideas and emotions.

- Cara Maclean 

Maggie Rogers - ‘Don’t Forget Me’ 

‘Don’t Forget Me’ thrives in its simplistic approach to conveying a plethora of human emotions. As Maggie Rogers set out to make an album that “sounded like a Sunday”, this spring 2024 record leans into her strongest suits of revealing song-writing, warm hues of instrumentation, and a grounding vocal performance.

 

- Rachel Feehan 

Nick Cave - 'Wild God'

'Wild God' is a raw and all-encompassing exploration of the human condition, from grief to the eventual joy that follows. It vividly paints the realities of living, and all that drives us to continue doing so, whether spiritual belief, love, or unquestioning hope. The meaning and emotion Nick Cave conveys in 45 minutes is a triumph. 

- Megan-Louise Burnham - @mgn.lb

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