This year has been incredible, and I’ve never been more ready and excited for 2025; I know it’s going to be an even more amazing year. Looking back at all the albums that came out this year, I was actually a bit overwhelmed—It’s been an outstanding year for music! Honestly, it was harder to decide on this top 10 than last year, but one thing is for sure: The scene is more alive than ever.
For New Noise Magazine, it’s been a pleasure providing all the info possible and supporting so many bands. I’m super proud of this year, and with a lot of effort, I’ve put together this list of the best and most significant albums of 2024, a list that reflects my taste, from masterpieces to albums that propelled their creators to unexpected fame. These have been key elements in the rich musical narrative of this year.
With great excitement, here are the 10 best albums of 2024. Happy New Year!
Before diving into the list, I want to make a special mention to those albums that, while not making it into the top 10, still left a significant impact on the year:
Amyl And The Sniffers – Cartoon Darkness
Speed – Only One Mode
Knocked Loose – You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To
Poppy – Negative Spaces
High Vis – Guided Tour
Drug Church – Prude
10. State Champs – State Champs
State Champs’ fifth self-titled album blends pop-punk energy with deeper, more personal themes. Produced by Anton DeLost, the album mixes nostalgia with growth. Opening track “The Constant” brings powerful riffs, while “Too Late To Say” explores vulnerability. Songs like “Silver Cloud” and “Clueless” capture early 2000s pop-punk, and the album closes with the hopeful “Golden Years,” marking the band’s evolution. This release solidifies State Champs’ relevance, appealing to both long-time fans and newcomers.
9. Boston Manor – Sundiver
Boston Manor’s Sundiver is an album that blends optimism with musical evolution. Following the darker tone of Datura (2022), Sundiver represents a fresh start for the band. Tracks like “Container” and “Sliding Doors” showcase energetic riffs and dynamic vocals, while “HEAT ME UP” stands out with its catchy, vibrant sound. The album also explores more experimental territory with songs like “Horses In A Dream” and “Why I Sleep.” Overall, Sundiver is a cohesive, emotional journey, blending new genres while retaining the band’s distinctive sound.
8. Trash Boat – Heaven Can Wait
In their fourth album, Heaven Can Wait, Trash Boat blends anxiety and rage into a raw and honest musical journey. The British band captures the complex emotions of the modern world, delivering a powerful and energizing record from the first chord. Tracks like “filthy/RIGHTEOUS” and “The Drip” stand out with their social critique and aggression, while softer moments like “Better Than Yesterday” offer introspection. Although there are a few moments where the production could be more subtle, the album remains strong in its authenticity and exploration of contemporary chaos.
7. Touché Amoré – Spiral in a Straight Line
After four years of silence, Touché Amoré return with Spiral in a Straight Line, an album that delves into themes of internal struggle and disorientation. Collaborating once again with producer Ross Robinson, the album blends screamo and post-hardcore, featuring deep lyrics from Jeremy Bolm. Tracks like “Nobody’s” and “Disasters” offer a mix of frantic energy and personal reflection, while “Goodbye For Now,” featuring Julien Baker, stands out for its emotional depth. Spiral in a Straight Line is a sonic journey about resilience and growth.
6. Savings – How Do You Feel?
Savings, an alternative rock and emo band from Albuquerque, returns with How Do You Feel?, an EP exploring themes of grief, identity, and relationships. The EP opens with “The Summer,” a nostalgic yet melancholic track, and continues with the title track, which addresses mental health. “Cry With You” delves into indie pop, while “To Be Honest” mixes rock and hip-hop influences. The EP closes with “Temporary,” a deeply personal song about loss and addiction. Overall, How Do You Feel? showcases the band’s growth and emotional depth.
5. Shoreline – To Figure Out
To Figure Out, Shoreline’s third album, stands out for its originality and emotional depth. The album tackles themes like identity search, climate crisis, and animal rights while also focusing on personal topics such as difficult friendships and love. The musical diversity is notable, from the dance-punk of “Health” to the collaboration with Chris Cresswell on “Workaround.” With polished production and a focus on self-acceptance, Shoreline deliver a message of hope and resilience, solidifying themselves as one of the most relevant voices in the emo punk/hardcore scene.
4. One Step Closer – All You Embrace
On their second album, All You Embrace, One Step Closer delve into the emotional complexities of change and personal growth. The album blends influences from hardcore and emo with flawless production that captures both intensity and melancholy. Tracks like “The Gate” and “Giant’s Despair” balance hardcore aggression with softer, more melodic moments, creating a unique atmosphere. Collaborations with artists like Isaac Hale from Knocked Loose and Mat Kerekes from Citizen enhance the album’s quality. With a more introspective approach in tracks like “So Far From Me,” the album closes on an emotionally powerful note, showcasing the band’s maturity and evolution.
3. Real Friends – Blue Hour
With Blue Hour, Real Friends return with their fourth studio album, marking a key moment with Cody Muraro’s debut as lead vocalist. This album is also their first release under their own label, Midwest Trash, after parting ways with Pure Noise Records. The album blends nostalgic pop-punk and emotional melodies that reflect everyday struggles and desires, all delivered through Muraro’s raw, heartfelt vocals. From the opening track, “I Was a Deer in Your Headlights,” to the raw intensity of songs like “Never Has Become Always,” Blue Hour stands as a testament to the band’s maturity and evolution, showcasing a group that stay true to their roots while reinventing themselves.
2. The Story So Far – I Want to Disappear
I Want to Disappear, The Story So Far’s fifth studio album, blends nostalgia with intense energy, reflecting their personal and musical growth. Produced by Jon Markson, the album showcases the band’s maturity after years of personal experiences and challenges. Tracks like “All This Time” and “Watch You Go” capture their pop-punk essence, while songs like “You’re Still in My Way” explore deeper emotional vulnerability. The album closes with two acoustic pieces that highlight their evolution, offering an authentic experience for their fans.
