What a year it’s been, and finally, it’s over. I’m ready to move past 2024. But this year, compared to many of my previous years, I’ve actually struggled with what should be on the list—not because it’s been a horrible music year, but because it’s been a fun year for music. As a result, I suddenly felt guilty of neglecting albums that I found enjoyable. So, here are the honorable mentions that I cut from my list.
Sabrina Carpenter – Short n’ Sweet
Four Year Strong – analysis paralysis
10. Boston Manor – Sundriver
The fact that they opened the album with “Datura (Dawn),” whereas they opened Datura with “Datura (Dusk),” was a nice callback. In addition,“Datura (Dawn)” is a bit chipper in its lyrics compared to its sibling; yes, they are siblings in my book now. But enough about that; Sundriver is a more vibrant and fun album. Boston Manor continue to push boundaries on the album and stays memorable with “HEAT ME,” “Why I Sleep,” and more to keep you returning.
9 . Mannequin Pussy – I Got Heaven
Gosh, I Got Heaven by Mannequin Pussy felt like a warm hug and odd permission to scream; it perfectly blends chaos, tenderness, and honesty into one that I think captures a lot of what Mannequin Pussy is about. The album, with its searing guitars, sharp synths, and well-crafted lyrics that hit you correctly in the gut, is really a blend of everything I love about punk. It’s music that doesn’t need to speak to you; it can yell, cry, and laugh alongside you. For this reason, it wouldn’t feel right to leave it off my list.
8. Regional Justice Center – FREEDOM SWEET FREEDOM
Since they released World of Inconvenience in 2018, I’ll admit I felt seen by a band who had no idea who I even was. Having had a not-so-stellar childhood myself, I could resonate with a lot of what went down. With that in mind, FREEDOM SWEET FREEDOM, the aggression and aggression, the band delve into the impact of the emotional and systemic effects of incarceration and the reality of those it also affected. The album had a significant effect on me, and as a whole, I think FREEDOM SWEET FREEDOM is one of the best albums to date.
7. bad new world – Self-Titled
OK, I know it’s an EP, but honestly, it was one of the first things I heard in 2024, and it got me hooked. Nick Casasanto of Knuckle Puck’s solo project, bad new world, feels like finding a well-hidden mixtape from your youth. A six-piece journey through heartache and moving past it took me back to a simpler time with music. With the opener, “cultural violence,” there’s a fine balance between intense balance and very infectious hooks. “Simmer” is probably my favorite track of the EP; it may have a slow build, but it’s worth it when you head into the second half of the song, and it bursts an exploding hook that has the hair on my neck standing up. It’s the EP my record player has spent most of the time playing in 2024.
6. Neck Deep – Self-Titled
I adore Neck Deep, and in all honesty, I think their self-titled album, which was released earlier this year, had to be one of the best albums that they’ve released. It felt like a heartfelt love letter to everything that makes pop punk unique and fun. It’s raw, entertaining, and unapologetically catchy throughout. They managed to nail the balance between some anthemic energy and vibes. This makes this album fun to blast in your car or even dance to at house parties. With all the punchy riffs throughout and Seb Barlow’s production, it’s fun to see how they evolve but also manage to stay true to their roots.
5. Bleachers – Self-Titled
Jeez, it’s been a year for bands to release self-titled albums, and Bleachers followed suit. I’ve been a Bleachers fan since the first time I heard “Rollercoaster,” but to no one’s surprise, I was a fan of Jack Antonoff long before. So, for me, this album became a defining moment, where Bleachers were no longer just Jack Antonoff but the first official album with his regular touring band. It’s a vibrant mix of innovation and nostalgia that captures Antonoff’s ability to turn personal stories into anthems. With its shimmering 80s-inspired synths, emotional depth, and cool collaborations like Bartees Strange lending his talents on a few of the tracks and Annie Clark (St. Vincent) making a vocal appearance on the first track, there are new layers added to the album. The record feels like a new and exciting chapter for Bleachers and captures the essence of personal growth.
4. High Vis – Guided Tour
Guided Tour by High Vis is another stand-out release for 2024. It’s electrifying as to how they can blend the band’s post-punk sound with a hardcore intensity. The album is a nonstop ride of tension and release, with “Drop Me Out” and “Untethered” both fueling moments of fire and vulnerability and songs that also offer a moment to catch one’s breath. Graham Sayle’s vocals are raw and relentless, matching the rest of the band’s energy. Together, they create a sonic masterpiece on Guided Tour that has you hooked from start to finish.
3. Aaron West and The Roaring Twenties – In Lieu of Flowers
I think I’ve cried and felt comforted by In Lieu of Flowers, something that maybe took me by surprise as I kept putting it on in moments where I needed it. For me, the fact that Dan Campbell managed to create such a rich world with Aaron West, the pain, growth, and healing that we explore on the album, felt so real and personal. This album is an emotional rollercoaster, mixing storytelling with an alt-country edge. In Lieu of Flowers is the final (potentially) album of Dan Campbell’s solo project. “Runnin’ Out of Excuses” made me understand how important it can be to let go of the past and self-acceptance. Therefore, it’s actually never too late to fix things; you need to be willing to acknowledge the part you’ve had a hand in. All in all, it’s been one hell of a year.
2. Charli XCX – BRAT
After what felt like the shortest festival season I’ve ever had. Charli XCX dropped BRAT, and it quickly became my summer album. BRAT is bold and an unapologetic exploration of hyper pop that’s catchy with its experimental beats, sharp lyrics about fame, the vulnerability of losing SOPHIE, and how she pushed SOPHIE away. For example, there’s some proper bangers with “Apple,” “Von Dutch,” and my personal favorite, “Sympathy is a knife.” BRAT is one of the albums released this year that quickly reminded me how fun pop can be but also really rebellious.
1 . Drug Church – PRUDE
I like Drug Church, a lot. Admittedly, they have an album I didn’t get into as much as the others. Yet with PRUDE, that wasn’t the case! Drug Chruch’s PRUDE, it was a given it would be my album of the year. It’s an unrelenting blast of post-hardcore, balancing edge and self-awareness with biting humor. Drug Church dive into themes of self-reflection and uncomfortable truths without losing their sound. Standout tracks like “Mad Care,” “Hey Listen,” and “Business Ethics” showcase Patrick Kindlon’s clever storytelling, blending chaotic energy with introspection. The album takes Drug Church’s sound to the next level—raw, dynamic, and unapologetically honest, which really captures their essence. PRUDE is unforgettable and stands as one of Drug Church’s best releases to date.
