Chat Pile – Cool World
I often feel overwhelmed by the lengths some people will go to literally watch the world burn. Chat Pile seem to understand this. Cool World demonstrates the rage we should all feel towards those whose greed comes at the expense of human existence. It’s class. Rob, 28, Newcastle
Bashy – Being Poor Is Expensive
It’s hard to describe the emotional impact this album has had, or its intellectual range, but I’ll try. It starts with The London Borough of Brent, a truly stunning statement piece, 15 years on from his last album. Who would’ve thought a psychogeographical deep dive (“anywhere from Kilburn up to Edgware, anywhere from Kensal Green to Wembley, anywhere from Stonebridge down to Camden”) contrasted with the realities of fiscal drag (“Gotta pay tax, payment due, just to see a million you gotta make two”) could be so thrilling? From sampling his own grandma on Made in Britain, to unpicking how structural racism robs Black boys of their innocence and childhoods on How Black Men Lose Their Smile, Bashy draws the listener in over 38 minutes, making his arguments with skill and moral clarity.
Ben Diamond, London
Magdalena Bay – Imaginal Disk
One of the best pop albums I’ve ever heard. Immaculate production and incredible songwriting. The album flows perfectly and hits powerful emotional highs throughout. You can hear the prog rock influence as well as Abba, Radiohead and Grimes. My personal favourite is Angel on a Satellite. It has a gorgeous piano melody and beautiful vocals from Mica [Tenenbaum].
Jamie Colclough, 25, Sunderland
Jack White – No Name
I was on maternity leave for most of 2024 and did a lot of walking. This album and the occasional coffee kept me going on very little sleep. Every song feels like a banger: the driving drums, endless hooks and clever lyrics are truly joyful. It’s Jack White at his finest and all I want for Christmas this year is the announcement of a 2025 European tour (preferably a few nights in Amsterdam’s iconic Paradiso!) Amanda Gowland, 43, Amsterdam
Waxahatchee – Tigers Blood
It’s expansive; it’s intimate; it’s fast; it’s slow; it’s got it all. The songs all sort of sound the same, but I don’t mind that one bit. I’ve had it on repeat since it came out, and even more often since I got to see the band live at Leeds Irish Centre on a warm July evening. It was one of those gigs where it felt like everyone I had ever met was there, and for good reason. If you haven’t heard it, start with Right Back to It (featuring MJ Lenderman), it’s perfect. Julia, 28, Leeds
Charli xcx – Brat
Brat has to be my favourite album of 2024. As someone who has supported Charli xcx for years it was a breath of fresh air to finally receive an album where she was unapologetically herself. The response to the album has been incredible to witness as Brat transcended music to become the cultural moment of the year. But at the end of the day, brat is a love letter from Charli to the fans who’ve stuck with her for years so she can reach the level of superstardom we always wanted her to reach. Noah, 21, Glasgow
Ashe – Willson
I loved Willson by Ashe this year. It’s indie pop with a little country at its best: beautiful storytelling and engaging sounds, all wrapped up with heavenly vocals. It’s a story about being faced with no choice but stepping back when you’ve realised you’ve lost yourself, until finding it again step by step, and claiming your narrative back. I felt as if I was right with her when she was carving names in cherry trees, unable to leave the house and “calling in sick to the rest of this year”, leaving California behind and taking herself back. Mathilde, Edinburgh
Annie Hamilton – Stop and Smell the Lightning
It’s a rollercoaster with upbeat songs, standing out for their danceable beats and layered production, pairing nicely with quieter, more introspective numbers. Annie’s been plugging away making fantastic music and touring for around five years now. With the singles for this album indicating she was working with new sounds and exploring new genres, it was interesting to see how it would sound as an album. She pulls off a combination of electronic elements and grimy indie rock songs, ballads, etc. With lyrics touching on relationships, grief, self-discovery and joy, it’s a well-written, up and down journey, reflective of life and the ever-changing world we live in. Ben Crewe, 28, Lille, France
Jamie xx – In Waves
A work of sheer genius. I believe that he’s tried to capture the essence of dancefloors and he’s done that so well. Daffodil reminds me of a 1976 summer’s day; sheer Isley bros vibes right there. From the euphoric opening of the classic samples, to the poetic charm of All You Children; so perfect to have the Avalanches on there. But the standout track for me is Life, and this album is giving me LIFE! Sue Cattanach, 64, Brighton
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Halsey – The Great Impersonator
It’s a favourite as it’s a sonically diverse album, and although I often prefer heavier music, the lyricism of Halsey has always captivated me. It explores chronic illness, life and death in a moving way yet not so much so that it is agonising to continually listen to. Although my favourite songs on the album are the bonus tracks for their more uplifting nature. Eloise, 24, Norfolk
Tyler, the Creator – Chromakopia
A perfect blend of pop, rap and hip-hop. This album is full of introspection and fear. On Like Him, Tyler reflects on never getting to meet his father and how that has affected him. Another track that demonstrates his pure vocal power is Darling, I. From the moment I first heard it, I knew I would be enthralled, and the song Noid is filled with fears for his safety and the safety of his friends. Oliver, Ireland
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard – Flight b741
It somehow sounds like the 70s music I grew up listening to with my dad. It’s both a feelgood and a feel-bad kind of record with its music and lyrics. Since things have been so weird in the world recently, I have been listening to this album even more than usual. I feel that Flight b741 somehow both embraces all of the anxiety about the state of things and offers an escape from it. Isabel, 19, Texas, US
James – Yummy
Euphoric and anthemic, it captures the joy and wonder of life while hitting topical issues such as our tech reliance, the climate crisis, and conspiracy theories. A well-deserved first No 1 album after 40 years.
Sam Armitage, Wales
Fontaines DC – Romance
I kept my expectations for Fontaines’ fourth album modest (how could they possibly improve upon 2022’s Skinty Fia?) and I realised I was foolish for it before the full album even dropped. The lead single, Starburster, became a staple on my running playlist before that first, unsettling intake of breath a minute and a half in. Fontaines get sexy, moody, angry, and fun on Romance. The opening track, for which the album is named, is gloomy and heavy and makes the concept of romance feel both inviting and threatening – how true! We get a song about a love affair with a makeup artist at Carnegie Hall, as well as a tender, slower track inspired by James Joyce’s Ulysses. It’s the perfect album for a long walk on a rainy day. The closer, Favourite, is aptly named: a dreamy rock song that can make you feel happy and sad at once – my favourite kind. Gráinne Downey, Vancouver, Canada
