Billie Eilish, Charli XCX, Beyoncé… what a year for divas! Our critic’s top 10 albums of 2024
As a music enthusiast with over four decades under my belt, I must say that this year has been nothing short of a musical feast! From the haunting melodies of MJ Lenderman to the soulful tunes of Leon Bridges, each album on this list offers something unique and captivating.
As the year winds down, The Mail’s music critic revisits the top albums of 2024 for a second listen, choosing his favorite ones that brought him the greatest pleasure…
1. BILLIE EILISH: Hit Me Hard And Soft (Interscope)
Billie Eilish delivered her masterpiece in what was a brilliant year for female pop.
Collaborating with her producer sibling Finneas, she crafted her third album, a bold song collection, which opted to forgo electronic sounds in favor of acoustic instruments like guitars, strings, and varying rhythmic tempos.
Birds Of A Feather and L’Amour De Ma Vie were the high points.
Her singing, once a whisper, has now acquired real richness and depth.
2. CHARLI XCX: brat (Atlantic)
Ever since the arrival of Charli XCX’s sixth album, “Brat,” in June, I can’t help but feel like an overly enthusiastic fanboy, gushing about this electrifying artist who straddles the line between mainstream fame and under-the-radar coolness. She calls herself ‘famous, but not quite,’ and that description perfectly encapsulates her unique status in today’s music scene.
Within weeks, she’d become a cultural phenomenon on the back of the party-loving ‘brat summer’.
The vibrant lime-green design of the album cover was ubiquitous by the time the artist released an extended remix LP in October. She had already enlisted the assistance of renowned artists like Ariana Grande, Lorde, and Billie Eilish for this project.
3. THE CURE: Songs Of A Lost World (Fiction)
Few artists master the somber, gothic doom aesthetic as skillfully as The Cure, and they showed that their reign as kings of melancholy was still intact with their long-awaited comeback album after a 16-year hiatus.
Expressing motifs of grief and remorse, the music led by Robert Smith was characterized by a somber, dramatic tone, heavily accentuated by powerful guitars and strings.
TikTok-friendly choruses were thin on the ground, but this was an epic — and electrifying — return.
4. THE LAST DINNER PARTY: Prelude To Ecstasy (Island)
So WIDELY tipped for great things that they could have found themselves crushed by the hype,
2024 saw The Last Dinner Party catapult into the limelight as the United Kingdom’s most prominent music debut of that year. Their inaugural album, launched in February, was a clear testament to their talent and potential.
The band’s art-rock anthems that were majestic and the melodious ballads with a windblown feel demonstrated that beneath their elaborate lace attire, corsets, and vintage clothing, there existed substantial music.
5. VAMPIRE WEEKEND: Only God Was Above Us (Columbia)
Originally known for being extensively studied among New York bands, Vampire Weekend has significantly relaxed and their latest album exudes a carefree and varied vibe.
Ezra Koenig’s song lyrics, often stemming from his connection to New York City, stand out as some of the most intellectually sophisticated in pop music. Now, his music has expanded to incorporate punk-style guitars, an orchestral choir reminiscent of opera, and dance rhythms derived from Soul II Soul.
6. BEYONCÉ: Cowboy Carter (Columbia)
2021 saw a significant surge in the blend of pop and country music, and Beyoncé added her unique touch by offering a vibrant 80-minute journey through the annals of American music.
In the style of a grand Western show, the cowboy-hatted Texas rodeo queen embarked on a performance blending elements of rock, folk, and R&B with traditional hoedown tunes.
There was a lovely cover of The Beatles’ Blackbird. Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton guested.
7. MJ LENDERMAN: Manning Fireworks (Anti-)
A major breakthrough can’t be far off for Lenderman.
Originally a ice cream vendor from a quaint town in North Carolina, he garnered numerous accolades for his fourth studio release.
A talented musician, he not only composes his own lyrics but also plays many instruments. His music blends the raw guitar tones reminiscent of indie-rock bands like Pavement with the songwriting finesse of Neil Young. Occasionally, there are hints of Ozzy Osbourne’s style and the rhythmic nuances of The Band in his work.
8. ST. VINCENT: All Born Screaming (Virgin)
Annie Clark, famously known as St. Vincent, is one of the leading innovators in the realm of pop music. Hailing from Dallas, this multi-talented artist and singer has once more shifted gears with her latest solo album, marking another successful transformation.
On her 2021 album Daddy’s Home, she adopted a softer harmony. However, for All Born Screaming, she took on a harder edge, incorporating glam-rock guitar riffs reminiscent of David Bowie and introducing funkier beats with hints of Prince’s style.
9. BLOSSOMS: Gary (ODD SK)
The five-piece band from Stockport collaborated with Irish artist CMAT (Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson), who is also a songwriter, on their vibrant album that was penned during their stay at an Airbnb in Anglesey.
In this rendition, upbeat pop tunes and soulful melodies reigned supreme, with the captivating theme song recounting the real-life incident of a colossal eight-foot-tall fiberglass gorilla being pilfered from a garden center nestled in Scotland.
10. LEON BRIDGES: Leon (Columbia)
Drawing upon various Texas tones, Leon Bridges crafted a unique blend that he called ‘gumbo’, reflecting his roots in an album influenced by the state of Texas.
His soul man credentials were evident in the classic R&B of When A Man Cries.
Under the guidance of Kacey Musgraves’ producers Ian Fitchuk and Daniel Tashian, there were also some unanticipated excursions into narrative-driven country music.
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2024-12-13 03:21