tay’s favorite albums of 2024
get ready to update your playlists!
this is part two of my 2024 music recap! first, there was my list of favorite songs:
now, i’m getting into my favorite albums of the year! longtime readers of things i collected may recall that i compare data from both Apple Music Replay1 and tracked listens from last.fm to confirm my year-end list. i further explained this process in my favorite songs recap for context. my brother gave me a valid reminder that i’ve been making and sharing these lists for years, so i don’t necessarily have to keep explaining the process from scratch. still, i will elaborate a bit more on one aspect of my music tracking here: the endless music note.
i keep an extensive digital note of new releases throughout the calendar year. once new music starts rolling out in January, i begin a playlist for the year. when i listen to something, i check it off my list and subsequently feature it in my monthly playlist series. while listening, i’ll mark music that i really enjoyed using a very sophisticated and elaborate key with emojis. a check mark ✔️means i listened to it, a star 🌟signals that it’s impressive, and heart eyes 😍 denotes it as an end-of-year contender. i also add my song preferences to both the monthly playlist and the yearly one — which could vary depending on whether my monthly playlist has a theme. my process requires me to take quality, resonance, replayability, and cultural significance all into consideration.
based on my observations, i’ve decided that 2024 was the year of genreful music. i’ve had enough of this “genre-less” business when i can clearly hear the roots of the sounds you’re inspired by. instead, give me music that transcends me to the place where we acknowledge the coexistence of our inspirations. rather than saying “*sigh* why does it HAVE to be called R&B because i’m Black?,” i’d love to hear more artists proudly proclaim, “why yes, this IS R&B. thank you for noticing! but it’s also electronic and soul and jazz.” to me, this is the musical equivalent of citing your sources.
another thing i observed was that i typically enjoyed music that hit a sweet spot of around 12 songs and a maximum length of 40 minutes (on average). y’all might already know that i love long songs. but when it comes to albums, sometimes less is more. because why does song #7 sound like a closer, but you have 15 tracks total? respectfully, please know when you’ve made the point and move on (unless you’re doing a reprise, then let’s keep talking).
speaking of getting to the point, i promise not to belabor this any further. here’s my list of favorites, plus a few albums that i enjoyed but did not rank. you might ask: Tay, you have 12 favorites and 12 unranked favorites, so why not just make it a list of 24 favorites? then it correlates with the year like you’ve done in the past? to that i say no, because it’s already a lot of mental work to compare the data from last.fm to Apple Music Replay to my personal recollection of 12 albums. take it from my experience: it would begin to lose structure around #13, hence the unranked favorites. so let’s get into it, shall we?
unranked favorites
i’m moving away from the language of “honorable mentions.” this list of unranked favorites includes outstanding music that might garner more of my attention in the future. some of these records were previously featured on my mid-year list, but most likely fell out of rotation as the year went on. for the sake of time, space, and energy, i will not be including a song for each artist after each listing. however, you will find their music on my 2024! playlist.
WILLOW — empathogen
from my mid-year list:
it goes without saying that Willow Smith comes from a talented, musically inclined family. yet, there’s something refreshing about the way she pushes her own artistic boundaries across albums and proves she’s a true student of music. on empathogen, she cleverly mixes jazz standards with pop and rock sensibilities for a singularly spectacular album that doesn’t overstay its welcome.
Peggy Gou — I Hear You
my fondness for this album grows with every listen!
Infinity Song — Metamorphosis Complete
this sibling band is really on the rise! “Hater’s Anthem” was on my favorite songs list for 2023 and it’s still a vibe amongst plenty other standout tracks from Metamorphosis Complete.
SAM MORTON — Daffodils & Dirt
this electronic record, courtesy of actress Samantha Morton and producer Richard Russell, was one of the stars of my mid-year list. it simply fell out of rotation, and i did not come back to it as frequently as i anticipated. but if i HAD to rank it here, it would be #13.
Leon Thomas — MUTT
if you had told a younger me that the talented Black kid from August Rush and Victorious would make one of the most-talked about R&B albums in 2024, i actually would have believed you. i’ve been waiting for Leon Thomas to pop off and get widespread acclaim for years. he did not disappoint with MUTT!
Molly Lewis — On The Lips
you might ask yourself: who releases an entire whistling album in 2024?? well Molly Lewis did, and i’m glad she rose to the occasion. with features from my soul revival faves Thee Sacred Souls and Menahan Street Band, it’s some of the most beautiful, swanky (slinky) lounge music these ears have ever heard.
Hiatus Kaiyote — LOVE HEART CHEAT CODE
this band just gets me. also, on what other album will you hear somebody belt out “shibari all around me” with very little context like Nai Palm does on “Cinnamon Temple”? if you think of another one, let me know. (this song’s preceding lyric “f*ck it up buttercup” also gets stuck in my head quite often).
Michael Kiwanuka — Small Changes
even as a casual listener, i never expect anything less than the finest, most heartfelt music from London soul singer Michael Kiwanuka. i don’t spend a whole lot of time with his catalogue, but this album might change that.
MAVI — shadowbox
shadowbox is actually one of the best, most cohesive albums i heard all year! i think many rap fans, critics, and music publications would objectively agree with me! however, i didn’t listen to it enough throughout the year to properly rank it in comparison to everything else. it’s quite a dark and heady listen, so i think this album will get much more play from me this winter.
musclecars — Sugar Honey Iced Tea!
still a great listen, but i just haven’t come back to it as much as i did during the summertime. this is the type of music that will resurface in the warmer months.
Thee Sacred Souls — Got A Story to Tell
as shared in my favorite songs list, “Lucid Girl” captivated me so much that i hope it never leaves my rotation. yet, i would say that their older releases still have my heart. i need to play this album more.
English Teacher — This Could Be Texas
the main reason this doesn’t rank higher is that i was simply unfamiliar with their game until way later in the year. everything is not for everyone, but i believe this album has something to offer everyone.
my favorite albums of 2024, from 12-1
12. Common Saints — Cinema 3000
“Idol Eyes” has been a constant in my rotation over the last 4 years, and in that time, i’ve featured it on many playlists. mainly because the melodic repetition is so enticing, but also: “you wanna make love? you wanna get high?” are two of my favorite questions to hear from my significant other.
however, i did not see this album coming. “You are Beautiful” is such a stunning prelude to a track that i’ve enjoyed for years — it really adds a new dimension. and i still love “Idol Eyes,” but “Activate” is my new favorite song of theirs, as mentioned in my favorite songs roundup.
11. Clairo — Charm
i hadn’t listened to much of Clairo’s music prior to this album. but when i learned that she exclusively worked with Leon Michels to produce Charm, i was all ears. Michels has been a notable figure of various musical moments throughout my life as he is a founding member of Menahan Street Band and Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, as well as the co-founder of my favorite label Big Crown Records. if you look at my previous favorite music lists, they frequently include musicians who are actively signed to Big Crown (Bobby Oroza, Brainstory, Lady Wray) or previously were (79.5).
Clairo’s third record definitely recalls that perpetual feeling of nostalgia that the aforementioned artists inspire in me — this music is jaunty, folksy, and dedicated. her songwriting is all at once playful, precise, and poetic as she doesn’t seem to shy away from how she’s truly feeling on either end of the emotion spectrum. i’ll probably make my way through the rest of her discography next year.
10. Pale Jay — Low End Love Songs
Pale Jay is my artist of the year. this is yet another outstanding addition to his soulful discography, with songs full of imaginative storytelling and a falsetto that can stop you in your tracks. he has such a distinct voice, but notably conceals his identity with a bright red ski mask. i fell head over heels for his earlier releases this summer, because the music is easily replayable. the albums tend to clock in under 30 minutes and there’s usually instrumentals available. i purchased his first two albums on Bandcamp and ripped the MP3s onto CDs — that’s how serious it got for me! although i still find myself clinging to Bewilderment and The Celestial Suite, i see Low End Love Songs racking up heavy plays this spring.
Pale Jay really won me over when he explained the significance of his name to COLORS:
The name references the fact that, as a white soul musician, I am building on the rich, predominantly African American lineage of musicians who came before me. By calling myself Pale, I acknowledge the structural privileges that come with my skin tone. “Jay” refers to my real name.
9. The Marías — Submarine
i’m glad that this band keeps expanding their musical universe. Submarine has such a mystical essence to it, as the album explores the depths of feelings that are often concealed. it’s definitely for the lovelorn, lonely, and listless.
8. Laila! — Gap Year!
it feels good to be early to witnessing Laila!’s ascension. when her songs “Like That” and “Not My Problem” were going viral online, GROWN folks were hating and not seeing the vision. but i championed the apparent natural talent she displayed, and i frankly did not need the confirmation of who her father was to get on board.2 Gap Year! is a phenomenal self-produced debut that really gives me a flashback of being young and crushing hard on someone. not that i would ever want to go back to high school (respectfully, f*ck no i love getting older), but i think Laila! captures these adolescent feelings in such a raw, honest way that makes you leverage the pros of that time period over the cons.
7. Brainstory — Sounds Good
when i watched Brainstory’s KEXP performance, they acknowledged Chicano Soul and namely the band War among their inspirations. it was so glaringly obvious, especially considering that i’d recently picked up a War Greatest Hits cassette. understanding some context of Brainstory’s musical trajectory and influences gave me an even greater appreciation for their music.
also, how silly and amazing is the Sounds Good album cover? i recently saw an IG post of how it developed from the original photo of the band to the end result of them as dogs playing pool. overall, this album is an enjoyable ride from start to finish. an initial standout track was “XFaded,” which made my favorite songs list. currently, “Peach Optimo” and the closing instrumental “Rialto Winds” are on repeat in my mind.
6. Mk.gee — Two Star & The Dream Police
Mk.gee is one of my absolute favorite artists of the year. Two Star & The Dream Police invites repeat listens, and i would love to have a physical copy in my collection! here’s what i had to say when i unveiled my mid-year list:
i’ve previously shared my fondness for Mk.gee on the newsletter, both as a solo artist and as a contributor to Absolutely by Dijon (which, as longtime readers might recall, was my favorite album of 2021 that i’ve never really stopped talking about). on Two Star & The Dream Police, Mk.gee gives us low-key rockstar energy with his reflective & captivating lyrics, mastery of the guitar, and chill demeanor. he polished this masterpiece with a lo-fi veneer, which showcases his unique charm and talent as a producer.
i played the “Alesis (Live)” video so much on my TV this year. for one, it helped me understand the lyrics better. two, i really enjoy the part where he randomly yells “f*ck” and it echoes in the concert hall he’s singing in.
5. Justin Nozuka — CHLORINE
at only 22 minutes long, CHLORINE is made to be listened to multiple times. it plays like a mixtape, with an amalgamation of spoken parts and bittersweet sentiments. before this moment, i hadn’t truly tapped in with Justin Nozuka’s music in years. but if his preceding releases sound even remotely like this, i’ve been missing out!
4. Nilüfer Yanya — My Method Actor
prior to October, the last live show i attended was on March 8, 2020 before the world shut down.3 i went from attending many shows to attending none at all, but only mildly missing the experience, considering reports of the ways that concertgoer behavior has shifted in recent years. i’m of the mind that concerts should be considered more sacred and spiritual than they sometimes are. so when my college radio friend invited me to see Nilüfer Yanya, i jumped at the chance. we saw her perform from the balcony of Terminal West, a rare sight in our N95 masks. it felt good to be welcomed back to my favorite venue, even if only for a brief moment. i already knew that this album would be near the top of my list, but the live experience solidified its place.
thematically, My Method Actor often vacillates between being melancholic and hopeful — which seems fitting for its concept. the album’s general sound is cohesive in a way that’s emblematic of someone who’s hitting their stride, and Yanya’s voice glistens across the record. if you’re new to her music, you’re really in for a treat whether you start here or with the debut record Miss Universe from 2019!
3. Fousheé — Pointy Heights
i can’t pinpoint exactly what it was that made me fall in love with this record. if you showed me a multiple choice question about it, i would select E) all of the above. all i know is that Pointy Heights is a beautiful ode to the artist’s Jamaican heritage. also, it hit that sweet spot of being the perfect length to play over and over again, which i did plenty of times.
2. Nia Archives — Silence is Loud
my lockdown-era forays into the genres Jungle and Drum ‘n’ Bass prepared me to receive this album with open arms. there were plenty of days this spring where Silence is Loud was the only album i listened to, so i will forever cherish it. with such high energy and passion for the electronic genre, Nia Archives is going places and i wanna follow the journey.
1. Saya Gray — QWERTY II
the day that posted this release in their weekly music roundup was a day that changed me forever. now, i think of time as “life before and after QWERTY II” — sometimes i can't imagine how i lived without it (i’m clearly being hyperbolic, but my passion is real). i'm glad to co-exist with music as experimental and intriguing as Saya Gray’s. it's gotten me excited for her self-titled album next year. of all the new music listed here, this vinyl is the only one in my physical collection (so far!) — it was a 30th birthday gift from my brother. check out what i’ve previously said about QWERTY II throughout the year:
every song on QWERTY II is multiple songs in one, leading you on quite a visceral listening journey. it’s energetic, theatrical, existential, heartbreaking, and triumphant all at once…here are some standout moments that constantly replay in my mind:
on “! EDIBLE THONG,” Gray mentions smoking blue lotus to teach her what she needs to know. i’ve also gained quite a bit of insight from sitting with blue lotus these past couple of months.
“PIVOT!” is a directive that i will heed in this season (as heard on “RRRate my KAWAII CAKE.”)
“2 2 BOOTLEG” is one of the best songs i’ve ever heard. “! MAVIS BEACON” is close behind.
overall, the dynamic movement of this project speaks to my musical theatre heart. the theme of “higher purpose” repeats on a couple of tracks, and it correlates with this season of my life. i’ve shared Saya Gray’s work here before, but this EP pushed her towards the top of my “artists to watch,” “artists to see live,” and “favorite artists” lists with relative quickness.
curious musicians should also get on her mailing list as she’s occasionally sent out sample packs for her recent singles!
well, this has been exhilarating — let’s do this again sometime next year! i’m slowing down with sharing publicly on this newsletter until my fourth anniversary post next month. i’ll still have my monthly playlist available soon. paid subscribers, we’ll chat on the first Wednesday per usual.
for now, here’s my handwritten list and the 2024! playlist.4
the playlist is a mix of deep cuts, viral hits, and everything in between. it’s for those who understand why meme-worthy tracks like Tommy Richman’s “MILLION DOLLAR BABY,” Bossman Dlow’s “Mr. Pot Scraper,” and Tinashe’s “Nasty” are just as impactful to me as the left-field, moodier music i’m usually drawn to. it’s 210 songs and over 12 hours of music.5 listen however you want, but the intention is to play it on shuffle!
(2024! the playlist on Apple Music)
sorry, not sorry to committed Spotify users about the lackluster Wrapped results this year. y’all be ready to clown Apple Music every year, but who’s laughing now? alright, i’m only kidding! my allegiance to Apple Music is merely based on logistics: i’ve been using iTunes longer than owning an iPhone or iPad, so everything is just integrated. i still have music in my digital library that might as well be considered lost media when it comes to the public.
FYI it’s Yasiin Bey, fka Mos Def.
that show was Blood Orange and Tei Shi, two of my longtime favorites.
i’m not sure that i ever explained this here before, but the main reasons i use Spotify prominently on this newsletter are: easier accessibility to the music for a wider audience, Apple Music links don’t embed, and YouTube is prone to having videos taken down.
12 seems to be the magic number!
dig this list! i’m also obsessed with Mk.gee — the sound, the visual vibe — everything. Nilufer Yanya,‘a record is such a potent version of her sound. thanks for this! looking forward to hearing what i missed.
yay someone else mentioned nilufer!!