2024 Halfway Album Picks

This year so far has had some massive bangers. I've listened to over 30+ albums and it was very hard to narrow it down to a list. Of course there's still some more albums upcoming this year but these picks are definitely frontrunners for my best album of the year. I don't really stick to one genre, so this is going to be a messy back and forth of different sounds and styles. I've gotten into a lot of electronic sounds lately though. Notable albums like brat, and Silence is Loud are amazing. We can't forget about our usual hip-hop tastes and indie folk. It's full of those too. I've said too much, here's my picks so far:

Almighty So 2 - Chief Keef

As a fan of the first Almighty So album, this is a completely different sound and style. I love love love the intro. At first I thought it was kinda funny but I ended up really vibing with it. The beats are such a great compliment to Chief Keef's new style in this record. The features are accomidating the album nicely. If I had one criticism about the record is that it's a little too long. I think some songs should've been cut and felt like a filler track. The flows were untouched though, overall it goes by smoothly. Give it a listen if you want to catch up to what Chief Keef has been up to lately.

Favourite tracks: Intro / Neph Nem / Runner / Grape Trees / 1,2,3 / Never Fly Here

american dream - 21 Savage

I'm not gonna lie, I haven't really liked any of 21's records ever since Savage Mode. I had to listen to it again to see if I was blinded by nostalgia, but no. It's still great. Dare I say american dream surpasses that album. I feel like this is 21's best flowing album so far. The storytelling is absolutely fantastic. Samples are addictive and tough. I wasn't really a fan of the slower songs, but when the record is going it's hardest, it's very very good.

Favourite tracks: all of me / redrum / n.h.e.i. / sneaky / dangerous / nee-nah

Big Sigh - Marika Hackman

Something about this album made me so emotional. In many ways I was able to reflect about my life and relate to the stories Marika was potraying in the album. The violins swept me off my feet. The soft pianos, subtle trumpets, and soft voices. An album I like to keep going back to and listening. Give it a listen to calm your nerves and relax for awhile.

Favourite tracks: The Ground / Big Sigh / Blood / The Lonely House / Please Don't Be So Kind

brat - Charli xcx

This album makes me feel like a bad bitch. Like seriously how Charli made this album with such perfection of hyperpop and electronic blends, I will never know. From start to finish this record feels like it just wants to keep going and give you bangers. If I'm being honest I'm not really familiar with this type of style/genre, so maybe I have beginners biased, but it truly feels like this record will be a benchmark to any album that are of a similar sound. I love this album so much. Can't wait to fight people to get a vinyl copy. Oh, and I didn't listen to any of the singles. When I first heard Von dutch I think my soul left my body.

Favourite tracks: Club classics / Sympathy is a knife / I might say something stupid / Talk talk / Von dutch / Girl, so confusing / B2b / Mean girls / 365

COWBOY CARTER - Beyoncé

This highly anticipated album lived up to its hype. As a fan of older country music, COWBOY CARTER is a refreshing record to listen to. Leave it to Beyoncé to make one of the most successfully blended genre album of the decade so far. I genuinely don't think this album has any skips. This has played multiple times on my speakers and the harmonies and movements still give me goosebumps. It's a really long album which I'm not a fan of, but it's full of bangers so I will give this one an exception.

Favourite tracks: AMERIICAN REQUIEM / BLACKBIIRD / 16 CARRIAGES / MY ROSE / BODYGUARD / JOLENE / ALLIIGATOR TEARS / JUST FOR FUN / LEVII'S JEANS / YA YA / RIIVERDANCE / SWEET HONEY BUCKIIN

Fine Art - KNEECAP

This album is so based. You can already tell on the cover. This is the first time I was ever exposed to this style of hip-hop and it's absolutely mental. There's some words I can't understand, I guess it's Irish slang but hey the vibes are great so I just go with it. The beats are so unique that it's addicting. Overall it's something I can listen to for a long time. Amazing record.

Favourite tracks: Fine Art / Sick In The Head / Drug Dealing Pagans / Harrow Road / Parful

for the rest of your love - twikipedia

I was scrolling down RYM and saw this album on the charts. Not really sure why I clicked on it and decided to give it a listen but I'm glad I did. It brings out a nice mix of alternative rock and lo-fi indie rock. Now imagine what I just said and combine it with an anime intro song. That's basically how this album flows. Of course it has some slower songs but it transitions so well that I think it compliments the record well. Give it a listen. Be the one who puts shit on for your friends.

Favourite tracks: room for one / garden / cardboard boxes / figure me out / boy / paper planes / dry your eyes

Here in the Pitch - Jessica Pratt

Jessica Pratt's voice is so soothing and unique. The first time I heard one of her songs I thought it was a track from the 70s. I was surprised to learn that she's actually a current artist. She fits the style of rhythms in this record and I believe this is her best album yet. Not too sleepy, but not too aggressive. Imagine having a cup of tea at your local cafe in the fall. This album would be perfect for that scenario. But don't limit yourself, this record is fantastic. Listen to it whenever, it's only half an hour.

Favourite tracks: Life Is / Better Hate / World on a String / Get Your Head Out / By Hook or by Crook / The Last Year

Iechyd Da - Bill Ryder-Jones

I can't even remember how I found this album. I'm glad I did though. I recognize the record label is the same as those Arctic Monkeys records but this is completely different. The opening track with the backing vocals immediately got me invested into the rest of the record. It was reminiscent of those Velvet Underground tracks from decades ago. This album is a nice blend of soft-pop, singer songwriter and folk. A recipe for a great record.

Favourite tracks: I know That It's Like This (Baby) / A Bad Wind Blows in My Heart pt3 / If tomorrow Starts Without Me / We Don't Need Them / How Beautiful I am

Only God Was Above Us - Vampire Weekend

Even after the departure of Rostam, Vampire Weekend still manages to innovate their sound. Ice Cream Piano as an opening track is a throwback to that old Vampire Weekend sound I used to listen to everyday in high school. It doesn't end there though, the album stays religous to that distinct sound the band has. The album does kinda fall off after the halfway point but the highs of this record is undeniably great.

Favourite tracks: Ice Cream Piano / Classical / Capricorn / Gen-X Cops

Silence Is Loud - Nia Archives

I am in love with the sound of this album. Not sure why but it makes me feel like I'm a kid again listening to the pop radio on the way back home. The instrumentals in the background have such a nostalgic sound to it. I find myself replaying songs and trying to focus on every single instrument in the tracks. I don't have enough words to describe this record. It's fast pace but not really. It's nostalgic but new at the same time. The tracks makes you feel nostalgic but want to shake ass at the same time. I really like this album. This is my favourite record so far this year.

Favourite tracks: all of them

August 28, 2024

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