2024 ALBUMS OF THE YEAR
TSR presents their individual Top 10 albums of 2024.
LUNDI - TOP 10 ALBUMS
10. Jamie XX - In Waves
Vibrant, club curated electronic music by one of the greatest sampling technicians of all time. Crafted for a good time and delivers endless euphoria front to back.
9. The Smile - Wall of Eyes
If Radiohead never return, Wall of Eyes gives peace of mind that Thom and Johnny can produce technically beautiful music to scratch the itch that’s much more than a simple side project.
8. Charli XCX - brat
brat summer, brat autumn, brat winter. You don’t need a blurb from me to tell you this was the most culturally impactful album of the year. As a long time fan of Charli, it’s gratifying to see her finally get her day.
7. Mannequin Pussy - I Got Heaven
Leaning into the live energy of a live show but polished with studio shine, I Got Heaven is a horny punk rock experience of a band on the rise.
6. The Cure - Songs of a Lost World
An upper echelon all time band tell their tale of aging and grief through a proper send off. This is no fan service, Songs of a Lost World may just end up near the top of their already deep discography. How does Robert Smith sound this good at 65?
5. MJ Lenderman - Manning Fireworks
Believe the hype, MJ Lenderman is becoming the next great singer songwriter right before our very eyes. Impeccable guitar feel twinned with superb lyricism, Manning Fireworks is the vision of a musical mastermind.
4. Waxahatchee - Tiger’s Blood
Crutchfield has always been one of the great lyricists that never quite grabbed me but with the injection of MJ Lenderman and a higher intensity americana sound, she’s changed my entire outlook. Swoon.
3. Fontaines D.C. - Romance
An ode to music with its expansive array of rock sub genres. A rare modern band where you feel the presence and idea generation of all members. It’s emotional and grounded in pop culture, firmly putting the Irish lads on the map.
2. English Teacher - This Could Be Texas
The debut album that keeps giving. Each song is formed to develop its own world both lyrically and sonically, yet the album is arranged to find perfect cohesion. Absolutely deserving of the Mercury Prize and the band I am most excited for what is next.
1. Vampire Weekend - Only God Was Above Us
Only God Was Above Us is as close as possible to perfection you can get on album release. Its parts shouldn’t work in theory, but as a sum the album is chaotic bliss. Zero doubt this will age like a fine wine and be considered one of the greatest modern albums.
REID - TOP 10 ALBUMS
10. IDLES - TANGK
Your creative outlet can change with the circumstances in your life and that holds true for frontman Joe Talbot and the unique British band. They dial back their celebrated punk style on TANGK with a more melodic and reflective effort while still delivering enough raucous rock to rile up the mosh pit.
9. Jack White - No Name
What year is it? The rock n roll icon rolls back the clock delivering a collection of songs rivalling those that sprung him to stardom with The White Stripes. His signature bluesy, catchy riffs and ripping solos are back and his voice sounds as good as ever.
8. Kendrick Lamar - GNX
GNX is hot off the press and Kendrick Lamar’s scorching hot 2024 will feed off its momentum and roll right into his 2025 Super Bowl halftime performance and world tour. His wordplay variety paired with west coast beats, fresh and throwback samples and melodic R&B hooks combine to add another high quality record to his already elite discography.
7. MJ Lenderman - Manning Fireworks
We’re witnessing a star on the rise. At 25-years young, MJ Lenderman is making a significant mark on the music world and Manning Fireworks is his best solo work yet. He has experience beyond his years on the guitar and his penchant for writing loser rock anthems is second to none.
6. English Teacher - This Could Be Texas
The accolades This Could Be Texas is receiving would be celebrated by veterans. To accomplish it on your debut album is wildly impressive. Frontwoman Lily Fontaine’s unique lyrical style meshes so well with their unorthodox style.
5. Mannequin Pussy - I Got Heaven
Screamo punk or angelic melodies? Marisa Dabice does it all. A crisp, no-skip ten songs over thirty minutes skyrockets Mannequin Pussy into relevancy.
4. Adrianne Lenker - Bright Future
One of the best songwriters in the world strips it down and bares all with a deeply emotional solo record. Her authenticity shines through on Bright Future and her poetry has you clinging to her every word.
3. Magdalena Bay - Imaginal Disk
A concept album on getting being the best version of yourself coincidentally brought the highest quality record out of the synth pop duo of Magdalena Bay.
2. The Smile - Wall of Eyes
Masters of their trade continue to reinvent themselves further solidifying their legacy amongst the greatest musicians of all time. Immerse yourself in the experience that is Wall of Eyes.
1. Vampire Weekend - Only God Was Above Us
Vampire Weekend elevate an already acclaimed discography with their best work yet. The collection of sounds on Only God Was Above Us is mesmerizing indie rock and Ezra Koenig’s flawless vocal brings it all together perfectly.
ROZ - TOP 10 ALBUMS
10. Jamie XX - In Waves
Jamie finds a way to truly combine everything he’s done up to this point in his life. Even better, he somehow does this while also forming it into a collection of infectious, dance floor hits – a remarkable task in its own right.
9. English Teacher - This Could Be Texas
Class is in session. This UK indie rock outfits debut studio album perfectly encapsulates a rural upbringing in the form of puzzling poetry from deep in the mind of a doughy eyed twenty-something.
8. Floating Points - Cascade
You won’t find something so technical and pristine in the digital space while also having the innate ability to make you move. An electronic music marvel.
7. The Smile - Wall of Eyes
Decades of untouched talent fully realized on the second effort by Radiohead alumni Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood. Objectively brilliant.
6. MJ Lenderman - Manning Fireworks
This album proves that small-town heart and real-world authenticity is still alive and well on the rock music scene. MJ is destined for greatness and this album is the absolute proof.
5. Being Dead - EELS
A meshing of styles unlike anything I’ve heard before. Beach Boys on acid. Drown in it’s beautiful harmonies and surf rock sensibilities, you’ll thank me later.
4. Fontaines D.C. - Romance
The album packs a punch that reverberates more and more after every new listen. Rock music wins me over this year and one of the leading forces in that is Fontaines D.C.
3. Magdalena Bay - Imaginal Disk
The slowest burn of my TSR career. This album showcases Magdalena Bay’s unique sound and will undoubtedly serve as the precursor to their eventual meteoric rise.
2. Charli XCX - brat
This isn’t just an album, it’s a movement. Not only did it completely change my mind on Charli as an artist, it also flipped the pop music world upside down.
1. Vampire Weekend - Only God Was Above Us
Never so effortlessly and so perfectly does an album stitch together such beautiful elements and soundscapes together. Is it the bands innate chemistry? Is it Ezra Koenig himself? It’s everything, all of it - it is the best album of 2024.