Hi friends and followers, you might notice that while dated for the end of 2024, this "best of" list for 2024 has been published at the end of May 2025. This was not intentional. I was halfway through finishing this post in late December of 2024 when my beloved cat, Gertie-Socks, took a sudden turn for the worse, spent several days in the vet ER, had one last weekend at home with me, and then died in my arms on the last day of the year. Her genetic heart condition got much worse in 2024, and the medication she took probably gave her a couple extra months with me, but there was nothing that could prevent her early heart failure once it had begun. She was 6 years old, the sweetest tuxie there ever was, and the love of my life. I have been devastated since.
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Returning to finish this piece has been a struggle, largely due to grief, but also chronic illness, my day job, and *gestures wildly* everything awful happening in the U.S. and around the world in 2025. Every month I have tried to sit down with this music list, and every month until now I have failed. Finding the words has been impossible. Even in this moment, it is difficult to hold space for my emotions, to not close the computer and walk away from this once again. I've also thought a lot about if finishing this list is even worth it, given how little I write for my own music website anymore.
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Since moving to Colorado in 2016, this (unpaid, labor of love) site has taken a necessary back seat to many other school, career, and life priorities. And just when I was starting to do more with it again, in 2018 and 2019... live music and the industry drastically changed in 2020, and my life also hasn't been the same since. As a result, writing here has frustratingly become much less of a joy and cathartic release, like it used to be, and more of a guilt-inducing responsibility that I feel dread about not keeping up with. (Hello, ongoing burnout!)
In order to find a more sustainable balance of work and rest in my life, and to release myself from the burden of extra unpaid work that chains me to a computer screen (after 40+ hours a week at my day job, volunteer emails, life emails, and paid freelance writing), I will likely just be doing these once a year "best of's" and whatever strikes my fancy (if anything), for the foreseeable future. It pains me to purposefully take a step back, when I still have so much love for music — but if I don't, I'll become so burnt out that I could lose even that, too.
However, 2024 was a year with some really great music, and I don't want to forget that. So please enjoy this (delayed) best of 2024 list and playlist. I hate that it's late. But sometimes, I have to admit that done is better than perfect.
In order to find a more sustainable balance of work and rest in my life, and to release myself from the burden of extra unpaid work that chains me to a computer screen (after 40+ hours a week at my day job, volunteer emails, life emails, and paid freelance writing), I will likely just be doing these once a year "best of's" and whatever strikes my fancy (if anything), for the foreseeable future. It pains me to purposefully take a step back, when I still have so much love for music — but if I don't, I'll become so burnt out that I could lose even that, too.
However, 2024 was a year with some really great music, and I don't want to forget that. So please enjoy this (delayed) best of 2024 list and playlist. I hate that it's late. But sometimes, I have to admit that done is better than perfect.
Top Albums of 2024
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Sofi Tukker, BREAD
There is no question that Sofi Tukker is the best at what they do: Portuguese language global indie dance rock, or something... along those lines. Weird, fun, upbeat and unexpected. It's often explicit and always a good time. Their music speaks to something in my soul that needs to be fed — and they do that oh so well with BREAD.
Favorite Tracks: "Cafuné" and "Jacaré" (but really, all of them) |
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Novo Amor, Collapse List
The short story is: if you like Bon Iver, you will *love* Novo Amor. This second album is absolutely gorgeous, and builds on everything from his first album, while also being a completely separate experience. This is the album that I listened to when I cried in 2024, and don't blame me if it gets you all up in your feels. That means it's working.
Favorite song: “Years On” |
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Frances Forever, Lockjaw
This album is such an absolute delight. It's indie pop rock at some of its absolute best: summery, savory, and sassy. It has a series of narratives about navigating the world as a woman, both poking fun at others and oneself, that will leave you with a smile on your face.
Favorite tracks: "Weeb" and "Mr. Man" |
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Everything Everything, Mountainhead
These guys are incredibly weird, and I LOVE it. I read somewhere that apparently this is a concept album, but I just think it's an album of wildly catchy and experimental songs, and one of the best examples of what "indie" can (and should) be these days when it's pushing boundaries.
Favorite tracks: "Wild Guess," "R U Happy?," and "Canary" |
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Bear Hands, The Key to What
My love for Bear Hands goes back at least a decade, if not more — and this latest release does not disappoint. They make angsty, unhinged indie rock that speaks to ragey goblin inside of me who just wants to be set free. This is one of the albums that got me through the stress and frustrations of 2024, as I scream sang along to it in my car.
Favorite tracks: "Floor it," "Intrusive Thoughts," and "Adderall / Ambien" |
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Tsatsamis, Our Shame
Knowing nothing about the musician behind the moniker, this listening experience was a novel one with no expectations. I was blown away by the rich soundscapes, lyrics, and artistry in these songs. They sparkle in my ears, like glimmers of a lens flare during sunrise or sunset.
Favorite Tracks: "Dive In" and "Everybody Wants a Piece of You" |
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Middle Kids, Faith Crisis Pt 1
I have a crush on the music that Middle Kids make, and was in love with their 2021 release "Today We're The Greatest." It's so heartfelt, genuine, and speaks to the experience of being a human in the world: making meaning through the feelings we share with others.
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So when they released a new album in 2024, I knew I was toast. In "Your Side, Forever," Hannah Joy sings the devastating line: "It's a great great sadness that never goes away / But it's alright / I'm on your side, forever." And when she sings in "Dramamine," "You are the only reason I believe in anything / I hope you don't take this the wrong way," my heart simply ... explodes.
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SHAED, Spinning Out
Somehow, I did not know one of my favorite bands had a new album in 2024 until (gasp) early 2025! Oh how I wish I had had Spinning Out in 2024, but I'm so glad it found me all the same. The brilliant vocals in this indie band destroy me every time I listen, especially when they switch from more upbeat tracks like "Everybody Knows I'm High" to the dramatic love ballad "Rocket in the Sky," and the devastating and relatable "Spinning Out."
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Breymer, When I Get Through
I had not previously heard of Breymer, and I was completely blown away by this album. And then to find out the album release last fall was in my favorite city of Minneapolis! It feels very much like there is a home in these songs for me, a sonic anchor of sorts.
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This is the kind of music I would love to make myself, and to listen to it is a transcendent experience. The piano lines and layered vocals absolutely *send* me. A special thank you to Breymer for making "Darkness," which I listened to about 50 times in December and early January, as I cried desperately over the loss of my cat. But all of these songs have a very special place in my heart, as they carried me through the blinding pain when nothing else could.
Favorite Tracks: "Darkness" and "The Feeling (When I See You)"
Favorite Tracks: "Darkness" and "The Feeling (When I See You)"
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Nothing But Thieves, Dead Club City (Extended Deluxe)
One could argue these guys might be a bit "Top 40" in their indie pop rock-ness, but I absolutely loved this album. Love love loved. It's an upbeat, alt-rock album with gorgeous vocals and clever writing. The stripped version of "Overcome" is amazing. And I don't care if it's technically from 2023, this was a 2024 album for me.
Favorite tracks: “Overcome” and "Pure You" |
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Honorable Mentions: 2024 Albums
I listened to these releases a little bit less than the ones listed above — but they were still stand outs from 2024 that I really enjoyed. Highly recommend a listen to them all!
Telenova, Time Is A Flower (Deluxe) -- "Teardrop," "Discotèque Inside My Head," and "Temples"
Still Woozy, Loveseat -- "Again" and "Shotput"
Phantogram, Memory of a Day -- "Happy Again," "Feedback Invisible," and "Running Through Colors"
LAUREL, PALPITATIONS -- "Burning Up," "Breakfast," "Change," and "Deathwish"
RUFUS DU SOL, Inhale / Exhale -- "Lately," "Music is Better" and "Break My Love"
Arctic Lake, How Do You Make It Look So Easy? (Deluxe) -- “My Weakness”
Odie Leigh, Carrier Pigeon -- "Either Way”
Luca Lowe, Big Deal EP -- “Giving Up” -- this woman makes brilliant music, keep an eye (ear?) on her!
Mild Minds -- singles "TEARDROPS and "IN YOUR EYES" -- these are both now part of a full 2025 release, GEMINI
Olivia O’Brien, everywhere i go, there i am -- “Lower”
Honorable Mentions: 2023 Albums and Songs
Each year, I inevitably stumble across a couple albums released in the previous year that I listen to a bunch, and that I want to highlight in this list and in the playlist.
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Bayonne, Temporary Time
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BEL, Read the Room EP
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CRi, Miracles
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Half Moon Run, Salt
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The Rest of the 2024 List
I'd recommend a listen to any of these albums as well! If you'd like a custom sampling, the playlist link is again here.
AWOLNATION, The Phantom Five
Allyn, Until You Know
Aziya, BAMBI EP
BAYNK, Senescence
Blu DeTiger, All I Ever Want Is Everything
Caribou, Honey
Charli XCX, BRAT
Empress Of, For Your Consideration
googly eyes, Starlet
Hana Lili, Taking Care of Myself
Kylie Minogue, Tension II
Lola Young, This Wasn't Meant for You Anyway
Loma, How Will I Live Without a Body?
London Grammar, The Greatest Love
mxmtoon, liminal space
Neon Trees, Sink Your Teeth
Nilüfer Yanya, My Method Actor
Pedro The Lion, Santa Cruz
renshortshort, clean hands dirty water
Soccer Mommy, Evergreen
Storefront Church, Ink & Oil
Teenage Dads, MAJORDOMO
Tyla, TYLA+
Vallis Alps, Nothing More Than Human
Zara Larsson, VENUS
Allyn, Until You Know
Aziya, BAMBI EP
BAYNK, Senescence
Blu DeTiger, All I Ever Want Is Everything
Caribou, Honey
Charli XCX, BRAT
Empress Of, For Your Consideration
googly eyes, Starlet
Hana Lili, Taking Care of Myself
Kylie Minogue, Tension II
Lola Young, This Wasn't Meant for You Anyway
Loma, How Will I Live Without a Body?
London Grammar, The Greatest Love
mxmtoon, liminal space
Neon Trees, Sink Your Teeth
Nilüfer Yanya, My Method Actor
Pedro The Lion, Santa Cruz
renshortshort, clean hands dirty water
Soccer Mommy, Evergreen
Storefront Church, Ink & Oil
Teenage Dads, MAJORDOMO
Tyla, TYLA+
Vallis Alps, Nothing More Than Human
Zara Larsson, VENUS
Still looking for more music from 2024? Check out:
- Several previous writers for Pitchfork and other outlets came together to found a new music site, Hearing Things, which is already off to a great start.
- NPR lists: Best Songs and Best Albums of 2024
- Under the Radar’s Top 100 Albums of 2024 Part 1 (#1-50)
Finally, thank you to my friends and followers who still read this list every year. It means a lot that people engage with and enjoy the music that I love and love to share with the world, as I am able.
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