Off Record Media’s Top Album Picks of 2024

From Brat Summer to Moshing on Jimmy Kimmel and everything in between, 2024 was an influential year for music of all genres – and we narrowed it down to our top fave album picks of the year.

2024 was another year for the books in terms of music. From multiple newcomers seeing critical success to established artists releasing new music, it was a genre-fluid year to say the least. Off Record Media has indulged in all of the best albums, and we’re here to tell you our top album picks you need to check out if you haven’t yet.

**ALBUM PICKS ARE IN THE ORDER OF DATE RELEASED**


Two Star & the Dream Police by Mk.Gee (Released February 2024)

Whether that be through your favorite artist’s Instagram story, in the newest season of The Bear, or because (like me) you have been waiting for this album to drop since the first singles were released last year, Two Star & the Dream Police has been a screaming whisper; sneaking its way into the mainstream. This album is packed to the brim with dreamy melodies, vocals that sound like they’re memories, and lyrics that will have you sitting and pondering for hours on end. Overall, this album has a way of bundling vocals with lo-fi, almost psychedelic guitar tones that have yet to be replicated (though many will try).

Mk.gee buries his lyrics and allows for his unique spellbinding sound to take center stage while giving you an other-worldly experience if you have the desire to listen a little harder. As one of our album picks, we urge you to buckle up for 33 minutes of modern nostalgia. — Abby Crutchfield

Deeper Well by Kacey Musgraves (released February 2024)

After releasing her post-divorce and pop album Star-Crossed, Kacey Musgraves returned to her country roots for her sixth studio album. The album contains the perfect rendition of self-love and growth, as heard in tracks like “Deeper Well” and “Moving Out.” Musgraves manages to add a new layer of folk tunes to her songs, bringing them to life through intricate fluttering sounds. The album also features poetic conversations about personal experiences and biases in a wider setting, as heard in “The Architect” and “Dinner with Friends.” While nothing beats out the singer’s dreamlike fourth album Golden Hour, Deeper Well serves as a strong contender for one of her best albums to date. – Keylee Paz

Mika’s Laundry by Matt Champion (Released March 2024)

Matt Champion made his comeback this year with his debut solo album Mika’s Laundry, an experimental piece filled with unique and genre-bending tones. The album features artists like Dijon, JENNIE, and Dora Jar, all filling in to create a wilderness of aesthetics that take you for a wild ride. The album starts with what is to be expected of the former BROCKHAMPTON member, but eventually ventures into uncharted territory. Champion takes on a completely new sound in this album, one that is supported by sonically incredible producers such as Henry Kwapis, Dijon, Ryan Richter, and of course; his former bandmate, Kiko Merley.

Mika’s Laundry doesn’t just show potential for his solo career, it hits the nail right on the head and gets you riled up for what he has next in store. — Abby Crutchfield

Ohio Players  by The Black Keys (Released April 2024)

The Black Keys are a well-known indie rock staple. After releasing their cover album of hill country blues songs Delta Kream and their last album Dropout Boogie, the duo immediately went to work on what would be Ohio Players. The album was accompanied by a documentary, which premiered at SXSW 2024. Ohio Players dances around the iconic Black Keys rough and edged sound, but also contains the duo’s first features with Beck, Lil Noid and Juicy J. With catchy songs like “This is Nowhere,” “Read Em and Weep” and “Every Time You Leave,” Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney did a creatively amazing job at upping their aesthetic. – Keylee Paz

You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To by Knocked Loose (Released May 2024)

When they aren’t scaring viewers on Jimmy Kimmel, Knocked Loose is crafting undoubtedly some of the best hardcore music of the last decade.You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To, the band’s third full length LP, has helped launch the group to mainstream success, even earning them their first Grammy nomination. The 10-track album gets straight to the point by giving fans everything they could want – from the intense face melting breakdowns to the eerie intros.

Songs like “Take Me Home” and “The Calm That Keeps You Awake” feature intricate guitar interludes, and vocalist Bryan Garris perfects the screeching delivery in all tracks alike. Guitarist Isaac Hale adds his personified death growls to each song, which ties all of the nu-metal elements together to create a cohesive third LP. — Kailan Hardman

HIT ME HARD AND SOFT by Billie Eilish (Released May 2024)

Billie Eilish‘s Hit Me Hard and Soft is an album that expertly blends moments of emotional intensity with understated vulnerability. Unlike past albums, Eilish descriptively explores of love, heartbreak, and desire, as heard in tracks like the seductive “LUNCH” and the melancholic “WILDFLOWER.” “THE GREATEST,” a key track in this album pick, offers one of the album’s most strikingly introspective moments. The song captures the internal struggle of loving someone who doesn’t reciprocate fully, wrapped in smooth, minimalistic production. The album blends seductive beats with poignant lyricism and raw emotion, showcasing Billie’s growth as an artist who’s unafraid to tackle complex emotions while experimenting with sound. – Shay Ayesh

14 Minutes by Dominic Fike (Released May 2024)

It all started with a free event in Los Angeles called ’14 Minutes,’ where Dominic Fike welcomes crowds in a warehouse with nothing but a semi-truck. This is where he premiered a 14-minute-long music video (directed by Jack Begert) of himself jogging in slow motion – revealing that it was one of the 8 scrapped songs 8 scrapped songs from his prior projects. Within 14 minutes, Fike takes us through 6 years of creativity and sonic uniqueness that only someone of his talent could produce. With the help of producers like Jim-E Stack, Devin Workman, and many more, the singer’s journey feels like there’s no end, only making fans crave more. — Abby Crutchfield

LONESTAR by Dreamer Boy (Released May 2024)

LONESTAR is an album that gets better with every listen – knowing all the words and singing along makes the experience even more fun. The Texan twist on the indie pop/rock sound is great, with instrumentation that feels like a night drive across the state. While the chorus of each track is unique, the best highlights come from the outros. The instrumental takes over and you no longer need to sing along, just listen and enjoy the moment. LONESTAR marks Dreamer Boy‘s final album as his rodeo clown persona, and it’s still not clear exactly what the future holds for him, but we’re excited to see what he will be up to next. – Jakin Cordova

brat by Charli XCX (Released June 2024)

If you aren’t brat, you aren’t cool – simple as that. Charli XCX has always been considered a pop icon with hits like “Boom Clap,” “I Love It” (with Icona Pop) and “Vroom Vroom.” The singer has always embodied the party-girl persona, and oh did she make it everyone’s business in her latest album brat. The album features nothing but experimental bangers, making it easily accessible to fans of all genres. From invigorating highs (“Von Dutch” and “Club Classics”) to synth-heavy hitters (“Sympathy is a Knife” and “Girl, So Confusing”), brat is the genre that Charli has been searching for.

brat was followed by Charli’s first remix album that contained features from numerous artists like Bladee, Julian Casablancas of the Strokes, Ariana Grande and more. On top of the album being the singer’s most electrifying yet vulnerable album to date, the album sparked cultural phenomenon with BRAT SUMMER and its iconic green color scheme and simple font. — Keylee Paz

This Wasn’t Meant for You Anyway by Lola Young (Released June 2024) 

A dash of pop, a touch of rock, a sprinkle of soul and a whole lot of attitude are all the ingredients that come together to make the electric force that is Lola Young. This rising young talent hails from the UK and has created a sound unique to herself. Young’s second full-length LP includes breakthrough singles such as “Conceited” and “Messy,” which were cleverly marketed via social media in a string of low budget snippets. TWMFYA is a raw, fierce, emotionally charged glimpse into Lola’s life as she explores themes such as heartbreak, self-destruction, pain and confidence. The singer showcases her incredible vocal range, diverse song structures, and authentic personality that makes her music so relatable. — Kailan Hardman

Why Lawd? by NxWorries (released June 2024)

Anderson .Paak released his second collaborative album with producer Knxwledge after ensuing a public divorce, which gave fans hints of hope. This is a 19-track album sounds like a beautiful afternoon due to Knxwledge’s colorful production and the stellar features from artists like Thundercat, Rae Khalil, and Snoop Dogg. Stand-out tracks include “KeepHer,” “HereIAm,” and “DistanceSpace,” brought fans along through Paak’s heartache with his witty yet painful lyrics. The song transitions also made it feel cohesive, as heard in “Battlefield,” “HereIAm” and “OutTheWay.” (Next time you find yourself wanting to relax on a Sunday afternoon put on my album of the year.) — Leydi Gonzalez

CARNAL by Nothing More (Released on June 2024)

Nothing More’s Carnal doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel but instead doubles down on the band’s strengths, and the result is impressive. From the snarling riffs and powerhouse vocals on “House On Sand” to the heavier edge added by I Prevail’s Eric Vanlerberghe, the album grabs your attention right away. It’s packed with energy and purpose, delivering tracks that feel alive and well-crafted. What sets Carnal apart is its consistency. The hooks are especially memorable, with “Angel Song” and “Freefall” showcasing Jonny Hawkins’ ability to convey raw emotion.

Even when the album swerves into squeaky-clean, pop-rock territory with “Blame It On The Drugs,” it feels like a natural fit. They deliver what fans want: tight, high-energy songs with a genuine spark. It’s cohesive, confident, and a breath of fresh air for a genre that often feels stale. If you’re a hard rock fan, this one’s a must-listen. — Andrea Diaz

If You Were Here I’d Be Home Now by smush (Released June 2024)

Shoegaze consists of heavy effects pedals, powerful guitars, and psychedelic lyrics. Its name owes its roots to the alternative 90s UK music scene, where performers often played in a catatonic state, staring at their shoes while playing. Up-and-coming Brooklyn, N.Y.C. shoegaze band smush released their debut album this year, which encapsulates the shoegaze definition. The album follows a rich, bass-heavy collection reminiscent of My Bloody Valentine’s Loveless. From its powerful opening track, “If We Didn’t Cry” to its hit track ‘Lizzie McGuire,” the album is compelling start to its intense finish. — Allen Match 

Kansas Anymore by Role Model (Released July 2024)

The famous quote “We’re not in Kansas anymore” from The Wizard of Oz serves as inspiration for Role Model’s 2024 album, drawing from both the movie and his past relationship. Through Role Model’s use of storytelling, this record weaves listeners through his journey with themes of love and loss. The album begins with a bright sound with songs like “Writing’s On The Wall” and “Look At That Woman,” later transitioning to calmer and slower tracks such as “Oh, Gemini” and “Frances.” When it comes to the 7th track “The Dinner,” The Wizard of Oz is referenced once more with the lyrics “I clicked my heels three times,” and “We’re not in Kansas anymore.”

As the album nears its end, the 9th song “So Far Gone” is the cherry on top, with a feature from another incredible artist Lizzy McAlpine. Each track may have a distinct sound but they all come together to create a strong narrative while maintaining the indie-pop style that we all love. — Taarena Rathore

Short ‘n Sweet by Sabrina Carpenter (Released August 2024)

Sabrina Carpenter’s Short ‘n Sweet is a fearless exploration of self-expression, delivered with an irresistible mix of playful confidence and emotional depth. From the sultry energy of “Espresso” to the sharp, boundary-pushing anthem “Good Graces,” the album oozes empowerment and fun. “Bed Chem” stands out as a cheeky, seductive highlight, with Sabrina navigating a thrilling, almost intoxicating connection as she delves into the chemistry that sparks between two people in a way only Sabrina could. These tracks capture the full spectrum of Sabrina’s charm—effortlessly blending pop hooks with moments of vulnerability and desire.

Short ‘n Sweet balances playful, flirtatious anthems with introspective lyrics, creating a modern pop album that feels both intimate and universal. Whether she’s delivering a self-assured bop or an emotional ballad, Sabrina’s voice and presence shine through in every moment, making this album the perfect soundtrack for navigating love, independence, and everything in between. — Shay Ayesh

Alligator Bites Never Heal by Doechii (Released August 2024)

Rap has always been a male-dominated genre, but recently, women have been killing it. One artist helping to trail blaze this movement is TDE’s own Doechii. Hailing from Florida, the Swamp Princess released her mixtape this past August, and has even resulted in four Grammy nominations. This mixtape is a project full of slick wordplay, and diverse sounds, and is truly a breath of fresh air in rap. With 19 songs she showed her range in sounds with more alternative R&B/pop tracks like “BLOOM.” On the other side you have real rap tracks like “DENIAL IS A RIVER,” and her hit freestyle “NISSAN ALTIMA.”

On this mixtape, she covers topics such as her journey to stardom, the pressure of being signed to a label, and her hilarious yet introspective story of being cheated on, on the track “DENIAL IS A RIVER.” This year she also landed amazing feature placements with stars such as Ab-Soul, Katy Perry, and Tyler, The Creator. — Leydi Gonzalez

Imaginal Disk by Magdalena Bay (Released August 2024)

“It’s you. The purest you.” This ethereal synth fantasy is everything a Magdalena Bay fan would want in an album. This is the duo’s best work yet, or at least their most singular work. Songs flow into each other and a key melody recurs across songs. The lyrics are a bit cryptic, but you don’t need to fully understand them to enjoy the album. The lyrics and powerful synths create a feeling. Turn up the volume and enjoy the synth as it hits on “The Ballad of Matt & Mica.” While the songs are great to listen to individually, the experience of listening to the album as a whole makes them better. — Jakin Cordova

Private Blizzard by DHRUV (Released August 2024)

Dhruv‘s latest album offers something for every mood with its deep lyrics and heartfelt melodies that take listeners on a trip through love, loneliness, and personal development. Dhruv’s distinctive lo-fi-inspired sound is given a contemporary twist by the combination of his expressive voice, live instrumentation and a piano. Songs like “Speed of Light” and “Daggers” highlight his vocal variety and lyrical skill, while “Grieving” and “Lonely City Waltz” are heartbreakingly honest. Highlights like “How?”‘s vulnerability and “The Morning’s” beauty make Private Blizzard one of the year’s most memorable releases. — Varsha Jhanak

CHROMAKOPIA by Tyler, The Creator (Released October 2024)

CHROMAKOPIA delivers on great production, lyrics, and energy that Tyler’s fans have come to expect, but it also brings a new emotional revelation. Throughout his career, Tyler has rapped about his absentee father and shouted out his close relationship with his mother. But on CHROMAKOPIA’s “Like Him,” he includes a recording of his mom revealing that his dad always wanted to be in his life, but Tyler’s mom stopped him. The result is an emotional and moving song of Tyler asking: “do I look like him?” 

The high-energy songs hit hard too – “Sticky” brings together GloRilla, Sexyy Red, and Lil Wayne over a marching band beat. “Balloon” uses a unique sample and features Doechii, who feels like the only rapper who can match Tyler’s wild energy. Seeing the album rollout and performances at Tyler’s festival Camp Flog Gnaw, you can see how much the album fits in his with his artistic aesthetic. — Jakin Cordova

Deeper Sleeper by Deeper Sleeper (Released October 2024)

Deeper Sleeper, an eye catching name in itself has so many underlying layers the more you dive into this self titled album. The face behind the name is no other than The Backseat Lovers frontman, Joshua Harmon. In the midst of The Backseat Lovers’ silent hiatus, deeper sleeper released two singles titled “want” and “riverflies”.  Following, Harmon posted on his personal Instagram about this project he has been working on in his home for the past years. The full length album put in perspective the stark contrast between The Backseat Lovers and deeper sleeper.

Joshua Harmon has this dim and raw sound in this project. The album contains comforting cave acoustics and toy sounds, easily bringing out anyone’s inner child. Harmon’s experimental overlaying and fills create an alluring enchantment unlike anything you will ever hear. — Gracie Archibeque

Cosa Nuestra by Rauw Alejandro (Released November 2024)

One of the most influential album picks on the list includes Rauw Alejandro‘s fifth album Cosa Nuestra. This year was huge for latin artists like FEID, Peso Pluma, Manuel Turizo and many more, but Rauw took home the cake with his beautifully curated album. After teasing new music and releasing new singles like “Dejame Entrar” and “Pasaporte,” fans knew that the reggeatonero was entering a new era, which also meant a new sound. Cosa Nuestra‘s gangster-like album aesthetic adds a layer to the songs featured on the album, such as the title track, “2:12AM” (with Latin Mafia), “Committed” (with Pharrell Williams) and “Espresso Martini” (with Marconi Impara and Yan Block). The singer also sticks to his roots with iconic features with FEID and Bad Bunny, as well as old-school duo Alexis y Fido and bachata legend Romeo Santos of Aventura. The surprising twist comes from the reworked cover songs like Frankie Ruiz’s “Tú con Él” and Laura Pausini’s “Se Fue.” Cosa Nuestra truly has something to offer to all latin fans alike, making it a top latin album contender of 2024. – Keylee Paz

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