Our 5 Favourite Albums Of 2024... So Far

If there’s anything that humans, no matter age, race or creed share, it’s music. Music is a constant in our lives and has been since the dawn of time. When God said “Let there be light”, he probably followed it with “and let there be zesty tunes to accompany this monumental moment” and thus was the first soundtrack. Sort of. Maybe. Probably Not. But I digress.

We’re halfway through the year and from January until now, there has indeed been plenty of zesty tunes! From country to rock to club-inspired pop, here are some of our favourites from 2024… so far!

Brat – Charli XCX

It only seems fitting that we start with the album that inspired a bit of cultural trend aptly named “brat summer.” The trend is characterised by much of what the album is characterised by: party-girl antics, cool-girl style and that offensive shade of lime green. Charli XCX described it as “me, my flaws, my f--- ups, my ego all rolled into one.”

About that offensive lime green, Brat’s cover features a plain background with the title in a low-res Arial font. It wasn’t without its criticism, but Charli XCX wanted to challenge our expectations of pop culture, about why some things considered good and acceptable, and some things are deemed bad. She commented, "I wanted to go with an offensive, off-trend shade of green to trigger the idea of something being wrong.”

The music itself is inspired by club music and the illegal London rave scene where she began her career as a teenager, and as you might expect from those inspirations, Brat is loud, brash, and well, bratty. It’s not without its feels though, with the lyrics dealing with things like heartbreak and loss, as well as challenging somebody to guess the colour of her underwear.

Integrated Tech Solutions – Aesop Rock

We know that this is a late 2023 release but we wanted to give it some love!

Ian Matthias Bavitz, aka Aesop Rock emerged at the forefront of a wave of underground hip-hop artists in the late 90s and early 2000s. He was called one of the best artists of the decade in 2010 and is ten albums deep into his career.

Integrated Tech Solutions is unsurprisingly an album about technology. It explores the ever-growing presence of technology in our day-to-day lives, consumerism and the history of it all. Described as somewhat a concept album, Integrated Tech Solutions isn’t only about technology; it also deals with themes of loss, mental illness, home invasion and meeting Mr. T in a restaurant as a child.

Well we don’t pity the fool who listens to this album. It is perhaps Aesop Rock’s most accomplished which incorporates his typical, what has been called “word salad”, but with a bit more of a conversational delivery. Regarding his often abstract lyrics, he commented: “It may pose a slight challenge to the listener beyond your average pop song. I'm no genius by a long shot, but these songs are not nonsensical, that's pretty preposterous.”

Dark Rainbow - Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes

After the somewhat mixed response to their previous studio album Sticky from 2021, which was called a “deranged, unmitigated disaster on almost every level” by Sputnikmusic, but was also named the 44th best rock/metal album of 2021 by Loudwire, Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes return with Dark Rainbow.

Dark Rainbow feels like a culmination of all that has worked, all that has not, and all that has been learned. The album is notably more mature sounding than their previous efforts with a little less screaming, a little less vocal distortion, and a little less angst. This is more sincere and reflective whilst retaining some signature qualities, notably their atmospheric approach.

Frank Carter has been a staple in the punk rock scene for almost two decades, fronting three bands since 2005 (four if you count the one formed during his teenage years). With his focus now on the Rattlesnakes, it doesn’t look like he’ll be slowing down. At least we hope not!

This Could Be Texas – English Teacher

Going from an established band to a brand new one, This Could Be Texas is the debut album by British rock band English Teacher. Following on from their 2020 EP Polyawkward, This Could Be Texas is cool indie rock just as their EP was, but it expands on not only the music with the sound bouncing around a little for the first few tracks before settling into more consistency, but its themes too. The songs range from being about mental health to prejudice and the cost of living. Frontwoman Lily Fontaine’s background as a creative writer shines through her lyrics which are undoubtedly a major highlight of This Could Be Texas, with references to Brontë and A Clockwork Orange.

About the name of the band (because I was curious too!), Lily Fontaine said whilst speaking to Northern Life Magazine that many members of her family are or have been English teachers, and so it’s her way of keeping that tradition alive! Fontaine also credits her English teachers for her ability and love of writing. She said, “all my English teachers have been amazing people.”

As somebody who has also been an English teacher, I approve this message!

This Could Be Texas has been shortlisted for the 2024 Mercury Prize of Album of the Year, and they’re just getting started!

Be Right Here – Blackberry Smoke

Blackberry Smoke have been around for a long time, and their latest may not try anything particularly new, but it retains the qualities that have made the band a consistent success. With over two decades in the industry, they have nothing to prove.

Be Right Here is produced by Grammy-winning Dave Cobb in his second collaboration with Blackberry Smoke. Cobb has worked with a who’s-who of some of the best artists working in the industry today including modern country legend Chris Stepleton as well as ten-time Grammy nominee Brandi Carlile, Rival Sons, Take That and Zayn.

With the news that their drummer Brit Turner was diagnosed with brain cancer, the themes of Be Right Here reflect feelings of love, hope, overcoming, self-reflection, accountability, and other things. It’s an album about being present and letting yourself feel. Uncut Magazine wrote that “Be Right Here is a minor classic of the genre.” Turner sadly passed away in March, just over a month after the album’s release.

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