Ready for an exciting follow-up to our 2023 best album picks? And yes, just like last year we managed to sneak in a few EPs we found simply brilliant and couldn't live without.
To be frank, 2024 was a weird year. The overabundance of new music and singles feels scary at times and all that paired with the constant social media-driven shortage of our attention spans make a dangerous combination.
I'm not sure about the rest, but for me (Ivo), albums have become a safe haven - a refuge from the creeping choice paralysis I’ve been feeling. Immersing myself in an artist's conceptual work has never felt more rewarding. It offers a reprieve from the constant switching of music, moods, and energy.
Hope you dig this year's selection! All tracks are added to our Stereofox New Music Finds and Best Albums playlists.
Best 100 Albums (and a few EPs) of 2024
Like last year, we want to address the question of how we came up with this list. It’s simply a collection of projects that left a mark on us over the past year. Some we adore more than others, but each one deserves your attention as the year winds down.
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Get ready for a cocktail of soul, jazz, r&b, instrumental hip hop, rap, electronic, chill out music, and a few surprises here and there.
If you're on TikTok or Instagram, we're sharing all of those with some commentary and visuals, if that's your thing (or want to support us vs the algorithm).
Last, but not least - the albums are ordered randomly.
Wave 1 (Nov 19th)
HNNY - Light Shines Through
July 5th / Independent
One of my favorite tracks to come out of 2024 is found in the depths of this album. For his first album in almost a decade, HNNY has returned to the electronic soundscapes that inspired his earliest releases with his release Light Shines Through.
For the first few years of HNNY’s career, he stood out for his soulful, sample-based brand of house music that came with an air of elegance. He eventually shifted his attention to the calming world of lofi, releasing singles that bolstered his profile. And now, we’re acquainted with a new era of HNNY who merges his soulful stylings with electronica, UKG, and breakbeat. Throughout 10 tracks, the producer teeters between the edge of hope and melancholy with his minimalist production. It’s made for the quiet, brain-tingling moments of solitude at home and contains a consistent thread throughout, not just in the ambient sounds used, but also more conceptually with what the songs evoke and what they are about: the album lands at a particular pivotal moment of HNNY’s life after the birth of his two daughters which have given him a new perspective on life.
Words by Lu
Ol' Burger Beats - 74: Out of Time
Feb 16 / Coalmine Records
One of the most interesting conceptual albums of 2024. Get ready for Ol’ Burger Beats’ 17-track hip hop behemoth 74: Out of Time.
The versatile Norwegian producer took on a specific task - the goal of the record is to work only in BPM of 74 (hence the title). Backed by a galaxy of talented MCs, Ole created an album that offers a captivating and diverse journey through various sounds and eras. Following a consistent tempo, it also pays homage to the cultural landscape of the year 1974, drawing inspiration from its music, activism, artwork, and overall aesthetic. Ol' Burger Beats perfectly balances the legacy of the past and the ability to analyze and reflect on the present. After you start unpeeling the layers of 74: Out of Time, you'll quickly realize its high relevance to the moment. The Out of Time segment of the title directly speaks to contemporary issues. It underscores a pressing urgency in response to ongoing challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, wars, and divisive political landscapes across the world.
When it comes to the 74 bpm decision, Ole comments, "It is quite an unusual tempo for hip-hop I think. It’s really relaxed but at the same time it can feel hard-hitting and modern if you match it with the right vocals and the right flow.”
After having the chance to absorb the album to its fullest several times, I can safely say - the flow is impeccable and it presents listeners with a rather soothing and inspiring experience.
Words by Ivo
GAWD - Cathedral City Supreme
Aug 28th / Independent
It was through TOKiMONSTA that I stumbled upon GAWD's music, leading me to discover one of the most intriguing r&b albums of the year.
GAWD is an L.A.-based duo who stands out for their sensual and intimate take on r&b, all while embracing a playful edge. The production of their sophomore album Cathedral City Supreme offers a combination of moments that are unorthodox and more familiar and conventional, ultimately creating a sense of dynamism throughout the project. It is their love letter to those navigating the shifting tides of change—a reminder to dance through life’s challenges with grace, resilience, and a heart full of gratitude.
The track "Ska-rew" off their is a gorgeous example of that sentiment. Velvety vocals glide over a gritty, punchy rhythm section, with a captivating bass line that keeps us nodding from start to finish. This is definitely the kind of track that'd have the crowd come alive for their performances, especially with such a compelling chorus.
Words by Lu
Ben Böhmer - Bloom
Sep 27th / Ninja Tune
The release of Ben Böhmer’s third official album Bloom is a confident reassertion of his intentions as an artist in a variety of different ways.
Over the last several years, a conversation about melodic house couldn't be completed without mentioning Ben. Despite the success, he was being pulled in a direction that wasn’t allowing him to be his true self. Time on the road took away from what mattered most to him: his family, creative freedom, and time to reflect. This inspired the creation of Bloom - an album that continues to showcase Ben’s emotive and cinematic brand of electronica in a manner that feels deeply immersive, weaving intricate soundscapes with a storytelling quality. Tracks like “Hiding” remind us of Moby’s early works thanks to their timeless charm and the uplifting spirit they bring, which perfectly match Lykke's distinctive voice.
Words by Lu
IDK - BRAVADO + INTiMO
Oct 13th / Independant
British American rapper IDK (also known as Jay IDK; a backronym for Ignorantly Delivering Knowledge) is hands down one of the most lyrically gifted rappers orbiting the underground right now, and this sentiment is flaunted throughout his new album BRAVADO + INTiMO.
From the production to the lyricism, there is quite a lot to unpack in this project. For the most part, IDK has pulled from jazz and soul music to create the sonic lure of BRAVADO + INTiMO - thus giving it a mature and elegant veneer. When it comes to subject matter, I loved how he has pulled the curtain back on matters of romance (see “SEE YOU AGAIN”), his current growing pains, and a whole lot more. What adds to the charm is the fact that throughout the project, we see IDK present himself as an incredible singer in many instances. The track that showcases this intimacy is the jazz-leaning "MiLES TRUMPET (i)". His soulful voice complements the cries of the brass especially in the chorus where the track blossoms to life. His verses are smooth and calm however when we dive into the lyricism, we're acquainted with a man who is open and vulnerable regarding insecurities around romance.
Words by Lu
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