THE 10 BEST ALBUMS OF 2024
This is the time of year when we bring together all of NE’s contributors to compile the ultimate list of the top new albums released this year. Favourites have returned, but in our opinion, the new musicians who are emerging and blazing new trails are what have made 2024 again another fantastic year for music. They have established the 2024 music landscape and paved the way for upcoming musicians.
10
‘SUNDIVER’ – BOSTON MANOR
‘Sundiver’, Boston Manor’s 2024 album, is a masterwork from beginning to end and features some of the band’s most intense tracks to date. The album, which is the band’s fifth studio release, heralds the start of a new era. Expectations and formulas are dismissed by Boston Manor, who are determined to fuse sounds and genres together with this album. They’ve created something truly remarkable.
On ‘Sundiver’, they sound more unified, distinctive, and obstinately true to themselves than they have ever done. ‘DC Mini’, the album’s last track starring the incredible Heriot, is a standout for NE. The song marks the beginning of something new for Boston Manor and the conclusion of an amazing album.
9
‘NECK DEEP’ – NECK DEEP
For the UK pop punks, Neck Deep’s fifth studio album marks a significant comeback. Each song on the self-titled album is amazing and is certain to be highly received live; it evokes a sense of urgency and fun from the band’s previous work.
‘Sort Yourself Out’ is perhaps one of the album’s best songs as a result of its unrepentant lyrics, catchy chorus, and uplifting bridge. Pop punk aficionados will be spinning this record nonstop in the months to come. It’s crisp, memorable, and full of energy.
8
‘MADRA’ – NEWDAD
You can’t put this album into words without a full listen. There’s something about it, something that leaves you crawling back, time and time again. It’s beautifully woven shoegaze with dark and twisted narratives. For a debut album, it’s more than impressive.
If 2024 has taught us anything, it’s the female fronted rock bands are here to stay, and we are more than grateful for that. Listeners are enthralled by the lead singer Julie Dawson’s stunning vocals, which seem to pay homage to the shoegaze and indie rock of the past, with a contemporary twist.
7
‘PRELUDE TO ECSTACY’ – THE LAST DINNER PARTY
The song dualism is outstanding and of a very high calibre, especially considering that this is a debut album. The lavish debut album by the ensemble draws inspiration from the gothic and extravagant pop of the past. They claim that the gluttony is the objective, a “unapologetic” poke at modern music.
While none of the album’s other tracks have reached the same calibre as ‘Nothing Matter’s’, that does not understate the sheer amount of bangers it contains. It’s lavish production and distinct artistic vision make it blatantly dramatic. .James Ford continues to establish himself as one of the most talented and adaptable music producers in the UK.
6
‘CARTOON DARKNESS’ – AMYL AND THE SNIFFERS
Among their most fiery albums to date. From the exterior, ‘Cartoon Darkness’ by Amyl and the Sniffers alluded to dismal topics like the effects of climate change and the emergence of AI. But if you look past that, you’ll find lots of pleasure as the Australian punk rockers got raucous and rowdy.
The third album by the Australian punks poses a threat to eclipse their newfound musical finesse and quirky experimental embellishments. The year 2025 is going to be a very interesting one for these icons.
5
‘GARY’ – BLOSSOMS
We’ve said it once and we’ll say it again, Blossoms are the only band that can take the name, ‘Gary’, for an album and make it sound cool. That fibre-glass gorilla has been all we’ve thought about this summer, and for good reason. Blossoms produce a sound that is so unique by skilfully bending and shaping genres. With their fifth album, the years of arduous labour and steadfast commitment have undoubtedly paid off.
2024 has been a phenomenal year for the Stockport lads; a sold-out hometown show at Wythenshawe Park, 5 night residency in Manchester and who can forget the iconic cover of Charli XCX’s ‘360’ in the live lounge?
4
‘FINE ART’ – KNEECAP
‘Fine Art’ skilfully combines strong political topics with unadulterated enthusiasm. The album’s unreserved self-expression and outspoken social commentary strike a deep chord, addressing topics such as cultural identity and the challenges faced by Irish working-class youth.
It’s a daring declaration that honours the complexity of Irish culture while questioning social conventions. 2024 hasn’t been a bad year for the Oscar shortlisted band.
3
‘BRAT’ – CHARLI XCX
2024 has been a blessing for the pop girlies, none more so than Charli XCX. Never have we seen an album so well marketed before, ‘BRAT’ has converted us into ‘365 party girls’. Indeed, the cultural phenomenon known as ‘BRAT’ was a sight to behold.
Charli XCX has largely spent her career as a singer and lyricist vacillating between the extremes of attitude and unabashed vulnerability. In addition to being XCX’s best album, it also sets a new standard for contemporary music.
2
‘MIDAS’ – WUNDERHORSE
With the release of their sophomore album, ‘Midas,’ the underdogs of the indie scene have demonstrated why they are deserving of being on the main stage this year. ‘Midas’ is an honest, emotional record that relies on its performance.
Kurt Cobain would have approved of ‘July,’ while ‘Silver,’ which was written to portray the pouring perspiration of a Wunderhorse performance, is euphoric and honest. We can’t get enough of it, and it’s spontaneous and primal.
1
‘ROMANCE’ – FONTAINES D.C.
The fourth album by Fontaines D.C. was astounding not just for its intellectual exploration but also for the band’s ongoing development. A triumph that defied genres and managed to enthral people everywhere. With consistently inventive arrangements counterbalancing Grian Chatten’s enduringly compelling lyrics, it’s an exceptional album full of highlights.
In addition to its philosophical utilisation of significant lyrics, ‘Romance’ also incorporates themes of cultural detachment and personal alienation into its melodies and sounds. They now encompass much broader textures and have a cynical perspective on romance’s darker facets.
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