2024 Wrap-Up: Albums
To look back at a spectacular year, we’ve ranked our top five albums of 2024.
8 min read
2024 has been undeniably a tremendous year for new music. There’s been something new and shiny at every turn. Bands like Wunderhorse and Fontaines D.C. have led the rock revival, while new kids on the block NewDad, The Last Dinner Party and English Teacher made their stunning debuts. The latter all being female-led.
To look back, we’ve ranked our top five albums of 2024. These records have made a dent in music culture, and are destined to stand the test of time. As there has been such a wealth of material to choose from, see our honourable mentions at the end.
Credit: Andy Ford 📸
5) This Could Be Texas - English Teacher
English Teacher have had a monumental 2024, so much so we almost forgot their debut dropped only this year. This Could Be Texas is an incredible record, even more impressive being the first of (hopefully) many, discussing themes of broken society, teenage daydreaming, social hierarchy and everything in between.
Lily Fontaine got everything off her chest, a front-woman who’s already become a vocal and important figurehead in the music business; speaking up about venue closures and the troubles with music streaming services.
This is a record that has beautiful repeatability, and it gets better with every listen.
Credit: Cal McIntyre 📸
4) Prelude To Ecstasy - The Last Dinner Party
The Last Dinner Party skyrocketed to success after a string of spectacular singles in 2023, before releasing their hot debut: Prelude To Ecstasy. It’s theatrical, all wrapped up with a medieval aesthetic. The album has been so well received, that Queen’s Brian May even hailed the group as ‘new British rock royalty’.
While mega singles Nothing Matters and Sinner clamber for your attention, Prelude… features more than a few sombre moments. Portrait Of A Dead Girl and On Your Side are mesmerising, and some of our favourite tracks from the entire year.
Credit: Polocho 📸
3) Midas - Wunderhorse
Wunderhorse is one of the most exciting new rock bands on the scene in a long time, backed by word-of-mouth hype on the live scene. Midas may be a sophomore effort, but it’s their first album as an official ‘band’. The result is an exhilarating listen, filled with nods to rock greats: Nirvana, The Rolling Stones and Radiohead.
Midas is their most focused album to date, and standout tracks July, Superman and Rain show an arena-ready band only just getting started.
Credit: Joseph Bishop 📸
2) MADRA - NewDad
MADRA is a visceral depiction of turmoil, self-destruction and madness. It’s also NewDad’s incredible and long-awaited debut record. They’re possibly the most promising band to rise out of Galway for years.
This has become one of our favourite albums in a long time, and has such distinctive character. Once you dive into the tracks, you won’t want to leave. We’ve only scratched the surface with NewDad. Whatever is next will be sure to eclipse this gorgeous record, and we’re here for it.
Credit: Simon Wheatley 📸
1) ROMANCE - Fontaines D.C.
There could only be number #1, it’s ROMANCE. Fontaines D.C. (a band loved by the biggest artists in the world) continued their reign of dominance with their first major-label offering. ROMANCE is a mind-blowing departure and evolution from the gritty beginnings of the Dublin five-piece, employing new dreamy sounds and techniques by producer James Ford (known for his work with Arctic Monkeys).
ROMANCE takes you on a jaw-dropping journey, across 11 tracks. It also features possibly the biggest rock anthem of 2024: Starburster. You’ll find no filler here - just a collection that shines separately and thrives together. If there was any album that will forever be associated with 2024, it’s this one.
Honourable Mentions:
Outside of our top five, there is an endless collection of other excellent albums. We can’t let them go unnoticed, so here are our honourable mentions for 2024:
Once Upon A Weekend - Corella
PRATTS & PAIN - Royel Otis
TANGK - IDLES
Gary - Blossoms
Fine Art - Kneecap
What was your favourite album of 2024?
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