Saint’s 33: My Take on the Best Albums of 2024
Part 2: A Personal List of the Music That Defined the Year 2024
Welcome back to Part 2 of my journey through the albums that defined 2024 for me. Yesterday, we explored the first part of this list, and today, we’ll dive into 11 more albums that truly shaped the soundtrack of my year. Each album has something unique to offer, some stayed on repeat, while others challenged me to hear music differently. Let’s jump in.
Black Noise Rating System 🔥
Before we get started, here’s a refresher on how I rate the albums in this list:
🔥🔥🔥🔥 Absolute Fire: Modern classics, essential listening.
🔥🔥🔥 High Heat: Exceptional albums with the potential to stand the test of time. Highly recommended.
🔥🔥 Warm Glow: Solid, genre-specific gems that will keep you warm and satisfied.
Every album here is worth your time! I only include music I genuinely love.
1. Peter Cat Recording Co. – Beta
Release Date: August 9, 2024
Black Noise Rating: 🔥🔥🔥 High Heat
Peter Cat Recording Co. has mastered the art of creating music that feels timeless yet fresh. Their latest album Beta blends vintage Bollywood-inspired elements with dreamy indie-folk and psychedelic pop. The opening track, “Flowers,” sets the tone with lush sitars and saxophones, leading into a sonic journey that surprises at every turn. Songs like “People Never Change” showcase their knack for catchy melodies, elevated by experimental production that keeps you hooked.
Recorded in unconventional spaces, Beta thrives on its raw yet polished sound. The band’s DIY ethos shines through, offering an immersive listening experience. Tracks like “I Deny Me” and “Control Room” bring introspective indie-folk vibes, balancing grandeur with intimate acoustic moments. It’s a lushly produced and confident set from a band that does things their own way.
Standout Track: People Never Change — A bouncy synth-driven tune with irresistible hooks and layers of sonic depth.
2. Tyler, The Creator – Chromakopia
Release Date: October 28, 2024
Black Noise Rating: 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Absolute Fire
Tyler, The Creator’s Chromakopia is a bold exploration of his alter ego, St. Chroma, offering a mix of raw emotion, self-reflection, and genre-bending experimentation. Tracks like “Noid” confront the paranoia of fame, while “Tomorrow” meditates on aging and legacy. The album’s production is as daring as its themes, constantly unbalancing the listener with unexpected twists.
Tyler continues to evolve, blending gritty hip-hop, melodic pop, and genre-hopping beats. Each song reveals new layers, making this one of his most compelling works to date. It’s brash, heartfelt, and unapologetically experimental, cementing Tyler as a true musical innovator.
Standout Track: Noid — A gripping exploration of anxiety and fame, driven by pulsating beats and sharp lyricism.
3. Geordie Greep – The New Sound
Release Date: October 4, 2024
Black Noise Rating: 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Absolute Fire
Geordie Greep’s solo debut, The New Sound, is a wild ride through his unfiltered imagination. The album blends jazz-rock, samba, and avant-garde experimentation, creating a theatrical and unpredictable listening experience. Tracks like “Holy, Holy” offer biting satire wrapped in surreal storytelling, challenging fragile masculinity with razor-sharp wit.
The album’s maximalist approach feels chaotic yet masterful, packed with intricate instrumentation and absurd humor. It’s thrilling and exhausting in the best way, destined to become a cult classic for fans of bold, experimental music.
Standout Track: Holy, Holy — A satirical masterpiece.
4. Nala Sinephro – Endlessness
Release Date: September 6, 2024
Black Noise Rating: 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Absolute Fire
Nala Sinephro’s Endlessness is a mesmerizing ambient journey that invites listeners to immerse themselves in lush soundscapes. The album weaves harp, strings, and wind instrumentation with subtle electronic flourishes, creating a meditative and euphoric experience.
Each track flows seamlessly, balancing stillness and motion. The compositions evoke wonder and introspection, making this a standout project. Sinephro’s artistry shines, capturing moments of quiet beauty and overwhelming emotion.
Standout Track: Continuum 3 — A hypnotic blend of strings and synths that feels both expansive and intimate.
5. English Teacher – This Could Be Texas
Release Date: April 12, 2024
Black Noise Rating: 🔥🔥🔥 High Heat
English Teacher’s debut album, This Could Be Texas, offers sharp commentary on suburban Britain with a mix of humor and poignancy. Tracks like “Sideboob” and “R&B” showcase their ability to tackle serious themes with infectious post-punk energy.
Produced by Marta Salogni, the album feels polished yet raw, with moments that are deeply personal and universally relatable. Lyricist Lily Fontaine’s unique perspective shines throughout, making this one of the year’s most compelling indie releases.
Standout Track: R&B — A jangly indie anthem that challenges stereotypes with sharp lyrics and a catchy hook.
6. Mannequin Pussy – I Got Heaven
Release Date: March 1, 2024
Black Noise Rating: 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Absolute Fire
Mannequin Pussy delivers raw punk energy and emotional depth on I Got Heaven. Tracks like “Ok? Ok! Ok? Ok!” channel pure rage, while “Sometimes” offers introspective moments that showcase the band’s versatility.
The album explores themes of resistance, identity, and love, balancing chaos with vulnerability. It’s a cathartic and powerful listening experience that solidifies Mannequin Pussy as one of punk’s most exciting voices.
Standout Track: Loud Bark — A grungy, infectious anthem with raw energy and captivating melodies.
7. Kendrick Lamar – GNX
Release Date: November 22, 2024
Rating: 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Absolute Fire
Kendrick Lamar’s surprise release, GNX, is a creative triumph that blends G-funk, R&B, and experimental beats. Tracks like “Squabble Up” and “Gloria” showcase his storytelling mastery, tackling themes of legacy, conflict, and self-discovery.
With collaborators like Sounwave and DJ Mustard, the album’s production is flawless, elevating Kendrick’s razor-sharp lyricism. It’s a richly rewarding listen that demands attention and cements Kendrick’s place at the top of hip-hop’s pantheon.
Standout Track: Squabble Up — A dynamic mix of storytelling and infectious grooves.
8. The Lemon Twigs – A Dream Is All We Know
Release Date: May 3, 2024
Rating: 🔥🔥🔥 High Heat
The Lemon Twigs’ fifth studio album transports listeners to the golden age of 60s pop. Tracks like “My Golden Years” shimmer with nostalgic charm, while “How Can I Love Her More” pushes boundaries with experimental twists.
The sibling duo’s intricate arrangements and heartfelt lyrics make this album a must-listen for fans of timeless pop music. It’s a love letter to the past with a refreshingly original touch.
Standout Track: My Golden Years — A radiant track filled with harmony and emotional depth.
9. Ravyn Lenae – Bird’s Eye
Release Date: August 9, 2024
Rating: 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Absolute Fire
Ravyn Lenae takes flight with Bird’s Eye, an experimental alt-R&B album that blends dreamy aesthetics with bold genre shifts. Tracks like “One Wish” showcase her ethereal falsetto, while “Love Me Not” dives into swaggering funk.
With DJ Dahi as executive producer, the album feels intentional and transformative. Lenae’s artistry soars, making this a standout release in modern R&B.
Standout Track: One Wish — A neo-soul gem featuring a stunning collaboration with Childish Gambino.
10. Storefront Church – Ink & Oil
Release Date: June 28, 2024
Rating: 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Absolute Fire
Storefront Church’s Ink & Oil is a hauntingly beautiful exploration of human coexistence with the natural world. Tracks like “The High Room” blend baroque arrangements with modern storytelling, creating an immersive experience.
Lukas Frank’s sincerity and openness shine, crafting an album that feels both grand and deeply personal. It’s a stunning achievement that demands your full attention.
Standout Track: The High Room — A cinematic opener that sets the tone with rich textures and introspective lyrics.
11. Thee Sacred Souls – Got a Story to Tell
Release Date: October 4, 2024
Rating: 🔥🔥🔥 High Heat
Thee Sacred Souls deliver retro-soul magic on their second album, Got a Story to Tell. Tracks like “Lucid Girl” and “Waiting on the Right Time” channel 60s and 70s vibes with modern flair.
Produced by Gabe Roth, the album captures the essence of classic soul while exploring new territory. It’s a heartwarming and nostalgic journey that will resonate with fans of harmony-rich ballads.
Standout Track: Lucid Girl — A soulful ballad with dreamy harmonies and a gentle falsetto.
Thanks for coming along for Part 2 of my favorite albums of 2024. These 11 records have truly shaped my year, offering moments of reflection, joy, and discovery. Stay tuned for the final part of Saint's 33, where I’ll reveal the albums that took it to the next level. What albums moved you this year? Let me know in the comments, and as always:
STAY NOISY FRIENDS! 🌊 — Saint Virgil
Your picks are saving me from music boredom! I feel stuck inside of Spotify's lame recommendation engine. Thanks for bringing the heat in this algorithmic driven day and time!
https://open.spotify.com/intl-it/artist/4zkTzrV17taj2vjjnYT2Cv?si=rE7MBeWeRiCqj6nifjHJUw