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Writer's pictureAndrew Belt
3 days ago16 min read

5-9's top 75 albums of 2024

A whistlestop tour of what wowed us over the past 12 months



If I thought 2023 was a great year for albums, then 2024 blew the previous year out of the water. Having given myself the gargantuan task of selecting the top 75 records in 2023, the precedent was set so 2024 would follow suit and what's noticeable is that the start of the list is of a significantly higher quality than last year. There are also way more albums rated an 8/10 or higher - typically what I would consider an album to be 'great' - than last year and more at 9/10 or higher.


I won't disclose the scores below but it's instructive to share this sentiment and hopefully each year will continue to be even better - unlikely as this may be. New music is in rude health and it is a pleasure to engage with it and expand knowledge of artists and this particular art form. As well as the quality being higher, this year marks a joint effort with 5-9 writer Gemma Cockrell adding to the list and, like last year, 5-9 Album of the Month podcaster Karl Blakesley is represented courtesy of the reviews supplied to the site this year.


So, who will follow The Murder Capital in supplying 5-9's second album of the year after the success of Gigi's Recovery in 2023? Read on to find out...


  1. Sheer Mag - Playing Favorites



Andrew Belt: Album of the Month co-host Kiley Larsen chose this album for the March episode and Playing Favorites is sheer retro rock 'n' roll fun from the Philadelphia band - their third LP - and first released on Jack White's Third Man Records label.


Further viewing:



  1. SPRINTS - Letter to Self



AB: Arriving with much fanfare, the hype perhaps overblew how good the Dublin's debut album is - but almost a year later, it is one which sticks with you, creating an uncomfortable atmosphere reflecting the discomfort the struggles of lead songwriter Karla Chubb - the band's singer and guitarist too. A force on stage, I chose SPRINTS as the best new artist in 2024 in our recent end-of-year music blogger roundtable and I'm excited to see where they go next.


Gemma Cockrell: This feels like ages ago now, but it was definitely my most listened-to album of January. Striking at a time of year when not many artists were releasing meant that SPRINTS’ album remained memorable and stood out among the crowd.


Further viewing:



  1. Lip Critic - Hex Dealer



AB: Grabbing my attention with the ferocity of single 'The Heart', Hex Dealer is a sledgehammer of electro-rock which showcases their originality and hints at a raucous live show - something I was lucky enough to witness in one of the secret late night sets at End of the Road Festival in August.


  1. DIIV - Frog in Boiling Water



AB: Sludgy shoegaze, Frog in Boiling Water went in deep on its apocalyptic theme for the American band's fourth album. When it hits, it's exceptional though the heavy theme made for an overall bleak aesthetic which at times could feel suffocating.


  1. Daudi Matsiko - The King of Misery



GC: 'The sadness, the despair, the hopelessness, the guilt; but also, the joy, the beauty, the gratitude and the hope, as it gradually begins to outweigh the darkness: The King Of Misery is a celebration of everything that it means to be human.'



  1. Flamingosis - Better Will Come



AB: Another Album of the Month selection from Kiley - this time for May - Better Will Come was a perfect record for the summer, drawing upon a range of genres to create a tapestry of sound generally to an upbeat tempo.


  1. Strange Magic - Slightest of Hands



AB: Coming out on Kiley's Mama Mañana Records label in May, Slightest of Hands - a 22-track compilation of the best of Javier Romero's (AKA Strange Magic) output in 2023 - had something in it for everyone, calling to mind Queens of the Stone Age, Weezer, Elliott Smith and Lowmello at its best.



  1. The Smile - Wall of Eyes



AB: Over eight dense tracks, the Radiohead-offshoot supergroup soared at points but drifted a little too much for the project to reach its potential in the first of two releases in 2024.


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  1. Birthmark - Birth of Omni



Karl Blakesley: 'To any parents out there who may find themselves in Nate’s shoes, sharing some of the emotions he presents here, or indeed anyone simply interested in hearing him relay his parental journey in his own uniquely artistic way, you will find your patience greatly rewarded.'



  1. Sourface - The Eternal Summer



AB: Capturing my attention with epic single 'Careless Love', the Anglo-Parisian quartet delivered a debut record big on heart and joy without veering too sharply into superficiality.



  1. BODEGA - Our Brand Could Be Yr Life



AB: New York's BODEGA dug into the archives to unearth songs written eight years ago and give them a new lease of life. The step back into the past proved worthwhile with the 15 songs coolly taking aim at consumerism through their own brand of punk-flecked indie.


  1. Mannequin Pussy - I Got Heaven



AB: Candid, biting lyrics, furious hardcore, strong riffs and, at times, pared-back vulnerability, I Got Heaven had a bit of everything, finding many admirers along the way on their fourth LP.


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  1. Everything Everything - Mountainhead



AB: Arriving with high expectations courtesy of their previous album topping my 2022 year-end list, Mountainhead delivered conceptually but fell short in its arrangement by Everything Everything's high standards.


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  1. Ibibio Sound Machine - Pull the Rope



AB: Endlessly fun, electronic afro-funk band Ibibio Sound Machine let loose on their fifth studio album, creating a bunch of danceable tunes in early summer.


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  1. Lola Young - This Wasn’t Made for You Anyway



AB: A wildcard pick from Karl Blakesley as part of our 'best of the rest' wash-up before the Album of the Year episode, This Wasn't Meant for You Anyway saw Lola Young further her output of sharp, catchy pop songs in a mix including punchy retorts to her exes as well as honest thoughts of a more vulnerable nature on her relationships.


  1. Jamie xx - In Waves



AB: Producing the trippiest album cover of 2024, producer Jamie xx's long-awaited second album (arriving nine years after In Colour) provided an array of floorfillers which worked very well as one collection of tunes satisfying fans eager to get their second taste of his.


  1. Dog Park - Festina Lente



AB: Paris-based dream pop band Dog Park thrilled with their jangly psych arrangements on their debut album, creating a collection of atmospheric arrangements which fused together in one enjoyable whole.


  1. The Smile - Cutouts



AB: A surprising second album in one calendar year, Cutouts overall provided a jazzier and sunnier landscape than Wall of Eyes, earning it a higher ranking on our list. The drift pervaded this album too, but when the three artists came together at their most energetic the result was fire.


Further viewing:




  1. Bored at My Grandmas House - Show & Tell



GC: 'Ultimately, it is the connections that we form with others that are the light at the end of the tunnel, while we are still figuring out our connection to ourselves, as well as our connection to the wider world around us, and this is the take home message from Show & Tell.'



  1. NewDad - MADRA



AB: Arriving in January, Galway band NewDad's debut simmered without truly sizzling, providing a solid first LP which hints at greater things to come.


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  1. Orion Sun - Orion



AB: Sometimes the algorithm does reward you - however much we fight it - and with Orion Sun, this was the case. Not being familiar with her work, I was intrigued by 'When I Was in Love' and then floored by 'Take My Eyes' when giving Orion a listen. Patchy in parts, Orion also gifted some of the best songs in 2024 showcasing Orion's outstanding vocals riding on top of soothing R'n'B.


  1. Yard Act - Where’s My Utopia?



AB: Leeds band Yard Act shed the post-punk skin of their Mercury Prize-nominated debut on their second LP, embracing trip-hop, rap and dance music on a diverse and typically lyrically-compelling bunch of songs.


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  1. Pillow Queens - Name Your Sorrow



AB: Jagged rock tunes abounded on the Irish indie-rock band's third LP, with the likes of 'February 8th', 'The Bar's Closed' and especially 'Gone' great additions to the canon of contemporary rock songs. A tight and focused effort.


  1. mui zyu - nothing or something to die for



AB: Eva Liu - AKA mui zyu - evolved on her second album, providing an inviting electro-pop record which was more accessible than her 2023 debut Rotten Bun for an Eggless Century.



  1. Smashing Pumpkins - Aghori Mhori Mei



AB: Part of a strong roster for August's Album of the Month podcast, Aghori Mhori Mei - Smashing Pumpkins' 13th studio album - exceeded expectations with its crunchy, atmospheric metal/prog-rock compositions.


Further viewing:




  1. Gruff Rhys - Sadness Sets Me Free



AB: A perfectly judged album title, the eighth solo album from the Super Furry Animals frontman set melancholy to uplifting and inspiring arrangements, peaking on 'Celestial Candyfloss'.


Further viewing:



  1. Marika Hackman - Big Sigh



AB: The winner of January's Album of the Month podcast was packed full of visually unappealing lyrics, beautiful arrangements and genre-hopping as English singer-songwriter Marika Hackman soared on her fifth studio album.


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  1. Tycho - Infinite Health



AB: My kind of electronic album, this was Kiley's pick for the August Album of the Month podcast and its cerebral kaleidoscopic arrangement made for an album rich in mood and atmospherics.


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  1. The Dandy Warhols - ROCKMAKER



AB: Having not been swept away by The Dandy Warhols in their early-noughties heyday, I wasn't expecting much from ROCKMAKER, particularly based on the album title and accompanying press release which referred to a lack of true 'rawk' albums in this day and age, but the band's 12th album was a celebration of the genre and its nuances which made for a strong record - and one of my surprises of the year.



  1. Palace - Ultrasound



GC: 'Ultrasound gives unthinkable tragedy a voice, transforming it into an uplifting healing process and showing that the darkest of times have a light at the end of the tunnel, even when they can seem never-ending.'



  1. Van Houten - The Tallest Room



AB: A fine shoegaze debut from the Leeds sextet. Shoegaze can sometimes drift by but the guitar work on the album ensures you stay stuck to the edge of your seat for the ride.



  1. Washed Out - Notes from a Quiet Life



AB: Great lyrics and vocals from Ernest Weatherly Greene Jr. - AKA Washed Out - on this invigorating electronic record - the fifth album by the artist.


  1. Hamish Hawk - A Firmer Hand



GC: 'A Firmer Hand represents Hawk's process of confronting his skeletons, and finding release by showing them to the world. It's as simple - and as complex - as that.'



  1. John Grant - The Art of the Lie



AB: Flitting between dancey-pop and autotune vocals drenched in melancholic synth, the more personal moments hit hardest on the sixth album by the revered American musician.


Further viewing:



  1. Goat Girl - Below the Waste



AB: Carving out an original rustic sound on this album, the overall tone on the band's third album was dark and heavy. Not an easy listen, but one which rewards you and sees the band provide moments of candour in amongst the chaos.


  1. Allie X - Girl With No Face



AB: One of the best pop records of the year, the third album by the avant-pop Canadian singer is a memorable gothic voyage of 80s-style synth tunes.


Further viewing:



  1. MGMT - Loss of Life



AB: The band have come a long way since the indie hits 'Kids' and 'Time to Pretend'. Here, on their fifth album, they dive deep into the meaning of life, with lots of philosophising. Fortunately, the music is good too!


Further viewing:



  1. Billie Eilish - HIT ME HARD AND SOFT



GC: Another chart-topper, and while 'Birds of a Feather' is definitely the highlight here, there is much more to discover on Eilish’s third studio album. It represents a return to form, in my opinion, after Happier Than Ever didn’t meet my (high) expectations.


  1. Fazerdaze - Soft Power



AB: A very danceable record, there are plenty of highlights on the second album by Amelia Rahayu Murray as Fazerdaze.


  1. Pom Poko - Champion



AB: Jazz-influenced Norwegian post-punk band Pom Poko produced a career best effort on their third album, distilling what makes them a thrilling live band into a brief foray into their world and what brings them joy and pain.


Further viewing:



  1. So Long Surfer - Landlocked



AB: A recommendation from Album of the Month podcast co-host Kiley Larsen, this little-known debut album from the Philadelphia band is a riot of psych-tinged surf rock.


  1. Bob Vylan - Humble as the Sun



AB: What do you do after producing one of the best self-produced albums of recent years? If you're Bob Vylan, the answer is more of the same, which is no bad thing by any means. Thematically similar to 2022's The Price of Life, Humble as the Sun traversed a wider musical palate for serving up some of the most cutting lyrics put to record in 2024.


Further viewing:



  1. Foxing - Foxing



AB: Possibly the most abrasive record I heard all year, this self-titled 'reset' album took on a nihilistic form of enquiry on modern life through a variety of musical styles from screamo emo through to pop-punk. Well worth the near hour-long run time.


  1. English Teacher - This Could Be Texas



AB: My album of the year, this debut is a deserving Mercury Prize winner, musing on mental health struggles and navigating relationships with the music often epic and augmented by a rotating cast of instruments.


GC: This Could Be Texas is a witty, introspective album that pairs clever lyrics with alternative rock sounds. English Teacher’s unique storytelling captures snapshots of life in working class Britain with a mix of humour and honesty.


  1. Laura Marling - Patterns in Repeat



AB: Having auditioned this album on Mercury Prize-nominated Songs for our Daughter, Laura Marling returned a few years later with a real-life daughter to write about and the result was a down-to-earth and relatable album from the point of view of a new parent in Marling's inimitable and inviting hushed folk style.


  1. Amyl and the Sniffers - Cartoon Darkness



AB: Acknowledging the freedom of their youth, while confronting darker sides of life and sharing relationship fears, this fast-paced rock record has it all and builds the momentum of Melbourne's finest.


Further viewing:



  1. Lime Garden - One More Thing



GC: 'They saved their debut album until they were ready for it and as a result, One More Thing is as impactful and defining as it could possibly be.'



  1. Arab Strap - i’m totally fine with it…



AB: The second album since their reunion, the duo are peerless when it comes to summarising the current times - generally focusing on the murkier side of life - but the LP is full of heart too and the concoction is a heady mix only Arab Strap could brew, furrowing their own inimitable path decades in.


  1. sadeyes - hexdrinker



GC: hexdrinker mixes emo rap sounds with melancholic vibes, capturing themes of heartbreak and self-examination. sadeyes' raw delivery and haunting beats make this album resonate on an emotional level.


  1. The Lemon Twigs - A Dream is All We Know



AB: The Twigs remain untouchable when it comes to effective modern reworkings of the classic sounds of the '60s and '70s. A quicker-than-expected follow-up to the excellent Everything Harmony, the album's 12 songs are a joy, honing their own sound very pleasingly.



Further viewing:



  1. Hayden Thorpe - Ness



AB: Quite unlike anything else released in 2024, Ness reworked Robert Macfarlane's book of the same name which addresses an abandoned nuclear testing site which has now been restored and is currently a tourist attraction. Beguiling, lovingly crafted and an aural delight, Hayden Thorpe touched Wild Beasts-esque heights on this album.


  1. glass beach - plastic death



AB: Raw, heavy, light and adventurous in equal measure, this hour-long odyssey was one of the most enjoyable listens in 2024 which saw me come back to it time after time. Not being familiar with their previous work, this was one of my favourite discoveries in recent years.


  1. Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard - Skinwalker



AB: Another 2024 discovery, this Welsh band produced the psych-rock record of the year, calling to mind and usurping Ty Segall's recent output.



  1. Vampire Weekend - Only God Was Above Us



AB: Unlike my Album of the Month podcast co-hosts, I was fully on board with Vampire Weekend's follow-up to the disappointing Father of the Bride. This to me was a return to form for the band, reminding me of why I fell in love with them in the first place.


Further viewing:



  1. Nilüfer Yanya - My Method Actor



GC: My Method Actor reveals Yanya’s vulnerability through smooth guitar riffs and soulful vocals. This album feels personal and cinematic, capturing themes of self-discovery and introspection.


AB: Having been a huge fan of PAINLESS and generally of Yanya's, my expectations were sky high and further increased from the first two singles promoting the album. These two songs and the opener provided an unattainable level for the rest of the album which contained great slow songs but dampened the electricity coursing through the start of the record. A very good album nonetheless.


Further viewing:



  1. Pond - Stung!



AB: Best known for their association with Tame Impala, Pond have been quietly prolific over the past decade and Stung! - their 10th album - is a kaleidoscopic account of various relationships and the emotions at the heart of them.


  1. The Miserable Rich - Overcome



AB: Built on the foundations of despair and repair, Overcome is a triumph of the human spirit to carry on even in the bleakest of circumstances. Emotionally draining at times, tragedy might be the inspiration at the heart of the record, but plenty of other topics are covered to add light to the darkest shades contained within.



  1. The Last Dinner Party - Prelude to Ecstasy



GC: Prelude to Ecstasy blends baroque pop with modern indie rock, creating a lush, theatrical atmosphere. The Last Dinner Party’s intricate instrumentation and poetic lyrics demonstrate why they have become such a sensation in the past year.


AB: Validating the hype surrounding the band, the album pays homage to the likes of Kate Bush, Florence + The Machine and Queen, adding to the catalogue of eccentric, theatrical British rock records.


Further viewing:



  1. Tyler, The Creator - CHROMAKOPIA



AB: An artist who just doesn't miss, Tyler, the Creator's surprise release late in the year is packed with so much lyrical and musical depth covering a range of topics most prescient to being a hugely famous man in your 30s as life changes. A rollercoaster ride.


  1. Beabadoobee - This is How Tomorrow Moves



GC: 'A deeply self-assured record with a vast sonic scope of rock and pop, which still manages to maintain all the charm of Beatopia.'



  1. Wunderhorse - Midas



GC: Midas brings gritty rock energy, showcasing Wunderhorse’s powerful lyricism and raw instrumentation. Each track is charged with emotion, making it an intense and immersive listen.


AB: A raw rock record with plenty to admire from a band on the rise.


Further viewing:



  1. Fontaines D.C. - Romance



AB: How would Fontaines fare after Grian Chatten's excellent solo record in 2023? Extremely well was the answer. The Dublin band seemed revitalised on their fourth LP, adding interesting quirks to Chatten's vocals and sounding more expansive and assured than ever before.


Further viewing:



  1. Charli XCX - BRAT



GC: BRAT is an undeniable force in 2024; bold and edgy, Charli XCX pushes boundaries in electro-pop production. It has been the anthem of 2024 for many, with the green cover being unavoidable during this year's 'BRAT summer'.


AB: Listening in to see what all the fuss was about, BRAT is a unique conception, with its bassy electronic hyperpop undeniably alluring even for someone like me!


  1. Owen - The Falls of Sioux



KB: 'It’s the sound of a one-of-a-kind artist in the absolute prime of his career and I can’t help but feel its only going to get better from here.'



AB: Having felt so-so about LIES last year, Owen seems far more to my liking with The Falls of Sioux an impressive chamber folk album.


Further viewing:



  1. IDLES - Tangk



AB: Dialling down the post-punk aesthetic and focuses of hatred, the Bristol band instead turned their attention to the concept of love on their fifth album. The sonic invention went up a notch and the songs were no less thrilling for this rescoping of their music and themes they choose to address.


Further viewing:



  1. The Cure - Songs of a Lost World



AB: Lovingly crafted 16 years after their last album, Songs of a Lost World is an immersive listen of lush instrumentation and a brooding atmosphere which sees Robert Smith address loss in an uncompromising direct style which is surprising and satisfying.


  1. Haley Heynderickx - Seed of a Seed



AB: Six years on from stunning debut I Need to Start a Garden, Heynderickx returned with a similarly beautiful effort, musing on nature, identity and relationships in a folksy style not surpassed in 2024.


  1. St. Vincent - All Born Screaming



AB: Previewed by the Nine Inch Nails-esque 'Broken Man' and 'Flea', All Born Screaming is heavily influenced by industrial rock, but also delves into poppier terrain towards the back end of the album, with Annie Clark dragged down by the constant scrutiny of fame.


Further viewing:



  1. Michael Kiwanuka - Small Changes



AB: The follow-up to the Mercury Prize-winning KIWANUKA arrived with little fanfare and saw Kiwanuka revert back to a more considered arrangement. The reach back to his quintessential style paid off with a quietly compelling record lulling you into his world of smooth vocals and lush instrumentation.


  1. Du Blonde - Sniff More Gritty



AB: Beth Jeans Houghton - AKA Du Blonde - carried on where she left off with 2021's Homecoming, inviting an array of special guests to join her in addressing weighty topics, while Houghton also found room for lighter moments and smaller issues, all accompanied by her husky vocals and absorbing guitar riffs.



  1. Molly Payton - YOYOTTA



GC: My album of the year, YOYOTTA showcases Molly Payton’s rich voice and indie-rock spirit, blending often melancholic themes with a resilient energy and catchy melodies. This album has an authentic feel, portraying growth and vulnerability from an artist who has gone through a lot in recent years.


AB: Calling to mind artists such as Lucy Dacus and The Cranberries, YOYOTTA is an excellent debut record from a bright new talent.


  1. Nia Archives - Silence is Loud



AB: Another unique entry on the list, Nia's brand of emo lyrics set to jungle music makes for an emotional and energetic listen which doesn't outstay its welcome and realises the potential of the musician which her output in the lead-up to this debut album suggested was there.


  1. Bladee - Cold Visions



GC: Cold Visions delves into dark, atmospheric electronic beats, embodying Bladee’s ethereal, otherworldly aesthetic. The album’s moody soundscape is introspective and haunting, pushing the limits of experimental rap.


  1. Magdalena Bay - Imaginal Disk



AB: Dream-pop taken to another level, the second album by the Los Angeles duo takes you to their world - a world which ponders perception versus reality, big life decisions and relationships. Never dull, this was THE pop album of 2024 for me.


  1. Another Sky - Beach Day



AB: And so we come to our top album of 2024. Beach Day won the March edition of the Album of the Month podcast and continued to stay with me throughout the year. Following a narrative arc conveying the anger of broken relationships and the disappointment these provoke, the back part of the album sees the band look forward to better times, having gone through this catharsis. Not only is it a great album, thematically giving a facelift to Alannis Morisette's Jagged Little Pill, but for the band to even create it was an achievement in itself considering the challenges they have faced since their 2019 debut. The drama doesn't end there unfortunately with the status of the band currently unknown following the cancellation of their UK tour last autumn. In this context, the accolade feels bittersweet but, ultimately, it is more than well deserved and I hope they return soon so this doesn't end up being an outstanding parting gift.


Further viewing:



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