2024 AOTY ranking

2024 was probably the first year i actively paid attention to what music was dropping (not just stuff on the radio lol) and really felt in the loop. there were plenty of albums that i "missed"... but i don't want to be the last living person on earth to hear BRAT in full right now. here's my top 5!

5. CHROMAKOPIA - Tyler, The Creator

- this is my first tyler album, and i really enjoyed it, it made me want to get through the whole thing in one sitting, which is not something i usually do. fav track: Like Him

4. No Name - Jack White

- i put off listening to this for a while, because i have been disappointed with some solo projects from broken-up bands in the past. i did not have to worry at all! the simple style of music represents the simple message of the album: Jack White is still capable of making something as great as the average White Stripes record, and we will never doubt him again, slay king.

3. Imaginal Disk - Magdalena Bay

- this took FOREVER to grow on me, but when it did, it did. nothing about the style really connected to me at first, and i do think the hype on the internet for it took some interest away from me. but, this album has some of the best pop songs of the year: That's My Floor, Image, She Looked Like Me!, and the stand-out, Death & Romance. i recommend it to literally everyone i know now. 

2. SMILE! :D - Porter Robinson

- ok, i am talking so much, so i'll keep it short. the storytelling about porter grappling with his fame? Amazing. accompanying visuals (mvs and website, aesthetic stuff)? W. the shift in sound from Nurture is very clear, but i appreciate his willingness to try new things. fav track: Is There Really No Happiness?

1. Only God Was Above Us - Vampire Weekend

- idek what to say, this album is so damn good. the elements of baroque (classical?) music make the style so unique. Vampire Weekend's trajectory seems to follow that of The Strokes: early years = indie icons, slight drop in quality as they get more pressure to do well, and finally one really great album to prove they've still got it. 

honorable mentions bc i talk too much: SHINBANGUMI - Ginger Root, Where We've Been, Where We Go From Here - Friko, Medicine s/t, plastic death - glass beach