Gonna be honest – 2024 was a tough year for me personally; and then it was undeniably a hugely tough year for the world, collectively, in so many different ways. But when everything felt like it was on fire – music was there to dim the flames. Music may not be the answer to everything, and it may not solve all of our problems – but it sure is a way to express them, feel them, move through them. It is there for us in both our pain and our joy – and this year it was there for us in spades. Far, far too much amazing music came out this year to narrow down to a top ten, but alas, it must be done. So! While there are at least a hundred that could be on this list, if not more, these are the top ten albums that were there for me in the dark and in the light, that made me dance, that made me sing, that held space for tears, or that celebrated the beauty of life by my side: my most listened to, most memorable music of the year – the music that really stole my heart. My Soul albums! And, because there were also so many incredible EP’s this year, I am sneaking in a list of my top favorites: Rotana – IBQI, Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith & Joe Goddard – Neptunes, Maya Randle – Composure, and LYR – Blossomise.
| Artist | Album | Label | |
| 1 | Marika Hackman | Big Sigh | Chrysalis |
| 2 | Laurie Anderson | Amelia | Nonesuch |
| 3 | Peel Dream Magazine | Rose Main Reading Room | Topshelf |
| 4 | Quivers | Oyster Cuts | Merge |
| 5 | Leah Callahan | Curious Tourist | Self-released |
| 6 | The Goalie’s Anxiety at the Penalty Kick | The Iliad and The Odyssey and the Goalie’s Anxiety at the Penalty Kick |
Count Your Lucky Stars
|
| 7 | Astrid Sonne | Great Doubt | Escho |
| 8 | The Waeve | City Lights | Transgressive |
| 9 | Bolis Pupul | Letter to Yu | Deewee |
| 10 | Parra for Cuva | Mimose | Self-released |
