2024 has been packed with amazing albums but you might be wondering, what were Maura’s favorite albums of the year? Well you’re here to find out. To preface, these are albums that I rated 8/10 or above. Also, these are my opinions and if you don’t like them write your own article about it.
Now it’s time for the real thing.
- “What a Relief” – Katie Gavin – 8/10
Favorite Song: “Sweet Abby Girl”
Katie Gavin’s first solo album “What a Relief” feels very cathartic and has beautiful instrumentals. I normally follow Gavin’s work through her band MUNA, but I’m very glad I tried this album because I think calmer pop music can be appreciated as much as when it’s upbeat. This album also opens and closes beautifully. My favorite song is “Sweet Abby Girl” because I also had a dog when I was younger named Abby and I think it’s cute that she has a song dedicated to her dog that passed before the album finished.
- “Short n’ Sweet” – Sabrina Carpenter – 8.5/10
Favorite song: “Taste”
Sabrina Carpenter’s album “Short n’ Sweet” is exactly how it says it is. Her sixth album gives us hit singles such as “Espresso” and “Please Please Please.” I’m really enjoying this female pop artist renaissance. Carpenter’s music is epitome of made by women for women. Her music is sexually driven in a perfect way where it boosts other’s self-esteem and isn’t over the top. It is wonderfully made and I would highly recommend it.
- “Hit Me Hard and Soft” – Billie Eilish – 8.5/10
Favorite song: “L’AMOUR DE MA VIE”
In her third album “Hit Me Hard and Soft,” Billie Eilish explores themes that bends genres and defies trends. Overall, I really enjoyed this album. I have dabbled in Eilish’s music in the past with songs like “bellyache” and “my boy” but being able to listen to a whole album of hers and seeing how she puts songs together to make an album is a fulfilling way to experience her talent.
- “I Love You So Fucking Much” – Glass Animals – 9/10
Favorite Song: “A Tear in Space (Airlock)”
Many people did not enjoy this album, but I fortunately did. Glass Animals fourth studio album “I Love You So Fucking Much” (ILYSFM) has all to do with my favorite subject, love. While many people dislike this album due to how much it sounds like their single “Heat Waves” off of their third album, I actually very much enjoyed that song. This album feels very floaty and is enjoyable just to close your eyes and listen to while laying in the sun. I’ve listened to their past albums and they are all very good as well, they definitely have different vibes but are still very good.
- “Clancy” – Twenty One Pilots – 9.5/10
Favorite song: “Midwest Indigo”
“Clancy” is Twenty One Pilots’ sixth album, and finally closes the album saga that has started since “Blurryface” (2015). I have always been a huge Pilots fan since “Blurryface,” and safe to say “Clancy” does not disappoint. Tyler Joseph has a great way of helping people cope with depression and mental illness through his lyrics and the storyline of the last three albums. Now I don’t have time to get into the whole storyline and cryptic messages but if you are interested, you should check out their music. Concept albums are my favorite type of album and this is definitely up there in my favorites. The vibes peak and dip throughout the album, so there are songs for every mood.
To end this off, I have two honorable mentions since they are pretty close to 8/10s and I still think they deserve a blurb.
- “The Great Impersonator” – Halsey (7.6/10)
- “Brat” – Charli XCX (7/10)
I really enjoyed these two albums, but they unfortunately didn’t make the full cut. Halsey makes great (and heartbreaking) music but it just didn’t get high enough. For “Brat,” I just didn’t enjoy it as listening music, it’s club music at its heart, however, if anything off that album plays in the club, you know I’m going to dance.
