2024: Noisescape’s Top Releases of the Year
It’s our favorite time of year again! Everyone’s soundtrack of 2024 varies, which is why we wanted to highlight some of our personally significant releases from the year as well as our readers’ favorites. Since we are a publication dedicated to showcasing a wide array of genres, the selections were naturally eclectic. Before getting into our final results, a few of our staff members & readers submitted their favorite albums that were released this year.
Staff & Reader Picks
TRAIL OF FLOWERS - SIERRA FERRELL
A diverse, poetic project showcasing one of country/folk’s most promising rising artists, Trail of Flowers by Sierra Ferrell is my album of the year. As I listened to this album for the first time, I loved the diversity of sounds found throughout this project. Each track has a distinct style, though still being in the country/folk wheelhouse. Songs such as “Fox Hunt” are a real barnburner with thumping drums and scorching fiddle. Ferrell explores a past relationship gone sour over the angelic production of “Wish You Well.” And, of course, no country album would be complete without a murder ballad. “Rosemary” takes us to the hills of Appalachia, where Ferrell paints a picture of love, betrayal, and murder as her lover abandons her for another. Ferrell, a West Virginia native, had quite the year in 2024; Trail of Flowers has been nominated for four Grammys, the first significant nominations of her career. Ferrell also made her mark on the road, headlining her ‘Shoot for the Moon’ tour from March to September, seeing multiple sellouts throughout the year. The star looks to continue her ascension in 2025 as she opens for Post Malone and Jelly Roll on the ‘Big Ass Stadium Tour.’
- Greg Hartley (@hartleymedia)
LISTEN: Spotify | Apple Music | Amazon
LE VOYAGEUR - CALOÉ
Caloé’s latest album Le Voyageur is a spellbinding masterpiece blending jazz, folk, and pop. The album follows the (mostly) imagined tales of its titular character, "The Traveler,” as they navigate worlds both serene and stormy, capturing the heartache, joy, and solitude of life on the move. With her trio’s dynamic interplay and stunning contributions from guest musicians like Olga Amelchenko on saxophone and Christian Altehülshorst on trumpet, Caloé’s creativity shines in every note. With this album, Caloé delivers an immersive, cinematic experience. Anyone down to animate this enchanting story?
- Laury Verdoux (@lr_musique)
LISTEN: Spotify | Apple Music | Amazon
CLANCY - TWENTY ONE PILOTS
The culmination of over 10 years of lore and storytelling reached its pinnacle on Twenty One Pilots' Clancy. Singles like “Overcompensate” boast rich soundscapes and hidden layers one can still discover 7 months post-release. Even with a hefty catalog, the band did not shy away from experimenting with new sounds. The punk-rock "Next Semester" grapples with themes of escapism and rebirth that contrast the cheeky "Lavish," which playfully critiques the industry. The highly anticipated face-off against Nico, a character first named in their 2018 album Trench, is depicted beautifully on the album's final track, “Paladin Strait.” This cohesive 13-track album brings new and old fans through a journey of all the emotions. Whether it be tearing up at "Oldies Station" lyric "push on through" or belting out the chorus to "Navigating," there is something for every listener to enjoy.
- Samantha Davidson (@samantha.s.photo.s)
LISTEN: Spotify | Apple Music | Amazon
BRAT - CHARLI XCX
It's not too often an is artist playing on radio stations across the globe, at the top of pop charts; decides they want to change lanes and head back into the DJ underground, where they have deep seeded roots— but that's the direction Charli XCX took. What makes brat so incredible to me is how Charli remained uncompromising, as she has for the past decade, and yet she somehow ends up more famous than she ever was. Collaborating with longtime PC Music contemporaries such as A.G. Cook, Charli returns to the centre of attention. She may question whether or not she deserves mainstream success but the fans and myself certainly do not. Standout songs: "Guess," "Von Dutch," "360," and the album as whole will remain in my rotation for quite sometime. Brat is bold, boastful, unique and true to what I believe makes Charli a standout artist.
- Colin MacDougall (@n.illie)
LISTEN: Spotify | Apple Music | Amazon
SPIRAL IN A STRAIGHT LINE - TOUCHÉ AMORÉ
The long-anticipated album from Touché Amoré effortlessly blends their signature melodic hardcore edge with atmospheric and expansive indie rock. Heart-shattering lyricism, chronicling the end of a relationship, imbues the record with grief that most, if not all, of us can deeply understand. Julien Baker and Lou Barlow feature on this album, individually adding their golden touch to an already remarkable piece of art. Spiral in a Straight Line is necessary listening for anyone who has survived a season of heartbreak.
- Britta Joseph
LISTEN: Spotify | Apple Music | Amazon
CHROMAKOPIA - TYLER, THE CREATOR
CHROMAKOPIA is yet another installment in Tyler's amazing catalog. From the album rollout to performing the album live at his festival in Los Angeles, this album has been amazing to experience. From listening to Tyler whisper the intro to screaming "IT’S GETTIN STICKY" to crying my eyes out listening to "Like Him;" this album is a true masterpiece and might just be Tyler's best album to date.
- Kiaira Jordan (@Kiairajordan)
LISTEN: Spotify | Apple Music | Amazon
Our Readers’ Favorite Releases of 2024
TOP 5 SINGLES OF THE YEAR
“Guess” - Charli XCX (ft. Billie Eilish)
“Messy” - Lola Young
“That’s So True” - Gracie Abrams
“Sticky” - Tyler, The Creator
“Starburned and Unkissed” - Caroline Polachek
TOP 5 EPs OF THE YEAR
Unbound - Chelsea Wolfe
Whiplash - aespa
Persona - GEL
Give an Inch - Laura Jane Grace
tell me your feelings and i won‘t tell you mine, Pt. 3 - Powfu
TOP 5 BREAKTHROUGH ARTISTS OF THE YEAR
Chappell Roan
Doechii
Sierra Ferrell
Lola Young
Royel Otis
Your Top 10 Albums of the Year
CHROMAKOPIA - Tyler, The Creator
brat - Charli XCX
Alligator Bites Never Heal - Doechii
Cowboy Carter - Beyoncé
Charm - Clairo
SMILE! :D - Porter Robinson
Two Star & The Dream Police - Mk.gee
HIT ME HARD AND SOFT - Billie Eilish
I Got Heaven - Mannequin Pussy
Clancy - Twenty One Pilots
Just like every year, we’ve curated a Noisescape playlist comprised of all the tracks & artists listed above as well as a bunch of other tracks released this year that didn’t make the cut. So, if you feel like you missed out on some releases this year, our playlist is a great way to catch up before the new year! Or just revel in all of the fantastic music.