The Independent's Best Albums of 2024

Bidding farewell to 2024, The Independent’s music critics Mark Beaumont and Helen Brown count down the best albums of the year

Published: November 30, 2024 08:15 Source

# 1

Romance by Fontaines D.C.

Album • Aug 23 / 2024 Indie Rock Alternative Rock

# 2

BRAT by Charli XCX

Album • Jun 07 / 2024 Electropop Electronic Dance Music

# 3

Only God Was Above Us by Vampire Weekend

Album • Apr 05 / 2024 Indie Rock Chamber Pop

# 4

Wild God by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

Album • Aug 30 / 2024 Singer-Songwriter Art Rock

# 5

Bright Future by Adrianne Lenker

Album • Mar 22 / 2024 Singer-Songwriter Contemporary Folk

# 6

Nobody Loves You More by Kim Deal

Album • Nov 22 / 2024 Indie Rock

# 7

CHROMAKOPIA by Tyler, The Creator

Album • Oct 28 / 2024 West Coast Hip Hop Neo-Soul

# 8

Songs of a Lost World by The Cure

Album • Jan 01 / 2023 Gothic Rock Alternative Rock

# 9

Patterns in Repeat by Laura Marling

Album • Oct 25 / 2024 Chamber Folk Singer-Songwriter

# 10

Wall of Eyes by The Smile

Album • Jan 26 / 2024 Art Rock Post-Rock

# 11

COWBOY CARTER by Beyoncé

Album • Mar 29 / 2024 Country Pop

# 12

Death Songbook by Paraorchestra

Album • Apr 19 / 2024

# 13

This Could Be Texas by English Teacher

Album • Apr 12 / 2024 Indie Rock Art Rock

# 14

HIT ME HARD AND SOFT by Billie Eilish

Album • May 17 / 2024 Alt-Pop

# 15

Viva Hinds by Hinds

Album • Sep 06 / 2024 Indie Rock Pop Rock

# 16

Short n' Sweet by Sabrina Carpenter

Album • Aug 23 / 2024 Pop

# 17

Five Dice, All Threes by Bright Eyes

Album • Sep 20 / 2024 Indie Rock

# 18

GNX by Kendrick Lamar

Album • Nov 21 / 2024 West Coast Hip Hop

# 19

THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT by Taylor Swift

Album • Apr 19 / 2024 Alt-Pop

# 20

Prelude to Ecstasy by The Last Dinner Party

Album • Feb 02 / 2024 Indie Rock Pop Rock Glam Rock