Words by Katherine Cardinale
As the weather grows colder and the days become shorter, I think I can speak for everyone when I say that our collective attention has turned to our favorite streaming services’ yearly recap feature, whether that be Spotify Wrapped, Apple Music Replay, or something else. There is just something so satisfying about seeing all of our streaming stats summarized in a way that allows us to easily share and talk about them with others. With breakout stars like Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, and Benson Boone stepping into the spotlight, as well as A-list favorites like Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and Ariana Grande releasing chart-topping albums, this was a fantastic year in music no matter which genres you enjoy.
It feels as though everyone released new music this year, and we at Loudspeaker Collective certainly found our favorites. When reading over our contributors’ responses to what their favorite release of 2024 was, I was pleasantly surprised to see that many different artists were name dropped across multiple genres, and I believe that this variety reflects the diversity of our collective. If you are on the lookout for your next favorite artist, album, or song, read on to see what our contributors had to say about their top picks of the year!
Katherine: Don’t Forget Me by Maggie Rogers
Why: “I have been following Maggie Rogers since 2018, but this year I became a huge fan following the release of her most recent album, Don’t Forget Me. This musical release shaped my 2024 and was the catalyst for new friendships, other musical finds, and more. I got to see Maggie in venues of all sizes this year, and I am in awe of how these songs (as well as her older ones) come to life when she is performing on stages both big and small. Despite selling out Madison Square Garden this fall, Maggie is, in my opinion, extremely underrated. If you haven’t gotten the chance to listen to Don’t Forget Me yet, this is absolutely your sign!”
Why: “Charm always brightens my mood. It’s perfect for studying, daydreaming, and dancing around my room.”
Grace: good old days by Henry Moodie
Why: “It seamlessly captures the essence of nostalgia and emotional depth through its diverse tracklist. Each song—from the heartfelt “Good Old Days” to the introspective “The Old Me”—offers a unique blend of relatable lyrics and soulful melodies that resonated with me throughout the year. The track “Right Person Wrong Time” beautifully explores the complexities of timing in relationships, while “Still Dancing” and “Beat Up Car” add a sense of resilience and charm, making this EP a standout favorite for its authenticity and emotional impact.”
Skylar: TIMELESS by KAYTRANADA
Why: “Every track on this record is groundbreaking and unique. KAYTRANADA’s signature chopped instrumentals and distinct drum patterns shine alongside over a dozen vocalists that feature on the album (many of them long-time favorites of mine), including Don Toliver, Channel Tres, PinkPantheress, Childish Gambino, Tinashe, and Ravyn Lenae. I was hooked on my first listen, and had a hard time getting into anything else for a while. This was a beautifully crafted project, and has a cohesiveness that can be hard to come by.”
Kacie: Escaper by Sarah Kinsley
Why: “This album has a lot of whimsical, cinematic and unique sounds that I immediately gravitated towards. The use of varying instruments, and its innovative production style makes this body of work its own original masterpiece!”
Madeline: Marietta by Medium Build
Why: “I first heard Medium Build live as an opener for Julien Baker in LA, and I instantly fell in love. He brought out Julien Baker and they played “Yoke” (a song from the EP) and killed it. Near the end of his set, he said he was going to play a new song called “John & Lydia.” Medium Build talked about how this song was about his parents and looking back on his relationship with them. When he played it the whole venue was speechless, silent with tears. After that performance, I knew he was a new favorite artist of mine. When the EP released and both “Yoke” and “John & Lydia” were on it, it quickly became my favorite music release of this year.”
Alicia: CHROMAKOPIA by Tyler, The Creator
Why: “Tyler, the Creator’s ability to push creative boundaries with his production is beyond me. I was able to turn up to some tracks like “Sticky,” then be moved by his vulnerability and maturity with “Like Him” and “Take Your Mask Off.””
Melissa: Shawn by Shawn Mendes
Why: “Listening to this album feels like a warm and comforting hug. He is very open and vulnerable with his lyrics, allowing many people to connect to it. Furthermore, in all of his songs, you can clearly hear each instrument, especially the guitar, beautifully.”
Gabrielle: “&” (Ampersand) by Bastille
Why: “Bastille has always been a musical force to be reckoned with, as they are always pushing the boundaries. With this album, each song covers a story popular in history (e.g. “Seasons & Narcissus”), and presents it from the subject’s point of view. This is one of the most unique takes on a concept album that I have ever seen, and coupled with Bastille’s incredible lyrics, the storytelling is otherworldly.”
Paige: HIT ME HARD AND SOFT by Billie Eilish
Why: “As someone who had never been much of a Billie listener before, I was surprised by how deeply I fell into HIT ME HARD AND SOFT. After years of overlooking her music, just seven months after HMHAS’s release, Billie is my 5th most-streamed artist of all time.
As its title suggests, HMHAS delves into not only a range of emotions but the contradictory nature of their coexistence. Why do I love somebody who hurts me? Can I hold sympathy for you and also hate you a little bit? These questions ripple through the album, carried by an overarching aquatic motif that never once sounds the same.
I struggle to stand my ground amidst the rainstorm of rising pulses in “CHIHIRO.” I stare blankly at a leaking faucet during the intro of “SKINNY.” And sinking slowly, I ride the doomed ship of “THE GREATEST” until I’m coughing up water, only to swallow it all back down at the song’s close.
The album took me by surprise and I believe it to be a huge step up from her already strong body of work. I can’t wait to see what she does next.”
Jaz: HIT ME HARD AND SOFT by Billie Eilish
Why: “I’ve never been the biggest Billie Eilish fan, however when my musician partner showed the album to me I gained a whole new perspective on Billie’s songwriting and structural capabilities. Each song on the album presents its own unique sound, yet they still perfectly blend together to make a beautiful array of songs. Her vocals really shine through but not enough to take away from the complexities of the instrumentation. My favourite part is that even though some of the songs are considered “overplayed,” I have never once found them annoying in comparison to other songs floating around on TikTok and Reels. It’s just such a happy album you can’t help but love, and this album has given me a whole new appreciation for Billie and her music.”
Gabe: I Got Heaven by Mannequin Pussy
Why: “Mannequin Pussy has never failed to put out a great album. This album though, is filled with so much raw energy and lyrics you can relate to. This band has never shied away from being loudly political in their lyricism and you can hear that in this album as well. The opening song, also titled “I Got Heaven,” is a masterpiece. This song is filled with anger towards U.S. legislation and the power that religion has on it. It has some angelic riff and vocals right before the anger of the verses begins, it’s a perfect mix. Which I think perfectly sets the tone for the rest of this album. “I Got Heaven” was my top song of this year and seeing it live was life changing! “Loud Bark” is a very close second.”
Jackie: Spiral In A Straight Line by Touché Amoré
Why: “It has a great mixture of post-hardcore songs that are classic for the band as well as more slower alt-rock songs. However, they still retain their honest songwriting and expertly callback to their previous work. Their frank discussions of mental health resonate throughout.”
Whether you had a Deeper Well spring, BRAT summer, brent iii fall, or Wicked winter, we hope you had a great year in music. Here is a playlist featuring each contributor’s favorite song from their favorite 2024 music release. We hope that you love these picks as much as we do!
Loudspeaker Collective 