Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2024. Our next list is from volunteer Joshua Thompson.

To briefly preface this list, I want to emphasize how challenging it was to put it together. There were plenty of strong releases that came out this year and narrowing them down (especially for the 6-10 spots) took a lot of mulling over.

That being said, I encourage readers to check out not only those releases from the list they've yet to hear, but the many gems found in the honorable mentions section too. Here's to an even better year for music in 2025!

#1 No Title as of 13 February 2024 28,340 Dead by Godspeed You! Black Emperor (Constellation)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Legendary post-rock outfit Godspeed You! Black Emperor returns with one of their most harrowing and, arguably, most important records yet.

No Title as of 13 February 2024 28,340 Dead is a direct and scathing critique of the ongoing genocide in Palestine. The band invokes imagery of war and suffering through the use of their classic instrumentation combined with striking titles like the opener "SUN IS A HOLE SUN IS VAPORS" or "BABYS IN A THUNDERCLOUD".

The record is apocalyptic and devastating, especially when combined with their choice of imagery at live shows. I had the privilege of seeing them for the second time at The Salt Shed this past November, and the moment where they filmed a field of flowers being unceremoniously burned as "BABYS IN A THUNDERCLOUD" reached its climax will stick with me for a very long time.

Despite the suffering indirectly put on display with this record, it still manages to end on an almost optimistic note with the track "GREY RUBBLE - GREEN SHOOTS", a statement that something new and beautiful can be reborn from the ashes of this terrible, never-ending tragedy. An absolute must-listen.

#2 Imaginal Disk by Magdalena Bay (Mom + Pop)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Synthpop duo Magdalena Bay returned this year with their sophomore album Imaginal Disk. Imaginal Disk is pretty much everything you could want out of a synthpop record and more. The duo uses the album as a tool to go all over the place stylistically while tackling themes of love and identity throughout.

Although the album is full of highlights front to back, I would be remiss not to mention the lavish "Cry for Me", an ABBA-inspired cut consisting of stunning pianos, synth lines, and the album's most striking songwriting.

The fact that the duo started off with a debut as strong as Mercurial World and only managed to improve their sound and consistency here is an almost unbelievable feat.

Imaginal Disk, in certain circles, is shaping up to be THE musical highlight of 2024, and my guess is that time will only continue to do it justice. Highly recommended for any pop fans that missed this one.

#3 Where We've Been, Where We Go From Here by Friko (ATO Records)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

One of the year's biggest musical surprises for me. I remember browsing through new music back in late February only to stumble across Where We've Been, Where We Go From Here. Friko, on this record, present an excellent indie rock debut that is equal parts refreshing and nostalgic.

Channeling the likes of Bright Eyes, Friko bounce between softer, piano-driven ballads like "For Ella" to headbangers like "Crimson to Chrome" and "Get Numb to It!" The track "Chemical" off this album was my third most listened to song of the year (and my most listened to song that released in 2024), and each time I hear the repetitive shouts of the title on the chorus reminds me why.

Based on this album, and what I saw from the band when they performed at Metro in March, Friko exudes a genuine love for their friends and community that is brought to life through their music.

I look forward with great anticipation to see what Friko does next, and in the meantime encourage all who have yet to hear it to check out Where We've Been, Where We Go From Here.

#4 Patterns in Repeat by Laura Marling (Partisan and Chrysalis Records)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Patterns in Repeat is an absolutely gorgeous outing from folk singer-songwriter Laura Marling. 2020's Song For Our Daughter found Marling writing to an imaginary, future child.

In February 2023, Marling gave birth to her first daughter. Patterns in Repeat takes the thematic cues from Song For Our Daughter and applies them to Marling's new daughter and her actual experiences as a mother.

This new thematic focus, combined with a variety of acoustic and orchestral instrumentation, makes for an emotional tribute to the love and anxiety inherent to motherhood.

Not only is Patterns in Repeat potentially Marling's strongest album to date, but it is absolutely one of 2024's highlights. Recommended for all folk fans.

#5 Moves in the Field by Kelly Moran (Warp Records)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Moves in the Field is an exercise in sheer beauty. Abandoning the prepared piano from 2018's Ultraviolet, pianist Kelly Moran focuses on providing a serene soundscape made up of only piano. The result is nothing short of pure expression and emotion.

Moves in the Field's simplicity is more than made up for with its serenity, and Moran's compositions continue to solidify her as one of the most impressive names in minimalism right now.

#6 Dark Times by Vince Staples (Blacksmith and Def Jam Recordings)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Easily my favorite hip hop release of the year. Vince Staples sets an absolutely killer tone on Dark Times throughout its runtime. The beats are great, channeling older hip hop influences while adding an echoey, almost psychedelic feel to them.

Vince is at his A-game throughout too, both in verse and in chorus (especially the unforgettable chorus of "Étouffée"). Put simply, Dark Times is the sum of its great parts, highly recommended for hip hop fans.

#7 Lancé esto al otro lado del mar by Cristóbal Avendaño & Silvia Moreno (Self-Released)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Lancé esto al otro lado del mar ("I threw this across the sea") is the debut collaboration between Chilean folk artist Cristóbal Avendaño and Spanish poet/vocalist Silvia Moreno. The structure of this album is pretty straightforward: Avendaño provides a warm, acoustic foundation for Moreno's spoken word vocals, best exemplified on the title track "XXIII - Lancé esto al otro lado del mar" and "XVII - Distancia".

This combination usually serves for a serene and emotional experience that is amplified by the content of Moreno's poems (translations, for which, can be found on their Bandcamp page).

However, there are a few moments that break from this formula. For example, Avendaño's excellent guitar work gets a chance to shine on purely instrumental tracks like "Introducción" and "XII - Espera II".

As a final break from the mold, the outro track "Hidden Track" features a short yet breathtaking vocal performance from Moreno unlike her spoken word on the rest of the album.

All-in-all, Lancé esto al otro lado del mar is one of the most stunning folk albums of the year, and its entirety is well worth your time.

#8 The New Sound by Geordie Greep (Rough Trade)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

It's difficult to talk about 2024 albums without mentioning The New Sound. Former black midi frontman Georgie Greep's debut is a naturally culmination of his work with black midi, combining some of the more theatric moments from albums like Hellfire with a musical attention to detail that has, deservedly, earned Greep comparisons to Steely Dan's Donald Fagan.

Although not my favorite of the year, The New Sound might be one of the most immaculate records of the year. Highly recommended for fans of black midi, fans of jazz-rock and prog rock, and audiophiles in general.

#9 Whispers From the Bloc Obscure by Katia Krow (Self-Released)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Emirati musician Odi Suood returns with another album under the Katia Krow moniker, continuing his exploration of ambient/drone.

Whispers From the Bloc Obscure is massively influenced and informed by darker ambient and vaporwave sounds, setting a wintery tone that is cold and vaguely sinister.

The walls of sound Katia Krow builds on this album finds a proper balance between overstimulating and soothing. Highly recommended for ambient/drone fans.

#10 Tidal Memory Exo by Iglooghost (LuckyMe)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Admittedly, if I had made this list earlier in the year this album would have been much higher. That being said, Tidal Memory Exo feels a bit too special not to include it when discussing the year.

Iglooghost combines a number of sounds and genres to create a memorable experimental hip hop release that can only be described as futuristic.

Iglooghost's monotonous vocal delivery serves as a platform for some absolutely striking production that has to be heard to be fully appreciated.

Although far from my favorite of the year, Tidal Memory Exo has the potential to be one of the more influential albums to come out of 2024, if future artists take the right lessons away from it.

Honorable Mentions

Archaic by Orkun A.
Cowboy Carter by Beyoncé
Ethereal Essence by Cornelius
Kyle Gordon is Great by Kyle Gordon
My Light, My Destroyer by Cassandra Jenkins
Night Palace by Mount Eerie
A Lonely Sinner by samlrc
Snow as a Metaphor for Death by SENTRIES
Wall of Eyes by The Smile
If I Don't Make It, I Love U by Still House Plants
No Hands by Joey Valence & Brae