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CHIRP Radio writesCHIRP Radio’s Top Ten Albums of 2024
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There are mere hours left in the year, which means it’s time to unveil CHIRP Radio’s top ten albums of 2024! Often, the most cited albums on CHIRP’s final lists veer away from what’s considered the mainstream of music media. Once in a while, though, a record will create a solid consensus between the commercial and independent scenes. Such was the case in ‘24, as the sixth studio album from a UK electropop singer/songwriter grabbed the world by the [redacted] and didn’t let go, to the delight of listeners and critics up and down the dial. We hope the records presented here and throughout this series will inspire you to listen to some of the great music you might have heard of, and maybe explore some you haven’t. And now, 2025 is knocking on the door – the beat goes on. From all of us at CHIRP Radio, thanks for listening, and Happy New Year! |
#1 Brat by Charli XCX (Atlantic)
In a year in which things just seemed to get worse, the girl from Essex delivered the best album of the year by far. brat is both vulnerable and volatile. And four months later she released one of the best remix albums ever produced. Both albums tie for first place on this list and in my heart. It took a while but Charli XCX is a global superstar, providing the perfect soundtrack to a world filled with chaos and constant change. –Eddie Sayago |
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#2 Tigers Blood by Waxahatchee (Anti-)
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#3 (TIE) Diamond Jubilee by Cindy Lee (Realistik)
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#3 (TIE) Manning Fireworks by MJ Lenderman (Anti-)
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#5 Imaginal Disk by Magdalena Bay (Mom + Pop)
Magdalena Bay's sophomore release is a concept album that explores if you had an operating program inserted into your brain. It is incredibly well paced and momentum driven that takes the listener far into space by the beginning of last third of the record. Regardless whether it was a concept album or not, it demands to be listened to in order. I don't think I've even tried to listen in shuffle. I've dubbed Imaginal Disk a post-pop (a currently non-existent genre as of writing) album. It is clearly a variation of pop but is completely divorced from Top 40s or even indie pop (its not even a Jubilee by Japanese Breakfest). I'm not sure what its inspiration was but it checks that maximalist pop (like Haunted Painting by Sad13) music I enjoy. If Mercurial World was fun internet pop, Imaginal Disk demands that you take them more seriously. --Nik Hunder |
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#6 Not God by Finom (Joyful Noise)
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#7 Songs of a Lost World by The Cure (Fiction/Capitol)
This new release had a lot of fanfare, and rightly so – it’s really good. It’s not exactly “fun” though, and I wonder how much I’ll go back to it in future years, but it’s fitting nicely in my life right now. Favorite tracks: “Alone” “And Nothing is Forever” “Endsong” --Matt Barr |
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#8 (TIE) Letter to Self by SPRINTS (City Slang)
This record has everything - driving rock anthems, soul piercing lyrics, the energy and enthusiasm of sheer will. I saw them live (Thanks Kevin Shields for the tix!) with a bunch of CHIRP folks and was mesmerized by the unmitigated force and powerhouse performance of vocalist, guitarist and rockstar extraordinaire Karla Chubb. An added bonus was asking everyone, “Do you ever feel like the room is heavy???” --Danielle Sines |
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#8 (TIE) Prelude to Ecstasy by The Last Dinner Party (Island)
Prelude to Ecstasy is a highly theatrical baroque pop album that draws from goth, post-punk, glam rock, and cabaret! Think Kate Bush meets The Dresden Dolls meets Florence + The Machine. TLDP is easily one of the most hyped British bands since Wet Leg and they deserve every bit of the attention they are getting. I can’t wait to hear how they evolve their sound on the next album after starting off so strong! --Eric Wiersema |
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#10 Here In the Pitch by Jessica Pratt (Mexican Summer)
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Throughout December, 
Charli XCX is brat. CHIRP is brat. You are brat. I am brat. Every album mentioned here is brat in its own special way.
I have enjoyed all of Katie Crutchfield’s genre shifts throughout the years of Waxahatchee, but her recent county turn may be her best niche yet. Hit single “Right Back To It” sets the tone for the whole album: returning back to your loved one and settling into the easy comfort of love. --
Have you ever fallen asleep with your headphones on? The music sounding like it’s coming from another planet, or maybe beneath the sea seven fathoms deep. Diamond Jubilee sounds both familiar (hints of glam rock, '60s girl groups, doo-wop, folk-rock, and more) and wobbly strange. But all two hours of it are utterly beguiling. 2024’s best music surprise. –
I jumped on the Lenderwagon after hearing the first chorus of "She's Leaving You.” Lenderman draws out a large web that joins Men In Black and your uncle's basement and your dim memory of your First Holy Communion. He offers an alternative to the manosphere—one where sports are rad but you don't have to be angry all the time. Mostly though, it's sharp country rock that got more listens from me than anything else this year. --
My album of the year is always obvious to me and Imaginal Disk is no exception.
Not God, maybe, but Holy Moly!!! Wotta record from locals Sima Cunningham and Macie Stewart. Not a bad tune to be found - beautiful, creative, personal, unique. –
Growing up, The Cure was always my friend’s band, not mine. At some point, I recognized their greatness, but I wasn’t paying attention the last time they released an album (2008’s 4:13 Dream, which is better than it gets credit for), and don’t even remember when I finally heard it.
Since its release in early January, this record has been the one to beat for best of the year. No one came close.
The Last Dinner Party’s debut album easily secured my coveted AOTY slot since I’ve been spinning the hell out of this thing since its release during the first week of February!
Sounds like a ghost's attempt at making brill building pop. --Previous entry: CHIRP Radio’s Best of 2024: Shawn Campbell