On New Year’s Eve, we’re counting down the Top 100 Albums of 2024 as picked by WNRN listeners. Expand each section below to see WNRN staff picks, and select your own Top 10 Albums of 2024 right now to automatically be entered to win a $500 Gift Card from Plan 9 Music!
Tune in to the Top 100, supported by Furbish Thrift in Richmond, on December 31st to see where your favorites landed.
1. Michael Kiwanuka – Small Changes
There just aren’t enough albums like this each year that completely absorb
you with every listen. This one does and keeps doing it.
2. Bonny Light Horseman – Keep Me On Your Mind/See You Free
This had one of my favorite songs of the year (I Know You Know) wrapped
in one of my favorite albums.
3. Fontaines D.C. – Romance
This band is so talented it’s like they’re going to burst.
4. The Cure – Songs Of A Lost World
They answer the question of “can they still put out a good album after all
these years” with a resounding “yes”!
5. Nilufer Yanya – My Method Actor
She is making some of the most interesting music of anyone in the last five
years.
6. Father John Misty – Mahashmashana
I am becoming convinced that his sound just gets bigger with each release.
7. JJ Grey & Mofro – Olustee
He pulled off the double this year – one of the best albums I heard and one
of the best concerts I saw.
8. Illiterate Light – Arches
Continuing to refine the idea of what a duo can do in every way.
9. Nick Lowe With Los Straitjackets – Indoor Safari
Thanks to Los Straitjackets for being such good partners for Nick that he
was inspired to make another album. Here’s hoping that continues for a
long, long time.
10. Various Artists – Cardinals At The Window
A genius idea meets the kindness of strangers to help those in need – there
is something for everyone on this benefit for western NC hurricane relief. If
you can’t find a track or two you like, listen again. And again.
The Next Five:
11. Oxford Drama – The World Is Louder
12. Baby Rose & BADBADNOTGOOD – Slow Burn
13. Thee Sacred Souls – Got A Story To Tell
14. Gillian Welch & David Rawlings – Woodland
15. Billy Strings – Highway Prayers
I’m a St. Vincent ride-or-die, and while I enjoyed the last couple albums, there’s nothing better than when Annie rocks. This album was a return-to-form in that regard, with ‘Sweetest Fruit’ being a unique standout for me. My only disappointment is that she didn’t perform my favorite song, ‘Krokodil’ on the DC date. But I’m holding out hope for the Charlottesville date…
3. IDLES – Tangk
I’m new to the world of Billy Strings, but was quickly introduced as he had the #1 WNRN Album for 2022 and 2023, and there’s a good reason for that. ‘Gild The Lily’ is a ‘first-listen’, as they say, and getting my opportunity to see Billy ‘MF’ Strings for the first time for his ‘Oh Billy, Where Art Thou?” Halloween show in Baltimore is easily in my Top 5 live shows of the year.
I wasn’t a big fan of ‘Starburster’, I’ll admit it. Based on my general music tastes, it has everything that should have made it a song I love, but I didn’t. Then they released the second single, ‘Favourite’ and it was just too good. One of the ‘buzziest’ bands of 2024, and an album to live up to the hype.
7. La Luz – News of the Universe
8. The Bug Club – On The Intricate Inner Workings of the System
9. Wallice – The Jester
10. St. Vincent – Todos Nacen Gritando
1. Brittany Howard, What Now
2. Waxahatchee, Tigers Blood
3. Michael Kiwanuka, Small Changes
4. Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats, South of Here
5. Hurray for the Riff Raff, The Past Is Still Alive
6. St. Vincent, All Born Screaming
7. Nilufer Yanya, My Method Actor
8. Brigitte Calls Me Baby, The Future Is Our Way Out
9. Sierra Ferrell, Trail of Flowers
10. Beyoncé, Cowboy Carter
When putting together my Top 10 each year, I concentrate on albums that I’ve spent the most time with – ones that have been my constant companion or meant the most to me. In the past, I’ve been guilty of letting albums that came out during the early months of the year fall by the wayside; But not in 2024. Alabama Shakes’ Brittany Howard released her second solo album, What Now, in February and it immediately rose to the top for me – and stayed there.
Featuring Chesapeake’s own virtuoso Nate Smith on drums and production by Shawn Everett, What Now pushes the boundaries of experimentation to create new soundscapes with an array of objects – from trash cans to crystal singing bowls – bound by Howard’s singular voice. Howard spoke in-depth about the recording process with me backstage at 9:30 Club earlier this year – you can listen back to our conversation here.
Coming in at #2 on my list was Waxahatchee’s Tiger’s Blood, an album that followed the same trajectory she set forth on Saint Cloud (my favorite album of 2020), and yielded arguably one of the best songs of the year with the MJ Lenderman collaboration, “Right Back to It.” Katie Crutchfield of Waxahatchee shared her thoughts about Tiger’s Blood with me earlier this year ahead of her show at The National in Richmond. You can listen back to our conversation, which features live tracks from The National performance here.
Vampire Weekend, Jack White, Johnny Blue Skies aka Sturgill Simpson and Fontaines D.C. all had notable releases this year. While those albums didn’t make my Top 10, live performances by each of these artists were among my favorite concerts I attended in 2024!
Honorable Mention EPs:
Baby Rose and BADBADNOTGOOD, Slow Burn
Yannis & The Yaw, Lagos Paris London
Wonder Women of Country, Willis, Carper, Leigh
Runner-ups:
Dr. Dog, Dr. Dog
Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, Woodland Studios
Father John Misty, Mahashmashana
JJ Grey & Mofro, Olustee
MJ Lenderman, Manning Fireworks
Phosphorescent, Revelator
The Smile, Cutouts
1. Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats – South Of Here
Live shows definitely impacted my top 10. Seeing Nathaniel Rateliff twice this year – and being so impressed with his performances pushed this album to the top of my list
2. Charley Crockett – $10 Cowboy
Charley’s albums are always excellent – plus this one has a reference to his arrest on I-81 in southwest Virginia.
3. Fontaines D.C. – Romance
Any band that could put ‘Starburster’ and ‘Favourite’ on the same record deserves a spot in the top 10.
4. Nilufer Yanya – My Method Actor
I have always admired Nilufer Yanya’s vocals. On the new album “My Method Actor” I think the music has finally provided the perfect compliment to her songs.
5. Dehd – Poetry
What makes this album great is its variety. Different genres and vocal styles are mixed up to make a record that never bores you.
6. Richard Thompson – Ship to Shore
Many artists at this point in their career would release a retrospective pulling work from earlier records. Thompson has gone that one better – he has recorded a new record that highlights what has been best about him over the last six decades.
7. AJ Lee & Blue Summit – City of Glass
Smooth, well-produced contemporary bluegrass that showcases the considerable skills of everyone in the band. Easy to listen to over and over.
8. Lizzie No – Halfsies
Lizzie No excels in setting a mood and telling a story on this record.
9. Iron & Wine – Light Verse
After suffering writers block during the pandemic, Sam Beam has returned to deliver an album that looks at things from a new perspective – that of one who is reflecting on past experiences.
10. Sierra Ferrell – Trail Of Flowers
This was not in my top 10 until I saw Sierra perform the first song from the album at the Americana Awards in Nashville. Somehow, that live performance of “American Dreaming” brought the whole record together for me.
1. Bonny Light Horseman – this trio of artists boggle my mind! Truly a treat to see live, this year or any year! Lucky to have caught them at The Howard Theatre in DC, Red Wing Roots Festival at Mt. Solon and with the NSO in the Kennedy Centre. Always just an absolute pleasure.
2. Bug Club – tuned into New Rock Now and heard the riff of Lonsdale Slipons and was hooked! I pre-ordered the album on the spot. Can’t wait to see them live!
3. Francis of Delirium – this album sneaks up on you, and their live show goes off! Highly recommend seeing them when they visit the US again.
4. The Cure – I’ve been a longtime fan (since my teens) and this album does not disappoint. The Royal Mail delivered my special edition vinyl to the wrong address so I’m still fully sulking about that. I hope someone is at least listening to it. Did someone say Disintegration?
5. Iron & Wine – one of my favourite artists of all time! This album is another beaut from Mr. Sam Beam & co. Lush, poetic – just gorgeous! The shadow puppet show at his live show in DC also brought an extra special dimension to the music.
6. Jack White – what to say? Mr. Jack White! I was lucky enough to be in the front of the ticket-buying queue to get tickets for his underplay show at The Atlantis! No surprises, that gig was FIRE!
7. Sprints – these Irish garage punk rockers make my heart swell. Front row centre nearly got moshed flat-on-my-face on the singer’s monitor at the DC9 show in March and sensibly chose balcony viewing for our second go-around at The Atlantis show in September. Such a fun band!
8. St. Vincent – a return to Annie Clark rocking out is always good in my book! Can’t wait for the 2025 Pavilion show!!!
9. Waxahatchee – such a gorgeous album from Katie Crutchfield. The supporting role of MJ Lenderman is one of my album highlights. Felt lucky to have caught Waxahatchee at The National in Richmond earlier in the year.
10. Yard Act – snarky and cheeky Leeds punk rockers consistently put on the best live shows. Love their commentary on the world as it is.
Honorable mentions:
- Humbird
- English Teacher
- Lime Garden
- Mannequin Pussy
- Sierra Ferrell
- Secret Sisters
- Dehd
- Fontaines DC
- Yannis and the Yaw
- Katie Pruitt
- Ducks Ltd.
1. Jack White – No Name
Old school Jack, rocking from start to finish!
2. Little Feat – Sam’s Place
Back in fine form with a bluesy slant (although they were always a blues based band) with percussionist Sam Clayton doing a great job on vocals. Fun album.
3. Shemekia Copeland – Blame it On Eve
Three Grammy noms and deserving of them all. Nobody does it like Shemekia.
4. Sue Foley – One Guitar Woman
Strongest release for Sue in quite a while. Guitar, vocals, songwriting in fine form and a strong tour behind it as well.
5. Billy Strings – Highway Prayer
An absolute virtuoso and not only in the bluegrass genre. A musician of his caliber comes along rarely. Technically excellent and entertaining at the same time.
6. Duke Robillard – Roll With Me
A recording started years ago and just now completed with many of the original Roomful Of Blues folks. A blues burner featuring one of my favorite blues guitarists. We Rhode Islanders gotta stick together!
7. The Black Keys – Ohio Players
A bluesy record with the expected Black Keys sound. A continuation of an outstanding career rather than breaking new ground. But good is good and nobody does Black Keys like Black Keys.
8. JJ Grey & Mofro – Olustee
Energy energy energy. Not a bad cut on it. Party record with thoughtful lyrics.
9. MRCY – Volume 1
Great songwriting, great arrangements. Old school soul that somehow sounds current.
10. Yard Act – Where’s My Utopia?
Haven’t stopped listening to this since it came out. Quirky, fun, way funky, and silly but most of all, a great time for a Friday/Saturday night.
- Altered Five Blues Band – Testifyin’ (EP) A fan from the start. A best kept secret blues band and I got to meet them this year!!
- Colin James – Chasing The Sun Not a bad track on it and we played “Protection” with Lucinda Wiliams for a nanosecond.
- Rick Estrin & The Nightcats – The Hits Keep On Coming Yet another in a long list of outstanding releases from one of the best blues bands in the country
- Justin Golden – Golden Country Vols 1 & 2 Classic covers with a local VA bluegrass band. Country blues at its finest from a Commonwealth performer I wasn’t familiar with.
- Brittany Howard – What Now Always intriguing and fresh. She’s from parts unknown musically and we are all better for it.
- Father John Misty – Mahashmashana The few tracks we’ve gotten to hear are outstanding. Would have definitely been in the top 10 If I had gotten to hear the whole thing.
- Leon Bridges – Leon Classy, soulful, smooth, silky with a bit of Marvin Gaye and Smokey Robinson thrown in for good measure. Chill.
- Nick Lowe & Los Straitjackets – Indoor Safari Nick gettin up there in age but still producing timeless music.
- Phosphorescent – Revelator Solid release.
- Pixies – The Night The Zombies Came. Didn’t like it as much as Doggerel but as a hardcore Pixies fan, couldn’t leave it out.
- The Cure – Songs Of A Lost World Spellbinding but not breaking new ground. Trancelike as normal but an OK Cure album is better than a really good album from just about anybody else.
- Thee Sacred Souls – Got A Story To Tell I’ve liked everything they’ve done so far and this adds to that list. Great sound from a super talented vocal band.
- Warren Haynes – Million Voices Whisper At this point in his career Warren can do anything he likes and it all comes out with style and grace and depth. Really nice album.
