Albums that kept me company in 2024
While the annual Spotify wrapped ritual tells us how we've been listening based on hard data, we're often shown our top songs and artists but never really albums or playlists.
I thought it would be nice to look back and handpick which albums kept me company through the long days, drives, and workouts this year. This list is in no particular order and has some releases from years or even decades ago.
I've also made a playlist with all my favorite tracks from the albums and other runners-up.
Raveena - Where the Butterflies Go in the Rain, 2024
I don’t know how you can pull off an album that’s both upbeat and tranquil (even within the same songs!) but Raveena gets it.
Favorite track: Baby Mama
Magdalena Bay - Imaginal Disk, 2024
Synthpop with insane production quality. Would kill to see them live.
Favorite track: Death & Romance
Faye Webster - Atlanta Millionaires Club, 2019
Almost forgot that country music can sound so soft and so good. Pleasant to listen to early in the morning or while doing chores.
Favorite track: Right Side of My Neck
Cindy - Angel Touch, 1990.
City pop with lots of bangers for good vibes or easy listening. Probably my favorite album ever from the genre! Excellent for evening city driving. If anyone knows where I can get a vinyl copy of this, please!!!
Favorite track: Must Be Lucky
Tyler, the Creator - CHROMAKOPIA, 2024
This dropped around the time my friends and I were in Hanoi. kept me company during the flights and long bus rides.
Favorite track: Darling, I
Nala Sinephro - Endlessness, 2024
While I still haven't gotten into real meditation, playing this album on repeat helped me remember what “peaceful” and “mindful” were supposed to feel like.
Favorite track: N/A, you gotta listen to everything
1999 WRITE THE FUTURE - hella (˃̣̣̥╭╮˂̣̣̥) ✧ ♡ ‧º·˚, 2024
WOWOWOWOWOWOW!!!
Favorite track: WOWoW! ✎ (❁ᴗ͈ˬᴗ͈)
Hiroshi Sato - Awakening, 1982
Yet another classic city pop album with lots of bangers.
Favorite track: ONLY A LOVE AFFAIR
Alvvays - Blue Rev, 2022
Early in the year I was still reeling in from the Maho Rasop music festival and how great it was watching Alvvays live.
Favorite track: After the Earthquake
NxWorries - Why Lawd?, 2024
Thousands of lines of code were written to this album. Blessed to have Anderson .Paak and Knxwledge cook once again.
Favorite track: Distractions
Aside: Spotify Wrapped
Since numbers and the results of listening data are still fun to look at.
Cheers to another great year of music ~