Overlooked Albums of 2024

[IAmRockstar]

Some awesome shoutouts here already, particularly Nia Archives, Ravyn Lenae, Amber Mark, Jae Stephens, Mustafa and Yaya Bey. Looking forward to checking out some more of the reccos!

A few extra ones that I've been loving this year:

This is such a strong pop/funk album, full of catchy hooks and great production. I genuinely thought this would have caught on more than it did.

Highlights: Eyes Wide Shut, This Is Just The Beginning, Drag, Hello Lonely


One of the best R&B albums to come out in 2024, from one of the UK girlies. Her vocals are like honey (her runs are just rude) and the songwriting is so good.

Highlights: Summertime, LOML, Oh, Wait..., What's Luv?


This album had some love here but more people should check it out. Rachel's pen game is fantastic. Her soft vocals are so unique and gorgeous, and there's a great mix of bops and sad moments. The Black indie/pop girlie we needed.

Highlights: The Hills, Never Need Me, All I Ever Asked, My Blood, Robbed


Not a typical Popjustice album but I can't recommend this enough. It's SO good. It's very political, and some of the songs are quite confronting to listen to, but there are enough moments of levity such as the Fred Again... produced NEIGHBOURS. Whilst he's better known as a rapper, he has a gorgeous singing voice as well.

Highlights: WHO AM I, I AM BLACK, NEIGHBOURS, MAMA


I've been waiting for RIMON's debut album for a couple of years and it did not disappoint. It's a gorgeous representation of the conflict between the recklessness of youth and the burden of responsibility as you grow older.

Highlights: Children Of The Night, City's Burning, Hotel Ruby, All In My Mind, Make Money

 

[mindtrappa]

Here are 5 albums I think deserved more attention. A lot of my choices are kind of within the same frame of 2000s/2010s nostalgia. Just where I was this past year (Brat, etc). But before I get into any of that, I really have to highlight Yseult's MENTAL. It really didn't get what I feel it deserved as it was rolling out this past year, only recently did I start to see people finally taking notice of the singles. She spends much of this album hopping between various genres and makes it all work. Truly a testiment to versatility and range.



These other choices, again, are very centered on 2000s/2010s pop and electronic music. So if that's your vibe, and you yearn for MySpace, you'll probably be into these:

SMILE! :D was my AOTY after Brat. It has a lot of similar themes when it comes to self loathing and dealing with being famous but not quite, despite being a totally different aproach sonically. More in the pop-punk space, with some light touches of Midwest emo, and a lot of electronic music.



This honestly feels like a good sonic companion to SMILE! :D. A lot of it reminds me of a quirky indie movie soundtrack from 2008. Really good to chill to.



The Dare produced "Guess" for Charli xcx. His album basically that but turned up to 11. Lots of stupid fun.



This one just dropped today, but I already know it's going to be overlooked going into the new year. But another fun album. Very Space Cowboy/Nadia Oh, Justice, David Guetta circa 2007



Also honorable mention to the two Brooke Candy albums that dropped, Candyland and Spiral. I won't embed them, but they are such a blast to listen to.

 

[Tin Roof Rusted]

 

[Consideration]

The Brazilian Imaginal Disk!

 

[RHOPJ]

A cheat, because some of you will know these songs, but this CD should be at number one for a month. Pure vintage RnB greatness.

In terms of new music, Dylan Moon's last album...

...is the definition of overlooked. Yearning, brittle electronic lofi pop songs from one of the best producers of electronic pop out there right now. You can hear talent in every arrangement. He just has no rivals at this point. His previous album...

...is one of the finest electronic records of the last few years.

 

[RHOPJ]

When punks become popstars, they make the best music.

I spent most of 2024 obsessed by Continue As Amery. Get obsessed too: it's Bandcamp Friday for another twenty minutes.

 

[HeartSwells]

Two of my faves I haven't seen in here yet.

Queer folk-country. I know I ripped Benson Boone earlier this year for having a generic white man groany/yelling voice but this is it actually done well.


And this is a bit of a departure from their first two albums but would play very well here among the likes of Carly Rae Jepsen.

I ate humble pie after dragging Medium Build’s collab with Mini Trees because his album is so good. Real heart tugging alt rock country. Genuinely get a bit weepy each time In My Room finishes. @Jonathan27 give him another chance pls.

Also co-sign the Charly Bliss album, took a few listens to open up but fully on board now. Here Comes The Darkness might be their best song.

 

[Euphoria]

Nessa Barrett: AFTERCARE
Felt like throwing this one in as well because it’s more PJ-friendly than my earlier picks.

I won’t lie, it’s basically 15 tracks of dumb, glittery, trashy, dramatic, high-gloss, perfectly produced dark pop. But I’m gay, so there’s always a special corner in my heart for dumb, glittery, trashy, dramatic, high-gloss, perfectly produced pop.

Nessa wears her influences on her sleeve proudly (early Lana, Coquette Tumblr, Britney), and they’re easily traced here. She also seems slightly batshit IRL, but… What if I told you the album was gapless and had transitions? See. Exactly.

I don’t overthink it. And I don’t think Nessa does either. It sounds expensive and deliciously empty. So I just bop!

(Also, Pins And Needles is genuinely one of the best pop songs of 2024.)



Personal Highlights: Pins and Needles, Dirty Little Secret, Passenger Princess, Mustang Baby

 

[drewsky]

I ate humble pie after dragging Medium Build’s collab with Mini Trees because his album is so good. Real heart tugging alt rock country. Genuinely get a bit weepy each time In My Room finishes. @Jonathan27 give him another chance pls.

Also co-sign the Charly Bliss album, took a few listens to open up but fully on board now. Here Comes The Darkness might be their best song.

I used to think Beach Chair was about his commitment to being with someone else until he clarified it was about not giving up on putting in the work on himself, which made me love it even more. I can't make it through the album without crying and I've listened to it dozens of times.

 

[ColloquialNostalgia]

Australian pop generally doesn't do much for me, but I really enjoyed this:



A wonderful little pop album!

 

[estfer]

If Brat didn’t exist, this would be THEE Album of the Year.

I was saving that one for my list! What a journey of an album.

 

[minorkey]

 

[4Roses]

 

[Jersey]

I Want is easily in my Top 10 songs of the year.

That drum solo near the end.. fucking oof.

I was saving that one for my list! What a journey of an album.

It’s a literal treat from start to end, I can’t help but play the entire thing every time!

 

[Harmonia]

Okay sure yeah it just came out but it shan't get washed up along the shores in favor of Christmas music and early 2025 releases.

 

[IEngineered]

Amazing thread! These two aren’t unknown unknowns but definitely deserved more attention this year than they received.

 

[weatherconor]

These are moderately known around here but if you haven't checked them out, they easily sit amongst the BPG, pure pop with many highlights.

Cursed Romantics and Strawberry Dream are two of the SOTY.

 

[adios good luck]

A few of my favourites have already been posted but I'd also add:





(shame about the album cover):

 

[superloves]

For Sabrina Carpenter lovers:



For Willow, Grimes, Santigold lovers:

 

[Jonathan27]

Whew I swear every year I think I’ve got my bases covered I find at least five albums here I need to get to!

Here’s what I’ve got:

Kaytranada assisted R&B, one of the smoothest releases of the year. Recommended for every Tinashe stan:


One of the most eclectic talents in contemporary music. Big Grace Jones serve:


My go to comfort album of the year. If you’ve ever wondered how Ethel Cain might approach a Dagny project look no further! See also, 45 Degrees would’ve made a hell of a Katy Perry comeback single:


Haunting, ruminative and ethereal. For fans of slow burn chamber pop and the confessional album as hero journey:


And finally my personal favorite of the year. Often falls at the intersection of Sheryl Crow and Liz Phair but recommended for fans of Soccer Mommy, big choruses and bigger vocals: