{"id":20917,"date":"2024-12-27T06:27:23","date_gmt":"2024-12-27T06:27:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=20917"},"modified":"2024-12-27T06:27:23","modified_gmt":"2024-12-27T06:27:23","slug":"the-best-albums-of-2024-beyonce-taylor-swift-sabrina-carpenter-and-more-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=20917","title":{"rendered":"The Best Albums of 2024: Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter and More…"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"The<\/figure>\n

Taylor Swift and Beyonc\u00e9 dominated entertainment headlines this year, but their latest albums \u2014\u00a0The Tortured Poets Department<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0Cowboy Carter<\/em>, respectively \u2014 were just two of many bright spots in an overall great year for music.<\/p>\n

Charli XCX ruled the summer (and the color green) with\u00a0Brat<\/em>, a rollicking album that dared to ask whether club kids have feelings too, while Lainey Wilson topped the country charts with her stellar fifth album,\u00a0Whirlwind<\/em>. In the hip-hop world, Kendrick Lamar and\u00a0Doechii<\/strong>\u00a0reigned supreme, and folk fans rejoiced at\u00a0Adrianne Lenker<\/strong>\u2019s latest solo effort.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

For more on these and other incredible 2024 releases, keep reading for an alphabetical list of\u00a0Us Weekly<\/em>\u2019s favorite albums of the year:<\/p>\n

Adrianne Lenker, \u2018Bright Future\u2019<\/h3>\n
\"The<\/figure>\n

Bright Future<\/em>\u00a0opens with \u201cReal House,\u201d an achingly intimate reflection on Lenker\u2019s childhood and relationship with her mother. The song\u2019s demo-like feel \u2014 with plenty of room tone and breathing sounds \u2014 immediately orients the listener to the album\u2019s organic nature. Lenker recorded\u00a0Bright Future<\/em>\u00a0on analog tape at a studio in the woods with some of her favorite collaborators, and that comfort and connection can be heard on the songs.<\/p>\n

Despite the unpolished, live sound, the songs on\u00a0Bright Future<\/em>\u00a0are intentional and fully realized. \u201cVampire Empire,\u201d which Lenker previously released as a single with her band Big Thief in 2023, is particularly masterful with its wordy raging about a codependent relationship.\u00a0\u2014 Sara Donnellan<\/em><\/p>\n

Standout Track:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cSadness as a Gift,\u201d a bittersweet indie folk song with lilting violin and unassuming vocal harmonies<\/p>\n

Benson Boone, \u2018Fireworks & Rollerblades\u2019<\/h3>\n
\"The<\/figure>\n

A one-time\u00a0American Idol\u00a0<\/em>hopeful, Boone ditched the reality singing competition in the middle of season 19 so he could carve out space as an artist without the shadow of Idol looming over his head. Three years after his audition aired, Boone released his debut album,\u00a0Fireworks & Rollerblades<\/em>, and his identity shines through with the confidence of an industry veteran. Throughout the record, Boone plays with the contrast between power and tenderness, exuding earnestness on \u201cFriend\u201d and \u201cIn the Stars,\u201d the latter of which was inspired by the death of his late great-grandmother. Along with the TikTok-approved single \u201cBeautiful Things,\u201d Boone demonstrates his arena-rock readiness on the bouncy bop \u201cBe Someone\u201d and makes Us swoon with his sultry vocals on \u201cDrunk in My Mind.\u201d Even with his\u00a0Freddie Mercury<\/strong>\u00a0mustache, flashy jumpsuits and perfectly cued stage backflips, Boone\u2019s first full-length record proves there\u2019s substance to his style.\u00a0\u2014 Meredith Nardino<\/em><\/p>\n

Standout Track:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cCry,\u201d a slow-burning ballad turned electrifying takedown of a manipulative ex<\/p>\n

Beyonc\u00e9, \u2018Cowboy Carter\u2019<\/h3>\n
\"The<\/figure>\n

Michelle Obama<\/strong>\u2019s famous \u201cgirl, you have done it again\u201d Beyonc\u00e9 speech was recorded five years ago, but it still applies to basically everything she does \u2014 including her eighth studio album,\u00a0Cowboy Carter<\/em>. After putting her own spin on house music with 2022\u2019s\u00a0Renaissance<\/em>, Queen B dove into the world of country, a genre that she holds dear to her heart after growing up in Houston, Texas.<\/p>\n

The Grammy winner cited an experience where she \u201cdid not feel welcomed\u201d as one inspiration, leading fans to theorize that she was referring to her performance with The Chicks at the 2016 CMA Awards. Bey never confirmed whether that was the case, but the music is evidence that she can truly do whatever she puts her mind to. She waltzes through the full history of country on\u00a0Cowboy Carter<\/em>, incorporating gospel sounds on opener \u201cAmeriican Requiem\u201d and drawing from the world of folk for \u201c16 Carriages\u201d and \u201cProtector.\u201d Songs like \u201cTyrant\u201d and \u201cSpaghettii\u201d highlight the slipperiness of genre, blending contemporary pop and hip-hop elements with Americana motifs. Beyonc\u00e9 also spotlights a new generation of Black country artists including\u00a0Tiera Kennedy<\/strong>,\u00a0Shaboozey<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Willie Jones<\/strong>\u00a0while giving her flowers to undersung greats like\u00a0Linda Martell<\/strong>, who was the first Black woman to play at the Grand Ole Opry.\u00a0\u2014 Eliza Thompson<\/em><\/p>\n

Standout Track:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cYa Ya,\u201d a\u00a0Nancy Sinatra<\/strong>\u2013sampling romp that hints at more greatness to come on the rumored rock entry in Bey\u2019s reclamation trilogy<\/p>\n

Bleachers, \u2018Bleachers\u2019<\/h3>\n
\"The<\/figure>\n

Frontman\u00a0Jack Antonoff<\/strong>\u00a0kicked off 2024 in a familiar way for Bleachers fans with a simple tweet. In release years past, Antonoff teased that \u201ca\u201d Bleachers album would drop in the next 365 days, but this January\u2019s message made an important distinction. \u201cI\u2019m going to put out **the** bleachers album this year,\u201d he wrote \u2014 and he wasn\u2019t kidding. The self-titled effort is Bleachers\u2019 fourth, but the band has never sounded so much like a true ensemble. Lead single \u201cModern Girl\u201d shows Antonoff at his band leader best with an energizing blend of saxophone and sass (find a better way to describe Antonoff than \u201cNew Jersey\u2019s finest New Yorker\u201d and \u201cpop music hoarder,\u201d we\u2019ll wait). He gets sentimental on \u201cTiny Moves\u201d and \u201cMe Before You,\u201d both of which are heartfelt tributes to his wife,\u00a0Margaret Qualley<\/strong>. \u201cCall Me After Midnight\u201d takes Us back to the short-lived 2019 side project Red Hearse featuring\u00a0Sounwave<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Sam Dew<\/strong>, the latter of whom is a cowriter on the 2024 track. More than anything, Antonoff can\u2019t help but channel a bit of\u00a0Bruce Springsteen<\/strong>, both on the album and on stage, where the record really comes to life.\u00a0\u2014 M.N.<\/em><\/p>\n

Standout Track:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cOrdinary Heaven,\u201d a dreamy expression of gratitude for just getting to be here<\/p>\n

Charli XCX, \u2018Brat\u2019<\/h3>\n
\"The<\/figure>\n

After years of toiling away as a beloved but still relatively under-the-radar artist, Charli finally had her breakthrough moment with her sixth album, which inspired an entire season (Brat Summer), spawned an inescapable TikTok dance, partially fueled a presidential campaign and soundtracked one of the hottest tours of the year. The music was incredible too:\u00a0Brat<\/em>\u00a0is full of club bangers, yes, but in between lines about feeling so Julia and doing a little key are verses exploring self-doubt and the fear of being unable to balance motherhood and fame.<\/p>\n

Then, as if one no-skips LP wasn\u2019t enough to call it a year, Charli returned to the studio for\u00a0Brat and It\u2019s Completely Different But Also Still Brat<\/em>, which is the rare remix album that actually is completely different from its original form. The remixes have new lyrics, new sounds and new collaborators, including everyone from\u00a0Ariana Grande<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Robyn<\/strong>\u00a0to\u00a0Kesha<\/strong>, Bon Iver and The Strokes\u2019\u00a0Julian Casablancas<\/strong>.\u00a0\u2014 E.T.<\/em><\/p>\n

Standout Track:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cSympathy Is a Knife,\u201d an unbelievably catchy bop about the crippling insecurity you can feel even when you\u2019re on top of the world<\/p>\n

Doechii, \u2018Alligator Bites Never Heal\u2019<\/h3>\n
\"The<\/figure>\n

Doechii\u2019s third mixtape is simultaneously a love letter to her home state of Florida and a sharp declaration that she won\u2019t ever allow herself to be put in a box. On the Grammy-nominated \u201cNissan Altima,\u201d the rapper calls herself \u201cthe new hip-hop\u00a0Madonna<\/strong>\u201d and \u201cthe trap\u00a0Grace Jones<\/strong>,\u201d two boasts that might sound hyperbolic coming from anyone else but feel extremely true after one listen to\u00a0Alligator Bites Never Heal<\/em>. Doechii\u2019s ability to speed through flows and cadences is mind-blowing, recalling the glory days of icons like\u00a0Missy Elliott<\/strong>. On the \u201990s-influenced \u201cCatfish,\u201d Doechii channels\u00a0Busta Rhymes<\/strong>\u00a0with her snarling delivery, while the cheeky \u201cBoom Bap\u201d pokes fun at critics who thought she was moving too far from rap on her poppy 2023 hit \u201cWhat It Is (Block Boy).\u201d If Doechii\u2019s the \u201cswamp ruler,\u201d then we\u2019re happy to be her subjects.\u00a0\u2014 E.T.<\/em><\/p>\n

Standout Track:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cDenial Is a River,\u201d which imagines a conversation between Doechii and her therapist after her whirlwind rise to fame (complete with a fake breathing exercise)<\/p>\n

Gracie Abrams, \u2018The Secret of Us\u2019<\/h3>\n
\"The<\/figure>\n

Taylor Swift \u2014 who makes an appearance on this record with the song \u201cUs.\u201d \u2014 had a monster 2024, but so did her opening acts, and Abrams is no exception. Her second album is proof that sometimes, screaming song lyrics into the void is truly the best therapy.\u00a0The Secret of Us<\/em>\u00a0is full of honest lyrics and catchy guitar riffs, with songs like \u201cRisk\u201d and \u201cI Love You, I\u2019m Sorry\u201d encapsulating the sensations of both finding and losing love. Not only has she mastered the art of the perfect ballad (\u201cI Knew It, I Know You\u201d), but Abrams can also write a viral hit. Don\u2019t believe Us? Just ask comedian\u00a0Nikki Glaser<\/strong>, whose \u201cThat\u2019s So True\u201d lip-sync videos have become an online sensation.\u00a0\u2014 Shelby Stivale<\/em><\/p>\n

Standout Track:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cThat\u2019s So True,\u201d an anthem for the TikTok girlies<\/p>\n

Katie Gavin, \u2018What a Relief\u2019<\/h3>\n
\"The<\/figure>\n

It can be hard for solo albums to stand apart from the music of the artist\u2019s band, especially when the solo artist is also the group\u2019s lead singer. Gavin, frontwoman for Muna, had no such trouble on\u00a0What a Relief<\/em>, which embraces a rootsy folk sound that\u2019s very different from the danceable power pop of tracks like \u201cI Know a Place\u201d and \u201cSilk Chiffon.\u201d The more stripped-down arrangements give Gavin\u2019s lyrics more space to shine, as on the devastating \u201cSweet Abby Girl,\u201d an ode to her late dog. \u201cSanitized\u201d is a languid track about hiding the difficult parts of yourself from a lover, while \u201cThe Baton\u201d is a gorgeous message to Gavin\u2019s future child about pushing through generational trauma. Gavin has promised that her solo album doesn\u2019t mean Muna is breaking up, but if this is what she can achieve on her own, then here\u2019s hoping she keeps making time for her own music too.\u00a0\u2014 E.T.<\/em><\/p>\n

Standout Track:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cAs Good as It Gets,\u201d a duet with\u00a0Mitski<\/strong>\u00a0about whether a disappointing relationship is ultimately worth it<\/p>\n

Kendrick Lamar, \u2018GNX\u2019<\/h3>\n
\"The<\/figure>\n

It wasn\u2019t enough in 2024 for Lamar to write a diss track so brutal that his opponent accused his own record label of falsely inflating its popularity \u2014 he had to also deliver a surprise album that works as both a victory lap and a step forward for a generational talent at the top of his game. Featuring production by the aforementioned Antonoff,\u00a0GNX<\/em>\u00a0is full of radio-friendly tracks that are far glossier than much of his recent work. There are still plenty of unique flourishes that make the album distinctly Kendrick, though: mariachi singer\u00a0Deyra Barrera<\/strong>\u00a0adds dramatic flair to several songs, while frequent collaborator\u00a0SZA<\/strong>\u00a0brings smooth hooks to \u201cLuther\u201d and \u201cGloria.\u201d Lamar can push the boundaries of genre with the best of them, but it\u2019s still fun to see a titan come out swinging with such clarity.\u00a0\u2014 E.T.<\/em><\/p>\n

Standout Track:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cWacced Out Murals,\u201d a blockbuster rebuttal to all the critics who\u2019ve ever tried or will try to come for Lamar<\/p>\n

Lainey Wilson, \u2018Whirlwind\u2019<\/h3>\n
\"The<\/figure>\n

Wilson reflected on the last few years of her life in a major way with her fifth studio album,\u00a0Whirlwind<\/em>. She may be trying to \u201cKeep Up With Jones,\u201d but the only person the country star is keeping up with is herself as her meteoric rise to fame continues. Between collaborating with legends (\u201cGood Horses\u201d featuring\u00a0Miranda Lambert<\/strong>) and offering beau\u00a0Devlin \u201cDuck\u201d Hodges<\/strong>\u00a0some low-key shout-outs (\u201cWhirlwind\u201d and \u201c4x4xU\u201d), Wilson has cemented herself as a superstar and member of country music\u2019s guard. The singer balances upbeat tracks \u2014 complete with her signature Louisiana twang \u2014 alongside slower cuts like \u201cBar in Baton Rouge,\u201d which declares \u201cup\u2019s the only way\u201d to go when you\u2019ve hit rock bottom.\u00a0\u2014 S.S<\/em><\/p>\n

Standout Track:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cRing Finger,\u201d a stern reminder from Wilson that men ain\u2019t s\u2014<\/p>\n

Lizzy McAlpine, \u2018Older (and Wiser)\u2019<\/h3>\n
\"The<\/figure>\n

On the deluxe edition of her already impressive third album, McAlpine shows listeners she has more to offer than her most viral hit, 2022\u2019s \u201cCeilings.\u201d McAlpine referred to\u00a0Older<\/em>\u00a0as \u201cthe rawest and most honest version of me,\u201d revealing in a statement that she hoped to move away from the \u201cheavily produced and perfected\u201d sound of her first two albums. After some self-exploration \u2014 and last-minute changes to nearly half of the songs on the tracklist \u2014 McAlpine settled on a stripped back, live-to-tape sound that highlights her vulnerable lyricism and haunting vocals. McAlpine based the majority of the album on one whirlwind relationship, falling in love on opening track \u201cThe Elevator\u201d and drifting apart on \u201cYou Forced Me To.\u201d Nowhere is the record\u2019s coming-of-age theme more evident than on the title track, and McAlpine continues her tradition of dedicating her 13th song on the album, in this case titled \u201cMarch,\u201d to her late father. She added five bonus tracks to the deluxe album, including \u201cSpring Into Summer,\u201d a reminder that perspective changes with the seasons.\u00a0\u2014 M.N.<\/em><\/p>\n

Standout Track:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cVortex,\u201d an ode to the situationships we can\u2019t let go of but know we should leave behind<\/p>\n

Megan Moroney, \u2018Am I Okay?\u2019<\/h3>\n
\"The<\/figure>\n

Moroney is more than OK \u2014 she may be referred to by some observers as an up-and-coming artist (even though this is her sophomore album), but her latest release ought to make her a household name. On\u00a0Am I Okay?<\/em>, the country upstart pulls from past romances for a collection of no-nonsense tunes about love and heartbreak. She won\u2019t be naming names when it comes to her inspirations, but that doesn\u2019t matter because songs like \u201cNo Caller ID\u201d could be about literally anyone\u2019s ex. Moroney knows how to write a love song (\u201cThird Time\u2019s the Charm\u201d), perfect the lyrics to a breakup anthem (\u201cMama I Lied\u201d) and get ready for the next chapter in her dating life (\u201cI\u2019ll Be Fine\u201d). From start to finish, the album encapsulates what it\u2019s like to fall head over heels \u2014 and then pick up the pieces after the relationship is over.\u00a0\u2014 S.S.<\/em><\/p>\n

Standout Track:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cAm I Okay?,\u201d a song to scream along to with a group of your closest friends<\/p>\n

Noah Kahan, \u2018Live From Fenway Park\u2019<\/h3>\n
\"The<\/figure>\n

Kahan\u2019s\u00a0Stick Season (We\u2019ll All Be Here Forever) Tour<\/em>\u00a0was one of the hottest tickets of the year, but don\u2019t worry if you weren\u2019t able to be there IRL \u2014 he captured the incomparable atmosphere of his concerts in an album you can play over and over again. Even through headphones, the anticipation builds when the opening chords of \u201cDial Drunk\u201d kick into gear. Any Kahan performance is a special one, but the proud New England native\u2019s Fenway Park shows were some of his most sentimental. \u201cIt\u2019s so good to be home,\u201d he told the crowd, teasing, \u201cI\u2019m just gonna play my sad, f\u2014ing depressing music.\u201d He whirls through new hits, debuting \u201cPain Is Cold Water\u201d and dueting with Abrams, and plays a few old favorites like \u201cMess\u201d and \u201cMaine.\u201d\u00a0Live From Fenway Park<\/em>\u00a0transports listeners to the stadium, putting them right alongside the fans who sang their hearts out to every word.\u00a0\u2014 M.N.<\/em><\/p>\n

Standout Track:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cThe View Between Villages,\u201d an already chill-inducing album closer made even more memorable with a live audience<\/p>\n

Orville Peck, \u2018Stampede\u2019<\/h3>\n
\"The<\/figure>\n

On his third LP, Peck proved cowboys don\u2019t always have to walk alone. While he wears a mask to conceal his face, Peck lets fans see a different side of him on\u00a0Stampede<\/em>, an album entirely made up of duets. He joins\u00a0Willie Nelson<\/strong>\u00a0on a cover of \u201cCowboys Are Frequently, Secretly Fond of Each Other\u201d \u2014 a.k.a. \u201cthe gay cowboy song\u201d \u2014 and teams up with\u00a0Elton John<\/strong>\u00a0for an exceptional rendition of \u201cSaturday Night\u2019s Alright (For Fighting).\u201d Along with longtime legends,\u00a0Kylie Minogue<\/strong>\u00a0included, Peck highlights fellow up-and-coming voices such as\u00a0Teddy Swims<\/strong>\u00a0and country band Midland. \u201cI think there [were] only about three people on the album I didn\u2019t know beforehand,\u201d Peck exclusively told Us in October. \u201cIt felt very much like reaching out to just friends and peers.\u201d That sense of camaraderie shines through on the album, which bends the conventions of genre while still leading with a country-fied perspective. Peck changes the narrative of what it means to be a country artist, simultaneously honoring the artists who paved the way for his success and looking ahead to the future.\u00a0\u2014 M.N.<\/em><\/p>\n

Standout Track:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cHow Far Will We Take It?\u201d with\u00a0Noah Cyrus<\/strong>, a master class in harmony and heartbreak with a hypnotizing melody<\/p>\n

Sabrina Carpenter, \u2018Short n\u2019 Sweet\u2019<\/h3>\n
\"The<\/figure>\n

Carpenter\u2019s music career began in 2015, but\u00a0Short n\u2019 Sweet<\/em>\u00a0launched her to new levels of stardom. The first three singles, \u201cEspresso,\u201d \u201cPlease Please Please\u201d and \u201cTaste,\u201d all reached the top five on the\u00a0Billboard<\/em>\u00a0Hot 100, with \u201cPlease Please Please\u201d becoming Carpenter\u2019s first No. 1 single. All three tracks foreshadowed what was to come on Carpenter\u2019s most anticipated album to date: relatable anthems about the pitfalls of modern dating with insanely catchy melodies and clever lyrics peppered with cheeky innuendo.\u00a0Short n\u2019 Sweet<\/em>\u00a0reminded\u00a0Us<\/em>\u00a0that pop songs don\u2019t have to take themselves too seriously to be seriously good.<\/p>\n

For all the mischievous wordplay \u2014 e.g., \u201cCome ride on me, I mean, camaraderie\u201d \u2014\u00a0Short n\u2019 Sweet<\/em>\u00a0has genuinely vulnerable moments too, like \u201cLie to Girls,\u201d a ballad about self-deception in the name of toxic love.\u00a0\u2014 S.D.<\/em><\/p>\n

Standout Track:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cTaste,\u201d where Carpenter taunts an ex\u2019s on-again, off-again girlfriend, reminding her that they\u2019ll always be connected whether she likes it or not<\/p>\n

State Champs, \u2018State Champs\u2019<\/h3>\n
\"The<\/figure>\n

More than a decade into their tenure as a band, State Champs has definitely found their sound \u2014 and yes, they\u2019re skewing on the pop side of pop punk. The New York\u2013based foursome tapped into the classic angst fans know and love with their fifth record, proving that emo culture is back and better than ever. The album starts strong with \u201cThe Constant,\u201d which reaches a level of high energy that some artists only dream of achieving. The fast-paced tone continues throughout, with singer\u00a0Derek DiScanio<\/strong>\u2019s signature gritty vocals anchoring the music, especially on \u201cSilver Cloud.\u201d While there are plenty of dance vibes throughout the LP, the band knows how to slow it down for songs like \u201cSobering,\u201d which details the ins and outs of a bad breakup.\u00a0\u2014 S.S.<\/em><\/p>\n

Standout Track:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cLight Blue,\u201d a love song for both current and retired emo kids<\/p>\n

Taylor Swift, \u2018The Tortured Poets Department\u2019<\/h3>\n
\"The<\/figure>\n

While traveling the world during her record-smashing\u00a0Eras Tour<\/em>, Swift also managed to write, record and release her 11th studio album.\u00a0The Tortured Poets Department<\/em>\u00a0marked Swift\u2019s first release following her split from\u00a0Joe Alwyn<\/strong>, but it\u2019s far from a straightforward breakup record. It seemingly delves deeper into her short-lived fling with The 1975 frontman\u00a0Matty Healy<\/strong>\u00a0than it does her long-term relationship with Alwyn, yet it\u2019s her most personal and vulnerable album to date.<\/p>\n

As Swift noted in a poem released alongside the album, what happened between her and the ex she doesn\u2019t name was \u201cnot a love affair\u201d but a \u201cmutual manic phase.\u201d\u00a0TTPD<\/em>\u00a0documents Swift\u2019s journey to that realization, oscillating between delusion and painfully acute self-awareness. Many of the tracks feel more like diary entries \u2014 or, ahem, poems \u2014 than pop songs, which speaks to Swift\u2019s frame of mind when she wrote them. She wasn\u2019t casually stopping by the studio to play around with loose ideas; she was pouring her heart out, knowing that she had to document this era of her life before she could move on.<\/p>\n

TTPD<\/em>\u00a0is not for everyone. It\u2019s long and winding, just like Swift\u2019s career. (The back half of the album, subtitled\u00a0The Anthology<\/em>, was initially kept secret and released two hours after the front half.) But those who are patient enough to sit with all 31 songs will find some of Swift\u2019s most fearless songwriting.\u00a0\u2014 S.D.<\/em><\/p>\n

Standout Track:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cWho\u2019s Afraid of Little Old Me?,\u201d a poignant and biting reminder that you shouldn\u2019t underestimate a woman who has been publicly scrutinized since she was a teenager \u2014 no matter how sweet and polite she might seem<\/p>\n

Various Artists, \u2018Twisters: The Album\u2019<\/h3>\n
\"The<\/figure>\n

Nothing could have prepared Us for the monster record that was the\u00a0Twisters<\/em>\u00a0soundtrack.\u00a0Luke Combs<\/strong>\u00a0started things off strong with his monster hit \u201cAin\u2019t No Love in Oklahoma\u201d as the movie\u2019s first original song, and things just got better from there. Country music\u2019s biggest names stepped up and stepped out with some of their best tunes yet, and new kids on the block like Moroney (\u201cNever Left Me\u201d) and\u00a0Bailey Zimmerman<\/strong>\u00a0(\u201cHell or High Water\u201d) confirmed they have what it takes to rub shoulders with legends.\u00a0Shania Twain<\/strong>\u00a0collaborated with\u00a0Breland<\/strong>\u00a0for the memorable song \u201cBoots Don\u2019t\u201d that might make for the newest line dancing craze, while\u00a0Jelly Roll<\/strong>\u00a0got the honor of appearing twice (\u201cDead End Road\u201d and \u201cLeave the Light On\u201d with\u00a0Alexandra Kay<\/strong>). Some songs perfectly encapsulate scenes from the film, but others bear the stamp of their creators:\u00a0Thomas Rhett<\/strong>\u00a0fully leaned into his Southern roots with references to both Tecovas and Miller Lite on \u201cFeelin\u2019 Country.\u201d\u00a0\u2014 S.S.<\/em><\/p>\n

Standout Track:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cAin\u2019t in Kansas Anymore,\u201d because watching Glen Powell dance to it on TikTok was a huge win this year<\/p>\n

Waxahatchee, \u2018Tigers Blood\u2019<\/h3>\n
\"The<\/figure>\n

On\u00a0Tigers Blood<\/em>,\u00a0Katie Crutchfield<\/strong>, the seasoned singer-songwriter behind Waxahatchee, doubles down on the alt-country sound she explored on her last release, 2020\u2019s\u00a0Saint Cloud<\/em>. While the Americana instrumentation is familiar, Crutchfield\u2019s voice \u2014 both as a singer and a writer \u2014 is something special. Her lyrics are somehow both vague and frighteningly precise, which is by design.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think my life gets weirder and less relatable the older that I get. So, I try to write in a way that\u2019s relatable to anyone with any problem,\u201d Crutchfield told\u00a0Pitchfork<\/em>\u00a0in March. \u201cThere\u2019s some universal emotional truth that people can get to the bottom of, even if they don\u2019t understand everything I\u2019m talking about.\u201d<\/p>\n

There\u2019s something for everyone in Crutchfield\u2019s dense stanzas. Different lines jump out on each listen, like an audial Rorschach test.\u00a0\u2014 S.D.<\/em><\/p>\n

Standout Track:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cRight Back to It,\u201d a refreshingly authentic ode to a long-term relationship featuring guest vocals by\u00a0MJ Lenderman<\/strong><\/p>\n

Willow, \u2018Empathogen\u2019<\/h3>\n
\"The<\/figure>\n

Willow\u2019s pop punk and grunge influences were front and center on 2021\u2019s\u00a0Lately I Feel Everything<\/em>\u00a0and 2022\u2019s\u00a0Coping Mechanism<\/em>, but the genre chameleon embraced a jazzy, progressive rock sound on\u00a0Empathogen<\/em>. As Willow demonstrated her vocal versatility and musical sophistication, she didn\u2019t abandon her roots; the alt-rock angst of her and\u00a0Tyler Cole<\/strong>\u2019s 2021 sleeper hit \u201cMeet Me at Our Spot\u201d can be heard on\u00a0Empathogen<\/em>\u00a0tracks like \u201cRun!\u201d and \u201cBig Feelings.\u201d Willow\u2019s love for a wide range of musical genres has never been more apparent than it is on\u00a0Empathogen<\/em>\u00a0\u2014 the album features collaborations with both\u00a0Jon Batiste<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0St. Vincent<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 and the result is a true feast for the ears.\u00a0\u2014 S.D.<\/em><\/p>\n

Standout Track:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cSymptom of Life,\u201d which opens with an arpeggiated piano lick in 7\/4 before the hugely satisfying chorus takes\u00a0Us<\/em>\u00a0back to common time as Willow notes that you must make a conscious effort to look for beauty in the world<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Taylor Swift and Beyonc\u00e9 dominated entertainment headlines this year, but their latest albums \u2014\u00a0The Tortured Poets Department\u00a0and\u00a0Cowboy Carter, respectively \u2014 were just two of many bright spots… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":20918,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20917","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-taylor-swifts"],"yoast_head":"\nThe Best Albums of 2024: Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter and More... - News 365<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=20917\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Best Albums of 2024: Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter and More... - News 365\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Taylor Swift and Beyonc\u00e9 dominated entertainment headlines this year, but their latest albums \u2014\u00a0The Tortured Poets Department\u00a0and\u00a0Cowboy Carter, respectively \u2014 were just two of many bright spots...\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=20917\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"News 365\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-12-27T06:27:23+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/1-88-768x768.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"768\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"768\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"MsThao\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"MsThao\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"1 minute\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=20917\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=20917\",\"name\":\"The Best Albums of 2024: Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter and More... - News 365\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=20917#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=20917#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/1-88.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-12-27T06:27:23+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-12-27T06:27:23+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/bd62b4f1523cc864d4f4e151cc009bc0\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=20917#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=20917\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=20917#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/1-88.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/1-88.png\",\"width\":2000,\"height\":2000},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=20917#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"The Best Albums of 2024: Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter and More…\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/\",\"name\":\"News 365\",\"description\":\"Your Daily Dose of Sports News and Updates\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/bd62b4f1523cc864d4f4e151cc009bc0\",\"name\":\"MsThao\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/38555279c6b6b7febdf09c87b184059dc428484397a9d8d577024da5d6e35287?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/38555279c6b6b7febdf09c87b184059dc428484397a9d8d577024da5d6e35287?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"MsThao\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?author=2\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"The Best Albums of 2024: Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter and More... - News 365","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=20917","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"The Best Albums of 2024: Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter and More... - News 365","og_description":"Taylor Swift and Beyonc\u00e9 dominated entertainment headlines this year, but their latest albums \u2014\u00a0The Tortured Poets Department\u00a0and\u00a0Cowboy Carter, respectively \u2014 were just two of many bright spots...","og_url":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=20917","og_site_name":"News 365","article_published_time":"2024-12-27T06:27:23+00:00","og_image":[{"width":768,"height":768,"url":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/1-88-768x768.png","type":"image\/png"}],"author":"MsThao","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"MsThao","Est. reading time":"1 minute"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=20917","url":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=20917","name":"The Best Albums of 2024: Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter and More... - News 365","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=20917#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=20917#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/1-88.png","datePublished":"2024-12-27T06:27:23+00:00","dateModified":"2024-12-27T06:27:23+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/bd62b4f1523cc864d4f4e151cc009bc0"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=20917#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=20917"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=20917#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/1-88.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/1-88.png","width":2000,"height":2000},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=20917#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"The Best Albums of 2024: Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter and More…"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/","name":"News 365","description":"Your Daily Dose of Sports News and Updates","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/bd62b4f1523cc864d4f4e151cc009bc0","name":"MsThao","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/38555279c6b6b7febdf09c87b184059dc428484397a9d8d577024da5d6e35287?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/38555279c6b6b7febdf09c87b184059dc428484397a9d8d577024da5d6e35287?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"MsThao"},"url":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?author=2"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20917","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=20917"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20917\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20919,"href":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20917\/revisions\/20919"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/20918"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=20917"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=20917"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=20917"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}