With the conclusion of 2024, Rolling Stone Magazine released a list of the top 100 albums of the year. Regarded as a top source for music reviews and rankings, the Rolling Stone lists are strong indicators of musical success. While the publication made an extensive list of 100, the top ten albums made a massive impact on music and pop culture this year, with their popularity enduring the whole year and landing spots on everyone’s playlists. But did 2024’s best albums truly get the recognition they deserved? Or did this recognition go to music that might not be so deserving? Going down the list from ranks ten to one, a closer look is needed to see if the albums were ranked properly
10: Tigers Blood – Waxahatchee
“Tigers Blood” is Waxahatchee’s sixth album following the release of singles “Right Back to it,” “Bored” and “365.” The band’s album was critically acclaimed and received a Grammy nomination for “Best Americana Album.” The indie record has a country and alternative feel, with songs that give it the spot it deserves at number 10 on this list.
9: Alligator Bites Never Heal – Doechii
“Alligator Bites Never Heal” is the third mixtape of rapper Doechii. The title was preceded by two singles, “Nissan Altima” and “Boom Bap,” and this alternative hip-hop and R&B record featuring melodic rhythms and tunes. Songs on the album carry deep messages from the artist, such as the conversation in the song “Denial is a River” discussing drug use and fame. However, “Alligator Bites Never Heal” didn’t make quite the impact that some other albums this year did, so perhaps its high ranking of nine out of 100 was too high for this album.
8: Eternal Sunshine – Ariana Grande
Eternal Sunshine by Ariana Grande was her seventh album, released three years after her last album, Positions. Taking the title from the 2004 movie Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Grande made a massive impact with this record, amassing three Grammy nominations. With this success after a brief break from new music, Grande’s “Eternal Sunshine” album deserves its high rating on the list.
7: We Don’t Trust You – Future and Metro Boomin
“We Don’t Trust You” was a joint album from Future and Metro Boomin. This album was filled with solid songs, but one set off a chain of events that would last the entire year. “Like That,” featuring Kendrick Lamar included disses on popular rapper Drake, which started a rap beef that would lead to new songs from both Lamar and Drake. The feud became the highlight of pop culture for months, and with the record being the start of substantial pop culture drama, it makes a shoe-in for a high spot on the list— perhaps even higher than seventh, where it was placed.
6: Tyla – Tyla
From internet hits like “Water” to “Truth or Dare,” South African singer Tyla’s self-titled record “Tyla” made a profound impact on pop culture. Blending genres and sounds from R&B, pop and Afrobeat styles, Tyla created a record filled with refreshing, unique and compelling melodies that amassed her massive success, winning a Grammy for Best African Music Performance. Taking into consideration that “Tyla” is Tyla’s first album and is already seeing so much success, this album deserves it spot on the list.
5: Hit Me Hard and Soft – Billie Eilish
“Hit Me Hard and Soft” was Billie Eilish’s third studio album and was a continuation of the success that she’s already seen with her previous records. With its range of music styles and expression from the artist, the album was critically acclaimed, helping Eilish win Grammys in categories “Song of the Year” and “Best Song Written for Visual Media” with her song “What Was I Made For?” This album was an incredible success and deserves its high spot on the Top 100 list.
4: Short n’ Sweet – Sabrina Carpenter
“Short n’ Sweet” was Sabrina Carpenter’s sixth studio album, and after shooting into the spotlight with top songs such as “Espresso,” she took pop culture by storm with this album. “Short n’ Sweet” was nominated for eight Grammys, including an Album of the Year award. With its incredible impact on pop culture and Sabrina Carpenter’s massive popularity this year, Short n’ Sweet rightfully deserves its high position on the list.
3: Manning Fireworks – MJ Lenderman
“Manning Fireworks” was the fourth album from MJ Lenderman, and while it is a good album with indie and country tones, it really didn’t have any impact on pop culture or music in general. In addition, the songs all seem the same in tone and delivery, devoid any variety and creating an album that provides no change for the listener as they progress. This album was a decent piece of work, but definitely not good enough to place third on the top 200 list.
2: Cowboy Carter – Beyoncé
“Cowboy Carter” is Beyoncé’s eighth studio album, which garnered immediate success. As the second album in her planned trilogy that includes her 2022 album “Renaissance,” Beyoncé included Americana and country styles to make a great album. This album had 11 Grammy nominations, the most at the Grammys this year. It is also the second most nominated album of all time behind Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” This album was undoubtedly a massive success and deserves the second spot in the top 100 list.
1: Brat – Charli XCX
The top album of 2024 according to Rolling Stone goes to Charli XCX’s “Brat,” which is her sixth album. This album was possibly the most highlighted and popular music of the summer, with songs like “Apple” and “360” alongside taglines like “Brat Summer” taking social media by storm. Labeled by many as the album of the summer, it was not a surprise to see this impactful album at the very top of the list.
Whether or not people agree with the rankings made by Rolling Stone, it was undoubtedly a good list with many of the most impactful and impressive albums. These albums are sure to stand the test of time and continue to be memorable pieces of music, despite what comes in 2025 and beyond.
