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Women have so thoroughly dominated 2024 that I almost wanted to ban men entirely from this year-end list. But then sungazer and Johnny Blue Skies had to go and record some year-end worthy stuff, so it’s not a shut out.

Beyoncé, Act II: Cowboy Carter

Is Cowboy Carter a country album? No, it’s the sound of country music paying for its lack of vision.

Shiina Ringo, Hojoya

Collaborating with other women artists has really rejuvenated Shiina Ringo. The last few albums have felt like formalities. This album feels truly new.

Charli XCX, brat

I first criticized brat for drawing upon too little material for the entire length of an album. Over time, I would discover that criticism was actually its strength.

Tiffany Poon, Diaries: Schumann

Tifanny Poon is not like most YouTubers. Her vlogs often feel like miniature art films, with scenic shots underpinned by her performances. And you see her contend with the music on her recital programs, the piano given a voice (through subtitles) in how the performance turns out. The care with which she champions Schumann’s music comes through on her first album as an adult concert performer.

Perfume, Nebula Romance: Zenpen

Perfume albums are often just compilations of the last half dozen singles, and Nebula Romance: Zenpen isn’t too different in that regard. But as the trio approaches 25 years of performing, this album feels much more organic. Producer Nakata Yasutaka lightens his touch, letting the voices of Kashiyuka, A-chan and Nocchi to come through. It’s also part one of two albums, with the second expected in 2025.

Sleater-Kinney, Little Rope

After a successful return on 2015’s No Cities to Love, Sleater-Kinney wandered a bit on the subsequent albums. Little Rope course corrects just enough to remind listeners why they loved this band in the first place.

Kim Gordon, The Collective

Give Kim Gordon the damn Grammy.

Cocco, Beatrice

Similar to Onitsuka Chihiro, Cocco’s first albums cast a long shadow over everything that came after. She’s occasionally met the expectations set by that body work, and sometimes she hasn’t. Beatrice definitely does. Cocco’s most recent work is far sunnier than her early albums, but Beatrice shows some of storm and stress piping below the surface.

sungazer, Against the Fall of Night

The songs on this album are all in a 4/4 time signature, but how those four beats are divided up is the real question.

Johnny Blue Skies, PASSAGE DU DESIR

Sturgill Simpson the brand is dead. But I have no doubt Johnny Blue Skies will be no less chameleonic, starting with this album steeped in a 1970s Gram Parsons vibe.

More favorites:

• Ray Chen, Player One
• Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Live from the Ryman, Vol. 2
• SYML, Live at HANGAR 30
• Robin Holcomb, One Way or Another, Vol. 2

Tags: beyonce, charli xcx, cocco, favorite edition, jason isbell, johnny blue skies, kim gordon, perfume, ray chen, robin holcomb, shiina ringo, sleater-kinney, sungazer, syml, tiffany poon