Even though this site primarily focuses on protest music, not every album I listen to explicitly meets the definition of a protest album. So because of this, I decided to record a video featuring my list of my best albums of 2024. I also decided to list my 100 favorite albums of the year (the top 25 will include my notes for the video). Even though it includes albums that made the Top 40 protest albums list, it also includes many albums that didn’t quite meet the criteria. Also in contrast with most of the lists on this site, I included my star ratings and I decided to rank the albums in numerical order for fun. But I wouldn’t get too hung up on the rankings. There isn’t much difference between the number 100 album and the number 70 album, every album in my top 20 could have been top 10, and every album in my top 10 could have been top 5. It’s not too serious, it is ultimately a list of albums I enjoyed and hopefully in the process maybe I introduce you to something(s) new.
4 Stars
100. BRAT – Social Grace
99. Dawn Landes – The Liberated Woman’s Songbook
98. Lt Headtrip x Bloodmoney Perez – EMBLEMS
97. The Heavy Heavy – One of a Kind
96. Carsie Blanton – After the Revolution
95. Francis of Delirium – Lighthouse
94. Oceanator – Everything Is Love and Death
93. Straw Man Army – Earthworks
92. Suki Waterhouse – Memoir of a Sparklemuffin
91. Rent Strike – Möbius Strip Mall
90. The Paranoid Style – The Interrogator
89. Jon McKiel – Hex
88. Good Looks – Lived Here for a While
87. Young Jesus – The Fool
86. DIIV – Frog in Boiling Water
85. Aziza Brahim – Mawja
84. Fucked Up – Another Day
83. Faraway Ghost & Sunken Cages – Ashk Haye
82. Múr – Múr
81. Mustafa the Poet – Dunya
80. Deerlady (Mali Obomsawin & Magdalena Abrego) – Greatest Hits
79. Mount Eerie – Night Palace
78. Fake Fruit – Mucho Mistrust
77. Mary Ocher – Your Guide to Revolution
76. Tzompantli – Beating the Drums of Ancestral Force
75. Lætitia Sadier – Rooting for Love
74. Nadine Shah – Filthy Underneath
73. Thurston Moore – Flow Critical Lucidity
72. Kim Gordon – The Collective
71. 파란노을 [Parannoul] – Sky Hundred
70. Gouge Away – Deep Sage
69. Jesse Welles – Patchwork
68. The Last Dinner Party – Prelude to Ecstasy
67. St. Vincent – All Born Screaming
66. Shabaka – Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace
65. Tramhaus – The First Exit
64. Rosali – Bite Down
63. Vampire Weekend – Only God Was Above Us
62. Chemtrails – The Joy of Sects
61. Cime – The Cime Interdisciplinary Music Ensemble
60. Mary Timony – Untame the Tiger
59. Kneecap – Fine Art
58. J Mascis – What Do We Do Now
57. Denzel Curry – King of the Mischievous South Vol. 2
56. Amirtha Kidambi’s Elder Ones – New Monuments
55. Armand Hammer – BLK LBL
54. Shellac – To All Trains
53. Being Dead – EELS
52. Ducks Ltd. – Harm’s Way
51. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Wild God
50. Kim Deal – Nobody Loves You More
49. English Teacher – This Could Be Texas
48. Vince Staples – Dark Times
47. Rosie Tucker – Utopia Now!
46. Tyler, The Creator – Chromakopia
45. Immanuel Wilkins – Blues Blood
44. SENTRIES – Snow as a Metaphor for Death
43. Doechii – Alligator Bites Never Heal
42. Sierra Ferrell – Trail of Flowers
41. Kit Sebastian – New Internationale
40. ScHoolboy Q – BLUE LIPS
39. Meshell Ndegeocello – No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin
38. The Smile – Cutouts
37. Fontaines D.C. – Romance
36. Brittany Howard – What Now
35. Cindy Lee – Diamond Jubilee
34. Elucid – Revelator
33. Jessica Pratt – Here in the Pitch
32. The Cure – Songs of a Lost World
31. Beth Gibbons – Lives Outgrown
30. Adeem the Artist – Anniversary
29. Friko – Where We’ve Been, Where We Go From Here
28. Leyla McCalla – Sun Without the Heat
27. Mannequin Pussy – I Got Heaven
26. Tapir! – The Pilgrim, Their God and the King of My Decrepit Mountain
25. Godspeed You! Black Emperor – “No Title as of 13 February 2024 28,340 Dead”
The title of the 8th studio album by the Canadian post-rock band is a reference of those who died during the Gaza genocide between October 7, 2023-February 13, 2024. Despite being instrumental it succeeds in making a powerful political statement. Musically, the album is a chilling soundtrack to global suffering and societal neglect. Like their previous releases, there is a cinematic feel that embraces feelings of beauty and despair.
24. Ka – The Thief Next to Jesus
Not going to lie, sadly I never listened to a Ka album until after his passing. But if this is representative of the rapper’s work, I need to do a deeper dive. He is a skilled lyricist and the album is a captivating look at the complexities of one’s faith and how religion can be used as a tool of oppression.
23. Beyoncé – Cowboy Carter
This is the 2nd installment of a planned trilogy dedicated to music genres that have had their black roots whitewashed. I initially had this at 4.5 stars, partly because it felt important and momentous. But basing it strictly on my personal enjoyment, the album is a bit long and a bit uneven. But it is an impressive album, and even though it is labeled as a country album, part of the appeal is that it transcends genres (there is even some random opera thrown in). Also, not always a fan of skits, but I thought it was smart to have country royalty like Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton appear (even though I thought her version of Jolene fell a bit flat), but those appearances could be viewed as high profile cosigns. I also appreciated the appearance Linda Martell, the first Black female country artist to play the Grand Ole Opry. It was an apt nod to someone who helped pave the way. Even though the existence of the album could be considered a statement of protest, it includes multiple socially conscious tunes such as the gospel-influenced bookends “American Requiem” and “Amen” and a gorgeous cover of The Beatles’ “Blackbird” (featuring black female country singers Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy, and Reyna Roberts), which Paul McCartney wrote in response to the black people’s struggles during the American civil rights movement. Overall, a mostly successful ambitious album.
4.5 Stars
22. The Smile – Wall of Eyes
This is the sophomore album by the trio featuring Radiohead’s Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood and Son of Kemet’s drummer Tom Skinner. Because two-thirds of the trio is Radiohead, it could be easy to dismiss this as Radiohead light. But sonically there is some distinct differences, and Skinner’s contributions shouldn’t be overlooked, it adds almost a jazzy element. Also, you have one of the album highlights, “Friend of a Friend”. is an almost Randy Newman-like piano (or at least Thom and Jonny’s version of that). Gorgeous tune, but would seem out of place on a Radiohead album. They also released another 2024 album Cutouts, a solid 4 star album.
21. Various Artists – My Black Country: The Songs of Alice Randall
This is a compilation of tunes composed by Alice Randall, a novelist, and songwriter who was the first black woman to write a number-one tune on the US country charts (“XXX’s and OOO’s (An American Girl)” by Trisha Yearwood). Considering she was writing from the perspective of a black woman, having the songs covered by black female country and country-adjacent artists adds a new dynamic. Featured artists include Leyla McCalla (whose album Sun Without the Heat was a contender for my top 25), Allison Russell, and Sunny War (whose Anarchist Gospel was one of my favorite albums of 2023). Also one of the album’s many highlights is Rhiannon Giddens’ (who played banjo on Cowboy Carter) powerful rendition of “The Ballad of Sally Ann”, a tune about a lynching originally recorded by Mark O’Connor, a white male. Also, because Randall is also a novelist, that comes across in the strong storytelling narrative of the lyrics.
20. Bambu – If You See Someone Stealing Food… No, You Didn’t.
The latest album by the Filipino-US rapper and activist is in contention for best album title. Bambu wears his politics on his sleeves and there is no ambiguity with his feelings about systemic ills. But he also succeeds in addressing serious topics with a playful wit. For example, some of the songs includes dialogue from a child (assuming Bambu’s), which adds levity to subjects that potentially could come across as heavy handed. Also released a few days after the US presidential election it appropriately closes with the election-mocking tune “A November To Remember”. Sometimes topical tunes have a shelf life, but this tune is most likely to be relevant every 4 years, and most of the topics are evergreen. But even if you ignore the politics, the music is banging.
19. Cheekface – It’s Sorted
This is an album that potentially could be divisive, and that is mostly due to the monotone male vocals. But the vocals lend itself to the album’s quirky brilliance. 4th album by the indie rock band is not only incredibly catchy but is also chock full of satirical witty critiques of capitalism and other societal ills. It is just a really fun album that I get a kick out of listening to.
18. The Bug Club – On the Intricate Inner Workings of the System
This is an album I discovered by accident a few of days ago while I was still in the process of completing the list. I was listening to another album and after the album was done the Spotify algorithms selected other tunes to play, and one of those songs was “Better Than Good” which I was vibing with so I clicked on to find out what album it was off of, and realized this album was released this year. Bug Club is a UK indie rock duo and this album is their first released on Sub Pop. Musically it has similarities to Cheekface, it is also chockful of quirky brilliance, and it features catchy music and clever lyrics. Even though Cheekface has a higher profile, I think I slightly prefer Bug Club. The vocals are slightly more tuneful and I get a kick out of the accents. If you like Cheekface, there is no reason you shouldn’t enjoy this as well. If you hate Cheekface, stay away, because you’ll probably hate this as well.
17. Bob Vylan – Humble as the Sun
Bob Vylan answers the question of what Rage Against Machine would sound like if they were a grime punk band from the UK. This is the duo’s third album and like their previous albums, they are unafraid to be explicitly political, with scathing lyrics that address governmental and corporate greed and exploitation. But to lighten the mood a tad, they balanced the anger with optimism. Righteous vitriol never sounded so good.
16. 小王 [Xiao Wang] – KACHAKACHA
The latest album by the Beijing punks takes aim at the oppressive Chinese government while also addressing other issues such as climate change. Despite the serious subject matter, it is also a kick-ass rocking album. I also get a kick at the juxtaposing of adorable clean vocals and harsh dirty vocals. It is an overload of chaotic cuteness.
15. Kaia Kater – Strange Medicine
The latest album by the Canadian musician explores the concept of healing from both personal and political turmoil. Featuring a gifted cast of musicians such as Allison Russell, Aoife O’Donovan, and Taj Mahal, they complement Kater’s considerable musical chops and her ability as a social commentator.
14. Moor Mother – The Great Bailout
The latest album by the prolific jazz poet and experimental musician explores the British slave industry, including an indictment of the 1835 act that compensated 46,000 slave owners with £20 million (over £2 billion today) for their loss of “property” due to the abolition of slavery. At times it can be musically jarring, but that is the perfect canvas for the weighty subject matter. Moor Mother also effectively links past historical atrocities with current realities. It is both compelling and educational.
13. Mdou Moctar – Funeral for Justice
The latest album by the Niger-based Tuareg musician is a powerful denouncement of colonial injustice. Moctar feels it is important to use his music to speak out. It is an important album that sheds light on global injustices that don’t get discussed enough in the Western world. But politics aside it is an exhilarating kick-ass rock album. It is a contender for guitar album of the year.
12. Jake Blount & Mali Obomsawin – Symbiont
The new collaborative album by Jake Blount and Mali Obomsawin is a riveting blend of Black and Indigenous futurism with traditional folk elements. It explores issues of racial and climate injustice and poignantly highlights the future ills that will result if things continue unchecked. Also, earlier in the year Mali Obomsawin released the cheekily titled Greatest Hits as part of the duo Deerlady, which is also worth checking out. Also, I had an opportunity to interview her as part of my on extended hiatus podcast Ongoing History of Protest Music, along with Isa Burke, two-thirds of the folk trio Lula Wiles. It was an enlightening conversation.
11. Mamaleek – Vida Blue
Hands down the best album released this year named after a baseball player. Naming it after the Oakland A’s pitcher is a response to the Oakland Athletics’ relocation to Las Vegas. But that sense of loss is paralleled by the tragic 2023 death of band member Eric Livingston. The experimental West Coast metal band is a recent discovery for me, and apparently, it is their 9th full-length album, so it looks like I have to do a deeper dive. This is by far the weirdest album on my list, it is absolutely batshit. But that weirdness doesn’t obscure that sense of loss. It is compelling and hits on an emotional level.
10. Ekko Astral – Pink Balloons
The debut album by the Washington, D.C.-based punk band takes a serious stance on the life-threatening challenges faced by trans individuals and, critiques how capitalism exploits those who challenge it (such as the harrowing “I90” and the poignant lyrics “have friends still hiding while you throw a parade”). But on several tunes, they accomplish the impressive feat of being serious without taking themselves too seriously. With an injection of playful humor, who says the revolution can’t be fun?
9. Mach-Hommy – #RICHAXXHAITIAN
This is the latest album by the elusive rapper with a cult following (some of his albums have sold over $1000). He is protective of his image and he keeps his lyrics off Genius. All of this adds to the mystique, but the music is also goddamn good and he is an impeccably skilled MC and lyricist. Like his previous albums, he effectively taps into his Haitian heritage and articulates the wealth disparity within Haiti.
8. Meryl Streek – Songs for the Deceased
The explosive sophomore album by the Irish electro-punk artist is the perfect blend of the personal and political. The eclectic musical palette provides the perfect landscape to take aim at targets such as greedy landlords, corrupt politicians, and the increasing rate of suicide. The album is dark and heavy, but it is also a compelling listen which is the perfect outlet for righteous indignation.
7. Kendrick Lamar – GNX
Lamar already had a banner year in 2024 due to his beef with Drake, in which he clearly emerged victorious. To cap off the year he dropped a surprise release. Even though the album may lack the weight of previous releases, the album shows Lamar taking himself less seriously and it is an enjoyable and by Lamar’s standards a compact listening experience. It is also another prime exhibit of why he is a GOAT-level MC and lyricist.
6. Chat Pile – Cool World
This is the sophomore album by the sludge-metal band fittingly named after the 200-foot-high heaps of contaminated gravel found in the ghost town of Picher, Oklahoma. Just like their excellent debut (which was one of my favorite albums of 2022), Cool World is an unsettling but compelling look at a decaying planet. But it also expands the themes from a micro to macro scale and examines the ripple effect of how disasters domestically can have an impact globally. It is ugly and idiosyncratic but in the best possible way.
5. Jack White – No Name
This was originally released exclusively on vinyl and was included as a cool thank-you gift for Third Man Records customers. But the cool release aside, this is my favorite non-White Stripe Jack White-related album. I don’t know what to say about it, other than it is just a kickass rock record that showcases White’s considerable skills as a multi-instrumentalist. It is also a welcome return to White’s blues and garage rock roots. Sometimes authentic kickass rock is all we need.
4. Jesse Welles – Hells Welles
This is the first album by the talented and prolific singer-songwriter where he is credited as his birth name Jesse Welles (previously released as Welles, along with other pseudonyms). The album’s 21 tracks include many semi-viral tunes that Welles previously shared through social media. Welles is a gifted social commentator and satirist and he can be considered a spiritual predecessor to artists like Phil Ochs, John Prine, and the evitable comparison to protest song era Bob Dylan. Despite the length, it is all killer and no filler and the 1-hour length goes by pretty quickly. Also later in the year, he released a follow-up Patchwork and the EP All Creatures Great and Small, both of which are worth checking out.
3. JPEGMAFIA – I Lay Down My Life for You
This is both my favorite rap and rock album of the year. This could be viewed as JPEG’s metal album. One of the songs is named “JPEGULTRA!” as a nod to Brazilian thrash band Sepultura and another “vulgar display of power” as a reference to the Pantera album of the same name. The metallic elements paint the perfect backdrop for his trademark caustic wit. It is another captivating listen by the underground rapper.
2. Hurray for the Riff Raff – The Past Is Still Alive
I’m a huge fan of Hurray for the Riff Raff, their last two albums 2017’s The Navigator and 2022’s Life on Earth were both 5-star albums. This fell a bit short of 5 stars, but still an exceptional album. This is the 9th studio album by the project of Alynda Segarra and they started to compose the album a month after the death of their father. That sense of grief and loss is well conveyed throughout the album. Even though the gorgeous and heartfelt tunes are deeply rooted in the personal, like previous releases the personal intersects with the political exploring environmental and LGBTQ+ issues. Hurray For The Riff Raff always succeeds in hitting me in the feels.
5 Stars
1. Adrianne Lenker – Bright Future
I get that this might be a bit of a pedestrian pick, and I wanted to pick something a bit more out of left field, that doesn’t appear on any other lists. But I just couldn’t, the 6th solo album by The Big Thief frontperson, I emotionally connected with more any other 2024 release. The album is deeply personal and there are several tunes that I have a tough time listening to without getting choked up. This is best highlighted by the album’s bookends, “Real House” which is a poignant recounting of nostalgic longing and “Ruined” which devastates me every time I listen to it. It is a gorgeous melancholic masterpiece.