Albums of The Year 2024
What started off as a top 10 list has ended as 100 essential albums from 2024, with genre-specific accolades spanning the genres close to Stack Records: Jazz, Hip-hop, Rap, Funk, Soul, R&B, Electronic, Dance, Ambient, Experimental, Alternative, Folk, Rock, and all styles in between. Let's blame OCD and the fact that there is just so much good music out in the wilderness. We have even ventured into genres we do not stock, as we just love all music. This has resulted in the best AOTY (Albums of the Year) list on the internet… if you don’t believe us, listen to every album on this list—or at least the genre you are into!
Within the categories, we’ve also awarded the top five albums for Tuning In, Day Thinking, Cutting Shapes, and Winding Down—our way of recognising the records that match our moods.
Playlist
(1) Jazz
We’ve chosen 20 albums that explore all styles of jazz—spiritual, contemporary, fusion, and classical—focusing on boundary-pushing music from this year. There’s something for every jazz fan. In this section, we’ve awarded the best jazz album and best fusion album of 2024, but every pick is just as exceptional.
(2) Hip-Hop
Sticking to the theme of 20, we’ve selected hip-hop and rap albums that honour the genre’s roots while embracing its evolution. From sharp lyricism to bold production, this selection captures both tradition and innovation. Choosing the best hip-hop album wasn’t easy, so we split the honour between two standouts—one with razor-sharp bars over hard-hitting beats and another that masters storytelling with originality. The best rap album, on the other hand, was chosen for its experimentation and pure fun.
(3) Funk/Soul
Perhaps the hardest task—narrowing down funk, soul, and R&B to just 20 albums (plus a well-deserved extra two). In this section, we’ve awarded the best funk album which fuses Afrobeat and jazz throughout, the best R&B album that could have been soul, and the best soul album that could have been R&B—because these records blur the lines effortlessly. Our R&B pick pushes contemporary sounds and neo-soul with standout originality, while the other embodies soul in every lyric, note, and a band that simply can’t miss.
(4) Electronic
This selection of top 20 albums features creative electronic music, from house rhythms to trance, that makes you want to dance or experience something familiar but new. We've chosen the best electronic album, a project that transcends through elements that make the genre so powerful, capturing the moments that remind you why you love it. The best dance album showcases extraordinary storytelling, rhythm production, and artistic exploration, with grooves, boogie, and an unforgettable journey.
(5) Ambient
We understand that ambient music typically fits within the electronic genre, but ambient and soundscapes are at the core of Stack Records. That’s why we've chosen 20 phenomenal albums that explore this concept. From this collection, we've selected the best ambient album that transcends us through soundscapes, along with our experimental album of the year—an album that seamlessly blends ambient music with other genres to create something truly special.
(6) Folk/Rock
Folk, rock, alternative, and indie selections aren’t what we typically stock, but they resonate with us dearly. Enjoy these 20 selections. We’ve chosen the best two folk albums, featuring one powerhouse and another innovative exploration. Our best indie and alternative album is a phenomenal feat, while the best rock album captivated us with its psychedelia and originality.
