The Best Albums of 2024 (So Far), According to Cosmo Editors With *Taste*

Beyoncé is so personal to me. The 300M+ IG followers? Don't care. Her 200M records sold worldwide? Can't hear you. When she sings about white rejection and ancestral trauma on "AMERIICAN REQUIEM" she's singing to me and me only. This record (which haters wanted to deem a gimmick! The North remembers!) bleeds grit and power and should inspire anyone who comes across it to reclaim what's rightfully theirs, be that respect, industry recognition, or an entire damn music genre. It's difficult to pick a favorite child, but in a perfect world the aforementioned "AMERIICAN REQUIEM," "DAUGHTER," "YA YA," and "II MOST WANTED" would be the only available song options for DJs worldwide. I said what I said.

— Annabel Iwegbue, assistant editor

This album is going to be on every best-of list this year/decade and very deservedly so! As Beyoncé wrote on both Instagram and the side of the Guggenheim Museum in New York: "This ain't a Country album. This is a 'Beyoncé' album." From the thesis-statement opening track "AMERIICAN REQUIEM" to the uptempo "TEXAS HOLD 'EM" to the country-pop ballad with Miley Cyrus, "II MOST WANTED," Beyoncé plays with the country genre to make an album that's all her own.

— Erika W. Smith, senior astrology editor

Growing up in rural Idaho, country music was the only listening option. I never saw myself reflected in its lyrics, artists, and fanbase. Cowboy Carter caused me to reflect upon the cultural norms of where I was raised and unpack things from my childhood I never truly had. To me, it’s not only a celebration of Black country music, but of all the queer, color-outside-the-lines kids like myself who evolved beyond the narrow-minded environments where country music reigns supreme.

— Sarah Maberry, commerce writer

After scoring her second (!) Oscar for her Barbie megahit, "What Was I Made For?," Billie Eilish kept the momentum going with the release of her third album, HIT ME HARD AND SOFT. To say this is a comeback is false, as she and her brother/collaborator, Finneas, never quite left—it's more of a reintroduction. Billie's signature soft vocals found a new life on songs from the early aughts of her stardom ("Blue," formerly known as "True Blue") and brought forth ambitious production through rock odyssey guitars and regency-era string arrangements. Stacked with 10 marvelous tracks, it's difficult to choose one standout on HIT ME HARD AND SOFT as something new is discovered with each listen. Billie's unapologetically queer anthem, "Lunch," rightfully hit the top 5 of Billboard's Hot 100 chart, her ode to friendship "Birds of a Feather" made an old saying feel fresh, and Finneas' production reached new heights on "L'amour De Ma Vie" as its swingy Amy Winehouse vibe transformed into an autotuned club classic á la Charli XCX. However, the layered complexities of "The Greatest," from its edge-of-your-seat musical buildup to its diary entry lyricism, prove that the artists' latest musical venture holds that exact title.

— Sam Olson, assistant news editor

Few artists understand pop culture as deeply as Charli XCX. Yes, her songs make the ideal sound for a TikTok, but it’s clear that a 1-minute soundbite isn’t their only purpose. To use Charli’s words, they’re “club classics” that I’ll be adding to party playlists for (no exaggeration) decades to come.

— Sarah Maberry, commerce writer

Charli XCX's highly-anticipated sixth album surpassed my huge expectations (and FWIW, the critics agreed for once!). It's got all the makings of a great summer album: confidence-boosting hype lyrics, themes of travel, and dance hooks for days. But it's also an incredible development in songwriting and production for an artist who's been on the fringes of mainstream pop for over a decade. It's such a complete work with peaks and valleys. Between all the partying, she's also vulnerable, questioning her trajectory in life and desire to be a mother ("I Think About It All The Time"). And has there ever been a song more relatable than "Girl, So Confusing"?! This album is my whole mood for summer 2024: give me lime green everything, get me to the airport, and take me to a back lot where I can dance my cares away. I'm never taking off my sunglasses.

— Heath Owens, senior commerce editor

The Tortured Poets Department has some of my favorite songwriting of Taylor's ever (and I'm a lifelong Swiftie). She didn't feel the need to be so prim and proper—the songwriting feels less perfect than her previous work. I mean... she name-drops, uses exclamation points, and swears more than we've ever heard her! But it fits this era of Taylor, and I love every second of it. "The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived" is in the running for the best Taylor bridge of all time, by the way.

— Beth Gillette, beauty editor

This is an incredible debut album! Honestly, I feel like people slept on this one as a whole. Of course, there were individual songs that popped off, but this entire album has no skips for me. It's got bops ("Truth or Dare", "ART," "Jump," "WATER"!!!!!! — that song will never get old) and heavy-hitter collaborations with Tems, Becky G, Gunna, Skillibeng, and Travis Scott galore. Not to mention, the cover image is the stuff of Y2K dreams—that image belongs on a CD case.

—Heath Owens, senior commerce editor

Even after six glorious, record-breaking albums, Ariana still knows how to stay on top. She knows what her people want time after time. Eternal Sunshine tells a story from beginning to end about the trials and tribulations and the emotional rollercoaster that happens during a breakup—and its title track captures her overall message seamlessly. It’s relatable. It’s real. And she somehow has the ability to perfectly describe heartbreak in a way that feels impossible to put into words. Every song makes you feel something and transports you to a vulnerable part of yourself while still being super catchy and fun to listen to. Ari knows how to put me in my feelings, make me scream-sing, and prompt me to dance my heart out simultaneously.

— Meg Uy, associate shopping editor

I can't tell you why it took me so long to hop on the Willow Smith bandwagon. Maybe it was the incessant use of "Wait a Minute" audios on TikTok last year, or my dubiousness about what a "Willow Smith jazz album" could possibly sound like. All I was doing was delaying my own satisfaction. Empathogen is one of the bravest and most exciting records we've gotten in a long time. It employs a range of genres to create what I could only describe as a masterpiece. (Is that dramatic? IDC.) I'd consider it tracks like "home" and "Big Feelings" standouts, but as the kids say, this one's a no-skip album. We should consider "Whip My Hair" an early harbinger of Willow's musical genius (that still remains heavily in my own rotation).

— Annabel Iwegbue, assistant editor

It's been five years and 10 tracks since Vampire Weekend's last effort, Father of the Bride, and the production on this album feels like VW to the tenth degree paired with frontman Ezra Koenig's cool and collected vocals. Yet, it puts a fresh spin on their signature (and almost satirical) sound born in their Ivy League days. With twinkling pianos, swirling string arrangements, and self-sampling percussion on "Connect," the musicians call back to their self-titled debut album's opener, "Mansard Roof." What makes this an instantly classic Vampire Weekend record, though, is that they looked from within and came out as their own muse—and something tells me they won't stop marching to the beat of their drum any time soon.

— Sam Olson, assistant news editor

Radical optimism is exactly what the world needs amidst wars, elections, and the general chaos of the global political climate. Dua understands that dancing is healing, and that singing your fave song at the top of your lungs is cleansing. She gave us chart-toppers that are made for just that. You can’t help but feel lighter when her songs come on, whether you’re in the club, in the back of an Uber, or strolling through the grocery store. No matter when or where, I’m singing along. Don't you know I could do this dance all night?

— Sarah Maberry, commerce writer

This latest album from Faye Webster is very "jam band" sounding, but in the best way possible. This is the type of album you listen to in the center of a park lying down and staring at the clouds. Oh, and Lil Yachty has a really cool feature on it!

— Chaise Saunders, associate editor

I'm just going to go ahead and say this with my whole chest: Rachel Chinouriri's What a Devastating Turn of Events is one of the best debut albums of the streaming age. The UK-based artist started as a lowkey R&B-infused pop act and eventually evolved into a cutting-edge alt-pop darling with range. She masterfully taps into several emotions, and there isn't one that feels out of place. Her cheeky talk-sing standout "It Is What It Is" was made for an audience á la Carrie Bradshaw's brunch musings while "Never Need Me" and "Dumb Bitch Juice" are the up-tempo situationship anthems that take a magnifying glass into a 20-something's love life. However, her peeled-back and sincere songwriting on the album's titular track holds a heavier weight, detailing the complex history of her Zimbabwean heritage as it relates to her late cousin's experiences with abortion and self-harm.

Rachel's songwriting prowess—on her full-length debut, no less—is deeply personal and inherently human, and soon enough, the rest of the world will catch along. Between filming a music video cameo alongside her bestie Florence Pugh (casual!) and earning a nod on Sophie Turner's Instagram Stories amid her own relationship drama, there's no doubt that Rachel Chinouriri is in it for the long haul.

— Sam Olson, assistant news editor

Being a queer person from the South, Kacey Musgraves has played a major role in repairing my relationship with country music. Deeper Well is a return to her roots after 2021's pop-crossover Starcrossed and it feels so correct. The folksy sound and paired-back production are committed—and, maybe even risky—thematic choices. They pay off in a major way, effectively delivering her lyrical themes of healing, connecting with nature, and existential curiosities.

— Heath Owens, senior commerce editor

The last thing I expected from Zayn Malik's musical comeback was a country album, yet it makes perfect sense. Hear me out: the former One Direction crooner opted for a quiet farm life in the last couple of years, which led to this departure from his R&B-tinged pop sound. Yes, we always knew Zayn carried insane vocal chops (lest I remind you of this iconic performance from his 1D days), but he sings his ass off on this album. The emotion in his voice is truly transcendent—every track had me clenching my chest.

— Sam Olson, assistant news editor

Singer-songwriter Adrianne Lenker is best known for her band Big Thief, but she put out a gorgeous stripped-down acoustic solo album this spring that's one of my favorites of the year so far. My favorite song might be "Sadness as a Gift," a bittersweet look at a breakup: "Leaning on the windowsill / You could write me someday, and I think you will / We could see the sadness as a gift and still / Feel too heavy to hold."

— Erika W. Smith, senior astrology editor

Dance music is definitely having its moment, but let's be so for real—2024 wouldn't be complete without a new album from this DJ. A standout on the album is "Witchy" with Childish Gambino. With KAYTRANADA's distinctive sound that relies on lively drums and snares, the upbeat song feel gives a groovy (do people still use that word?) R&B-meets-dance vibe. Plus, Childish Gambino's ability to hit those higher notes is just *chef's kiss.*

— Chaise Saunders, associate editor

It's a rarity to listen to a record and immediately understand that it was created with the intention of live performance. You're probably sitting here, like, "Okay, Sam, but aren't all albums made for that purpose?" You can say that—but they're not as brilliantly crafted as The Last Dinner Party's debut. Glimmering grandiose music may not always tap into the mainstream, but Prelude to Ecstasy reassures us that it's not a lost art. The UK-based group gained traction for their live shows before releasing an album, hooking in a dedicated following with their celestial slinky rock that's blatant in its rawness ("The Feminine Urge"), power trips ("Caesar on a TV Screen"), and sexuality ("Sinner," "My Lady of Mercy"). TLDP is truly the Florence + the Machine/Lana Del Rey/Queen lovechild I never knew I was missing. Even then, drawing comparisons to their influences and predecessors doesn't sit right because they're so unique in their splendor.

— Sam Olson, assistant news editor

This album is louder and angstier than her last record, and it perfectly fits with the lyrics, which tell stories of situationships, self-sabotage, and anxious attachment. It truly has blown me away. Obviously, the titular track features Taylor Swift, who offers up some advice to Gracie experiencing a situation I'm sure Taylor knows all too well (sorry). I'm also obsessed with the sound on "Let it Happen" and the lyrics to "Gave You I Gave You I" are my favorite.

— Beth Gillette, beauty editor

While Allie X has been in the game for a minute, Girl With No Face is her first self-produced album that thrives on risk-taking. Four years in the making, Girl With No Face doesn't fit whatever formulaic mold pop music has decided to follow in its current landscape. With soaring vocals and synths galore, it's innovation at its finest, from cheeky commentary on stan culture ("You Slept on Me") to inundated spirals about her universe ("Weird World," "Galina") and identity ("Girl With No Face"). There's a type of untouchable brilliance that comes with creating a track like "Off With Her Tits," which is as unserious in its lyrical content as it's serious in its production. Plus, fans have embraced it as an unofficial top surgery anthem, which is nothing short of iconic.

— Sam Olson, assistant news editor

Yes, this is technically cheating because The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess came out in 2023 (and made last year's list), but considering it didn't truly blow up until 2024 and it has quickly become Chappell Roan Summer, it deserves an honorable mention on this list. You might know this album from its biggest hits ("Red Wine Supernova," "HOT TO GO!") but the deeper cuts are where it really shines. "California," a soulful song about deciding whether it's time to give up on her dreams and move back home, makes me cry every time I hear it. Its grief is present in every note, every line. And "Coffee," about a past love so intense that anything more than getting a coffee with her ex would catapult her back into old habits, is heart-wrenching. Not only does the songwriting confirm we're dealing with a superstar in the making, but then there are the vocals. To quote Twitter user @holdenfordfocus, "no hate to the whispery voiced community but whenever i see a live chappell roan performance i’m like wow…finally…some fucking Pipes…" Exactly!!! If you need any proof, her Tiny Desk Concert is right this way.

— Emma Baty, senior entertainment editor