There has been a bit of a music slump since the pandemic. 2024 is shaping up to become one of the best years music has seen in a very long time. While there have been some hits in the last four years, there have also been quite a few misses. Album rollouts have become mediocre, no longer creating any hype or anticipation for the music itself. TikTok is quickly becoming the only way to ensure virality. However, 2024 aligned every planet and star to give us some of the greatest music the 2020s has to offer. From diss tracks like Hiss and Like That, to the genre bending, Cowboy Carter, the variety of music is slowly returning. Below are some of the best projects released so far.
Beyoncé: Cowboy Carter
Cowboy Carter is Beyoncé’s Act II of a three act project. Following Renaissance, Beyoncé took a risk and released a country album. Prior to its release, she proudly proclaimed that this is not a country album, but a Beyoncé album and she was right. Cowboy Carter is one of her best albums to date. A true history lesson in music and genres. She proudly opens the album with American Requiem, boldly expressing that big ideas are buried within this album. Then proceeds to take us on a journey of the country music genre that includes traditional country songs that ultimately segues into her interpretation of the genre. Cowboy Carter also contains opera, rock, and rap influences. The most commendable part of Cowboy Carter is her use of features. Beyoncé made it a priority to include Black country artists in the album. Artists like Shaboozey and Tanner Adell are seeing their songs climb up the country charts for the first time. Highlights include American Requiem and Tyrant
Bryson Tiller: Bryson Tiller (self titled)
Bryson Tiller’s self titled album is one of the best albums released this year. Bryson mentioned that he went searching for songs that were unexpected of him and the result is perfection. Tiller drops you into a world of futuristic R&B. There are no skips on this project. This album is a complete 180 degree turn from his last few which are a little more on the toxic side. The lyrics are playful, his voice is the best it’s ever sounded. There is only one feature, the iconic Victoria Monet. Her voice expertly balances the tongue in cheek lyrics she sings on Persuasion. Bryson’s vision is abundantly clear in how cohesive this album is. There is no doubt that this album will age gracefully and be heard for years to come. Tiller’s decision to segue to a new style is the perfect example of high risk, high reward. Highlights include Persuasion and Prize.
Eric Bellinger: The Rebirth 3
Eric Bellinger is arguably one of the best R&B songwriters of our time. Writing for everyone from Chris Brown to Usher. As a phenomenal songwriter, it is very clear that he left the best songs for himself. The Rebirth 3 is a 24 song project that features love songs and party anthems. This album is a highlight of 2024 due to the variety and the quality of the songs. The first 12 songs are perfect for a pregame. While the last 12 are suited for the afterparty. The Rebirth 3 features some of the best names in current R&B but he doesn’t get overshadowed by any of them. Bellinger’s voice is so smooth and sultry that you almost don’t realize how risque some of his lyrics are. Adding to his arsenal of albums, The Rebirth 3 fits right in as a classic. Highlights include La Perla and Gang Slide.
Schoolboy Q: Blue Lips
Schoolboy Q’s 6th album, Blue Lips, is undoubtedly his best project to date. After a five year hiatus, Q is back with his most experimental project to date. The album is full of R&B and Jazz samples that provide a mellow vibe. However, Schoolboy Q’s vocal delivery and rhyme schemes offer the same charisma we are used to from the rapper. A lot of artists let the use of samples carry the songs but Schoolboy Q makes sure that his voice is the forefront of the music and the samples are just a mere accompaniment. Q recently tweeted that Blue Lips is his favorite album to date because it’s the style of music he’s always wanted to create. He mentioned feeling stifled into making singles prior to this album. Sonically, you can hear how his previous songs like Groovy Tony influenced this project. Highlights include Thank God 4 Me and Ohio ft. Freddie Gibbs.
There are a lot of other projects that are equally as good as the ones mentioned above. Honorable mentions include That Mexican OT and Joyner Lucas. Also there are still a lot that haven’t been released yet. Megan Thee Stallion and Don Toliver are set to release projects this summer. Megan Thee Stallion’s album is highly anticipated following her first two singles Hiss and Cobra. 2024 has something for everyone when it comes to music. Artists are creating bodies of work that will stand the test of time in what could best be described as a musical renaissance. This is musically a year of risk and change as no artist released anything that sounds like their old work. When artists can be authentic to themselves, the best work comes through. Luckily for us, we get to enjoy a plethora of new sounds from artists we know and love.
Article featured image by Marcela Laskoski on Unsplash.