Best of 2024 - The Album List

The year 2024 was a remarkable year for music, delivering a vibrant mix of genres that defined the soundscape of the year. Legendary musicians graced us with groundbreaking albums, reaffirming their enduring influence, while emerging talents injected fresh perspectives into the industry, redefining genres and captivating audiences worldwide. Below is a roundup of notable albums that left a mark this year, making them contenders for our year-end favorites.

01. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Wild God [PIAS]

Wild God is the18th studio album by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, released in August 2024. It is the first studio album to feature the full participation of the Bad Seeds since Skeleton Tree (2016).The album has been described as a thematic shift and a return to living, suggesting that Cave has emerged from a grief-induced period and rediscovered a love for life. Wild God received two nominations at the Grammy Awards and one for the Australian Music Prize.

02. Magdalena Bay - Imaginal Disk [Mom + Pop] 

Imaginal Disk is the second studio album by Magdalena Bay, released through Mom + Pop Music in August 2024. The album was entirely produced by the duo, and it is a concept album where the fictional character True is implanted with an "Imaginal Disk", into her forehead to transform into her ideal self. Like its influences, the album is predominantly Synth-pop with elements of pop music, psychedelia, new age, disco, shoegaze, and progressive rock.

03. Allie X - Girl With No Face [Twin]

Allie X's third studio album, Girl With No Face, released in February 2024 and recorded in 2020 during the global lockdowns. Like her previous releases, this album is even more, 80s and Synth pop inspired and also paying homage to 1980s Synth pop, but not the typical variety that's been heard in recent times. Instead, Allie X recreates the early New wave and Dark wave resulting in something with a lot more edge and texture.

04. The Cure - Songs of a Lost World [Polydor/Fiction] 

The Cure's latest album, Songs of a Lost World, released in November 2024, marks their first collection of new material in 16 years. Critics have praised the album for its dark, personal themes and a return to the band's earlier, more atmospheric sound. Commercially, Songs of a Lost World has been a significant success. It debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart, becoming the band's first chart-topping album since Wish in 1992.

05. The Last Dinner Party - Prelude to Ecstasy [Universal]

Prelude to Ecstasy is the debut album by British indie pop band the Last Dinner Party that was released in February 2024. Already in 2023, the band made prominence with a string of hits, including "Nothing Matters" and "My Lady of Mercy". The album is a collection of baroque art pop songs with a kick of Glam, goth and grotesque. When it was released in reached the Top tens in several countries including native UK.

06. Fontains D.C. - Romance [XL]

Romance is the fourth studio album by Fontaines D.C and their first release on XL Recordings. This change was also evident in their music style, as they moved a bit from their signature Post punk, adapting influences from Brit pop and Alternative Rock. It was also the band's first album to chart in the United States. The band received two nominations at the 2025 Grammy Awards: Best Rock Album for Romance and Best Alternative Music Performance for "Starburster."

07. Fat White Family - Forgiveness is Yours [Domino]

Forgiveness is Yours is the fourth studio album of Fat White Family, which was released in April 2024. It is very relevant to the time we live in. It is energetic, dynamic and as it is stated on their label page, it has pushed them to the limits not only of their creative talent, but of their health, their sanity, their very existence however they continue to challenge conventions, and Forgiveness is Yours solidifies their place as one of the most compelling acts in contemporary music.

08. Michael Kiwanuka - Small Changes [Polydor]

Small Changes is the fourth studio album by Michael Kiwanuka, released last November 2024. The album is released after five years break and reflects his personal life and changes, capturing his growth as an artist and individual. This is another brilliant neo-soul record, adding touches from other genres including R&B, indie, folk, blues, and jazz. Overall, Small Changes is a testament to Michael Kiwanuka's artistic maturity, showcasing his ability to craft soulful, introspective music.

09. Ride - Interplay [Wichita]

Interplay is the seventh studio album by Ride, released in March 2024, through Wichita Recordings. The album was written and recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic and showcases a blend of genres, including shoegaze, Krautrock, and synth-pop, giving it a more progressive tone, however retaining a hint of their shoegaze roots from the first two albums.

10. Suki Waterhouse - Memoir of a Sparklemuffin [Sub Pop]

Memoir of a Sparklemuffin is the second studio album by Suki Waterhouse, released in September 2024, under the Sub Pop label. Comprising 18 tracks, the album showcases Waterhouse's evolution as an artist, blending her indie pop roots with explorations into other genres. While some praise its eclectic sound and Waterhouse's lyrical vulnerability, others feel it falls short of a successful reinvention.

11. Billie Eilish - Hit Me Hard and Soft [Darkroom]  

12. Beth Gibbons - Life Outgrown [Domino] 

13. Sunship Balloon -  Real Humans [/]

14. English Teacher - This Could Be Texas [Island]

15. The Smile - Wall of Eyes [XL]

16. Bill Ryder-Jones - Iechyd Da [Domino] 

17. Telenova - Time is Flower [EMI]

18. Empire of the Sun - Ask That God [EMI] 

19. Nadine Shah - Filthy Underneath [EMI]

20. Ronnie Stone - Ride Again [Feeltrip] 

Best of 1994 - The Album List

In the music world, the year 1994 is mostly remembered for the tragic death of Kurt Cobain, who committed suicide on April 5th. Cobain's death marked a pivotal moment for the grunge movement, which had dominated the early '90s. With his passing, grunge reached its peak but also began to slowly dissolve.

During this time, punk rock experienced a resurgence, thanks in large part to bands like Green Day and The Offspring. Green Day's album Dookie and The Offspring's Smash brought punk energy back into the mainstream with a new twist, most notable as skate punk and pop punk.

Across the Atlantic, the Britpop movement was in full swing, with bands like Oasis, Blur, and Pulp leading the charge. Oasis released their debut album Definitely Maybe, which sold 100,000 copies within just four days of release, earning them the record for the fastest-selling debut album in British history.

Best of 2023 - The Album List

Absolutely thrilled to share our favorite releases from this remarkable year in music. It's a joy to witness the triumphant return of seasoned veterans who have graced the industry for decades, alongside the exciting emergence of new talents. What unites these diverse artists is their remarkable ability, each within their own genre, to reinvent themselves with their recent releases. Here are the ten albums that collectively represent the artistic evolution and enduring brilliance of musicians, leaving an indelible mark on the musical landscape of 2023.

Best of 1992 - The Album List

Following Freddie Mercury's death in November 1991, one of the significant events of 1992 was his tribute concert held five months later. Tickets for the event sold out within three hours of going on sale, despite no performers being announced apart from the remaining members of Queen. A star-studded lineup including Elton John, George Michael, Axl Rose, Metallica, Annie Lennox, and many others paid tribute to the late Freddie Mercury.

In the same year, Kylie Minogue ended her longstanding collaboration with Stock Aitken Waterman, with whom she had been recording music since 1987. Meanwhile, George Michael took on a different battle with Sony, filing a lawsuit against them for allegedly failing to promote his album "Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1." However, he would ultimately lose the case in June 1994.

In November of 1992, Factory Records was declared bankrupt. The label, founded in 1978 by Tony Wilson and Alan Erasmus, boasted releases by iconic acts such as Joy Division, New Order, OMD, and others from the 80s. Their catalogue was subsequently sold to London Records.

On the UK charts, "Bohemian Rhapsody" made a return to the hit list in January. Shakespeare's Sister enjoyed the longest-running number one with "Stay," topping the charts for eight weeks. Additionally, Eurodance had a standout year, with Snap's "Rhythm is a Dancer" holding the top spot for six weeks.

Erasure also made a comeback in 1992 with their Abba tribute, topping the charts for five weeks in June with their "Abba-esque" EP, featuring the hit "Take a Chance on Me."

01. R.E.M. - Automatic for the People

02. Tori Amos - Little Earthquakes

03. Sade - Love Deluxe

04. The Cure - Wish

05. Madonna - Erotica

06. Ride - Going Blank Again

07. Alice in Chains - Dirt

08. Shakespear's Sister - Hormonally Yours

09. Annie Lennox - Why

10. The Jesus and Mary Chain - Honey's Dead

Best of 2021 - Albums / EPs

Year two of Covid ups and downs and a quiet year for us here. Following the songs list here comes the favorite albums and EP list for the first time together. If not for more, than certainly a great Duran Duran return and anniversary celebrating 40 years in the music business.

Best of 1991 - The Album List

 The early 1990s, particularly 1991, marked the peak of Grunge music's popularity, epitomized by Nirvana's groundbreaking release of "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and their second album, Nevermind. This success paved the way for other influential grunge bands like Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, and even the early works of Radiohead.

Simultaneously, in 1991, Metallica and Guns N' Roses achieved their greatest commercial triumphs with their respective albums. Metallica's self-titled "black album" sold over 30 million copies worldwide, while Guns N' Roses' Use Your Illusion I & II collectively sold over 15 million copies.

However, amidst the musical milestones, tragedy struck on November 24 when Queen's front man Freddie Mercury passed away at his home in London due to complications from AIDS. Queen's iconic song "Bohemian Rhapsody," released as a double A-side with "These Are the Days of Our Lives," reached number one on the UK charts for the second time, further solidifying Mercury's legacy.

01. Niravana - Nevermind

02. Metallica - The Black Album

03. Prince and The New Power Generation - Diamonds and Pearls

04. My Bloody Valentine - Loveless

05. U2 - Achtung Baby

06. REM - Out of Time

07. The KLF - The White Room 

08. Massive Attack - Blue Lines

09. Primal Scream - Screamadelica

10. Roxette - Joyride

11. Simply Red - Stars

12. Swans - White Light From The Mouth

13. Talk Tak - Laughing Stock

14. Erasure - Chorus

15. Pearl Jam - Ten

16. Slowdive - Just for a Day

17. Army of Lovers - Massive Luxury Overdose

18. OMD - Sugar Tax

19. Mercury Rev - Yerslef is Steam

20. The Orb - The Orb's Adventures Beyond The Ultraworld

Best of 1990 - The Album List - Top 50

The world is currently facing its biggest crisis since the World War II where the Coronavirus has spread worldwide to almost every country, causing a mass pandemic in the world. Authorities from most of the countries have introduced the national lock-downs in order to prevent the virus from spreading further and are urging the people to stay at home

During the past decade, this time of the year always meant a flashback to a certain year in the 80s decade and paying a 30 years anniversary tribute to some of the biggest albums and songs that were released back then, and also to see how they have stood the test of time. 

This year it does not mean only returning to one specific year but also celebrating the shift of decades as we are entering the 90s terrain.

In the history, 1990 is mostly remembered for the start of reunification of Germany and demise of the Soviet Union and collapsing of the socialist governments in Easter European countries. While the Wind of changes was flowing throughout Europe, George Michael released his biggest hit "Freedom" and for Madonna it was her most scandalous year ever. As some of her live shows were condemned and the music video for "Justify My Love" banned from daily airplay on MTV. Apart from this despite the previous success of SAW production in the previous years, it saw a sharp decline in popularity where new dance forms were emerging, including Euro dance, house and acid jazz as well as Baggy / Madchester and the rise of Brit pop. Among the winning artist at the Brit awards were Phil Collins, Neneh Cherry, Annie Lennox and Fine Young Cannibals.

Based on the poll results in April, the following Top50 Album list was established.

Best of 2010's - Top 100 Album List

2010's is the first decade that we manage to completely cover with our blog. Every year we published our year end Album list and this certainly helped in building our end of decade list. Some albums even if released in the early 2010's have stood well against the test of time and are still part of every day radio airwaves while some albums' glory vanished and reminders were needed to catch up with them. The Horrors, MGMT, Tame Impala and Lana Del Rey clearly dominated this decade while there were some exciting come backs which included Duran Duran and Slowdive and David Bowie. We are also very grateful for all great new artist which have emerged during this decade with whom we have collaborated on different matters. Our Top 100 Album list is below and The Horrors' album 'V' takes the title as the best album from the Decade.

Best of 2019 - The Album List

It's time for a debrief on 2019, and as per tradition, we are excited to unveil our favorite albums of the year. Moreover, with 2019 being the conclusion of the decade, we've had the opportunity to draw comparisons with previous years, setting the stage for our upcoming Top 100 singles and albums of the 10's.

This year has been a showcase of musical artistry, genre fusions, and influences from the past decade, evident in many of the albums on our list. Notably, female artists took center stage, with Lana Del Rey, FKA Twigs, and Weyes Blood paving the way with their distinct styles. Surprising comebacks were also witnessed, including the unexpected reunion and new material release from Shakespeare Sister. On a somber note, the music world bid farewell to Mark Hollis of Talk Talk, Keith Flint of the Prodigy, and most recently, Marie Fredriksson of Roxette.

Our album presentation for this year features 40 albums spanning various genres and sub-genres, exploring diverse musical forms and venturing into new territories.

Best of 1989- The Album List

Let's step back into 1989 and celebrate its 30th anniversary, a year that served as both the culmination of the '80s decade and a precursor to the changes that would define the '90s. It's renowned as a year of revolutions, witnessing sweeping changes in Eastern Bloc countries in Europe, and a year of technological innovations with the introduction of the first commercial internet services.

Musically, the charts were still under the influence of Stock-Aitken-Waterman hits, which also welcomed Donna Summer into their hits factory. However, the latter part of 1989 saw the emergence of new sounds. House music, spearheaded by acts like Inner City and S'Express, gained prominence, while Italo disco evolved into the Euro dance genre. While 1989 may be chronologically associated with the '80s, it undeniably encapsulated the spirit of the impending '90s, with music styles that would reach their peaks in the following decade and beyond.

Best of 2018- The Album List

2018 has been quite silent and not such active year with news and updates from our end. Musically there were some interesting releases but much weaker with offer (hardly any synth pop) than the previous years in this decade. Regardless of this, every year comes with a certain charm and some records still manage to impress and leave a long-lasting memory.
What was evident, especially in the top albums pool, is that top four albums, in direct or in indirect way link to the LA music scene, and at least two of them feature collaboration with Ariel Pink which means that we have a thematic top five for the first time.
This year on our menu we have top ten favorite albums plus additional ones worth mentioning, also great but did not make such impact like the first ten. Of course there are always other good ones that we missed who might be considered in the years to come along the new releases.

Best of 1988- The Album List

In the 20th Century, the year 1988 was the year with the most Roman numeral digits, but more important, in science and technology, it was a year of the first Internet-based chat protocol between the USA and Europe.
On the music level, the charts were still dominated by the Stock- Aitken-Waterman hits who received the Brit Award for their music production skills. On the different floors, House music was slowly emerging, while Alternative and indie rock were even more diversified into various other musical sub-genres.

Best of 2017 - The Album List

December always means fun time with the favorite albums and like every year, this year we have also been working hard to review what was best in terms of creativity, sound, visuals and what we enjoyed the most. If you only look at the top 10 out of this top 30 Albums, you will see a real illustration of music styles we appreciate the most on our site. We have a another high point with the Horrors again this year. What else was on for us and offered a musical delight, please find in the least below.

Best of 1987- The Album List

Let's dive into the 1987 Albums campaign! This year marked an interesting crossover period where music styles from the first half of the decade began transforming into new genres, creating fresh musical opportunities and providing stages for new talents.

In terms of innovation, MTV Europe was launched, and "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" became the first single released on CD, while the cassette tape continued to rise in popularity.

Synthpop was still prominent in the mainstream, with Erasure and Pet Shop Boys maintaining its presence. The pop hits from the emerging Stock Aitken Waterman pop factory, including Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up," became chart-toppers and contributed to making it the best-selling single of the year.

On the other hand, House music was slowly growing and taking over dance floors, providing a fresh and dynamic sound. Simultaneously, indie pop/rock was flourishing, offering more diverse and alternative forms of music.

At the Brit Awards, Kate Bush and Peter Gabriel received honors for Best Female and Best Male, respectively, showcasing the diversity and richness of the musical landscape in 1987.

Best of 2016- The Album List

Time to sum up everything from 2016, as this is usual in this time of the year. It has been our 10th  anniversary year and therefore a very important year for us. In general, it has been a crazy year and a very sad one, as the music world lost some of their top artists and pop icons who helped shape the sound and vision of the previous four decades. 

In terms of quality and what 2016 offered, and based on what is in our charts, we could say that pop went retro, post punk turned groovy and we found some new formulas of R'n'B and Soul. As you can see, our top company were Preoccupations (formerly Viet Cong) Shura and Blood Orange. What else was hot, see below.

01. Preoccupations- Preoccupations [Jagjaguwar]

02. Shura- Nothing's Real [Polydor]

03. Blood Orange- Freetown Sound [Domino]

04. Villa Nah- Ultima [Solina]

05. Michelle Gurevich- New Decadence [self released]

06. Radiohead- A Moon Shaped Pool [XL]

07. Bat for Lashes- The Bride [Parlophone]

08. PJ Harvey- The Hope Six Demolition Project [Island]

09. Geneva Jacuzzi- Technophelia [Medical Records LLC]

10. David Bowie- ★ Blackstar [ISO]

11. Cat's Eyes- Treasure House [Raf Records]

12. Suede- Night Thoughts [Warner]

13. Get Well Soon- Love [Caroline]

14. Angel Olsen- MY WOMAN [Jagjaguwar]

15. Michael Kiwanuka- Love & Hate [Polydor]

16. Xeno & Oaklander- Topiary [Ghostly]

17. The Last Shadow Puppets- Everything You've Come to Expect[Domino]

18. The Radio Dept.- Running Out of Love [Labrador]

19. Still Corners- Dead Blue [Wrecking Light]

20. Yeasayer- Amen & Goodbye [Mute]

21. Wrangler- White Glue [Meme Tune]

22. Lust for Youth- Compassion [Sacred Bones]

23. Hante.- This Fog That Never Ends [Synth Religion]

24. Cult Club- Play with Lies [Domestica]

25. Black Arcade- Transhuman [digital file]

26. Perfect Human- Erste [Perfect Aesthetics]

27. Liste Noire- Brace [No Emb Blanc]

28. DIIV- Is the Is Are [Captured Tracks]

29. Boy Harsher- Yr Body is Nothing [digital file]

30. School of Seven Bells-SVIIB [Vargant]

Best of 1986- The Album List

n the early months of 1985, the Pet Shop Boys made a significant impact on the UK charts with "West End Girls," a track that would go on to become their signature tune and biggest hit. Alongside Erasure, they played a pivotal role in transforming synth-pop into electro-dance, giving the genre a fresh and contemporary sound. The Communards also contributed to this evolving trend, as their cover of the disco classic "Don't Leave Me This Way" emerged as the best-selling single of the year.

Meanwhile, established artists like Madonna and George Michael continued to be among the best-selling acts, further shaping the pop genre. Madonna's third studio album, "True Blue," stood out as the best-selling album in the UK during this period, solidifying her status as a pop icon. The musical landscape of 1985 reflected a dynamic fusion of synth-pop, electro-dance, and enduring pop influences.

Best of 2015- The Album List

Time to round up the best from the year 2015! Not so packed as 2014, but still, it gave birth to some interesting releases. Worth a very special mention to Martin Phillipps' The Chills and The Apartments who returned with first new albums in almost twenty years, both reaching the Top ten on our charts, proving they still got the beat going. Our favorites by far and most listened would be Susanne Sundførs' 'Ten Love Songs' and Tame Impala's 'Currents'. What else was hot? See below...

01. Tame Impala- Currents [Modular/ Interscope]

02. Susanne Sundfør- Ten Love Songs [Kobalt]

03. Viet Cong- Viet Cong [Jagjaguwar/ Flemish Eye]

04. The Apartments- No Song, No Spell, No Madrigal [Microcultures]

05. Belle and Sebastian- Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance [Matador]

06. Julia Holter- Have You in My Wilderness [Domino]

07. The Chills- Silver Bullets [Fire]

08. Dave Gahan & Soulsavers- Angels & Ghosts [Columbia]

09. Lusts- Illuminations [1965]

10. U.S. Girls- Half Free [4AD]

Best of 1985- The Album List

The year 1985 was the year of big charity concerts and records. Following up on the release of "Do They Know It’s Christmas Time" from 1984, the big Live Aid concert was organised by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise funds for relief of the ongoing Ethiopian famine. The event was held simultaneously at Wembley Stadium in London, UK, and John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, US. Also inspired by Band Aid, USA for Africa band project released "We Are the World", a song written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie. 

Among the best selling albums this year was Dire Straits’ album Brothers in Arms which at the same time was the first ever album to be released on CD. Jennifer Rush had the best selling single in the UK with "The Power of Love" while in the USA, Madonna and George Michael both solo and with Wham! ruled the charts. 

With 1985 New Wave completely faded, knocked out by guitar-driven rock most notably by the Jangle rock which in this period of time was popularized as College rock with R.E.M. and The Smiths paving the way. On the other hand, Electronic music was transforming into new rhythms with the emerging Chicago house and Detroit techno that would give hits in the years to come.

Best of 2014 - The Album List

It's less than ten days before we send off another music year into history. From this perspective it was great, but the years that come will tell. We almost gave up blogging, but came back. It was great to hear the Horrors returning with another great album which somehow went unnoticed. Lust for Youth proved that they can also be pop and even more. Ronika's electro dance got us on our feet. We meet the People at Parties which are our newcomers of the year and lots more.

This is the official album list of 2014.

01. The Horrors- Luminous

02. Lust for Youth- International

03. Ronika- Selectadisc

04. People at Parties- People at Parties

05. Sebastien Schuller- Heatwave

06. Future Islands- Singles

07. Lykke Li- I Never Learn

08. Beck- Morning Phase

09. Temples- Sun Structures

10. Manic Street Preachers- Futurology

Best of 1984- The Album List

The growing popularity of Michael Jackson which started in 1983 also set foot in 1984 especially after the video for "Thriller" was released. Even though the content of the video was controversial at that time, it was also groundbreaking and it revolutionized the music industry and the world of pop by breaking down the racial barriers and transforming the music video into a work of art.

Even at the other end of the Atlantic the 1983 started with a small scandal which involved Frankie Goes To Hollywood who got banned by BBC for almost a year due to the explicit lyrics in the and provocative video for their biggest hit "Relax". Despite this fact, the band managed to have major success around the world with their debut album Welcome to the Pleasuredome. This was also the first big success for ZTT Records and three times platinum in the UK. Towards the end of the year the Frankie Goes to Hollywood ban was slowly lifted and "Relax" was the ultimate anthem of 1984 introducing the Frankie Says Relax trend. 

With the growing popularity of MTV, in 1984 the first MTV Music Awards were given away at the  Radio City Music Hall in New York. Among the winners were Michael Jackson, Cyndi Lauper, David Bowie, Herbie Hancock. Madonna was not up for awards, but manged to make prominence and shake the pop world with her performance at the VMA's. 

Just ahead of Christmas when 1984 was in the fade out, a group of musicians headed by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure got together for a good cause forming Band Aid. This was a group of musicians who recorded a song to raise awareness and funds for the Ethiopian famine in 1983–1985. It included more than 40 musicians and it sold over two million copies around the globe and raised more than $24 million. 

Towards the end of the year New Gold Dream which could easily be translated as the golden era of new Wave slowly began to vanish and became clear that the new musical term was Pop.