「经济学人」The best albums of 2024

A musical tour through pop, rap, rock and more

“Brat”. By Charli XCX

Part pop record, part zeitgeist moment. (This album spawned its own idiom: “Brat summer”.) In an age of focus-grouped relatability, the British singer-songwriter is refreshingly brash—and very good.

“Dance, No One’s Watching”. By Ezra Collective

This jazz ensemble makes crowds explode into dancing. There is much to cherish on its third album, in particular the bold horns and Afrobeat-inspired rhythms.

Read more of our guides to the cultural treats of 2024—and previous years

“Funeral for Justice”. By Mdou Moctar

The outstanding rock guitarist of his generation plays a version of rock music that nods to his home in Niger. This record is more bellicose than his previous work, but no less thrilling for it.

“Here in the Pitch”. By Jessica Pratt

There is a touch of vintage glamour to this artist. Her retro-folk sound, with nylon-stringed guitars and gentle percussion, conjures an atmosphere as elegant as any old Hollywood haunt.

“I Lay Down My Life for You”. By JPEGMAFIA

The rapper was formerly a whistleblower in the American air force. His fifth album is imaginative and confounding: a lyrical cluster bomb set to music.

“In Waves”. By Jamie xx

This album delivers both dancefloor bangers and melancholic, reflective moments. As a result, it rewards listening in the club, in the kitchen and on the sofa. “Baddy on the Floor” is pure propulsion.

“Lives Outgrown”. By Beth Gibbons

Thirty years after Portishead emerged, its singer has released her first solo album. It is a mysterious and beautiful record—and an almost perfect one at that.

“Manning Fireworks”. By MJ Lenderman

This album is Americana for Gen Z: respectful of the past without venerating it. “How many roads must a man walk down ’til he learns / He’s just a jerk”?

“Short n’ Sweet”. By Sabrina Carpenter

Twelve songs, 36 minutes: this is pop in deliciously concentrated form. The songs showcase the pop princess’s breathy, sensual voice. In “Espresso”, “Please Please Please” and “Taste”, she claimed three of the songs of the year.

“This Could Be Texas”. By English Teacher

A prizewinning debut record. At heart it is traditional indie rock, but with imaginative twists that made it apparent that Lily Fontaine, the main writer and performer, is a remarkable talent.

This article appeared in the Culture section of the print edition under the headline “In tune with the times”(Dec 12th 2024)

我没有译文，仅供拓展阅读

LearnAndRecord

2015年2月8日

2024年12月19日

第3603天

每天持续行动学外语