What Has Been The Best Album Release of 2024 So Far?

Five months into 2024 and we've been gifted with a plethora of phenomenal albums to listen to, enjoy and dissect. From Kanye West & Ty Dolla Sign's eagerly anticipated 'Vultures', to debut releases from global stars like Tyla and releases from some of the music industry greats like Usher delivering his 'Coming Home' Album after his historic Superbowl Half Time Show. We take a look and have a countdown of the 5 best album releases of 2024 so far!

No.5: Tyla - Tyla

An amazing debut project from one of the world's most talented recent breakout superstars! After her viral hit 'Water' took over the airwaves, TikTok and every other platform globally - Tyla allowed enough time and room for her breakthrough single to marinate and stick with listeners before rolling out this amazing project. From top to bottom, the album is a perfect blend of Afro-Pop and R&B, with hints of Amapiano throughout. The project is great on the ear, digestible and ultimately has a global sound and feel to it. Songs like 'Truth or Dare' & 'Jump' featuring Skillibeng & Gunna showcase Tyla's artistic direction. I truly believe that Tyla can have a similar ceiling to long standing cultural icons like Rihanna & Beyonce. She has the whole package from great music to representing South Africa as a nation both sonically and culturally through instances like ensuring South African dancers play a key part in her music videos and choreography when touring. Tyla has the potential to not only be South Africa's biggest star, but the continent's biggest star! At only 22 years of age, her future is extremely bright with the young superstar yet to reach her peak.

No.4: PartyNextDoor - PND 4

PND 4 - another long awaited project from Toronto's PartyNextDoor! From the explicit cover art, the fans already had a feel of what to expect - that authentic PND sound that the people love him for. Party's core audience has grown with him over time, with many now in their late 20s and early 30s and with his latest offering this is exactly who he delivers for. PND 4 is one for mature R&B lovers, taking R&B back to its core - love, passion and intimacy, sprinkled with situationship-themed skits and interludes. Although through its subject matters and themes, it appeals to core R&B lovers, the project simultaneously represents new age R&B sonically - all whilst being a solo body of work with no features, Party is really him! I have never been a huge fan of PND, from the lens of looking at his previous bodies of work, although I can definitely acknowledge that the Canadian singer and songwriter can write and create great music. This project exceeded expectations for me and without a doubt has converted me into a fan, placing it at no.4 on the list!

No.3: Gunna - One of Wun

One of Wun, Gunna's fifth studio album in as many years, a major achievement and flex within itself. The album is extremely consistent throughout, with Wunna gliding over most beats. The project is full of drop-top, fly rap. Gunna has had a phenomenal comeback run since being released from prison, having dropped several hits before delivering his latest project. 'One of Wun' showcases the fact that you can't keep Gunna down, whether you like it or not, he is an undeniable hitmaker and someone who can't be ignored! Gunna has dived into a range of different sounds and realms recently featuring on projects and songs from the likes of Normani, Tyla & Sarz. This album is the Atlanta artist effectively standing on business. Whatever you have to say about me, you can't shut the door on me is the feel of the No.3 selection, whilst debuting at no.2 on the Billboard 100 charts upon its release. From the intro track 'Collage' through to 'Prada Dem' featuring fellow Atlanta artist Offset, it's straight heat and no skips. It's also refreshing to see artists like Roddy Richh and Offset, two big names in today's rap game not turning their back on Wunna but instead embracing him as an artist and what he brings to the game.

No.2: IAMDDB - Love Is War, Volume 6

Manchester's "Urban Jazz" Queen IAMDDB never disappoints with any of her projects and if you have never had a deep dive into her catalogue, this is your cue to start today. With her first project in 5 years, you wouldn't have thought it had been that long of a hiatus, as the artist picks up where she left off with Love Is War, Volume 6. I can only describe the project as an intergalactic space ride, the album takes you on a flight to a planet - IAMDDB world, as she borrows from sounds of Neo Soul & Jazz to Trap & House. Stand-out songs from the album include 'Where Did The Love Go' & 'Rasta Pasta' featuring Masego. IAMDDB is a great example of a unique artist who can showcase all of her different influences through her sound whilst still maintaining and elevating her own style. There are even a few festival anthems on the project with the likes of 'BET' & 'ABC'. This project would be the perfect set for a live show, having something for everyone to vibe to. 

No.1:  Future & Metro Boomin - We Don't Trust You

At the mighty No.1, we have Future & Metro Boomin's - We Don’t Trust You. This project was highly anticipated as soon as both Metro & Future announced the joint album on the 8th of March. From past collaborative work, we know that the duo of Atlanta greats can produce magic. Metro executive produced Future's 'Monster' mixtape 10 years back - which gave us the banger that is 'F*ck Up Some Commas'. A year later Metro also executive produced 'What A Time To Be Alive' - Drake & Future's monumental collaborative tape and probably one of the best joint rap projects to ever be released. We fast forward nine years and the two continue to work well and bring the best out of each other. 

For those of you who have listened to the project and even for those who haven't, it's now widely known that the tape and one of the stand-out tracks 'Like That' spawned one of the greatest rap feuds of this century, with a feature verse from Kendrick Lamar aimed at both Drake & J Cole, whilst Future also took a few jabs at Drake throughout the project. Besides the rap beef that was ultimately ignited through this project, it is undeniably a solid body of work that will stand the test of time. There are plenty of hits on the project with features from Playboi Carti, the Weeknd & Travis Scott to name a few, this album brings forth the importance of how rappers having great relationships with producers and vice versa can serve to produce phenomenal music projects. Without a doubt 'We Don't Trust You' has been the project of the year thus far and when we take a look back at 2024 when it comes to a close, I am certain that this album will likely fall in many critics' Top 10 lists.

Written by Toren (Founder of 99Piece)