best of Album Leak's Best of 2024 | Artist Of The Year Revealed!

[GreatestLoveofAll]

idk most of these one hits however!! your taste is always impeccable so lemme take me a peak at them

[Album Leak]

40 minutes ago, GreatestLoveofAll said:

idk most of these one hits however!! your taste is always impeccable so lemme take me a peak at them

I get that a lot. That's so sweet! Have fun checking things out! 

[TalkThatRihanna]

Nnn idk these khias, lemme wait for the next update 

[Mr. Blue_Shirt]

You know the One Hit Wonders list is so real when no one actually knows who they are dd

 

Also, Magnolia's cover of I2I is genuinely really good too Serving teen drama films theme song from the 2000s

Edited December 20, 2024 by Mr. Blue_Shirt

[Album Leak]

5 hours ago, TalkThatRihanna said:

Nnn idk these khias, lemme wait for the next update 

I don't think the khia train is stopping any time soon though... 

 

4 hours ago, Mr. Blue_Shirt said:

You know the One Hit Wonders list is so real when no one actually knows who they are dd

 

Also, Magnolia's cover of I2I is genuinely really good too Serving teen drama films theme song from the 2000s

The way my Best Of is getting DRAGGED NONSTOP for all the khias!! 

 

Yes, that's exactly the vibe, and I love it. It's such a joyous sound, rly!

[Album Leak]

Artists That Made 2024: 20-16

 

20. Kylie Minogue
♪ Wouldn't Change A Thing (1989)
♪ Edge of Saturday Night (2024)
♪ Diamonds (2024)

 

I was not excited for Tension II, I don't think the world needed Tension II, but after listening to it... it made a few small points. Diamonds is such a simple and glittery dance bop to pass the time with, while Edge of Saturday Night is a more interesting take on her current sound, with fun vocal delivery. But the real motherload is her 1989 single Wouldn't Change A thing. This song came to me in fellow user Saddy's Pre-2000s Diva Rate, and I've now come to love the song. It's cheerful, breezy, positive and fun, and the music video is super cute and has some nostalgic elements to it. Funny thing is, I initially rated the song an 8 during the rate, but retroactively, it genuinely deserves a 11!  

 

19. Tierra Whack 

♪ MOOVIES (2024)
♪ SNAKE EYES (2024)
♪ IMAGINARY FRIENDS (2024)

Ever since first hearing Unemployed and her Whack World project, I've been greatly anticipating her debut album to be released, and this year her debut World Wide Whack was released. The results? Pretty awesome. It does feature her unique sound and style of rapping, and it does explore her ability to work on several genres, but I do think it lacks some kind of an extra punch to make it really stand out in her own discography. The songs that hit though are really great, and MOOVIES is probably the best song she has ever recorded! But ultimately, while the album did meet several of my expectations, I can't help but imagine how I'd probably be happier with a full length version of her Whack World project. 

 

18. Annika Pudas

♪ Aika (2023)

♪ Kun sydän menee rikki (2024)

♪ Kukkia sun haudalle (2024)

Annika released her debut album this year, and frankly I ended up liking most of it! Her style of kind of cutesy, yet melancholic and somber dreamy folk music is very enchanting, and it's a perfect fit for a rainy summer day. My favorite song Aika, translating to Time in English, is about the passage of time, a rather depressing yet hopeful song about the joys of childhood, the roughness of adulthood and the death waiting at the end of life. The last lines Annika sings, '' Did you remember to enjoy yourself? Now it's time to leave. '' are very poignant, and reminds us that time is precious and we should make the most of life, whatever that life may be. As much as I love Aika though, I cannot replay such a depressive, somber song much..

 

17. London Grammar

♪ House (2024)
♪ Fakest ***** (2024)

 

When I heard London Grammar releasing a new single, a liquid D&B song, I was so excited that London Grammar is finally releasing a full on electronic dance album! Especially after Higher from last year, which was one of my favorite releases of 2023, I had such high hopes! But in the end, the new album got released, and it wasn't an electronic dance album at all... rather, it was quite stripped down compared to their earlier releases. But House remains an amazing song. Fakest ***** on the other hand is a song that I feel any modern pop girl could release, at least in terms of lyrics, but the way the song is produced as an atmospheric acoustic song is so good! The chorus melody in Fakest ***** is absolutely breathtaking. 

 

 

16. Käärijä
♪ Ruoskaa feat. Erika Vikman (2024)

♪ Sex = Money (2024)

 

Käärijä released his newest album this year, and with it comes two great new songs that do kind of continue the legacy of Cha Cha Cha. What really makes Käärijä stand out is how much he pushes his own unique sound, and how fun his vocal delivery often is. I think Käärijä has a lot of what other main pop boys should strive for, in terms of sound at least, but also aesthetics. He doesn't mind standing out while other pop boys play it safer than safe. Ruoskaa has such a great mix of rock/metal and electronic music, while Sex = Money makes you want to rave your wig off. I wasn't expecting to grow so fond of Käärijä, but I commend him for delivering two great tracks for this year. I can't say the whole album swept me off my feet, but it was an extremely fun listen regardless.

 

Edited December 20, 2024 by Album Leak

[Album Leak]

Formating this was a mess, sorry my thoughts are in such a small font size and I'm only doing a youtube link for the songs. But you'll manage. 

Edited December 20, 2024 by Album Leak

[Renzo_]

London Grammar! Serving taste

[Suilen]

This made me realize that I forgot to listen to London Grammar's album but the description makes me wary.

 

Tierra released her debut album only NOW? I feel like she's been releasing stuff since forever.

[Alldeezy]

Kylie 

[Album Leak]

8 hours ago, Suilen said:

This made me realize that I forgot to listen to London Grammar's album but the description makes me wary.

 

Tierra released her debut album only NOW? I feel like she's been releasing stuff since forever.

I just wasn't impressed. I do honestly think it's their weakest album to date. It doesn't really have that very lush atmospheric electronic sound that their other albums feature in several songs. Idk, maybe I just need more time with it, but I've listened to it twice now and nothing except House and Fakest B*tch stand out. 

 

Yes, it's only now that Tierra has released an actual full length album. Though honestly, her Pop?, R&B? and Rap? EPs she released in 2021 could make an album by themselves. 

[Album Leak]

Artists That Made 2024: 15-11

 

15. Anna Sofia

♪ MOVE (2024)
♪ No. 5 (2022)
♪ ACHOO! Lil Hank Phonk Remix (2024)

 

I first discovered Anna Sofia last year with her song '' I CAN'T FLY '' which gave me all the fun quirky 2000s scene music vibes I wanted, what a vibe. Now actually getting to know her discography, she has a lot of great bops, and the releases this year have been great as well, thus being part of this list. But, if there is something that is quite apparent, is that she hasn't really found her sound, style and niche quite yet, as her discography is somewhat all over the place outside just falling under pop genre. I'm hoping she keeps doing scene kid type pop music, as that's what I initially liked about her, which you can hear in the ACHOO! remix.

 

 

14. piri & tommy

♪ dog (2024)
♪ Yoyo (2024)
♪ bluetooth (2023)

 

I think I pointed out in last year's Best Of that I'm really kind of obsessed with the liquid dnb beat in pop music, and honestly, I'm still not tired of it. PinkPantheress has a lot of sons and daughters at this point as she was (part of) spearheading this sound. But while I wasn't completely sold on the PinkPantheress album last year because I think it could've leaned even more on the sound she was famous for, piri & tommy have filled that liquid dnb need in me. If you vibe with PinkPantheress, absolutely check piri & tommy out! Dog is definitely the standout track for me in their discography.

 

 

13. FILLY

♪ Sweat (2024)
♪ God Invented The Radio (2023)
♪ Motorola (2022)

 

I was initially drawn to her because of her eurodance, DDR type of songs, but after really getting to know and listen to her discography, I ended up liking her standalone (electronic) pop songs as much as the eurodance songs in her discography that carry more of novelty and nostalgia value than the pop songs. Her 2024 releases have been great, but I do hope that the eurodance vibes from her Cowgirl in a Cowboy World EP aren't just for shits and giggles, and she continues to push her music into that direction even in future. Sweat was an amazing follow up to the EP, but I think God Invented The Radio is my favorite song of her overall, it really does feel like it could be an iconic 90s/2000s eurodance hit!

 

 

12. Neea River
♪ Never Made It Out Alive (2024)
♪ Reach The Climax (2024)
♪ Crocodile Tears (2024)

 

Ah, poor girl... She keeps releasing immaculate pop songs one after another, yet nobody is moving for her, except me of course. I truly do think that she is very close to reaching '' pop perfection '' as ATRLers would like to say, and I stand by that. Like I challenge YOU to listen to Never Made It Out Alive and tell me I'm wrong, I know you can't! Obviously, Finnish girls don't just '' happen '' just for having great music, but she isn't even known inside her own country, while all kinds of dumb garbage fills the Finnish charts.  Oh well.. perhaps her future is in Eurovision, idk. She's klnda unbearable on social media though so I had to unfollow her immediately. I'll just listen to the music, thanks!

 

 

11. Hanne Mjøen

♪ Broke Someone (2024)
♪ Might Destroy You (2024)
♪ I Never Told You (2022)

 

Hanne is someone I've had in my playlists for years now, but it is only this year where I've woken to her brilliance. Her soft, cute and gentle vocals fit the kind of pop music she makes so well and her music is so pleasant to listen to most of the time, and this year she has released bop after bop. Honestly, I would've included a third 2024 release as well, but decided to give an older '' find '' the chance the shine. I'm hoping that there's a full length album in her near future, but since she is a complete khia... I don't know, guess I'll be waiting a little longer. I've been fed this year, hopefully another great music release year by her is heading our way in 2025!

[Saddy]

I'm in love with your formatting, it's so beautiful 

Happy to see Kylie in this top 

[Album Leak]

5 minutes ago, Saddy said:

Happy to see Kylie in this top 

All thanks to you by the way 

Without hearing Wouldn't Change A Thing, she probably would've just gotten one One Hit Wonder nod!

Edited December 21, 2024 by Album Leak

[Mezik]

22 hours ago, Album Leak said:

Artists That Made 2024: 20-16

 

20. Kylie Minogue
♪ Wouldn't Change A Thing (1989)
♪ Edge of Saturday Night (2024)
♪ Diamonds (2024)

 

I was not excited for Tension II, I don't think the world needed Tension II, but after listening to it... it made a few small points. Diamonds is such a simple and glittery dance bop to pass the time with, while Edge of Saturday Night is a more interesting take on her current sound, with fun vocal delivery. But the real motherload is her 1989 single Wouldn't Change A thing. This song came to me in fellow user Saddy's Pre-2000s Diva Rate, and I've now come to love the song. It's cheerful, breezy, positive and fun, and the music video is super cute and has some nostalgic elements to it. Funny thing is, I initially rated the song an 8 during the rate, but retroactively, it genuinely deserves a 11!  

 

 

17. London Grammar

♪ House (2024)
♪ Fakest ***** (2024)

 

When I heard London Grammar releasing a new single, a liquid D&B song, I was so excited that London Grammar is finally releasing a full on electronic dance album! Especially after Higher from last year, which was one of my favorite releases of 2023, I had such high hopes! But in the end, the new album got released, and it wasn't an electronic dance album at all... rather, it was quite stripped down compared to their earlier releases. But House remains an amazing song. Fakest ***** on the other hand is a song that I feel any modern pop girl could release, at least in terms of lyrics, but the way the song is produced as an atmospheric acoustic song is so good! The chorus melody in Fakest ***** is absolutely breathtaking. 

 

 

16. Käärijä
♪ Ruoskaa feat. Erika Vikman (2024)

♪ Sex = Money (2024)

 

Käärijä released his newest album this year, and with it comes two great new songs that do kind of continue the legacy of Cha Cha Cha. What really makes Käärijä stand out is how much he pushes his own unique sound, and how fun his vocal delivery often is. I think Käärijä has a lot of what other main pop boys should strive for, in terms of sound at least, but also aesthetics. He doesn't mind standing out while other pop boys play it safer than safe. Ruoskaa has such a great mix of rock/metal and electronic music, while Sex = Money makes you want to rave your wig off. I wasn't expecting to grow so fond of Käärijä, but I commend him for delivering two great tracks for this year. I can't say the whole album swept me off my feet, but it was an extremely fun listen regardless.

 

Diamonds and Edge of a Saturday Night are such solid songs, I actually am so happy with what the outcome of Tension II was.  

 

London Grammar I only discovered this year, but their album was tremendous. 'Santa Fe' is my personal favourite, but the entire work is great.

 

Kaarija is such a joyous pop moment. I love how fun and energetic his work is.  

 

[Album Leak]

1 minute ago, Mezik said:

Diamonds and Edge of a Saturday Night are such solid songs, I actually am so happy with what the outcome of Tension II was.  

 

London Grammar I only discovered this year, but their album was tremendous. 'Santa Fe' is my personal favourite, but the entire work is great.

 

Kaarija is such a joyous pop moment. I love how fun and energetic his work is.  

 

I liked Tension II more than Tension so she kind of proved me wrong on not needing a new Tension lmao.

Santa Fe almost made the list but... it's kind of on the edge whether I really like it or not. Guess it's just another album I need to put on repeat to really understand and vibe with.

 

A lot of pop boys tend to be anemic these days, so it's fun to have guys like Käärijä around going all out whether people like it or not! 

[Renzo_]

MOVE by Anna Sofia sounds nice. It reminds me of some pop acts from the 2000s.

[Into The Void]

On 12/19/2024 at 6:47 AM, TalkThatRihanna said:

Diet Pepsi stanning iktr! Should've been bigger than it was

 

Guess Remix was a bopT indeed

I like Diet Pepsi but towards the end it stops and then goes on and for some reason I find it annoying 

Edited December 21, 2024 by Into The Void

[Suilen]

I don't know any of these artists but I'll try to check them out 

[Alldeezy]

haven't heard any of these, guess I need to do some discoveries

 

 

[Kiss It Better]

Kylie 

[Album Leak]

Artists That Made 2024: 10-6

 

10. NONONO

♪ Our Time Is Now (2024)
♪ Depressive (2024)
♪ Selflove (2024)

 

Much to my surprise, NONONO released one of the best albums this year while I wasn't looking! It wasn't until few weeks ago when I realized a new album was released, and listening to it, I am so proud they are sonically following in the footsteps of their previous two great albums. Their sound is so quintessential early/mid 2010s indie electronic-pop-rock that's perfect for the summer! I'm so glad I get another dose of such magic, instead of them re-inventing their sound completely. If '' Our Time Is Now '' and '' Selflove '' weren't immediately added to your summer playlist.. like, who even are you? NONONO has slowly but steadily become one of my favorite bands of all time, and I suggest everyone to listen to their new album!

 

9. EastNewSound

♪ Boundary (2023)

♪ 位念我相、狂波ノ絶 (2024)

 

No matter the year, EastNewSound finds its way into my Best Of list, because their tried and true formula of producing these dark psytrance masterpieces once every album (like it's a genuine a format of song they repeat each new album) is as good and magnificent as ever, and their new vocalist addition to the group has really elevated the tracks as well. Perhaps one could say them repeating this one type of song each album every year has become stale, but it really hasn't to me, as it's such an unique song concept that couldn't exist anywhere else except deep in the Japanese doujin music scene. It also helps that these songs are often the only good songs in their albums these days... well, usually anyway. So I'm happy with revisiting this concept each new album they put out, this year being no exception!

 

 

8. Viitasen Piia

♪ Shakkia (2024)

♪ Paras kellua vaan (2023)

♪ Piritorin kuningas (2024)

 

As per usual, Piia takes my breath away with her immaculate soundscapes and storytelling that she creates with her songs. Her songs sound magical, even though often her lyrics are quite depressive, as is common in Finnish songwriting. The song '' Shakkia '' is about how life is a game of chess, where our planet's resources are being played with, our leaders have gone mad and the people are lost amidst the chaos. But even so, as we can't fight against the inevitable passage of time or fate, we still strive to work towards building a home of our own. The song '' Paras kellua vaan '' tells us to just float, and learn to take the waves that hit against us in life. These strong messages of finding hope and peace in an otherwise bleak world speak to me this year, thus Piia's placement in the list. 

 

 

7. Pehmoaino

♪ maasta taivaaseen (2023)

♪ valssi (2023)

♪ Hulda (2024)

 

Pehmoaino is one of the biggest newcomers in Finnish music, and her debut album which was released this year was very well received by me and others. Her often piano-driven atmospheric indie pop is very one of a kind, and I especially love whenever she dwells into more electronic influences in her music. The song '' Hulda '' is absolutely insane, it starts as a somewhat upbeat dreamy electronic pop song, but then it builds up into this ridiculous techno orchestra by the end as her voice gets more distorted. Oh, and the song is about the passing of her grandmother, like who comes up with this stuff!? This is on another level, she truly has the mind of a mastermind. Finnish girlies are kinda unmatched no it's true it's true! 

 

 

6. Dizzy Fae

♪ Backseat (2023)
♪ You're Always On My Mind (2024)

♪ Pink (2019)

 

Songs from the Antenna EP have been straggling in different playlists of mine, but I haven't checked the rest of her discography out, so when she released an album this year, I thought it was as good time as any to get to know her better. And surprise surprise, she has such a great discography! She can do r&b, she can do pop, she can do hiphop, she is the real deal! I would've liked the list of songs highlighted to showcase her diversity, but right now I'm just vibing with her (alt) r&b sound. Pink is absolutely stunning, while Backseat is just a ******* ANTHEM. I'm so glad to have truly discovered her this year, and I can't wait for what the future has to offer from her. Consider me converted into a stan!

Edited December 23, 2024 by Album Leak

[TalkThatRihanna]

Nnn still on the Khia train, serving opposite of generic taste I respect it

[Album Leak]

6 minutes ago, TalkThatRihanna said:

Nnn still on the Khia train, serving opposite of generic taste I respect it

I'm going to really shock the world in my final post when there's a huge successful superstar everyone knows occupying the top 5, you just watch. 

[Renzo_]

NONONO  I met them with Pumpin' Blood and since then they're recurrently on my playlists.