Together Outrageously's Top Albums of 2024
- Together Outrageously
- Jan 26
- 9 min read
Updated: Apr 19
Grace's Top Albums:
Favorite Song: Bullet of Dignity
I was introduced to the Fat White Family by one of my GTO heroes, the late great Miss Mercy Fontenot. It was during an episode of the podcast Pamela des Barres’s Pajama Party, where she named Fat White Family as one of her favorite acts of the past decade, and when Miss Mercy says to listen, you listen. Forgiveness Is Yours is unlike anything I’ve heard before, blending electric dance sounds with what sounds like the faraway plucking of a lyre and a superb use of the flute, creating an almost Orphic echo. All of this—along with its Eastern melodic sensibilities— creates an album that exists completely out of time and definitely belongs in space. Beautifully uncomforting, honest, and pessimistically whimsical, if you’re looking for a place to start with Fat White Family, this is the place.
Favorite Song: Rylee & I
What more is there to be said about this album? Two Star and the Dream Police continues to resonate with me in a different way each time I listen. My favorite song changes constantly, and it becomes the new soundtrack to my sorrow, hope, melancholy, or whatever it is I’m overcome with at the time. This album never fails to coat me in its lush sound until I am no longer on Earth but ascended to planet Mk.gee. Guttural and dreamy, Mk.gee uses restraint unlike any artist I know. He is a master at creating tension with different levels of release, from the fast exhales of sound and energy on “Rylee & I” to the slow and desperate pleas of “How Many Miles.” And he does it with his guitar and his voice? Swoon!
Favorite Song: Church Bells
The Lemon Twigs manage to follow their 2023 album, Everything Harmony, a wistful American folk-inspired reflection, with their vibrant fifth studio album, A Dream is All We Know. Recorded completely on analog, this album is a must-listen for audiophiles. The warm fuzz of the staticky analog coats the already sickly sweet songs to create the sun-shiniest pop you have ever heard. Jangly guitar, jovial tambourine, lush The Beach Boys harmonies, JESUS CHRIST – what more can I say to convince you? “Church Bells” is my favorite simply for the cheeky riff after Michael sings, “Don’t get eaten alive.” It sounds so wonderfully corny, making me scream at first listen. A close second is “How Could I Love Her More?” In this love song to an I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-T woman, the Twigs use two drum kits to passionately declare their love for their working girl! You can tell that The Lemon Twigs are having fun on this album, playing with the musical conventions of the eras they know so well and, as always, making it their own.
Favorite Song: The Magician
The New Sound resonated deeply with the Dresden Dolls-loving, vaudeville circus clown inside of me. I was unfamiliar with Geordie Greep’s past work with the band Black Midi, so this album came as a delightful surprise. Instrumentally, the album sounds like a jam session driven to madness, with the cascading horns on the Latin jazz-inspired “Terra,” the heavily distorted guitar on “As If Waltz,” and the straight-up chaos that erupts at the end of “The Magician.” The New Sound immerses the listener in its adrenaline-fueled brand of dread as if you’re bracing yourself for the grandest whiplash of all time. Like an impassioned, manic preacher, Greep uses his distinct voice and accent to deliver lyrics that read more like dramatic monologues—it would not be surprising to hear “but Brutus is an honorable man” somewhere in this album. If the apocalypse or some devastating plague were to fall upon us today, I would throw a big party where we play this album, take ether, and dance til we die. #joker4grrls
Favorite Song: I'm A Man
With her latest work, The Collective, Kim Gordon once again proves that she is the coolest person to ever live, even if she is addicted to the doom scroll (as are we). The Collective is Gordon diving into the deep end with trap beats, proving she is a natural. It features such brilliant lyrics as “Dropped out of college, don’t have a degree/And I can’t get a date/ It’s not my fault!” in the wickedly titled “I’m A Man.” Gordon’s esoteric lyrics are especially evident in the opening track, “BYE BYE,” where Gordon sings her entire to-do list at you before saying “Bye-bye.” Honestly, the album sounds like you are scrolling through alpha male Instagram reels, or if Patti Smith was a SoundCloud rapper–it got me through 2024.
Honorable Mentions:
Challengers (Original Score) by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
Quantum Baby by Tinashe
Sean's Top Albums:
Favorite Song: Cry For Me
I consider Imaginal Disk to be a modern musical masterpiece– this truly was my brat. I mean, brat was still my brat, but this album is next level. The perfect mix of experimental, unsettling, and addictive, Imaginal Disk tells the story of a character named True, who has a mysterious disc inserted into her head by an alien doctor in order to awaken her true self. When the disc rejects, True goes on a journey of self-discovery that forces her to relearn what it means to be human. Imaginal Disk is the third full-length project by pop duo Mica Tenenbaum and Matthew Lewin, who have recently exploded in popularity thanks to the success of tracks like “Image.” Inspired by media like “Suspiria,” the album manages to mix elements of horror and sci-fi with fun pop hooks. From the explosive production to the absurd story, Imaginal Disk is one of the most unique and vibrant releases of the year.
Favorite Song: Sadness As A Gift
This year, Adrienne Lenker sought to answer the question of “How sad can one album be?” with her release Bright Future. Lenker’s sixth LP is packed with heart-wrenching confessionals, earnest lyrics, and raw emotion. The vulnerability of songs like “Sadness As A Gift” and “Evol” prove once again that Adrienne Lenker is the master of musical catharsis. Bright Future has a way of making you realize that you’ve never actually gotten over anything ever– would recommend!
Favorite Song: Fox Hunt
Sierra Ferrell holds a super special place in my heart. She was one of the first country artists whose music I genuinely enjoyed, and I credit her pretty heavily in shifting my opinions about the genre. On Trail Of Flowers, she delivers another quality album full of personality, twang, and heart. Tracks like “Fox Hunt” showcase Ferrell’s ability to mix the traditional country style with modern flair. Attention all Together Outrageously readers– if you think you don’t like country, give Sierra Ferrell a try.
Favorite Song: Candy
Fine. FINE. I like Mk.gee. I held out for months– I told myself I would not succumb to the Mk.gee hype. However, my good friends Roxie and Grace showed me the light, and I am now a bonafide Mk.gee enjoyer. Besides being the best-named album of 2024, Two Star and the Dream Police has pushed the boundaries of popular music and showcased a sound that is truly unlike anything I’ve ever heard. With elements of bedroom pop, R&B, alternative rock, and hypnagogic pop, Mk.gee has truly cemented himself as a one-of-a-kind artist this year.
Favorite Song: HIDE N SEEK
Doechii had an amazing 2024– she quickly catapulted to stardom through the success of songs like “DENIAL IS A RIVER” and “NISSAN ALTIMA” while also securing several Grammy nominations along the way. I’m fully rooting for her to win Best New Artist at this point (sorry Chappell). Even though I only discovered Alligator Bites Never Healrecently, Doechii’s fun theatrical rap has hooked me. She pulls inspiration from ‘90s hip hop, which is evident through her distinctly old-school sound and flow. Her live performances are also truly one of a kind– her performance on The Late Show might be the best talk show performance of the year.
Honorable Mentions:
This Is How Tomorrow Moves - beabadoobee
Vertigo - Griff
Roxie's Top Albums:
Favorite Song: Dream Police
Two Star and the Dream Police is easily my favorite album of the past year. Its effect on me just cannot be compared to anything else. I remember the exact moment I discovered Two Star and the Dream Police. One night over the summer, I was scrolling mindlessly through YouTube music videos when I came across a thumbnail I had never seen before. A messy-haired man playing a Fender guitar under a dim green-tinted light, sitting on a bus. Struck with curiosity, I unassumingly clicked on the video, not expecting much. It’s title: “Mk.gee - Candy (Live).” From the first crashing strike of his guitar strings, I was hooked. Two Star and the Dream Police bends the boundaries of music in ways never expected. From the crushing garbage truck sounds at the end of “Are You Looking Up” to the extraterrestrial cries of the guitar on “New Low” and the synth break straight from the 80s in “I Want,” Mk. Gee is flipping music on its head. If you haven’t, jump on your streaming platform spaceship and travel to planet Mk. Gee. You won’t regret it.
Favorite Song: Wristwatch
In Manning Fireworks, MJ Lenderman shows off his masterful approach to the Y’allternative (AKA alternative country) boom in modern music with an unexpected twist: he doesn’t really show off at all. With a monotone vocal delivery, a squeaky violin, and the oh-so-buttery twang of a steel guitar, Lenderman delves into the misfortunes of everyday life with a digestible listening experience. He strikes a perfect balance between dynamic, crashing instrumentals like those in “Rudolph” and “Wristwatch,” and more classic folk routes like “Rip Torn.” Lenderman’s lyrics, witty and bordering on comedic, stand out on this record. He references pop culture like McDonald’s, John Travolta, Men in Black, and even Ozzy Osbourne’s “Bark at the Moon,” using them as metaphors to build themes of self-destruction and love. Manning Fireworks is not adorned with too much frill, but that’s what makes it work– It’s refreshing simplicity.
Favorite Song: Goodnight
There is a haunting beauty that permeates Being Dead’s EELS. From the dynamic instrumentals to the duo’s eerie and echoing harmonic vocals, this sophomore album is a spellbinding success. I discovered Being Dead in 2023 after the release of their debut album When Horses Would Run. Their uniqueness and inability to be categorized immediately captivated me; EELS is no exception. In fact, it exceeded my expectations. This album is darker than the first, with heavy-hitting lyrical themes paired with songs haunted by ghostly vocals like those in “Storybook Bay,” “I Was a Tunnel,” and “Gazing at Footwear.” Though opening with a song fairly similar to those on their first album, the record immediately pivots into darkness with the second song, “Van Goes.” Themes of self-loathing and feeling generally stuck are explored on the album and accompanied by muddy instrumentals like those on “Firefighters” and “Ballerinas.” Falcon Bitch and Shmoofy, the two members of the band, know just how to push the boundaries of their sound while maintaining the raw, unpolished charm that makes their music so distinctive. EELS is not just an album; it’s an experience.
Favorite Song: Gemini
I was fortunate enough to witness Haley Heynderickx perform live this past summer. Under a tent at the Redwing Roots Music Festival, Heynderickx played several songs from her upcoming album, Seed of a Seed. I was blown away and hungry for more. When the full album was finally released in November of 2024, my love for her music grew to new heights. What I love most about Heynderickx is her storytelling abilities. There is a certain magic about her that allows her lyrics to paint vivid pictures of nature, like those in “Redwoods (Anxious God)” and “Mouth of a Flower.” Her lyrics in songs like “Gemini,” “Sorry Fahey,” and “Foxglove,” on the other hand, urge the listener to peer into their own soul to find peace and purpose in their lives, no matter how simple. The depth of this record is pushed even further by the bellowing moans of the cello, the cries of the violin, and the power of the trombone. Though Heynderickx's music is generally light and airy, this album runs deep.
Favorite Song: Your Apartment
Wallows will forever hold a place in my heart. Every year since 2018, my friend Jessie and I have texted each other variations of, “I’m listening to Wallows again.” At first, it was an admission of guilt, but as I’ve grown older and less embarrassed of the music I choose to listen to, Wallows has become much more. When I learned they were releasing a new album in 2024, I quickly bought tickets to their tour and anxiously awaited the release of their full record. This album mirrors early Wallows tracks, specifically off their Spring EP. Still, it holds the saturated, syncopated electronic sound effects that make Wallows who they are today. It’s a simple album with easy-to-digest songs and encapsulates the familiar refreshing Wallows feeling, making it a satisfying listen for any fan. Seeing this album performed live brought back the memories of myself dancing to their early music in my bedroom for 6 or 7 years and helped me remember what made me fall in love with Wallows all those years ago. The experience made the album for me.
Honorable Mentions:
This Wasn’t Meant For You Anyway - Lola Young
Imaginal Disk - Magdalena Bay
Patterns in Repeat - Laura Marling
Your Day Will Come - Chanel Beads
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