As always, this year has been a truly eclectic musical year that has seen some incredible debuts and some modern classics from established pop favourites. From electrifying electronic pop and soulful grooves to cinematic synthscapes and heart-pounding anthems, this year has offered a rich tapestry of musical originality from across the globe. We unveil Culture Fix’s best albums of the year…
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18. Gregory Dillon – Heaven Hates Me
Gregory Dillon remains one of pop’s best-kept secrets, and his debut album Heaven Hates Me suggests he won’t be a secret for much longer. Each track of the album is brimming with its own distinctive energy, yet anchored by Gregory’s powerhouse vocals. The macabre electronics of Burning Kisses simmer, poignant heartbreak mixed with high-energy pop in James Dean delights, and the delicious adrenaline rush of tracks like Drive and Heaven Hates Me easily help assert Gregory’s debut as one of the best albums of 2024
17. Mustii – The Maze
Belgian musician and actor Mustii delivered his eagerly-awaited third album The Maze earlier this month. The album draws on a rich array of influences from David Bowie to Iggy Pop to deliver an emotive, attitude-packed set which chronicles the ups and downs of a night out. The star shared: “I imagine this album as a metaphor for a long night of partying, from the pre-party to the after-party, with its ups and downs, the euphoria and then the fall.” This is apparent in the swaggering Fasion-esque title track, the buoyant emotion of Kingdom, the raucous energy of Tell the Kid’s It’s Alright, and sweeping defiance of Before the Party is Over.
16. Kat Von D – My Side of the Mountain
Kat Von D’s My Side of the Mountain draws on influences including synthwave, goth, new wave, post-punk, and iconic 80s electronic sounds, yet feels unmistakably Kat. The goth-disco of Vampire Love and Dead, the result of collaborations with Fernando Garibay, showcase a distinct new chapter in Kat’s sound. Describing the album as a “love letter for hopeless romantics, outsiders, and lonely hearts,” Kat compels listeners to confront life’s challenges and find solace in their respective journeys, soaring on the pounding electro synths of Truth in Reverse, the cathartic power of Running Away, and cinematic sheen of Spanish language anthem Por Ti.
15. Kuill – Fragile Creatures
On his second studio album, Fragile Creatures, rising singer-songwriter KUILL demonstrates his versatile pop sensibilities on standout tracks such as the grooving Supernova, the slick Everything and Nothing, and tender piano-driven Far Behind. The album sees KUILL expertly navigating a variety of subgenres, from high-energy electronic pop to classic-sounding soul that evokes the melodies of pop greats such as Elton John and Freddie Mercury. Packed with rich emotional storytelling, KUILL delivers a substantial fifteen tracks that maintain a consistently high quality throughout.
14. Kate Pierson – Radios & Rainbows
B-52s icon Kate Pierson delivers her second solo album in Radios and Rainbows an eclectic set, unrestricted by genre, anchored by the singer’s unmistakable vocals. Shades of sixties jazz ripple in the macabre Evil Love, euphoric dance anthem Wings delights, high camp spooky gem Every Day is Halloween will stick with you beyond October 31st, and the slinky Take Me Back to the Party highlights the best of Kate’s career with The B-52s. Radios and Rainbows is an LP that is packed with Pierson’s personality, with complex emotional shades balancing out with the bombastic party elements
13. Markus Riva – Bigger Than This
Latvian entertainer and eternal showman Markus Riva returns with Bigger Than This, his first English-language studio album since 2018’s I CAN. The nine-track set, crafted with Ukrainian producer Roman Nepomiashchyi, features both fresh material and some of Markus’s strongest hits of 2024, including Lose Control, Dance It Away, Far From Me, Bye Bye Baby, and Ice Ice Cold. Packed with dark electronic pop and nods to ’90s house, the album showcases Markus at his best – big vocals and delivering intoxicating, moody production and undeniable dancefloor appeal.
12. Daphne Guinness – Sleep
Daphne Guinness delivers her most beguiling work to date with Sleep, a sleek and sophisticated blend of gothic charm, art-pop allure, and esoteric creativity. Standout tracks include the brooding Dark Night of the Soul, brimming in rhythmic synths and elegant string arrangements from Tony Visconti, and the shimmering, Japanese-inspired Mishima, enriched by the haunting tones of a shamisen. Other highlights include the scintillating Volcano, and the hypnotic Hip Neck Spine. Sleep pairs contemplative, self-reflective lyrics with a dancefloor-ready pulse, creating a distinctive sonic journey that sees Daphne soar to further creative peaks.
11. Charli XCX – Brat
The cultural impact of Brat cannot be understated, with Charli XCX having the internet in a chokehold for the bulk of 2024. Yet the 2000s-inspired club anthems housed on the LP speak for themselves, arriving with an unflappable brat girl confidence. 360, Apple, and Girl, So Confusing burst with a punky, danceable energy, delivering Charli’s most attitude-packed vocals and unshakeable cool. This is Charli at her boldest and most liberated, making Brat both a cultural moment and a defiant pop statement.
10. Dana Gillespie – First Love
Teaming up with Marc Almond and Tris Penna, British music icon Dana Gillespie delivers pop covers album First Love. The star delivers impactful and unique takes on Morrisey’s Spent the Day in Bed, Lana Del Rey’s Gods and Monsters, and Leonard Cohen’s Dance Me To The End Of Love. With shades of melancholy, pop history and Dana’s own experiences trickling through in the choices, First Love is a striking set of interpretations, delivered with Dana’s unmistakable deep, heartfelt ant raw gravitas.
9. Alfie Templeman – Radiosoul
Alfie Templeman’s second studio album, Radiosoul, delivers bombastic, Nile Rodgers-inspired funk-pop on standout tracks like Eyes Wide Shut and Beckham. Featuring joyful, groove-heavy production from a diverse lineup of talents, including Will Bloomfield, Karma Kid, and Dan Carey, the album is an addictive blend of Alfie’s indie roots and contemporary funk-pop flair.
8. Marcus and Martinus – Unforgettable
Norwegian pop talents Marcus and Martinus revealed Unforgettable, their first album in seven years, following on from their triumphant Melodifestivalen victory and scene-stealing Eurovision Song Contest appearance. The loveable duo delivered some of the strongest pop tracks of the year including the slinky danceable Follow Me, nu-disco anthem Gimme Your Love, and powerhouse dance bop 247365. Showcasing an undeniable vocal prowess and emotive shades on tracks such as When All the Lights Go Out and Chris Isaak cover Wicked Game, Marcus and Martinus continue to assert themselves as two incredible pop stars.
7. Benedict Cork – Notes On a Hopeless Romance
Benedict Cork’s debut album Notes on a Hopeless Romance is an emotional triumph that blends gospel, electronic, and pop elements into lush soundscapes. Anchored by poignant storytelling and soaring vocals, tracks like Soulmates and Reasons I Loved You (I Can’t Think of One) balance vulnerability with resilience, while the rebellious energy of God Damn and the tender introspection of Beauty Queen showcase Benedict’s stylistic range. Exploring the complexities of love and heartbreak, particularly within queer experiences, this heartfelt collection cements Benedict as a compelling voice in contemporary British pop.
6. Zayn – Room Under the Stairs
Zayn Malik reached new creative highs with his artistically vibrant Room Under the Stairs which saw the Pillowtalk star navigate a soulful country-inspired singer-songwriter space with producer Dave Cobb. Giving a more personal insight into his life, emotions, and music with standout tracks including Alienated, the warmly absorbing Stardust, and intimate Dreamer. Writing most of the album independently, Room Under the Stairs impresses thanks to its rustic grooves, intimate vulnerability, and battle-scarred production.
5. Kylie Minogue – Tension II
Kylie’s Tension album was a ridiculously good time, with its lead single Padam Padam immediately cemented in the pantheon of pop greatness. The Aussie songstress continued to channel slick noughties inspired electronic dance in its 2024 sequel album which smashed out of the gate with the Lewis Thompson and Adria Garcia produced Lights Camera Action. Showcasing Kylie’s undeniable pop versatility from country-dance anthem Midnight Ride with Diplo and Orville Peck to the gloriously addictive Taboo, Tension II continues the euphoric party that Kylie started in 2023.
4. Shaznay Lewis – Pages
Shaznay Lewis’s second solo album Pages is a stunning showcase of emotive songwriting, sumptuous vocals, and striking harmonies, solidifying her as a powerhouse solo artist beyond her All Saints roots. Featuring inspired collaborations, including Pick You Up, a standout with Self Esteem, the album blends intimate ballads with soaring anthems like Kiss of Life, Good Mourning, and Missile. With its rich, atmospheric production and heartfelt lyricism, Pages is a masterclass in balancing vulnerability and strength – the type that Shaznay does so well.
3. Hooverphonic – Fake Is The New Dope
Trip-hop legends Hooverphonic continue to demonstrate their versatility as artists, navigating art-pop grooves and psychedelic electronic arrangements delivered through the gorgeous sonic palette of vocalist Geike Arnaert. Fake Is The New Dope skilfully blends enigmatic pop hooks with trippier experimental sounds that recall the impressive heights of their 1990s output, crafting a distinctive fusion that remains unmistakably Hooverphonic. Highlights include the string-laden The Best Day of Your Life, the disco-accented And Then I Found You, and the 1990s-inspired Somebody.
2. Pet Shop Boys – Nonetheless
English synthpop duo Pet Shop Boys team up with producer James Ford for Nonetheless—their fifteenth studio album, showcasing their distinct ability to push forward in progressive new directions within electronic pop. Combining sharp songwriting that delivers both brains and irresistible hooks, Nonetheless delves into themes ranging from Rudolf Nureyev to the inner psyche of a narcissistic political autocrat’s bodyguard, all set to absorbing electronic grooves. Standout tracks include the bombastic, melancholic Loneliness and the euphoric Why Am I Dancing?.
1. Benjamin Ingrosso – Pink Velvet Theatre
The Swedish star has been consistently delivering high-quality pop music in both his native language and English in recent years, but Benjamin Ingrosso has reached new artistic and creative heights with his latest studio album, Pink Velvet Theatre. The album asserts Ingrosso as a songwriter with an outstanding ear for great pop hooks, as evidenced in anthems such as Look Who’s Laughing Now, Kite, and Honey Boy. Ingrosso also shines as a stellar showman—just watch his electrifying performance during the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 interval show for proof. Drawing inspiration from adored pop icons like Queen, ABBA, and Roxette, Pink Velvet Theatre exudes timeless charm and creativity. Every track on the album could stand as a fantastic single in its own right, cementing Pink Velvet Theatre as our album of the year.