2024 flew by, and music was there through all of it — workouts, late-night chats, building SPUN, crying in the middle of crowded cafés (lol), and everything in between. Some albums stuck with me more than others, so I thought I’d put together a list of my favorites from each month. This isn’t a definitive “best of” list — just the albums that soundtracked my year. Let’s dive in! 🎶
January
Orquídeas – Kali Uchis, released on January 12th
Starting the year strong with a “centil” album of the year by the Colombian-American singer. The dreamy vocals, luxurious beats, and her celebration of Colombian heritage are just so wholesome & empowering. Similar to how my January went as I kicked off SPUN officially with the founding team in our tiny office at the corner of a coworking space.
Favorite track: Igual Que Un Ángel
February
Two Star & the Dream Police – Mk.gee, released on February 9th
I’m a huge fan of Dijon’s latest album, and that’s how I discovered Mk.gee. He’s a genius at knowing what’s enough—when to put in “silence,” when to add R&B chords to lo-fi dreamy guitar riffs, and when NOT to overly improvise. The whole album’s theme is a peak Gen Z sadboi playbook of the year (and I’m not complaining). February was rough for me personally, and this album came right when I needed it.
Favorite Track: Are You Looking Up
March
Bright Future – Adrianne Lenker, released on March 22nd
A very raw and intimate work by the Big Thief singer. I had the chance to watch her live in Manchester a few years back and was genuinely impressed. She’s performing in the moment, for that moment, as she recorded it. It’s free-flowing and genuinely calming. March was a very exhausting month, and I listened to this album to wind down.
Favorite track: Evol
April
Only God Was Above Us – Vampire Weekend, released on April 5th
This album felt really nostalgic — like a memory lane throughout their old discography, one track at a time. I expected no less from one of the most entertaining live performers this decade, tbh. Who would’ve thought that Ezra Koenig, the teenage heartthrob, is turning 40 this year? Time flies. April was full of nostalgia for me, like this album. I constantly reminisced about the life I had abroad and how things are different now. Oh well, we move.
Favorite Track: Ice Cream Piano
May
Frog in Boiling Water – DIIV, released on May 24th
Shoegaze is alive and well! I found out about them through Zach Cole’s interview about his arrest (lol) 10 years ago. Their sound in this album is eclectic and dark — TBH, I couldn’t enjoy it during my first listen, but I got to enjoy it more after several loops — a slow burn. May was full of meaningless meetups that felt redundant and stressful for me, but eventually, there’s a light at the end of the road.
Favorite Track: Raining On Your Pillow
June
BRAT – Charli XCX, released on June 7th
Album of the year. Tune of the summer. Genius. Iconic. Played through the albums and the remixes over and over again. So, so uplifting. I listen to BRAT for every moment of my life, really — as a pacer during my run, to boost my mood at work, and to celebrate fun times with friends. 2024 summer would have been lame without BRAT. And yes, June was super fun.
Favorite Track: Girl, so confusing
July
Charm – Clairo, released on July 12th
This album is like a rare Jakarta fresh air after weeks of constant rain and pollution, and I’d like to imagine it tastes like Hydro Coco. Generally slower in tempo than her previous work, but with more depth and personal lyrics. Lots of fleeting moments happened in my life in July, and this album hard-carried me through those times.
Favorite Track: Juna
August
Imaginal Disk – Magdalena Bay, released on August 23rd
Less is not always more and this album proves it. Grandiose and show-off in the best possible way. I started listening to mas-mas skena in hipster coffee shop saying stuff like “Ey, what’s that album where someone inserts a CD to a girl’s head” and I’m taking that as a good sign. August was a month full of growth and suprises, and it felt as exciting as this album for me.
Favorite Track: Image
September
My Method Actor – Nilüfer Yanya, released on September 13th
Fell in love with her sounds since “midnight sun” came out. She let me down once as her live performance during Adele’s Hyde Park show was quite underwhelming, but I still gave this album a listen and it didn’t disappoint me. I’d describe it a bit like a dark R&B-pop-soft rock mix. I decided to pay a visit to the UK again around this time of the month not to run away from my past. So there you go — my favorite track below.
Favorite Track: Like I Say (I runaway)
October
CHROMAKOPIA – Tyler, the Creator, released on October 28th
A surprise drop from Tyler (as usual), and this time, it’s very personal. His old vibes a la Cherry Bomb album are still here, but the melodic harmonies a la Flower Boy are also far from gone. A very diverse album that feels like a longing to find meaning and identity despite reaching the peak of his career. That, I could relate to. October was so busy and emotionally overwhelming that it made me wonder what the meaning of all this even is.
Favorite Track: Thought I Was Dead
November
Mahashmashana – Father John Misty, released on November 22nd
This album dropped as I was waiting for my flight to the UK. I immediately downloaded it and played it through my 18-hour flight. What a life-changing experience. His lyrics are so metaphorically precise; sometimes quite funny too, and sad, just like life. It’s so real and raw, with basic chord progressions yet full of unsettling and angry emotions. This is similar to my love-hate relationship with Bristol in particular, with everything that happened back in 2023.
Favorite Track: Screamland
December
Discipline – Shinichi Atobe, released on December 13th
This album feels like closure for me. I had never heard of this artist before, but Spotify recommended “Regret” in mid-December, leading me to explore his discography. I also recently discovered “Dub Techno” as a genre and how respected he is in this field. After returning from Bristol, I felt complete — everything was a rollercoaster ride, but necessary. I learned a lot in 2024 and had many reflective moments in December. I made some tough decisions, and despite that, it felt liberating. I am free.
Favorite Track: SA DUB 7
…and that’s a wrap! It feels amazing to write this as I feel like I’ve expressed myself in a very weird way (lol) very wholeheartedly. I wish you all a great year ahead. Looking forward to hearing more peculiar sounds of 2025!
Life, Unspun 