2024 was a groundbreaking year for music, with many artists pushing boundaries and making headlines from their new creations. Here are the most influential albums of the year and what made them so monumental.

Brat – Charlie XCX

Since its release in June, Brat has broken records and defined the summer season. As the highest rated album of 2024, with nine Grammy nominations and many viral tracks, Brat has redefined punk-pop for a new generation. 

Short n Sweet – Sabrina Carpenter

Although released later in 2024 in August, Short n Sweet has managed to top the Billboard 200 and become one of the most streamed albums of the year. This record’s influence can be seen across social media, with Carpenter’s tour going viral and selling out across North America. 

Hit Me Hard and Soft – Billie Eilish 

With many songs going viral on tiktok, and the track “Birds of a Feather” even being titled “Most Streamed Song of 2024” by Spotify, Hit Me Hard and Soft has been critically acclaimed since its drop in May. 

GNX – Kendrick Lamar

After its surprise release in November, GNX has already cemented itself as one of the best rap albums of 2024. With multiple iconic features, and an upcoming tour coheadlined with SZA, GNX has quickly become an iconic record.

Chromakopia – Tyler The Creator

With its vivid, cinematic production and bold tracks, Chromakopia was made a cultural phenomenon across social media even before its release. The track “Sticky” off the album even inspired a popular dance that went viral on tiktok. 

Cowboy Carter – Beyonce

Since its release in March, Cowboy Carter has gripped the diverse audiences it’s appealed to. With 11 Grammy nominations, it’s the third most nominated album in history.  

Eternal Sunshine – Ariana Grande

With the release of this album and her starring in the movie adaptation of Wicked, 2024 has been a major year for Ariana Grande. During its release in March, Eternal Sunshine charted at number one on the Billboard 200, and topped the charts in 13 other countries. 

We Still Don’t Trust You – Metro Boomin and Future

This collaboration dropped in April and became an instant hit, with iconic features from some of rap’s greatest artists. The single “We Still Don’t Trust You” topped the Billboard 200, and this record marked Future and Metro Boomin’s fifth number one album in the country. 

Vultures 1 and Vultures 2– ¥$

Albums Vultures 1 dropped in February and Vultures 2 dropped later in August, and both charted within the top five of the Billboard 200. Carnival, a song of Vultures 1, blew up across tiktok, and even incited a mass joke called “the tiktok rizz party.”

The Secret of Us – Gracie Abrams

Preceding its release in June, singles “Close to You” and “I Love You, I’m Sorry” both topped the Billboard 100. Abrams spent the year opening for Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour, and another track off the deluxe album “That’s So True” went viral on social media and became one of the most streamed songs of 2024. 

The Tortured Poet’s Department – Taylor Swift

Dropped amidst her tour in April, The Tortured Poet’s Department broke numerous records, including the highest single-day and single-week streams for an album on Spotify. It topped the Billboard 200 for 17 weeks and became an iconic album of 2024.

Each of these albums left an indelible mark on 2024, shaping its cultural landscape. As we move into 2025, their influence will undoubtedly continue to echo across the industry, social media, and beyond.

Chart-topping albums that defined this year. [Image Credit Avalon McElroy]