December is here, and with it comes the annual tradition of curating your favorite album lists and dreaming of sunnier days (especially if you’re in Europe, like us).
At 3345, we’re big fans of playlists and year-end recaps, so naturally, we couldn’t let 2024 end without compiling our own list of the year’s best releases. So, grab a drink, charge your device, and settle in—we’ve got 90 albums from 2024 that we believe deserve a spot on your radar.
Holy Tongue Meets Shackleton - The Tumbling Psychic Joy of Now
"The Tumbling Psychic Joy of Now" came to life during a collective performance in Sweden. The original idea was that British Producer Shackleton would create a remix of an existing Holy Tongue, but it evolved quickly to a whole new album. Holy Tongue consists of percussion instruments Valentina Magaletti, multi-instrumentalist and producer Al Wootton and bassist Susumu Mukai. This trio is known of their psychedelic, free and energetic approach to spiritual dub-dance music
Kendrick Lamar - GNX
Kendrick Lamar’s definitive Drake diss, “Not Like Us,” featured a symbolic statement: “Sometimes you gotta pop out and show n—as.” It wasn’t just a boast; it was a declaration that defined 2024 as the year of Kendrick. His string of surprise releases, beginning with his standout verse on Future and Metro Boomin’s “Like That” and culminating in the unexpected drop of GNX.
The streak, marked by Grammy nominations for “Not Like Us,” a historic Juneteenth “Pop Out” concert in Los Angeles, and a Super Bowl LIX halftime performance, has made 2024 a transformative year for arguably the world’s biggest rapper—a position he has firmly cemented. GNX serves as the crowning achievement of this era, combining raw lyricism, vibrant California soundscapes, and Lamar’s unmatched technical precision.
It’s an oath to both new and old-school West Coast hip-hop, paying homage to legends like Tupac while embracing modern influences such as Drakeo the Ruler. The album pulses with West Coast authenticity, from its gritty production to its street-level narratives. It bridges eras, merging the rawness of ’90s G-funk with contemporary sounds that speak to a younger generation. In a year where he’s reshaped the rap landscape, GNX confirms that Kendrick Lamar stands unchallenged at the summit of hip-hop.
Shellac - To All Trains
To All Trains was recorded over multiple sessions in 2019, 2021, and 2022, before its release on May 17, 2024. The album is characterised by Shellac’s signature minimalist rock style and the seamless collaboration between guitarist Steve Albini, bassist Bob Weston, and drummer Todd Trainer. Tragically, the release came just 10 days after the passing of Steve Albini.Albini was renowned not only for his work with Shellac but also for his contributions to the music of iconic artists like PJ Harvey, Nirvana, and the Pixies. His loss adds a poignant weight to the album, particularly on tracks like “I Don’t Fear Hell,” where Albini hauntingly sings, “If there’s a heaven, I hope they’re having fun, ’cause if there’s a hell, I’m gonna know everyone.”
Moin - You Never End
You Never End is the third album from Moin (Valentina Magaletti, Tom Halstead and Joe Andrews) out via AD 93 on the 25th October.
This record marks Moin’s shift into a new phase with vocal collaborations across the album from Olan Monk, james K, Coby Sey and Sophia Al-Maria. Continuing their enigmatic re-configuring of the traditional band, Moin use a mix of conventional and unique production and compositional techniques. Subtly re-framing the current conversation about what band in 2024 needs to be, Moin walk the line between what's reassuringly familiar and what's unsettling and inquisitive. You Never End is a more sensitive record in sentiment, it re-contextualises grunge, shoegaze and indie rock with a weirdly comforting melancholy while still sounding direct and alive.
Nala Sinephro - Endlessness
Endlessness is an immersive experience, almost meditative in nature. Nala Sinephro explains on her website that this quality stems from the continuous arpeggios woven throughout every track. Endlessness is the second album by the Belgium-Caribbean producer and composer, showcasing her unique artistic vision.
For this project, Sinephro enlisted some of the London jazz scene’s most renowned talents, including saxophonist Nubya Garcia, drummer Morgan Simpson (of Black Midi), and trumpeter Sheila Maurice-Grey. She took full creative control, producing, arranging, and mixing the album herself.Pitchfork praised her growth, stating, “Compared to her debut album Space 1.8, Sinephro demonstrates significant development as a producer and bandleader, handling production, mixing, and string arrangements with sophistication.
Nilufer Yanya - My Method Actor
British singer-songwriter Nilüfer Yanya released her third album, My Method Actor, on September 13, 2024. For this record, she collaborated closely with composer Wilma Archer, deliberately avoiding external influences during the writing process. Yanya describes the album as her most intense work yet, a result of the isolation they cultivated while creating it in London, Eastbourne, and Wales.
The title My Method Actor references the acting technique where performers draw from personal memories to create authentic roles. Yanya sees a strong parallel between method acting and her approach to crafting music and delivering performances, making this album an intimate and deeply personal exploration.
MJ Lenderman - Manning Fireworks
MJ Lenderman’s latest album, Manning Fireworks, showcases his distinctive ability to blend humor, poignancy, and vivid storytelling. The record is his first with ANTI- Records and follows his breakout 2022 album, Boat Songs. It represents a maturation in both songwriting and production, with Lenderman crafting a polished yet deeply personal sound.
The album combines his signature slacker-rock style with elements of folk and country, supported by contributions from collaborators like Xandy Chelmis on lap steel and Landon George on fiddle.
Mabe Fratti - Sentir Que No Sabes
Pitchfork:
Sentir que no sabesis the kind of record that requires you to surrender to it, to listen meticulously and without expectation, regardless of how well you understand its themes. Fratti is much likeArthur Russellin that way—an artist who coaxes you to crawl into their alien world and make it your shelter. On the vocoder-laden “Alarmas olvidadas,” Fratti sings alongside a looping, growling cello. Everything is slow, loose, and lurching, like a strongman struggling to pull a big rig.Mint Field’s Estrella del Sol whistles in the background, but suddenly, there’s a brief respite from the tension: Arpeggiated keys and Fratti’s seraphic voice swell, rising above the unease. “La verdad es desafío,” she sings. Truth is a challenge. The unknown, she suggests, might not be something to avoid, but rather a place to immerse yourself. It might contain all the answers you need.
Cindy Lee - Diamond Jubilee (LP)
Cindy Lee’s Diamond Jubilee is a sprawling, two-hour album blending 60s pop nostalgia with modern experimental sounds. Pat Flegel, formerly of the indie rock band Women, leads this project, delivering a record steeped in both tenderness and haunting melancholy. The album explores a range of influences, from lush orchestral arrangements to punk and minimal synth touches. Notable songs include the title track, “All I Want is You,” and “24/7 Heaven,” which collectively highlight themes of love, memory, and introspection.
The album’s sound draws on elements of lo-fi pop, with echoes of vintage girl groups and glam rock, all tied together with a contemporary edge. Critics have praised its ambitious scope, though some note the length can be daunting. The work feels like a culmination of Cindy Lee’s journey, offering both a retrospective and a potential swan song for the project
Blood Incantation - Absolute Elsewhere
Blood Incantation’s Absolute Elsewhere is a bold exploration of death metal fused with progressive rock and electronic influences, presenting a cinematic, interstellar listening experience. Released in 2024, the album consists of two lengthy compositions—The Stargate and The Message—each divided into three parts, referred to as "tablets." These pieces incorporate elements of traditional death metal alongside atmospheric soundscapes inspired by Tangerine Dream and Pink Floyd, pushing genre boundaries.
Critics have praised the album for its inventive transitions between crushing metal riffs and ethereal, spacey sections. The presence of Thorsten Quaeschning from Tangerine Dream on synths and contributions from other progressive musicians add depth to the compositions. Highlights include the seamless blending of brutal and melodic passages, with thematic influences ranging from cosmic existentialism to cinematic storytelling. However, some critics noted that transitions between styles could occasionally feel disjointed, though the overall experience is described as immersive and forward-thinking.