2024 was a year of iconic albums, from debuts to comebacks, but these projects made their mark!

Prelude to Ecstacy – The Last Dinner Party

Prelude to Ecstasy, The Last Dinner Party’s debut album, is a strong start to the band’s career. Each song uses a unique combination of classical music and indie rock, along with small yet impactful differences, such as ’80s-style synth effects in Burn Alive. Both the music and vocals, led by Abigail Morris, draw heavy inspiration from Florence and the Machine. It’s comfortingly familiar in that aspect, using similar, almost cinematic-sounding techniques as classical music. However, The Last Dinner Party holds its own standout sound well, leaning more toward a strong rock composition. The album in its entirety is an exciting, unique, and iconic experience. 

Songs of a Lost World – The Cure

Sixteen years after their last LP, The Cure released a full album, familiar to the sound they’re known for. Songs of a Lost World is instrumentally led, often with complex, melodic piano intros that carry into the central vocals of each song. Warsong, one of the album’s best, feels as if it is straight from the band’s prime. It’s reminiscent, climactic, and consistently uses the theme of heartbreak and fondness. Clearly, The Cure is a band that knows what is wanted and has mastered their genre. All in all, Songs of a Lost World is a stable album that successfully captures the iconic sound The Cure is known for.

Alligator Bites Never Heal – Doechii

Doechii is an artist who has dipped in and out of niche internet popularity for a while, but her newest release has put her in a real, steady spotlight. With honest and blunt declarations over lofi and classic rap beats, Alligator Bites Never Heal is a truly impressive project. Doechii speaks earnestly and with comical self-reflection, her voice smooth, clear, and often with a satisfying gruffness. Her lyrics are filled with modern references, and though the mention of social media such as TikTok is often cringed at in art, Doechii is witty and subtle with the concept. Alligator Bites Never Heal often is a very playful album, but has a vulnerability in each song that gives it weight and relevance. 

Big Ideas – Remi Wolf

An up-and-coming princess of the ever rising indie pop industry, Remi Wolf is certainly on her way to securing a promising career with the release of her latest whimsical alt-pop project. Satisfying self-confidence thrums through the occasionally rock-leaning, sensual Big Ideas. Though her proud, poppy hits, such as Toro, stand out, some of her best musical talent is displayed in the more emotional, rougher songs, such as Alone in Miami or Just the Start, both of which are very unique in comparison. Wolf has an admirably 2010s-esque style, yet utilizes the iconic modern genre of bubblegum pop. Overall, Wolf has proven that she can outperform her popularity by a long shot, holding the strength and confidence of a future star. 

HIT ME HARD AND SOFT – Billie Eilish

Billie Eilish is an artist occasionally recognizable for her softer soprano vocals, but that tone is very much put in the spotlight for HIT ME HARD AND SOFT. A common theme throughout the album is reflection on past hardships, portrayed through the use of elements of electronic indie, as well as soft acoustic instrumentals. Though much of the album is generally loyal to a slow and soft mood, there are a few tracks that stray. Songs like THE DINER replace the melancholic sound with darker, lower tones. Another welcome stray is THE GREATEST, a pop ballad that allows Billie to showcase her strong high register with satisfying belts. HIT ME HARD AND SOFT is an album that displays healing, melancholy, and an underlying confidence. 

Article by Story Frazier-Maskiell