NOTION’S ALBUMS OF THE YEAR 2024

In the year that NOTION officially turned 20 – Happy Birthday to us! – some incredible albums hit the shelves of record shops and the algorithms of our favourite streaming services. From viral remix records to surrealistic and shoegaze-y earworms and albums that transcended all seasons to our summer soundtracks, these projects captured the hearts and minds of the NOTION team in 2024.

Kitty Robson – Head of Editorial

Taylor Swift – The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology

Liam Cattermole – Content Editor

Mount Kimbie – The Sunset Violent

You never know what you’re going to get from a new Mount Kimbie album. 14 years after their debut, Crooks & Lovers, Kai Campos and Dom Maker continue to read between the lines and make something of their own. The Sunset Violent curdles surrealism and cynicism into shimmering shoegaze-y earworms, thanks in part to their two new band members, Andrea Balency–Béarn and Marc Pell. At times, the record is emotional and evocative; at others, it’s emotionless and despondent. Andrea and Dom take turns to fall between dreams and disarray while the fuzzy production and lounge-rock grooves remain enough to keep you on your toes. 

Nicholas Douglas – Creative Director 

FLO – Access All Areas 

FLO’s debut album Access All Areas is a testament to the trio’s ability to seamlessly blend nostalgic R&B influences with modern pop sensibilities. Bursting with infectious hooks, lush harmonies, and emotionally charged lyricism, the album reaffirms FLO’s position as a revitalising force in contemporary music. Access All Areas showcases their vocal prowess and songwriting depth while embracing themes of love, resilience, and self-discovery. As one of the standout albums of the year, FLO’s debut doesn’t just invite listeners into their world – it demands their full attention, proving they’re here to stay. 

Billy Hussein – Managing Director 

English Teacher – This Could Be Texas

After their Mercury Prize win earlier this year, I was so happy to get English Teacher on the cover of our new magazine, NOTION: The Artists Vol. 1. This Could Be Texas is such an interesting listen, with the lyrics painting portraits of growing up in Great Britain today and how lead singer Lily Fontaine fits within it. They draw on so many different genres, from rock to folk and electronica, providing the perfect soundtrack for a variety of moods. Sheesh!

Olivia Wright – Creative Producer   

Charli xcx – brat and it’s the same but there’s three more songs so it’s not

My album of the year is the extended version of Charli xcx’s Brat for one reason: it includes ‘Spring Breakers’. My summer kicked off at @hellomtthw’s Pop Never Dies, where Charli herself dropped by to help DJ and it’s been on repeat ever since. Fast forward to the end of the year, and I was lucky enough to wrap it up at the Brat Tour. London hit the jackpot with special guests Caroline Polachek, Robyn and Yung Lean, and that experience reignited my love for the album all over again. 

Liz Harriott – Commercial Director

Vampire Weekend – Only God Was Above Us

Starting with the line “Fuck the world” and ending with “I hope you let it go” shows the general confusion and conflicting feelings not only swirling within my postpartum mind but within most of the world right now as we try to navigate the constant, stranger-than-fiction scenarios that keep occurring.  Managing to weave in everything from baroque pop and Indian raga, to synth sounds and 90s hip-hop rhythms, Vampire Weekend still create a singular sound that is distinctively them. Always adventurous and musically challenging, Only God Was Above Us may not have the instantly catchy summer sounds of Father of the Bride, but it seeps into your bones over time, making a far deeper connection. An album made to be heard in its entirety, lead singer Ezra Koenig has described it as a journey from cynicism to optimism, and these days, that can’t be a bad thing.  

Tom Rutterford – Partnerships Manager 

Fontaines D.C. – Romance

An album that’s transcended all seasons for me this year. ‘Favourite’ was the soundtrack to a summer that felt like it never fully arrived and the warm fuzz of tracks like ‘Sundowner’, combined with the almost cinematic ‘In The Modern World’, feel even more suitable for those winter days. When lead single ‘Starburster’ dropped earlier in the year, it felt like a step into new territory for the band and that’s exactly what transpired. Romance marks a new era Fontaines D.C., with two sold-out nights at Ally Pally under their belt and their biggest headline show to date at Finsbury Park next summer to show for it. 

Rizka Anjani – Junior Partnerships Manager 

Doechii – Alligator Bites Never Heal

There’s a reason Kendrick Lamar dubbed her “the hardest rapper out”. From the quality bars of ‘NISSAN ALTIMA’ to the reflective ‘WAIT’, Doechii shows off her music knowledge and versatility on this album, and I feel like she’s just getting started! Bonus points for putting on one hell of a show in London; she’s such a skilled performer and I won’t be forgetting the gig for a while. 

Eben Goode – Videographer 

Kendrick Lamar – GNX

Yeah, mine is probably GNX by Kendrick Lamar. I’ve listened to it on repeat since it came out. The collaborations and production are incredible. I’ve been waiting for a new album from him for a while. Also, the front cover is fire. I’m gonna have to throw Brat by Charli xcx in there too, because it’s fucking fantastic. 

Charlotte Gornall – Editorial Intern 

Amyl and The Sniffers – Cartoon Darkness

I’m absolutely obsessed with Cartoon Darkness by Amyl and The Sniffers! This album is pure magic, and I honestly can’t stop listening to it. The energy, the chaos — just everything about it. My highlights include, ‘Me And The Girls’, ‘Big Dreams’ and ‘Jerkin’. I’ve been a fan of Amyl and The Sniffers since seeing them play at Wide Awake Festival a few years back and they just keep getting better.  

Millie Dunn-Christensen – Editorial Intern 

Shygirl – Club Shy RMX

Very important – RMX!!! I love the original but this edition was the soundtrack to my summer. I listened to it whilst getting ready every morning, on my way to work and before every night out. So, every time I listen to it I’m reminded of SUMMA and fun times with the people I love the most!  

Han-Jo Tan – Design Intern 

Gracie Abrams – The Secret of Us (Deluxe)

The Secret of Us (Deluxe) by Gracie Abrams is my comfort album of the year and it’s always on repeat. It feels like I’m led through a story from start to finish, experiencing the relatable emotions that come with it, from the blossoming of a new relationship to the bittersweet ending of one. Its vulnerability and sensitivity are explored and translated through her signature soft sounds, layered vocals, and new experimentations. Definitely one that brings out your main character moment. 

Chrissie Trappl – Design Intern 

Dominic Fike – 14 minutes

Since he began releasing music during his jail sentence in 2018, Dominic Fike’s music grabbed my attention and has been a constant on my playlists ever since. So, it was a great surprise when he dropped 14 Minutes completely unannounced, barely less than a year after his previous album, Sunburn, in 2023. Counting the few sunny days we actually had this year, 14 minutes was a summer soundtrack for me. The album is made up of just eight bite-sized tracks with a total listening time of, you guessed it, 14 minutes – and my TikTok ruined attention span couldn’t be happier. Each track is a no-fluff, catchy tune that mixes stripped-back guitar, sentimental lyrics and whacky vocal effects. To me, this album feels fresh and original but also follows a progression that feels natural to Dominic’s passage to becoming a household indie-pop name. 

Kimberly Wong – Design Intern 

Billie Eilish – HIT ME HARD AND SOFT

Billie’s voice always captivates me! It feels like she’s taking me on a journey of experiencing everything—pain, hope, love—all at once in this album. She makes every lyric feel personal and raw with her soft voice and still gives me hard-hitting emotional moments. Tears especially started falling during ‘SKINNY’, where she expresses insecurity and the pressure to meet societal standards of beauty—something I’ve struggled with internally. It’s the perfect mix of emotional depth with her music and honesty that makes this album so relatable and stays with me long after I listen to it. 

Shakira J’Bair – Production Intern  

Cigarettes After Sex – X’s

Cigarettes After Sex’s album X’s holds a special place in my heart. It feels like a collection of postcards, each one capturing a different stage of the band’s relationship. I first started listening to them in 2017, and my love for their music grew out of my fascination with the French New Wave, a cinematic movement that I love for its romanticism and raw storytelling, which I’ve also woven into my creative work. To someone who hasn’t experienced their music, I’d describe their lyrics as love letters, each song crafted to be felt, understood, and translated through the listener’s own emotions. Seeing them perform live twice has been unforgettable, watching them evolve while sharing those moments with a growing community of fans. There’s something uniquely special about connecting with others who resonate so deeply with their poetic and soulful approach. 

Rosie Tonkin – Production Intern 

Tems – Born in the Wild

Back in 2022, I saw Tems live with my friend Ela in Brighton. My mates drove me two hours to go and we managed to get in the front row. Firstly, the collaborations on this album are so good. J. Cole is one of my fave US rappers, so having him on the album was extra points, alongside Asake. Because of the consistently amazing vocals, lyricism and feelings that I get from each song, I play this album most when I need some escape on the Northern Line, on loop in the office or when I’m getting ready to go out. My top songs on this album are, ‘Boy O Boy’, ‘Wickedest’ and ‘Burning.’   

Honourable mentions: