Jacob Collier is the definitive product of a generation of artists raised with the internet. The British artist started his career in 2012, self-making multi-instrumental concerts from his room and uploading them onto youtube, which garnered him attention from infamous musical producers such as Quincy Jones and Herbie Hancock. It was clear that Collier was something special. In 2018, Collier announced his ambitious 4 part album titled Djesse, which he would release in volumes over the upcoming years. On Feb. 29, 2024, Collier released the final installment of the series, Djesse Vol. 4. Unfortunately, Collier’s musical talent seems to go to waste on his newest release. The main appeal of the album is its grandiosity; Collier collaborates with over 30 artists spanning multiple genres, while also self-producing and composing much of the music. The sheer skill required to pull this off is undeniable, but it ends up making the music feel overproduced and too clean for its own good. Often, it feels like Collier’s artistic voice is not recognizable, and we’re instead listening to a mixture of sounds and genres that never feel greater than the sum of their parts.

Best songs: “100,000 voices”, “WELLLL”
Rating: 2/5

The largest problem with mega popstar Taylor Swift’s newest release is ingenuity. Over her nearly two-decade-long career, Swift has amassed levels of critical and commercial success that are rarely seen. Following perhaps the peak of her international fame with the Eras Tour, it seems confusing for Swift to take the “tortured poet” aesthetic for her latest rollout. The idea could’ve possibly worked if Swift put more effort into her songwriting, but her lyrics are largely surface level and occasionally cringe-worthy. The shallow lyricism is complimented with generic instrumentals and melodies, making the hour-long runtime drag. There are some interesting instances where Swift laments about her fame and industry that prove that the makings of a good album are there, but Swift’s refusal to dig deeper continues to be an issue. It is not impossible for an artist of Swift’s status to make emotionally vulnerable work, but it requires a certain level of lyrical depth that The Tortured Poets Department desperately lacks.

Best songs: “The Tortured Poets Department”, “The Alchemy”
Rating: 2/5

While Sabrina Carpenter has been a cultural mainstay since her days as a Disney actress in Girl Meets World, it feels like Short n’ Sweet propelled her into a new level of superstardom. The albums two singles “Espresso” and “Please Please Please” both peaked the Billboard Hot 100 chart and provided two of the most danceable songs of the summer. Sadly, the album itself did not have much more to offer. The runtime of the record’s 12 tracks add up to just over 36 minutes, making it by far the shortest of the Grammys nominations this year. Although this prevents the record from being too bloated, it also stops it from being a truly memorable listening experience. There is nothing remarkably bad about most of the songs, in fact some offer catchy choruses or good melodic performances, but none of them exceed Carpenters two singles this year. Short n’ Sweet represents an era where artists prioritize hit singles, leaving album’s lackluster.

Best songs: “Espresso”, “Please Please Please”, “Taste”
Rating: 2.5/5

Known for his eccentricity and willingness to experiment, André 3000 soundtracked the early 2000’s as one half of Hip Hop duo Outkast, who produced hits such as “Ms. Jackson” and “Hey Ya”. So when Outkast eventually stopped releasing music together, a debut solo release was all fans could ask for. Unfortunately for them, André was never one to do something for his fans. He has spent much of his time as a solo artist secluded from the public eye, prioritizing himself over his music. So when a solo André album was announced in November of 2023, the music world held their breath with anticipation. Released on Nov. 17 2023, New Blue Sun was nothing like what was expected from the Atlanta rapper. The record is purely instrumental, featuring André playing the flute, accompanied by a selection of other flutists, guitarists and percussionists. The song’s see André lean fully into the kooky aspects of his artistry, with titles that are often full sentences that lack a coherent meaning. What the album lacks in lyrics and choruses, it makes up for with sprawling ambient pieces that clock in between 3 and 17 minutes. While the album is not a perfect listening experience for all occasions, it’s proof that artistic voices are constantly evolving.

Best songs: “I swear, I Really Wanted To Make A ‘Rap’ Album But This Is Literally The Way The Wind Blew Me”, “Dreams Once Buried Between The Dungeon Floor Slowly Sprout into Undying Gardens”
Rating: 3.5/5

After six years of loose singles, an EP and tours with breakthrough acts such as Olivia Rodrigo and Fletcher, it seemed that Chappell Roan was deemed ready for a debut full length album, which came in the form of 2023’s The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess. While 9 of the albums 14 tracks were previously released singles, this didn’t stop the release from succeeding both critically and commercially, charting on the Billboard 200 and ending up on many end-of-year lists. The album’s reception is well-deserved, as the tracklist features a steady stream of dance-pop hits brimming with personality and catchy refrains. The album’s biggest drawback is its lack of originality. As expected from a debut release, Roan borrows heavily from her influences, leaving a lack of a distinct voice. This really ends up becoming an afterthought though, as there are a variety of strong vocal performances and powerful production. As Roan continues to grow as an artist, hopefully, this introductory record will serve as a precursor to a successful career.

Best songs: “Red Wine Supernova”, “Kaleidoscope”, “Femininomenon”
Rating: 3.5/5

Only five years and three albums into her career, Eilish has proven to be one of the breakthrough pop artists of her generation. Her short career has already been record-breaking, as she is the youngest artist to win a GRAMMY in every major category (Best New Artist, Album of the Year, Record of the Year and Song of the Year). Her newest record sees her once again teaming up with her older brother and producer/songwriter, FINNEAS, who has worked with Eilish since her first project. Sonically, the album is mellow and laid-back, and not as alternative as some of Eilish’s earlier work. While this can make the album feel one-note at times, it also provides a great backdrop for Eilish to get more personal in her lyrics, diving into her insecurities and stories of past relationships. The melancholic tone of the album doesn’t keep Eilish from still delivering dancier tracks, creating a quality contrast in the listening experience. The record is a concise 44-minute split over 10 tracks, allowing for a cohesive listening experience that, as the title suggests, hits both hard and soft.

Best songs: “Skinny”, “The Greatest”, “Lunch”
Rating: 4/5

Over 20 years into her career, it’s safe to say Beyoncé has nothing left to prove. Her status as one of the 21st century’s premiere musical figures can not be denied. Nonetheless, her 2022 album Renaissance proved she could do house and now 2024’s Cowboy Carter proves she can do country. Despite spanning nearly 80 minutes over 27 songs, the album rarely feels like it’s overstaying its welcome. Thanks to Beyoncé’s masterful melding of country, R&B and folk influences, the record features a varied yet consistent soundscape. Beyoncé’s talents as a singer are on display the most here, with countless powerful vocal performances. Features from Post Malone, Miley Cyrus and Shaboozey, among others, help flesh out the album with their great performances individually. Cowboy Carter proves to the world that Beyoncé isn’t going anywhere soon, leaving the door wide open for her next releases.

Best songs: “16 CARRIAGES”, “BODYGUARD”, “LEVII’S JEANS”
Rating: 4/5

Very few albums have defined a summer in recent years as much as BRAT did in the summer of 2024. From the marketing’s neon green and lowercase text aesthetic to the catchy choruses that blew up the album online, the record was nearly impossible to avoid. While this may have caused the album to get old quickly, the quality of the tracklist has prevented the project from aging. The electronic production and pop choruses first stick out for the album, with song after song of addictive refrains. Charli going all out on the production does not prevent her from being a great songwriter, though. Throughout the album, she reflects on multiple topics, including her femininity and past regrets. With 15 tracks of consistently great pop music, the album is deserving of all of its hype.

Best songs: “So I”, “Club Classics”, “Apple”
Rating: 4.5/5