Written by: The Administrator
This one admittedly came down to the wire, but we still got this one in before 2026 begins so all is well. If you've missed out on my long-winded justifications for why my Favorites lists habitually run a year late, you can find an explanation here. Long story short, this year-behind approach allows releases to outlast a narrow moment in time. I enjoy the process of reflection, and I like to think a shoutout 18 months later or whatever is nice for the bands involved. So! These are 24 albums from 2024 that are, in significant hindsight, still very much my favorite albums of 2024. In terms of format, this list follows my established convention, i.e. alphabetical and unranked. Genres are primarily metal and hip hop adjacent--someday I may split the list into different genre categories for the sake of covering more releases, but today is not that day. If you are at all interested, you can check out my Favorite EPs of 2024 here, and my Favorite Album Artwork of 2024 here. The trilogy is complete. Regardless of whether or not you check out anything appearing in these lists, I hope you're inspired to revisit a favorite or two from yesteryear. To the readers: thank you for reading! It means a lot and I am very grateful that you've chosen to spend time checking out what some random internet guy thinks is cool. To the artists: thank you for making music that is cool. I have very much enjoyed listening and writing. Let's dive in, shall we?
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Written by: The Administrator
Whelp. Here I am once more, basking uncomfortably in the midst of list season, justifying why my year end lists are published a year behind schedule. If you've been around for a while, please feel free to skip ahead to the good stuff. If you're wondering why I do it this way, here's a brief explanation: I firmly believe that staying power is an important aspect of music appreciation. The ability of a project to outlast the narrow moment in time immediately surround release day is a testament to its quality. In deliberate spite of the inevitable industry churn, I enjoy the process of looking backwards to revisit old favorites at this time of year. But mostly, I started doing this because I got wildly off-schedule and found great value in committing to the bit. This is the way it is, now and forever. If you are at all interested, you can check out my Favorite Album Artwork of 2024 here, and my Favorite Albums of 2024 list will follow at, y'know, some random and inopportune point in the future. So: here are 20 EPs from 2024 that, given significant hindsight, are still my favorite EPs of 2024. They made an impact and stuck around in my rotation, and that's worth celebrating. As per established precedent, the following list draws from the assorted genres and subgenres that interest me, mostly within the sphere of metal and rap. I took some liberties with the "EP" label; some may technically be mini-albums, so apologies in advance. The list is alphabetical and unranked. Everything comes highly recommended. I'd also like to issue a massive umbrella "thank you!" to every artist who contributed to the releases contained within this list. And to you: thank you for your readership of this little music blog! You're very cool and I appreciate you very much. 
Written by: The Administrator
When it comes to jazz rap in the modern era, McKinley Dixon quite simply has no equal. His stellar Beloved! Paradise! Jazz!? handily made my Favorite Albums of 2023, and I'm pleased to announce that this follow-up is an even clearer distillation of his uniquely vibrant style. Indeed, the Chicago rapper has only grown more competent when it comes to imbuing his projects with seemingly effortless fluidity and lushness. The live instrumentation feels profoundly alive, relishing in a bold and organic eclecticism. On the title track, for example, jazz guitar flirts with sparkling flutes, chaperoned by scintillating sax. It feels like a whole lot is going on, but somehow the underlying boom-bappy vibe keeps it grounded. Elsewhere, clean piano communes with brash brass, riding funky bass and crisp drums. The percussion is particularly exciting, continuing infusing tracks with an exciting energy. Some tracks are dusty and pattering, some are overtly growling and menacing. Some lean into the wailing lamentation of the saxophone. Some are almost overpoweringly bright and colorful, like unto listening to music through a sun-drenched prism.  Written by: The Administrator Yes, I know I don't formally rank my favorite albums of the year, but Let God Sort Em Out is indisputably #1. And yes, I know I don't rate albums, but after much consideration I am considering it a perfect 10. I have no complaints, no unsolicited notes. I am consumed by a radiant admiration for the impeccable execution of the craft. There are zero skippable tracks. Pretty sure skipping is cosmically impossible, in fact. If I get the urge to listen to any track in particular, you know I'm starting at the top and letting the whole damn thing play out. From the emotional "The Birds Don't Sing," to the intimidating swagger of "Ace Trumpets," to the narrative-driven snarling coke rap teamup with Stove God Cooks on (song of the year?) "F.I.C.O.," the Brothers Thornton deliver on literal decades of wordcraft and worldbuilding experience. Pusha T nails a level of intention-setting intensity that has become a bit of a trademark over the years, and Malice's similarly trademark second verses absolutely level the playing field with masterful wordplay and punchy rhyme schemes. He is an absolute force of nature as a lyricist, and his delivery is as pugilistic as they come. Pusha T has always been antagonistic, but at times Malice's tone practically drips with vitriol. Have you ever heard someone say "penne a la vodka" with such force? They both operate with an extremely admirable precision and care, with every single word feeling essential in the greater construct of the whole. They are masters of impact. And that's not even mentioning the glorious pantheon of Kendrick Lamar, Tyler, the Creator, Ab Liva, and Nas guest verses. While Kendrick has received much recognition, Tyler's verse on "P.O.V." is a standout for me--the way he delivers "I need God to play the lead in my biopic" is so unreasonably hard that, upon first listen, I needed to pause the track to refill my lungs. And then Malice drops in like a tungsten rod from God to absolutely demolish the third verse. And lest he be forgot, it's excellent to see Pharrell at the reins of production once more. I swear he's saved his best beats for years, saving 'em and breaking 'em out for the perfect occasion. His drums are striking and vivacious; his sample game succeeds enormously creating dramatic and attention-grabbing moments. I love, for example, the repeated integration of "cuz it's hot!" on "M.T.B.T.T.F." And if you haven't yet had the pleasure of hearing the masterful utilization of Tahal Maddah's "Maza Akoulo" on "So Be It," I highly recommend giving it a listen below. The cohesion Pharell's production imparts upon the tracklist is essential. I mean, I'm still in awe. Let God Sort Em Out is God-tier. What an incredible comeback project on all counts. I wish I had the time to devote a full review to this release. From the extensive backstory to the sheer influence it inevitably carries into the future, it deserves a dissertation. Clipse - Let God Sort Em Out was released July 11th, 2025 via ROC Nation Distribution. Clipse can be found here
Written by: The Administrator
Once more, we bear witness to yet another 2025 rap album that, if released any other year, would have easily served as a strong AOTY contender. The competition this year is fierce, almost unbelievably so. The arena is packed to the brim with viable champions, and the brilliant (albeit confusingly entitled) Lei Keli ft. 47 / For Promotional Use Only has found a comfortable position among my roster of 2025 favorites. And yet, despite demonstrating a clear artistic vision whilst running the gamut from badass bangers to heartfelt introspection, this project has received far less hype than it deserves. Indeed, Leikeli47 has been unfairly overlooked and underrated for far too long. In this era where rappers are lauded for their lyricism, experimentation, and willingness to put in the effort, where are the laudations for Leikeli47? With every release, she only gets better. While 2022's Shape Up undeniably contained some very high highs, Lei Keli ft. 47 / For Promotional Use Only is her most cohesive album to date from a quality standpoint. There's pretty significant variety on display here, with a radiating assurance and an infectious energy permeating the project as a whole.
In a continuing attempt to cover more music that would all-too-oft slip through the very large cracks, we slumbering scribes are making an effort to publish short reviews at a greater frequency, thereby shining our very small spotlight on more cool shit. Without further ado:
Written by: The Administrator
2025 has been an undeniably incredible year for rap, and while this particular collaborative project was one of the first albums of the year to make a splash, I fear it has been largely forgotten in the flood of post-February releases. It's currently sitting within the loose confines of my favorite 25 albums of the year, and after many listens, I'm itching to write about why I enjoy its strangely seamless meeting of minds. So here we are. Given the seemingly distinct lanes Larry June and 2 Chainz have historically operated in, I will concede that on the surface, this seems like an unwieldly collaboration. There is uncommon genius in the oddity, however. An interesting tension exists between Larry June's understated raps and 2 Chainz's often outlandish near-mythical character. The former is an introspective corner lurker, the latter tends to bask in a bombastic larger-than-life persona. I do find that their individual projects have the tendency to lose momentum, but here, when their styles meet in the middle, their togetherness provides a level of intrigue that forces a sense of balance. 2 Chainz has certainly leaned into a more understated delivery; Larry June embraces a little more braggadocio. Both exercise a maturity that feels confident and lived-in. The lyrical substance often focuses on aging in the business, fatherhood, emotional regulation, words of motivation. Grown man raps. And notably, when their verses meet, they do so without a ripple. Nothing is jarring, everything is effortlessly smooth. The album flows. And, lest he be forgot: at this stage in his god-tier career, I'm confident that The Alchemist understands intrinsically how to make any song sound regal, lavish, luxurious, and otherwise heavenly. While the drumless minimalism across the board is generally gorgeous, the integration of the vocal sample in the bold "Bad Choices" in particular is absolutely sublime. The whole project is gloriously nonchalant, occasionally even disengaged...but in a way that feels like "cool and confident escapism" rather than "boring dad rap." If that's not a rousing endorsement, I don't know what to say. Larry June x 2 Chainz x The Alchemist - Life is Beautiful was released February 7th, 2025 via The Freeminded Records / 2 Chainz / ALC / EMPIRE. Find it on Bandcamp here!
In a continuing attempt to cover more music that would all-too-oft slip through the very large cracks, we slumbering scribes are making an effort to publish short reviews at a greater frequency, thereby shining our very small spotlight on more cool shit. Without further ado:
Written by: The Administrator
I'm an established fan of redveil--his 2023 EP playing w/ fire was one of my favorites of that year. As such, I've been eagerly awaiting news of a new project from the redveil camp, and while 2024 didn't see a full project, he did drop a couple of singles, with this latest, "what3ver," materializing on the very last day of the year. This is an excellent track, both a display of redveil's skill as a rapper/producer, and highly re-listenable to boot. The hook is earwormy in a way that feels more subtle than immediate. The clean production is bright and crisp, almost glowing. Warm and immersive stuff, with the eventual piano adding a nice flourish. Meanwhile, his lyrics paint a short and sweet narrative of recognizable unrequited love. I love the second verse where he discusses his casket outfit in detail: "I can get it all dry-cleaned quick, I just need you to decide/Maybe I'll be satisfactory if I'm easy on your eyes." I feel like I saw more that a few reviews and articles comparing his cadence and lyrical approach on 2022's Learn 2 Swim to Earl Sweatshirt, which felt like a fair comparison for that project. Here, several years later, there's a similar focus on impactful word choice, but "what3ver" feels first and foremost like a redveil song. As a rapper, he has a distinct identity, which bodes well. I feel like in a few years we'll be saying that up-and-coming rappers take influence from redveil. Anyways, yeah. This is great. Fingers crossed that "what3ver" serves as the first salvo of an album cycle, or at least an indication that redveil is in the mood to release music. I'm hopeful that the fireworks on the outro signal the beginning of something anew. In any case, 2025 would be the perfect time for new redveil. redveil - "what3ver" was released Dec. 31st, 2025. Find it here and listen below! 
Written by: The Administrator
If you are a purveyor of music review sites, you've undoubtedly learned to skip over the fluff that constitutes AOTY intros. The pointlessness of writing this isn't lost on me, let alone the fact that this is a list for, erm, the wrong year. In the music industry churn, an album released last year might as well be a million years old. Obsolete. Irrelevant. Forgotten. So: why 2023? Why not 2024, like unto a proper music review website? What's the rationale behind publishing this list a whole damn year late? There are two reasons. The first is that I think demonstrable longevity is an important aspect of music appreciation, and the ability of an album to outlast a narrow moment in time is a testament to its particular excellence. The second (and real) reason is that I am a profoundly lazy and frequently overwhelmed person, and compiling this list last December was a very large task that seemed, frankly, insurmountable. So here we are. These are 23 albums from 2023 that are, in significant hindsight, still very much my favorite albums of 2023. In terms of format, this list is alphabetical and purely unranked. The generally arbitrary structure of counting down to #1 simply doesn't demonstrate the way I enjoy music, nor is it an effective or accurate way to make recommendations. I'm also completely unconcerned about genre, as I listen to a lot of different stuff. If I'm writing a list, it should probably reflect the reality of listening habits instead of projecting a false image of metal exclusivity. Be prepared for eclecticism. I hope there's something lurking herein that catches your ear. A massive thank you to every artist who contributed to the releases below. And, dear reader, thank you for your readership and support of artists! You're the best. Yes, you. 
Written by: The Administrator
When you hear that emphatic "Conductor! We have a problem!" tag followed immediately by Boldy James' calmly nonchalant tone, you know you're inevitably in for a good time. This full project team-up with Kansas City's own Conductor Williams felt almost destined--like the universe demanded a partnership. They are both masters of their respective craft, and arguably operate in a similarly pensive aesthetic lane. The fruits of their collaboration was inevitably going to be worthwhile. My first interaction with Across the Tracks was the lowkey "Off-White Lumberjack," which then prompted me to check out lead single, the emphatic "Terms and Conditions." After that point, waiting for the midnight release was a bit of a chore, but fear not. I made it, folks...and then waited like 4 months to write a review. That's how it's done 'round these parts. Long-term slow-burn musical digestion, or laziness? You decide.  Written by: The Administrator I've been very excited to witness the next iteration of Chicago rapper D2X. 2021's The Color Blue was a remarkably polished project for a newcomer, and I really enjoyed the increased confidence and storytelling he exhibited on 2023's heartfelt Hotel 1105. Since that particular project, it has felt like D2X is on the precipice of leveling up, both in terms of artistry and recognition. Enter "FIRE," the first track unveiled from his forthcoming EP, accurately and alluringly entitled The Hunger Era. This single feels like the next rung of the ladder. An evolution into a more forthright and aggressive chapter in D2X's career. Make no mistake: "FIRE" is a clear statement of intent. True to the title, D2X is fired the fuck up, rapping with a burning passion and purpose and intensity. It's a stylistic change that was admittedly unexpected at first blush, but perfectly fits his ambitious go-getter persona. On "FIRE," the delivery is gasping and urgent, and with the heavy breathing in the anticipatory intro, it truly sounds like he sprinted into the booth. He sounds poised and self-assured. One does not rap "in a room full of mirrors I'm surrounded by winners" with this kind of self-assured gravitas unless they really truly feel it. Lest it be forgot, the stellar production is handled by one Ro Moore. This beat absolutely knocks, integrating a rocking groove and edge that feels classic without feeling outdated, cool and assertive without overpowering the bars. The drums are snappy, the cymbals are crisp. I certainly wouldn't be disappointed to hear more beats like this on the EP. D2X is hungry as hell, and that has never been more evident than on this track. In his own words he wants it all, and while the desire for success is almost a near-universal, his drive is uniquely tangible and palpable. The Hunger Era is real. I'm excited to hear what he cooks up next, and sincerely hope his forthcoming project garners this talented man the attention and success he deserves. |
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