Mari's Best of 2024
Although 2024 has disappeared into our collective rearview, I am determined to look back on my favorites in music, film television and more.
Although no one could possibly still care about 2024 at this point, I wanted to write and release this newsletter. 2024 feels like ages ago, but it was important for me to commemorate the year by telling you what I enjoyed the most. Because then at least it’s out there! 2024 otherwise was a disaster, personally, and like, for the world. 2025 is also beginning disastrously, so it is looking more and more like we are actually in the end times. This notably causes me much distress, anxiety and depression: my besties at this point. And although I’ve gotten a lot better at managing these things, whew, it was hard to even pull this together and this is supposed to be low-effort and fun!
Altogether, I hope you join me on my journey of charting my favorite reads and watches, (okay, I like, read one book this year, so that section is going to be quick and easy) my favorite listens, and my favorite performances of 2024. Looking forward, I’m going to try to read more books, (as my English degree is rolling in its grave right now) see more theater, and read/write poetry. I’ll also try to get back into creating short stories and plays. My biggest undertaking this year is to begin my podcast era. All of this, of course, will coincide with continuing my cinema era and keeping up with what’s on television.
I love lists but I also love to switch it up. Some of these lists will be my favorites of 2024, some of them will be my favorite firsts of 2024, and, well, actually that’s it. Just that some will be completely compiled of things released in 2024 and others will be things I discovered for the first time in 2024. I did a deeper dive on the albums than everything else because that’s just who I am. I am already going to do a Mari’s Oscar post at the top of March, and I feel like that is going to cover a lot of my favorite films of the year, and everything else didn’t really warrant my extended commentary. Anyways, I hope you enjoy! What were your favorite things of 2024?
Music
Best Albums of 2024
1. Cowboy Carter - Beyoncé
Cowboy Carter is a Black American reckoning with the country we have no other choice but to call home. Traversing through the picturesque terrain, Beyoncé tracks our historical contributions to the genre and the country itself, while tracking the injustices done against us. It’s a brilliant concept album that sprawls across borders and timelines to define how we have lived and died in America. It covers everything from motherhood, murder, bar diving, and of course, falling in love and fiercely protecting what is ours. Ultimately, it’s a love letter to the country we built. I’m not saying anything new, so I’ll just end it here. This album is ultimately one of the best albums ever made. I hope the Grammys honor it with the well-deserved honor of Album of the Year.
2. Deeper Well: Deeper Into The Well - Kacey Musgraves
When I first listened to Deeper Well, it instantly became a part of my top two of the year. The expanded edition only enriches the experience of listening to this album. 2024 was the year of special deluxe editions. There were way too many that they were impossible to keep up with. So you know that Kacey Musgraves is just that fantastic, that her deluxe edition stood out to me. She has such a calming and healing effect when I listen to her music and the way she talks about relationships — platonic and romantic— I find it so enrapturing. She has been the most exciting country artist in the past ten years and she feels light years ahead of her peers when it comes to instrumentation and production specifically. Hopefully, one day, we will get that Beyoncé collab!
3. HIT ME HARD AND SOFT - Billie Eilish
Certainly Eilish’s best work and a real AOTY contender. With just 10 tracks, Billie somehow creates her magnum opus, a complete musical masterpiece from start to finish. An enchanting exploration of relationships past and present, as well as a showing from one of Billie’s stalkers, this album feels transcendent in its unrelenting emotional capacity for pain, pleasure and the like. The transitions are something special and Billie feels more connected to her instrument than she’s ever been. Stellar work across the board!
4. Alligator Bites Never Heal - Doechii
This is one of the best mixtapes ever created. This project was absolutely shocking, funny, introspective, mindful and simply badass. I love when an artist can come out in full force like this. I had so much fun listening and I really enjoyed the characters that she played. Doechii proved that hip-hop can still be creative and that it’s okay to play around in the studio sometimes! But don’t get it twisted. Doechii is a lyricist that can rhyme and flow with the best of them. Her skill cannot be underestimated, especially when it comes to wordplay. And the way she is able to harness such intense emotion in her voice makes her one of the best in the game today. Such an artistic achievement of the highest merit.
5. Songs of A Lost World - The Cure
The Cure was simply never on my radar, at least, other than Peyton Sawyer loving them on One Tree Hill. But I am glad I got into a full project of theirs. I am especially glad I got into this particular one. The album title is apt, as it does feel like songs of a lost world, a familiar one, a frightening one, a world not unlike our own. Actually, the world is probably our own, or at least our own mind. A globe we craft out of our own expectations and emotions and beliefs and perspectives. It’s quite the depressing listen, but maybe I am a little naive to express I also find some hope in it? There seems to be an impulsive need to destroy — ourselves and the world itself, or possibly lamenting the destruction of the world as we lay in the wake of it all. But what if we destroy to rebuild instead of destroying to insatiate ourselves or some other entity? Grieving the end of the world is of course, natural, especially if accompanied by your own nihilism or hopelessness, but doesn’t everything start from nothing? Curious record… time to put it on replay.
6. Challengers (Original Score)
I used to never care about film scores. I mean, care about them enough to listen to them outside of the film. I would always get confused when people would show off their vinyl collection and some of them were film scores. I didn’t realize that they could be prize possessions. Obviously, they are nice to listen to, and very much an essential part of the film, but I have a total bias against listening to purely instrumental music, even if I am studying or writing. I’ve been ultimately trying to change this bias, because I believe having favorite film scores totally makes me (or at least makes me FEEL) more cultured. And then, Challengers came along. For several reasons, I have never had a more exciting theater viewing. I actually saw it in theatres thrice. The primary reason was the score. Utterly club-ready, sexy, ambitious and incredibly energizing, this score made my body come alive in the darkness of the theater. And that’s a hard thing to do!
7. CAJU - Liniker
Upon clicking play, I could already tell that this was going to be one of my favorites albums of 2024. Poetry in motion, CAJU feels like the ultimate manifesto of love, lust and self-expression. Even though I don’t speak the language, I felt deeply connected to the music and I’m so glad to have discovered Liniker as an artist. I honestly don’t have much else to say because it all pales in comparison to the actual experience of listening to this album. There is so much musicality and passion expressed on this album. So, enjoy, love, live and let happen!
8. GNX - Kendrick Lamar
y’all… I’ve got to be honest… before the year 2024, I had lost interest in Kendrick Lamar. So much so that I didn’t even bother to listen to Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers. His antics on that record just simply didn’t impress me and turned me off to him. And I was a pretty big fan of Damn, and of course, To Pimp A Butterfly and Good Kid, M.A.A.D City. But with him coming out unanimously victorious against Drake, including the irresistible track “Not Like Us,” and the fact that he’s headlining the Super Bowl, he’s been pretty impossible to avoid. And well, I don’t want to avoid him anymore!
This album is quite excellent and I’m sure I’ll be listening to it again and again. The way Kendrick plays with the tone and character of his voice, in general, but especially ON this album, really builds into the overall legacy of his artistry. There’s simply no one else in rap music that can deliver an album like this. The production is SICK and menacing, and all-encompassing, but also off-kilter and a little whimsical. Lyrically, he is still just as off-putting, irritated, exuberant and prideful. One thing he will always hold onto is his own integrity and his authenticity, something that has constantly set him apart from his peers. Every track is a stand-out and there is honestly something here for even the most snobbish or casual music fans.
9. empathogen - Willow
I know that a Willow album hates to see me coming! With empathogen, Willow continues to build her own universe of sound, continuously evolving from her past works. This has indie rock, jazz, neo-soul and more wrapped into a glorious whirlwind of an album. And the most impressive part is that this feels incredibly innate to her. What a rich musical knowledge she must have to pull this off. And it doesn’t sound like she’s imitating or roleplaying — this is inside of her and comes through naturally. Definitely one of the best albums 2024 has to offer. She deserves those Grammys for sure!
10. Eternal Sunshine - Ariana Grande
The confusion I feel over this album being left off many year-end lists is palpable. It was one of the first albums I listened to in 2024 and it stood the test of time as still being one of the best. This is talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show-stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique, completely not ever been done before, unafraid to reference or not reference, put it in a blender, shit on it, vomit on it, eat it, give birth to it… like, it’s just that stellar. Ariana took a concept of a great movie, (that I have since watched!) and in the most lovely way possible, talked about the dissolution of her marriage, finding new love, and dealing with the breakdown of her relationship with the media and the general public. Ariana really does some of her best work here and I will shout from the rooftops of its excellence as long as I’m alive!
11. Bird’s Eye - Ravyn Lenae
It’s almost as if this album has always existed and I’m just discovering it now. This is really just the best atmospheric R&B I’ve ever heard and the production provides an irresistible kick and drive to each song. Her saccharine vocals slide and float on the air like a whisper in the wind. This is an album you just let play during a day off, whether you’re relaxing on the beach or having a cozy staycation. It has a calming effect, but doesn’t sacrifice the storytelling aspect at all. Very excellent, if you ask me!
12. All Born Screaming - St. Vincent
A guttural vibrant explosion of self. This album is the right amount of crazed, self-conscious and volatile, like getting caught and exposed in a manic episode. There’s no need for restraint here as St. Vincent hobbles about freely with a snarl. I absolutely love it for its edge and darkness. The spectacle of being alive as we continue to lose ourselves, others and our hold on reality is fascinating. Thank you Rolling Stone for making me listen to this one!
13. Don’t Forget Me - Maggie Rogers
Almost destroyed by recency bias, I had to continue to make space for one of the first full albums I listened to in 2024. Maggie Rogers takes us on an exhilarating journey that takes my breath away. Unapologetically emotional, Maggie’s conversational and confessional style of songwriting really shines bright on Don’t Forget Me. The melodies are catchy and begging to be remembered. That’s probably why there seems to be a nostalgic element to this album, despite the music not feeling dated. It’s absolutely fresh, and even whimsical at times, but Maggie pulls us into her memories and experiences as she looks back, and it makes us feel as if we were ~ there ~ That’s the magic of Ms. Rogers. Not to mention her vocal performance is stellar as she soars over the record like a bird flying over a meadow at dawn. Simply gorgeous. I will see you live one of these days, Maggie!
14. What A Devastating Turn of Events - Rachel Chinouriri
Yeah, I love a good identity crisis, especially when it comes to coming-of-age in your twenties. Terrible stuff, really. However, Rachel Chinouriri at least makes it sound like a blast. It’s so evocative of black girlhood, growing up, and having really big feelings. Musically, it is also diverse and endlessly intriguing. She knows how to make an album that feels like a soundtrack to your life. And that voice! Angelic, smooth, undeniable. This will become a defining album for me. I'm sure of it.
15. CHROMAKOPIA - Tyler, the Creator
I had kind of fallen off of listening to Tyler, The Creator, or perhaps I am just catching up with the rest of the world. During the pandemic, I listened to Flower Boy and then quickly followed it up with IGOR. I think both were stellar albums, but it’s not like it encouraged me to keep his music in constant rotation. Not to mention I heard I dodged a bullet by avoiding his earlier work. I still haven’t listened to Call Me If You Get Lost, but have heard a handful of songs from it. I think CHROMAKOPIA definitely shows that I should become an avid listener of his music. He built his very own world with this one that felt particularly personal and illuminating.
16. Phoenix - Jasmine Cephas Jones
If Jasmine Cephas Jones has one million fans, then I am one of them. If Jasmine Cephas Jones has ten fans, then I am one of them. If Jasmine Cephas Jones has only one fan, then that is me. If Jasmine Cephas Jones has no fans, then that means I am no longer on this earth. If the world is against Jasmine Cephas Jones, then I am against the world. Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, as you can probably tell, this is one of my favorite r&b albums of the year. Jasmine has such a rich, and, excuse me, jazzy voice, that just simply melts on the record. It’s as smooth as butter and she croons across each track like it’s easy. There’s a wide range of exploration here, within and outside rhythm and blues, and it flows together impeccably. I do genuinely feel the thematic essence of a true fusion of sounds that rise from the ashes and get lifted to glorious new heights like a phoenix. Good on her!
17. Wicked: The Soundtrack - Wicked Movie Cast
Do I really need to say anything? You’ve all heard the album. You’ve all seen the film. Cynthia, Ariana (and Jonathan) really did their big one here. Cynthia especially devours the Elphaba songs. In particular she made me like The Wizard and I, which is a song I would typically skip on the Original Broadway cast version. I can’t even imagine a life where I don’t love The Wizard and I now. Ariana brings undeniable talent, grace and humor to every song she appears on. It was really beautiful that they added the Ozdust Duet as a bonus track because although Defying Gravity is the monumental finale, the Ozdust duet is the centerpiece of it all!
18. Imaginal Disk - Magdalena Bay
To be entirely honest, this album started off slow for me. I did like the first few tracks, but overall, I seemed to be underwhelmed by them. But soon enough, we took off to the races, almost as if we were speeding through the space-time continuum. And the result is a shimmering pop experiment that leaves me mesmerized and wanting more! Guess that means I have to check out Magdalena Bay’s other music!
19. BRAT - Charli XCX
I understand that several publications have “AOTY’ed” this album to death. I certainly wouldn’t be surprised if it takes home the night’s biggest prize at the upcoming Grammy’s. There is no other record that has permeated the culture like Brat did in 2024. It was everywhere as it should be. There’s something oh so relatable about the collective stunted growth of a world in constant mourning and celebration, that we have to party it all out. Then we exhaust ourselves and rinse and repeat! However, it’s simply not the best album of the year musically. There are better offerings, at least eighteen of them, according to me! That doesn’t mean I won’t have a BRAT winter! Brat really exploded onto the scene and reminded everyone of what we have been missing, with an unhealthy dose of personality disorders and identity crises! There’s an acute balancing act occurring between irony and sincerity, existentialism and nihilism, humor and earnestness that BRAT is kind of the only word to describe it!
20. TORI. - Tori Kelly
Tori Kelly is your singer’s favorite singer. We already know that she’s an insane vocalist, one of the best of her generation, but this album proves that she’s an absolute master of crafting the perfect stylistic throwback record. A wondrous mix of genres, this self-titled album never forgets that her vocals need to be at the center. The production really follows her lead. A lot of music that pulls from decades past almost cheapens the musical quality and turns it into some sort of watered-down replica. Tori really understands music theory and what works about her voice and includes inventive and inspiring sonic elements that color in and outside the lines of the songs. She makes a full party out of each track with delicious layered vocals and lovely y2k nods that add such texture. This was such an amazing surprise and I hope everyone catches on quickly.
21. The Great Impersonator - Halsey
What a beautiful, raw, and devastating record. I was really impressed with how well the album flowed from song to song. I feel like a lot of people felt that this album was a little too personal and that limited their enjoyment, but I don’t know… this REALLY worked for me. Halsey has such a rich musicality and this might be the most versatile album of the year. To put together such an ambitious idea for a concept album, bare her entire soul while her life was on the line and for it to be this moving and unique and powerful is a testament to their artistry.
I’ve got to admit, I think I really love Halsey in their rock/alt lane, as I noticed those were my favorite tracks. I also really loved the lyricism and melodies on the more singer-songwriter/indie tracks. The influences are sometimes obvious and sometimes not, but Halsey never loses their musical identity, perhaps, enforcing the central concept of the album that she is the greatest impersonator. Her pain is what makes her so malleable and like a floating entity with no where to land. Hopefully, they’ve found that now. I’m so glad Halsey is alive and I’m so glad they delivered this album to us.
22. The Year I Turned 21 - Ayra Starr
Ladies and gentlemen, she’s a star! Although I was first introduced to her through Leigh-Anne’s My Love, this album proves that she absolutely knows what she’s doing. I didn’t realize she was so young, but she has a fantastic voice and some great sonic instincts that will continue to take her far. It’s an easily digestible record, but is still remarkably genuine and intriguing.
23. The Great American Bar Scene - Zach Bryan
Don’t you just love musicians! This is serious music! I love the alternative/bluegrass/Americana edge to his music where instruments and vocals are at the forefront of each song. His lyrics are incredible and quite emotional. and the narratives he weaves and spins are almost like mini movies. He composes each track with such delicacy and careful consideration. I am cautiously optimistic about what he has to offer to country music. With my luck, he could be a freaking Nazi, so the jury's still out on him as a person! Music rocks, though.
24. Born in the Wild - Tems
I am unbelievably late on the Tems train but I hope I am welcomed with open arms! This is a stellar debut album. She comes into the game, fully formed, emotional and elegant. There’s a diverse exploration of sounds and vibes to choose from; we love a versatile queen! Through it all, her captivating voice takes center stage, begging, no, demanding to be heard. She has an amazing career ahead of her!
25. Algorithm - Lucky Daye
Lucky Daye has his own style and vocal ability apart from anyone else currently making r&b music. Although this is my first project by him, I know he’s been around for at least five years. I love an ambitious and expansive r&b album. Lucky pulls from funk, soul, psychedelic rock and so many other subgenres to create a truly transcendent musical experience. This is the kind of record I would love to hear live, because it puts the drama back into r&b. And I don’t just mean lyrically. The atmosphere he creates around his voice and with the production/instrumentation fosters these huge feelings that r&b has always been the perfect outlet to express.
26. In Waves - Jamie xx
Interestingly enough, the first time I heard of Jamie xx was in the comments of a Rihanna song on Youtube. I was listening to “Drunk on Love,” a song on her sixth studio album “Talk That Talk,” when I saw all the comments complaining about how she stole from a band called the xx. At this time, I had perfected my understanding of a sample and made sure to inform everyone of my acute knowledge of the subject. I was Rihanna’s number one defender so I had to let the people know that she would have paid to sample this. Jamie xx was a member of the band, the xx, and despite Drunk on Love being one of my favorite Rihanna songs, I never managed to check out the xx or Jamie xx. Until now. And although this first introduction was twelve years ago, I am glad I finally found my way to him. The album moves like a glorious and unrestrained DJ set at your favorite club. It’s unimaginable that you would ever stop dancing or depart from your own truth. The album title also comes out to play as each song ebbs and flows to new peaks and unexplored valleys. There’s so much depth and breadth to each track, which made it a truly exciting, and unexpected listening experience. Jamie xx leaves no stone left unturned!
27. Dopamine - Normani
I honestly don’t care what you have to say. Dopamine was well worth the wait. One of the best debut albums of the year! She wears her influences on her sleeve, which is not a bad thing, as she’s able to successfully piece together different elements of the artists and sub-genres that inspire her. She’s so uncompromising on who she is as an artist as she echoes the sounds of the past while blasting off into the future. Already, you can see the maturity and depth in her artistry, as if she’s been doing this forever. I do hope she makes a return to this material, but I’m honestly fine with just receiving the music as is.
28. LANA - SZA
I simply must separate this from SOS. If SZA isn’t going to do it, I must be the brave soul that does. A last-minute release in 2024, I can proudly say that SZA has done it again. It is an exquisite and well-crafted album in its own right. It has its own sonic identity, sharp songwriting, ethereal melodies and a specific otherworldliness exhibited by the album’s cover. It’s almost like we are performing a probe of our own identities, confronting and excavating the parts of ourselves that we hate. I love that we end with the already-heard Saturn, as it reinforces SZA’s ethos of wanting and deserving more, even if she gets it all in her dreams. It isn’t crazy to want to experience that level of appreciation on another plane of existence, otherwise, we got all the crap in reality to worry about. Don’t get me wrong; we can do both and SZA sure does do both on this album.
29. Charm - Clairo
Lo-fi pop will never ever get tiring to me and Clairo is a master at it. On this album, she also dips into a little bit of soft/psychedelic rock and R&B. The instrumentation is quite intricate and I particularly loved the use of piano across the record. It made each song come to life, almost like Clairo was casting a spell on us all… and maybe she was! In a very crowded female singer-songwriter landscape, Clairo’s sharp and unassuming songwriting, as well as her gift with playing with the structure and composition of her music, sets her apart.
30. For Cryin’ Out Loud - FINNEAS
This album was simply pre-determined for me to love. I didn’t know much about Finneas’ musical identity outside of Billie Eilish, but I felt at ease going in because I knew that he was a talented songwriter and producer. Somehow, I still did not expect the smorgasbord of pop music I was treated to. It is very eclectic; it’s easy to see that he’s pulling from all of his musical interests while becoming a master at cohesion. I am glad I was able to hear more of his voice and who he is as an artist.
31. Quantum Baby - Tinashe
The shortest album on this list, Quantum Baby is yet another impressive project from one of music’s most forward-thinking artists. She essentially had her viral hit this year with “Nasty” and it would be remarkably easy to make this the album’s centerpiece. Yet the track, along with No Broke Boys, serve more as exclamation points at the end of an album chock-full of irresistible melodies and ruminations on the role of technology in music. Dance music has never sounded so good.
32. ORQUÍDEAS - Kali Uchis
This album was such a delight! She effortlessly blends reggaeton, r&b, and pop to create a fun and smooth journey exploring sexuality and intimacy with an edge of fantasy. It almost has a sonic quality that is dreamlike. It’s certainly imaginative and pushes boundaries in the popscape. I honestly don’t have much else to say except that it is the kind of album I would listen to while stretching in the afternoon sun. If you get it, you get it!
33. What Now - Brittany Howard
This is my first Brittany Howard album. I am at least cursorily familiar with her and her work since she always shows up and shows out at the Grammy’s! I was already aware that she was a genre-bending rock artist and this album really showcased her goddess-esque qualities. I really loved the use of sound bowls as transitions. It reinforces music as meditation and mindfulness. Consequently, each track feels like stream of consciousness, as if one day this project just organically was produced out of Howard’s very being.
34. Vertigo - Griff
I’m so glad I decided to listen to this debut album from Griff. Her songwriting is extremely clever and catchy… a deadly combination. Not to mention her vocals are soothing and the production quality is incredible. She captures her own emotional depth quite well even as she simultaneously makes the listening experience a dizzying whirlwind of racing thoughts. I am quite impressed!
35. Dark Times - Vince Staples
We are in dark times, aren’t we? We, ourselves, are surrounded by darkness, attracted to darkness and have this innate darkness that is difficult to control or rein in. So, while the subject matter of this album is deeply personal, it is unfortunately relatable, which makes it a comforting listen. The tracks flow into each other, like ruminating thoughts swirling through our mind begging for release and escape. This creates a beautiful cacophony of noise that is sometimes needed and sometimes overwhelming. Somehow, some way, though, there does seem to be a light at the end of the tunnel. We do choose to move forward, to live, to cry, to breathe, instead of just dying. Life is a choice, each and every day. Thank you Vince for reminding me.
36. Why Lawd - nxworries, Anderson.paak
Before seeing this album title on Twitter, I had no clue that Anderson.paak had any new projects at all. I was only aware of his very unfortunate split from his wife of thirteen years. It’s my belief that Anderson can really make anything sound good, but this collaboration between him and NxWorries is truly spectacular. Apparently, they have another project I need to check out! On the surface, it’s a collection of vibey songs set to slick beats, but I love the vulnerability here and it was incredibly impactful on a first listen.
37. Now You’re Caught Up - Jordan Alexander
I have been following Jordan Alexander as soon as the first trailer for the Gossip Girl reboot dropped and I have always been excited for her to try out other creative opportunities. The face card is undeniable. And now, I have learned that she also has a musical prowess. All the songs she released before the album, I pressed play on. I very much enjoyed them all. On the full album, I fell in love with the combination of moody and sultry popnb and electro music she’s been playing with. I know there are some pretty significant samples on this record, but I can’t help but to compare her with someone like Tinashe. I would assume she and other influences like Janet Jackson are at play. I know that she hasn’t captured the attention of millions yet, but I would be interested in seeing what, if any, live elements would do to her music. Because right now, I’m feeling her heavily! She has a really great ear for what makes good pop music.
38. Dandelion (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Aaron Dessner (and his brother!) are absolute geniuses. I know Aaron from his collaborations with Taylor Swift and Gracie Abrams. And when I watched this film in the movie theaters, and the credits rolled, I immediately put my headphones in and found the soundtrack on Spotify. I was elated to see Aaron’s name. The music naturally matches the breezy grounded nature of the film. This ended up being my go-to soundtrack of 2024, and has already followed me into 2025. It’s relaxing without sacrificing the emotional stakes and the desperation of connection the film so expertly crafted.
39. Dauntless Manifesto - CupcakKe
I was too young and prudish to get into cupcakKe when she first came out, other than the memes and shock value she represented. I had heard she was actually a great artist and an amazing lyricist, and I didn’t doubt her as such. I just knew that as an ~ asexual, ~ I wouldn’t really get it. But honestly, there’s nothing to “get” really. It’s an extraordinarily well put-together pop-rap album, with catchy hooks, clever verses and fantastic flows. I know people see all the explicit sex talk as a gimmick, but it definitely feels like an intentional sex-positive record through a Black feminist lens. I know some people will think I’m giving her too much credit, and a lot of people don’t find power or significance in such overt sexuality, but I certainly do! The sense of humor and vulgarity certainly remain, but in all of this is also vulnerability, beauty, and liberation. And anything that champions true freedom, bodily autonomy and agency in this messed up r*pe culture of a world is alright with me!
40. BLUE LIPS - Schoolboy Q
BLUE LIPS is unapologetically a classic hip-hop album. It might not be incredibly flashy or surprising, but it certainly still manages to be all up in your grill. It becomes a sort of an irresistible groove from start to finish. I am honestly not too familiar with Schoolboy Q as an artist. It has probably been a decade since I’ve listened to him properly. There’s a TDE sound that has permeated the culture (thank God!) and it sounds so good on this album. The production is pensive and heavy, and Schoolboy comes on each track with an easy bravado. Easily one of the best rap albums of the year!
41. Warriors - Lin-Manual Miranda
He did it again! This is such a badass project. I would love to see some live performances of this, even if it’s just a few of the songs. That would be epic. For a concept album, there is really a shit-ton of things happening. I understand why it doesn’t work for some people, but I could really visualize everything going on because of the unparalleled production and sound design of each song. Ultimately, Warriors is an epic piece about female survival and camaraderie, and there is something to glean from each subsequent listen.
42. GLORIOUS - Glorilla
Earlier this year, I reviewed Glorilla’s mixtape on the Musicboard app and I was largely unimpressed and quite disappointed. But Glorilla’s debut album is her at her fullest form - full of grit, personality and a heavy dose of earnestness and humor that all work really well. She’s southern as all hell and the album really lives up to the title. I am still mumbling a lot of the songs to myself around the house. That’s when you know you made an absolute banger of an album. I love to be proven wrong!
43. While We Wait 2 - Kehlani
I was nervous to listen to this album, even though I really enjoyed the first While We Wait (I still think about that Omarion sample!) At the time of its announcement and release, Kehlani was broiled in controversy that I still don’t understand. I assume it is now getting settled legally, but for days, it was some very messy and concerning allegations and I simply had to unfollow them. I’d like to look back on all of it when I get the chance so I am at the very least the most informed I can be, while eliminating the bias I have for them. Ultimately, though, as I should have expected, this album snuck up on me and I can admit Kehlani delivered the classic R&B we deserved.
44. Esquinas - ANAVITÓRIA
A quaint and irresistible road trip of an album. Its carefree pop and simple/straightforward instrumentation brings forth a bright and optimistic sound that I can’t help but to dance along to. An absolutely enchanting and alluring listen, it breaks any language barrier (that I never believed music had to begin with!) I am not even sure how I got introduced to this album, but I am very glad I did!
45. Older - Lizzy McAlpine
One of the strongest female singer-songwriters of our time. This album is absolutely gorgeous and inspired. It’s hard to be a pop/indie/folk singer today and not be drowned out by lesser versions of yourself. Lizzy’s approach is relaxing and poignant, small and sweet, until she can no longer be contained. The song expands just as her artistic expression does. She creates more room for her feelings and thoughts in the music itself. Not only does she do this expertly, but she somehow goes back and forth between the calm and the storm with such an ease and even a level of amusement and whimsy, not found in any other artist. This can make some of the tracks feel a bit meandering, but Lizzy always finds her way back home.
46. TYLA - Tyla
As you can see, there is no shortage of debut albums on this list. Tyla comes on the scene with a confidence and self-assuredness that even her peers can’t match. She is an endlessly enchanting and alluring artist that allows her personality to shine through the music. The most exciting thing is that it’s very easy to dance to… the purpose of it all! She’s basking in the glory of the young divas that came before her — Rihanna, Beyoncé, Britney and more while maintaining all that makes her intriguing and refreshing!
47. Bando Stone and the New World - Childish Gambino
This is a very very cool album. Gambino makes a record that is half triumphant narrative epic and half unwinding ritual. The mix of dancehall and hip-hop works well for both of these ideas, in an album that covers the gamut of fatherhood, survival, love and persistence. Maybe loving someone can be our calm, our moment of respite among the chaotic demands of everyday life and responsibilities. There’s much to chew on here, Donald. We love a good storyteller!
48. Access All Areas - FLO
An incredibly solid debut album of dreamy r&b goodness. There is such attention to detail and you can tell how much they are paying homage to the songstresses that came before them, while not losing their own musical identity as a girl group. They are definitely into the throwbacks for sure, and they’re able to emulate that sound oh so well. I do wish the remixes were just the original versions on the album though!
49. Short N Sweet - Sabrina Carpenter
I think we can officially enter this into the Pop Bible alongside iconic albums like 1989, Loud, and Teenage Dream. It’s that good! For awhile, I thought authenticity had killed the pop star. It felt like everyone was so obsessed with creating “real” gritty music that people can relate to, that the music industry forgot about the alluring nature of the maximalist fantasy pop music can be. Sabrina really brought this concept back to the forefront of her music, highlighting just how dreamy she is. Her cheeky humor and overt/silly sexual references reminds me of a long lost Katy Perry. I’m more than happy for Sabrina to fill that space in pop music. After all, a lot about pop music relies on image and performance. And Sabrina is so good at being coy and famous, but also quite smart about it. Clearly, Short N’ Sweet isn’t the most impressive album of all time for me, but it’s a nonstop bop from top to bottom and I’ve missed that! Everyone say thank you, Sabrina!
50. God Said No - Omar Apollo
Omar knows how to tug at your heartstrings. Whether the track is contemplative or coming from a more impulsive place, this record has a piercing emotional core, where Omar’s vulnerability stands center stage. Many songs feel like journal entries, poems, love letters and so much more. I think, in this instance, God said yes!
Honorable Mention
Sincere - Khalid
This is absolutely a lighter, stripped back, and freer version of Khalid that I really appreciate! The name of the album really comes out to play because you can feel his earnestness through your earbuds. I always worry about the state of male r&b, but at least Khalid is attempting to revive it.
Am I Okay? - Megan Moroney
Country is definitely not my favorite genre of music, but I do love Megan Moroney. She brings a Taylor Swift-esque innocence and energy that the pop-country world has been missing. She’s a master at composing music, writing melodies and lyrics that make all the stories she tells incredibly visceral and recent in your memory… even if it never happened to you! The way she agonizes over her past relationships, picking things apart and wondering where it went wrong, reminiscing and replaying it in her mind, I rejoiced in the pain and yearning she expressed on her records, because I too yearn for things long gone. She’s a pondering girlie and let’s just say that I can relate!
This Is How Tomorrow Moves - beabadoobee
Love her voice! I revel in this album’s simplicity and there’s a true sense of her artistic identity throughout the record. The tracks are uncertain, anxious, heartbreaking and the search for meaning and self-improvement is quite palpable. Although her name is deeply upsetting to me, I’ll try and forget that so I can listen to more of her music!
LADY RAVEN - Saleka
The world of fictional pop stars is already quite crowded, but Saleka manages to craft an entirely unique beast of an icon in Lady Raven. There’s something familiar about her — her name and some of her music is Gaga-esque, there’s a bit of Ariana in her style and stage design, a dash of Selena Gomez in her public persona and interactions with fans, but vocally, she’s in a league of her own. The production was so sleek and radio-ready, and the lyrics were especially stellar for an artist that doesn’t exist. Somehow, she would fit perfectly in today’s pop music landscape. Move over Sabrina, Taylor, Chappell and Olivia, Lady Raven is taking over!
Bad Girl Bible, Vol 2: The Lost Files - Reyna Roberts
Whoa… these are supposed to be the LOST files! I’m glad she found them! Bold and beautiful, Reyna Roberts is something of an outlaw on this project. She’s happy to play the villain, or really just not fit into the archetype of America’s sweetheart, which makes an interesting story to follow throughout the album. Reyna seems to champion freedom and strength, moreso than the typical focus of country songs on being in a vanilla relationship. Basically, Reyna Roberts turns country inside out and makes it into a club of her own.
Best EPS/Mini-Albums of 2024
CRAZY - Le Sserafim
Electric Honey - Tanerélle
SABLE, - Bon Iver
No Hard Feelings - Leigh-Anne
FK It - Almeda
Best Songs of 2024 (limited to three songs an artist)
16 Carriages - Beyoncé
Just For Fun - Beyoncé
Bodyguard - Beyoncé
JOYRIDE - Kesha
Symptom of life - Willow
Birds of A Feather- Billie Eilish
WILDFLOWER - Billie Eilish
Angel of My Dreams - JADE
Midnight Cowboy - JADE
Nature - Leigh-Anne
obsessed - Olivia Rodrigo
so american - Olivia Rodrigo
the boy is mine (remix) - Ariana Grande with Brandy and Monica
supernatural - Ariana Grande
bye - Ariana Grande
Boy Bye - Chlöe
Training Season - Dua Lipa
Dumb and Poetic - Sabrina Carpenter
Bed Chem- Sabrina Carpenter
Hiss - Megan thee Stallion
Die With A Smile - Bruno Mars & Lady Gaga
Tears - Perrie
Loml - Taylor Swift
Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me - Taylor Swift
So Sick of Dreaming - Maggie Rogers
Lonely Millionaire - Kacey Musgraves
Too Good To Be True - Kacey Musgraves
Candy Paint - Normani
Honey - Thomas Doherty, Bryce Dessner, Aaron Dessner (from the Dandelion Soundtrack)
Challengers: Match Point - Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
Broken Man - St. Vincent
Tunnel Vision - Magdalena Bay
Cold Call - Rachel Chinouriri
Baddy on the Floor - Jamie xx
Overflow - Tanerelle
Girl, so confusing remix - Charli XCX feat. Lorde
Answer Your Phone - Leon Thomas
Paralyzed - Lucky Daye feat. RAYE
Pensamientos Intrusivos - Kali Uchis
Sexy to Someone - clairo
Denial Is A River - Doechii
Reincarnated - Kendrick Lamar
Patience - Brittany Howard
Alice of the Upper Class - Halsey
Mi Camino - Selena Gomez (from Emilia Perez Soundtrack)
Pierrot - LE SSERAFIM
Perfect Stranger - FKA Twigs
Don’t Deserve - Glorilla, Muni Long
Out of Reach - Jordan Alexander
Bad Idea - Ravyn Lenae
Favorite Live Performances
BEYONCÉ BOWL - Beyoncé
HOT TO GO! (Guts World Tour Live!) - Olivia Rodrigo and Chappell Roan
Feather/Nonsense (Saturday Night Live) - Sabrina Carpenter
Denial Is A River Live (Genius Open Mic) - Doechii and Issa Rae
Usher’s Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show
When You Believe (Met Gala) - Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo
On My Mama/Alright (BET Awards 2024) - Victoria Monet
Not My Fault (Saturday Night Live) - Renee Rapp and Megan thee Stallion
Flowers (Grammys 2024) - Miley Cyrus
Wildflower (Saturday Night Live) - Billie Eilish
Podcasts That Caught My Attention In 2024
That Was Us
Podcrushed
Baby, This Is Keke Palmer
Las Culturistas
The Basement Yard
Books I Read/Listened to in 2024
Viola Davis - Finding Me
Julia Fox - Down the Drain
Constance Wu - Making a Scene
(What can I say? I like a celebrity memoir!)
Favorite Films Released in 2024 (US release)
I Saw The TV Glow (dir. Jane Schoenbrun)
Perfect Days (dir. Wim Wenders)
Problemista (dir. Julio Torres)
Challengers (dir. Luca Guadagnino)
Wicked (dir. Jon M. Chu)
The Substance (dir. Coralie Fargeat)
Sing Sing (dir. Greg Kwedar)
Your Monster (dir. Caroline Lindy)
Megan Thee Stallion: In Her Words (dir. Nneka Onuorah)
Look Back (dir. Kiyotaka Oshiyama)
Monkey Man (dir. Dev Patel)
La Chimera (dir. Alice Rohrwacher)
A Real Pain (dir. Jesse Eisenberg)
His Three Daughters (dir. Azazel Jacobs)
Lee (dir. Ellen Kuras)
The Bikeriders (dir. Jeff Nichols)
Fancy Dance (dir. Erica Tremblay)
Didi (dir. Sean Wang)
Maria (dir. Pablo Larraín)
Juror #2 (dir. Clint Eastwood)
Lisa Frankenstein (dir. Zelda Williams)
Nightbitch (dir. Marielle Heller)
Trap (dir. M. Night Shyamalan)
My Old Ass (dir. Megan Park)
Speak No Evil (dir. James Watkins)
Favorite First Watches
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
Dead Poets Society (1989)
Die Hard (1988)
Chicago (2002)
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
Psycho (1960)
Moonlight (2016)
Singin’ In The Rain (1952)
Black is King (2020)
Before Sunrise (1995)
Favorite Performances
Zendaya, Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor - Challengers
Joan Chen and Izaac Wang - Didi
Angelina Jolie - Maria
Natasha Lyonne, Carrie Coon and Elizabeth Olsen - His Three Daughters
Ayo Edebiri and Maya Hawke - Inside Out 2
Rachel Zegler - Spellbound
Demi Moore - The Substance
Nicholas Hoult- Juror #2
Dev Patel - Monkey Man
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande - Wicked
Joe Alwyn - Kinds of Kindness
Jesse Plemons - Civil War
Keith Kupferer- Ghostlight
Melissa Barrera - Your Monster
Tom Hardy - The Bikeriders and Venom: The Last Dance
Amy Adams - Nightbitch
Alisha Weir - Abigail
Ryan Gosling and Aaron Taylor-Johnson - The Fall Guy
Isabel Deroy-Olson and Lily Gladstone - Fancy Dance
Justice Smith - I Saw the TV Glow
Josh Hartnett - Trap
James McAvoy - Speak No Evil
Naomi Scott - Smile 2
David Dastmalchian and Ingrid Torelli - Late Night with the Devil
Sydney Sweeney - Immaculate
Donald Glover and Maya Erskine - Mr and Mrs. Smith
Kristen Bell and Adam Brody - Nobody Wants This
Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri and Liza Colon-Zayas - The Bear
Harrison Ford and Jason Segel - Shrinking
Melissa McCarthy - Only Murders in the Building
And this is my sendoff for 2024! Goodbye, my friend. You have changed me… for good!
Mari’s Stamp of Approval
Music:
Projects
New Blue Sun - Andre 3000
TRANSA - Red Hot Org
EUSEXUA - FKA Twigs
Superficial - Heidi Montag
DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS - Bad Bunny
Songs
Gravity - FIFTY FIFTY
Fat Juicy & Wet - Sexyy Red and Bruno Mars
Keeper - TWICE
Twisted - Heidi Montag
BORN TO BE - ITZY
Film:
Gone Girl, dir. David Fincher
The King of Comedy, dir. Martin Scorsese
The Sweet East, dir. Sean Price Williams
A Real Pain, dir. Jesse Eisenberg
Perfect Days, dir. Wim Wenders
Television:
Fleabag - 2016, 2019
Crashing - 2016
Glow Up: Britain’s Next Make-Up Star Season 1, 2019
Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids’ TV, 2024
Survival of the Thickest, Season 1 - 2023
Client Roster Additions:
Phoebe Waller-Bridge
Andrew Scott
Sterling K. Brown
Jharrel Jerome
Talia Ryder
Mari’s Stamp of Disapproval
Music:
Projects
Bryson Tiller - Bryson Tiller
No Restrictions - Jordin Sparks
WHAM- Lil Baby
Songs
Fake Friend - Eyedress
Bienvenida - Selena Gomez (from Emilia Perez Soundtrack)
Look How I’m Doin’ - Heidi Montag
Film:
The Six Triple Eight, dir. Tyler Perry
All Good Things, dir. Andrew Jarecki
Queens of Christmas, Kenny Young
Mari’s Stamp (Projects I am keeping tabs on)
Music:
Projects
Tension II - Kylie Minogue
Tell My Therapist I’m Fine - Bishop Briggs
Obsessed - Morgan Wade
Girl With No Face - Allie X
For Your Consideration - Empress Of
Songs
Sports car - Tate McRae
Ready to Love - JoJo
ZEN - JENNIE
Slow Motion - Alessia Cara
Dear Me - Kesha
Film:
Nickel Boys, dir. RaMell Ross
Anora, dir. Sean Baker
The Brutalist, dir. Brady Corbet
A Different Man, dir. Aaron Schimberg
Queer, dir. Luca Guadigno
Television:
The Underground Railroad, 2021
American Primeval, 2024
Paradise, 2025
Interior Chinatown, 2024
The Sex Lives of College Girls,
Client Roster Considerations:
Geraldine Viswanathan
Kathryn Newton
Alex Consani
Kate Winslet
Josh O’Connor