That Year in Music 2024
From the underground to stadium stages, British and American artists led the charge in shaping the year’s sonic landscape. Emerging genres carved out new niches, while iconic performers wrote fresh chapters in their legendary careers. Let's take a closer look at the music that defined 2024.
Chart-Topping Albums and Artists
British acts made an indelible mark in 2024, with The 1975 releasing their most ambitious album yet, intertwining lush production with introspective lyrics that resonated deeply with fans. Rising from the alt-rock scene, Wet Leg cemented their status as a festival favourite with a dazzling sophomore record full of sharp wit and infectious hooks. Meanwhile, Stormzy dropped a surprise mixtape, blending introspective rhythms with fiery declarations, proving again why he’s a powerhouse of UK grime.
Over in the US, Billie Eilish returned with a dark, atmospheric record that peeled back the layers of fame and humanity, sparking worldwide conversations. Travis Scott delivered a thrilling follow-up to Utopia, merging trap beats with psychedelic soundscapes, while Taylor Swift continued her re-recording project with the feverishly anticipated 1989 (Taylor’s Version), drawing nostalgia-stricken fans back to her pop heyday.
But 2024's biggest name? Olivia Rodrigo. Her third album dominated headlines and playlists, combining razor-sharp songwriting with unfiltered emotion, cementing her as the voice of her generation.
Emerging Talent Takes the Stage
Every year births new stars, and 2024 was no exception. British singer-songwriter Arlo Parks, already recognised for her poetic charm, elevated her artistry to new heights with an album that captured the quiet struggles of young adulthood. Across the Atlantic, rapper-singer Ice Spice rode a tidal wave with genre-fluid hits that blurred rap and R&B effortlessly.
Another exciting trend this year has been the globalisation of the music scene. Artists like Rema from Nigeria and Bad Bunny from Puerto Rico continued to dismantle language barriers, bringing Afrobeats and reggaeton to even greater global prominence.
The Genres of 2024
The underground scene flourished this year with a wave of experimental artists reinterpreting familiar sounds in ground-breaking ways. Electronic revivalism took hold, with 90s house music making a major comeback through DJs like Fred again.. and Peggy Gou, capturing the ecstasy of rave culture for the modern era.
At the other end of the spectrum, slowcore revival also found a growing audience. Bands like Horse Jumper of Love and new collectives from the UK embraced patient, melancholic arrangements, tapping into an emotional vulnerability that offered reprieve from the hyper-pace of pop culture.
And, of course, pop-punk had yet another rebirth, fuelled by Machine Gun Kelly and a fresh crop of angsty, nostalgic acts taking cues from Blink-182’s glory days.
Unforgettable Events and Collaborations
The festival scene thrived in 2024, with Glastonbury celebrating its 55th year with a lineup that spanned decades and genres, uniting music fans under one muddy banner. The surprise collaboration of Dua Lipa and Harry Styles stole the show, their sparkling hit single bringing disco grooves back into the mainstream spotlight.
Elsewhere, Drake caused a stir with a cross-genre partnership with Korean superstars BTS, blending Toronto hip-hop with K-pop precision. And on a sombre note, 2024 also marked the farewell tour of living legend Elton John, whose final bow brought arenas to tears around the world.
Cultural Movements in Music
TikTok continued its reign as a cultural tastemaker. Viral tracks like Doja Cat’s “Glass House” reshaped what it meant to have a hit, proving that even deep album cuts could explode with the right dance trend. Meanwhile, the sustainability movement gained ground in music. Bands and festivals embraced greener initiatives—eco-vinyl pressing surged as fans sought ethical alternatives for their collections.
Vinyl Castle championed this renaissance with exclusive reissues of environmentally conscious pressings, emphasising that vinyl remains an enduring expression of music’s tactile, timeless allure.
Find Your 2024 Favourites
2024 has proven once again that music is boundless—a swirling mix of influence, emotion, and creativity. Whether you gravitate towards artistically daring legends or genre-defining newcomers, you’ll find it all at Vinyl Castle, the Home of Vinyl in the UK and beyond.
With over 600,000 records in stock, we’re your gateway to the albums that shaped this year. Rediscover favourites like Taylor Swift’s 1989 or Olivia Rodrigo’s electrifying new record, and take advantage of our incredible 3 for £55 offer—perfect for building your collection without breaking the bank. Visit us today and explore our unrivalled catalogue spanning every age, scene, and genre.
2024 was a year that reminded us why music endures, why it excites, and why it brings us closer. What better way to celebrate than to own a slice of its history on vinyl? Drop the needle, and keep the music going.
