10 great albums released so far this year

I still plan on writing a full article on my favourite albums of the year when it's over and that'll include some of my absolute favourites that I've omitted from this list. But in the meantime here's a few great albums that have been released so far that you might not have heard of or listened to yet (and I've included artists that are similar to them in sound/energy if you don't know them)!

1. Kim Petras – Detour (if you like Charli XCX)

Picture this: It's 2024, Charli XCX has just released BRAT and it's soundtracking your summer. Now fast forward 2 years, and it's the same but it's Kim Petras's Detour – this is peak electropop.

Label: BunHead/Amigo

Release: 29th May

Track to listen to: I Like Ur Look

2. Kenny Mason – BULLDAWG (if you like Denzel Curry)

Kenny Mason is at his rapping peak on this album, and it intertwines so beautifully well with the rock vibes on tracks like BE WHAT I WANT with Paris Texas.

Label: P2026

Release: 12th May

Track to listen to: BOUNCE WIT ME

3. Isaiah Rashad – IT'S BEEN AWFUL (if you like Mac Miller)

This is a vulnerable, introspective and emotional album from Isaiah Rashad and features SZA and Dominic Fike on tracks 'BOY IN RED' and 'CAMERAS' respectively. I've seen so many different songs on this album mentioned as favourites by different people which says it all. It's so easy to listen to the whole record all the way through.

Label: Top Dawg Entertainment/Warner Records

Release: 1st May

Track to listen to: M.O.M.

4. Genesis Owusu – REDSTAR WU & THE WORLDWIDE SCOURGE (if you like Fcukers)

The grooves are stunning and the lyrics are clinical and cutting. It feels very hard hitting both musically and lyrically. I love how Genesis Owusu doesn't shy away from saying it how it is, verbalising the injustice he sees in the world and calling things out as he sees it, but still leaves space for uplifting tracks with a positive message. I'd not listened to Genesis Owusu before hearing this record but I deifnitely will be in the future.

Label: OURNESS

Release: 15th May

Track to listen to: DEATH CULT ZOMBIE

5. American Football – American Football (LP4) (if you like Elliott Smith)

The rhythm sections really shine on a lot of this album's tracks and there's something included that I notice on a few records nowadays – the bands include random talking recorded during their studio sessions, American football do it here on 'The One with the Piano'. I love it, it feels like a lovingly curated personal glimpse into band's studio sessions.

Label: Polyvinyl Records

Release: 1st May

Track to listen to: Bad Moons

6. Bleachers – everyone for 10 minutes (if you like The 1975)

Bleachers, or more specifically Jack Antonoff's, reputation will always precede them when it comes to releasing new music. Having won music producer of the year for 3 years on the bounce in 2022-2024 at the Grammy Awards, Antonoff heads back into the studio to lend lead vocals and production to his own band on their most recent album release. It feels incredibly consistent throughout. I also love the album title, a reference to an iPhone AirDrop setting that allows anyone nearby to send you stuff for a short 10 minute duration. This is something that Antonoff has done before – AirDropping unreleased demos to random people in the crowd at his shows.

Label: Dirty Hit

Release 22nd May

Track to listen to: sideways

7. Basement – WIRED (if you like Deftones)

A throwback to grungy, alt-rock from the 90s and 00s, this is a refreshing take from Basement on a genre that feels like it's slowly fading away. It's been a mammoth 8 years since Basement's last full original album release, and it's clear that they've spent their time away finessing that sound they've always been so good at producing. Punchy and aggressive, every track flows so graciously into each other, this was a joy to listen to from start to finish.

Label: Run For Cover Records

Release: 8th May

Track to listen to: Broken By Design

8. The Twilight Sad – IT'S THE LONG GOODBYE (if you like Interpol)

The theme of this album feels like loss, and its melancholic vibe is only assisted further from none other than The Cure's Robert Smith, who lent a hand with production and guitar on this record. The guitars reflect a lot of the band's earlier work, so for any long time listeners, like me, this will be right up your street. It's Scottish indie rock as good as you'll ever hear it.

Label: Rock Action

Release: 27th March

Track to listen to: DESIGNED TO LOSE

9. Joyce Manor – I Used To Go To This Bar (if you like Hot Mulligan)

American pop punk trio, the album focuses on nostalgia - feeling feelings that you're too old to be feeling and coping by doing stuff that you're probably too old to be doing. I know it's personal preference, but Joyce Manor's records have always been refreshing short, and it's such a pleasure to sit and listen through everything a band wants to say in under 20 minutes.

Label: Epitaph

Release: 30th January

Track to listen to: I Know Where Mark Chen Lives

10. Lip Critic – Theft World (If you like Death Grips)

It feels like digital hardcore is a more upcoming genre than it's ever been, and this is why. It's passionate, it's explosive, it's fun and it's chaotic. There's some interesting samples thrown in especially on my favourite track, Jackpot, which sounds like a sample of a fire alarm bell, thrown in at different pitches to create the melody and reflect that of a slots machine jingling when hitting a win. This is really interesting and properly unique, definitely a band I'll be keeping more of an ear on in the future.

Label: Partisan Records

Release: 1st May

Track to listen to: Jackpot

In finishing up writing this, I've only just realised that most of these albums were released in the past month or so. It was not my intention to include the most recent records, but maybe the bands are all collectively trying to hit us with their best in time for a gorgeous summer. Either way, I'm here for it. Enjoy!