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The Best Albums of 2024: Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter and More
Us Weekly picks our favorite albums of the year, including Beyonce’s ‘Cowboy Carter’ and Taylor Swift’s ‘The Tortured Poets Department’
She waltzes through the full history of country on Cowboy Carter, incorporating gospel sounds on opener “Ameriican Requiem” and drawing from the world of folk for “16 Carriages” and “Protector.” Songs like “Tyrant” and “Spaghettii” highlight the slipperiness of genre, blending contemporary pop and hip-hop elements with Americana motifs. Taylor Hill/WireImageIt wasn’t enough in 2024 for Lamar to write a diss track so brutal that his opponent accused his own record label of falsely inflating its popularity — he had to also deliver a surprise album that works as both a victory lap and a step forward for a generational talent at the top of his game. There are still plenty of unique flourishes that make the album distinctly Kendrick, though: mariachi singer Deyra Barrera adds dramatic flair to several songs, while frequent collaborator SZA brings smooth hooks to “Luther” and “Gloria.” Lamar can push the boundaries of genre with the best of them, but it’s still fun to see a titan come out swinging with such clarity.
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