CTRL+ALT+Repeat: 2024’s Best New Artists & Their Debut Albums
A banner of a year for music, 2024 offered a slew of new artists jumping onto the scene and delivering some of the most compelling debut albums of recent memory. From grunge anthems to delicate odes, newcomers have been cementing themselves in their respective scenes for the past 12 months. Comprehensive but non-exhaustive, here’s a list of 2024’s best new artists and their irrefutable debut albums.
Abigail Morris of The Last Dinner Party by Natalia Pfeiffer.
The Last Dinner Party, Prelude to Ecstasy - Feb. 2
Brooke Shapiro, Music Extras Editor
Despite their most popular song claiming otherwise, five-piece band The Last Dinner Party knows that everything matters when it comes to breaking into the music industry. And while some labeled the group — composed entirely of queer women and non-binary members — as “industry plants,” their speedy rise to success is a product of talent and meticulous dedication, as proven by their debut album, Prelude to Ecstasy.
Opening with a dramatic orchestral track, Prelude to Ecstasy is 40 minutes of maximalist artistry, showcasing the group’s knack for blending illustrative songwriting with thoughtful production. They embarked on a world tour for the record that cultivated a renaissance-esque atmosphere, matching the group’s aesthetic and inviting their fans into the romantic world of The Last Dinner Party.
Friko, Where we’ve been, Where we go from here - Feb. 16
Reegan Johnson, Co-Editor in Chief
Where we’ve been, Where we go from here, the debut album from indie-rock minds of Chicago’s own Friko, is an emotive exploration of light and shadow. Earnest and vulnerable while keeping high regard for its post-punk form, the entire project is formidable, from the release of the lead single “Crashing Through” to the final expansive nine-track product.
Where we've been, Where we go from here can be stripped layer by layer to reveal a mix-up of classical compositions. The album reaches its highest highs and lowest lows, as the piano ballads and formal odes directly oppose the band's traditional rock make-up, yet add so much intensity and subtle intricacies to tracks like "Chemical" and "For Ella." This thrashing of complex tears and profound exclaims results in a debut that showcases a level of emotional depth and musical sophistication that is truly remarkable.
Amira Elfeky, Skin to Skin - March 29
Cece Faulkner, Interview Editor
Amira Elfeky took the term “girl metal” and ran with it. The world of heavy rock has been in dire need of some fresh blood, and her debut album Skin to Skin secured her spot in the alternative scene. Elfeky’s lyrics intertwine perfectly curated themes of love and death, all wrapped up in a beautiful gothic bow.
Opening track “Secrets” gives you an initial taste of her sound before transitioning into fan favorites such as “A Dozen Roses” and “Everything I Do Is For You.” Her vocal abilities are displayed brilliantly next to flourishes of heavy guitar riffs and drums, making for an incredible listening experience through and through.
Sid Simons and The Darlings by Nat Tucker.
Sid Simons, Beneath the Brightest Smiles - May 17
Reegan Johnson, Co-Editor in Chief
Beneath The Brightest Smiles from singer-songwriter Sid Simons is an emotional whiplash: a thrilling fusion of physically-driven lyrics, seeking solace and unconfined energy. From the outset, Simons commands attention with the dynamism and intensity of tracks like "Wendy" and "Three Days," solidly establishing himself as a robust new voice in the indie-rock scene. But as the album progresses, Simons reveals himself to be a far more resolute artist, navigating the project's contrasting moments.
The noncommittal anthem “Dirt” sees him grapple with uncertainty as he steps outside of himself, and “Toy Gun” and “The Stanley Song” cut deep into his personal life with visceral explanations of flashing nostalgia. It’s this constant shifting that makes Simons' debut so captivating as an artist refusing to be pigeonholed, constantly subverting expectations. In doing so, he's crafted a work of preeminent depth and versatility, a memorable introduction to a singular artistic voice.
Tiny Habits, All For Something - May 24
Jackie Fortis, Contributor
The indie trio Tiny Habits, who formed during their time at Berklee College of Music in 2021, released their debut album All For Something and proved why they are a group worth remembering. Having opened for artists such as Noah Kahan, Gracie Abrams, Lake Street Dive and Vance Joy, they are highly praised by some of the largest names in indie and folk today — and for good reason. Tiny Habits is known for intricate and surreal harmonies that create sonic atmospheres like no other.
Their debut album displays just that, integrating some songs written by one member with some written by all three. Their lyricism shines through in songs like “Malleable” and “Wishes,” and their perfection of collaboration is displayed throughout the whole record.
Fine, Rocky Top Ballads - June 7
Grace Moioli, Senior Writer
Fine Glindvad Jensen is a Danish composer, producer and singer-songwriter who made a stunning first impression this year with her debut album Rocky Top Ballads. Her background at Copenhagen’s Rhythmic Music Conservatory, the same institution attended by artists like ML Buch, Erika de Casier, Astrid Sonne and Molina, shows itself in the sophistication of the album. Like her peers, Fine’s acoustic compositions are expertly crafted and counterbalanced by a rich foundation of electronic production.
Rocky Top Ballads is equally nostalgic and forward-facing. Each song builds around Fine’s whisper-soft voice that, when paired with the grungy guitars in songs like “A/B” and “Big Muzzy,” is starkly reminiscent of Mazzy Star’s Hope Sandoval. But the production in songs like “Coasting,” “Remember the Heart” and “A Star” bring depth to the album, distinguishing itself from the references it calls upon.
Watch Max Fry’s “BUZZIN” short film on YouTube.
Max Fry, more than dead to me - June 14
Cece Faulkner, Interview Editor
One of the best parts of any music is the way in which energy is captured and held within it. Max Fry, the Florida artist whose song “zombie” took the internet by storm in 2023, has mastered this art. His 10-song debut album more than dead to me is dripping with infectious vibrancy, each lyric holding raw emotional power. The album has solidified his style as well as his ability to make meaningful music.
Tracks like “lightspeed” and “stain” are guaranteed to get stuck in your head, while more introspective ones like “roe’s interlude” will leave you in a state of emotional numbness. The album’s ebb and flow between energies is perfect; the build-up and descent are expertly crafted to take you on a ride full of intensity.
Been Stellar, Scream From New York, NY - June 21
Reegan Johnson, Co-Editor in Chief
Been Stellar's debut album, Screams From New York, NY, has the gritty, unapologetic force of the punk rock music coming out of 1970s London. Shown in the urgency of tracks like "Passing Judgement," the group hits with a much-needed blast of anarchic spirit. As the album unfolds, the group shows a steady command of their craft, with heavily stylized sounds that are as stable as they are captivating.
Cuts like the warped and dramatic "All In One" paint a world of groggy sonic distortion, while the glistening guitar work of "Shimmer" and "Takedown" offers moments of respite. Beneath the hazy production lies an edgy quality of songs meant to be taken to the stage, fueled by the same untamed passion that drove the greats. It’s an uncompromising body of work that firmly establishes Been Stellar as a band unafraid to challenge modern conventions and form their own identity in the rock landscape.
Paris Paloma, Cacophony - Aug. 30
Lucy Curtis, Contributor
Watch Paris Paloma’s “labour” music video on YouTube.
If there is one thing Paris Paloma proved with her rise to prominence and debut album Cacophony, it is that she delivers consistency. Her vocals — no matter what track — are smooth and haunting. She has the ability to discuss large and pressing themes, like in her most well-known single, “Labour.”
This track references societal expectations of women and how they are often expected to perform an excessive amount of roles within their relationships with men; lyrics such as “All day, every day, therapist, mother, maid / Nymph then a virgin, nurse then a servant” demonstrate the pressure and constraints that Paloma is referring to. However, even without the consideration of these significant topics she references, Paloma simply creates compelling, intriguing and downright good music.
Sofia Isella, I Can Be Your Mother - Sept. 6
Seay Howell, Senior Writer
Achingly cool, a little unhinged and unflinching in its ferocity, the feral femininity of Sofia Isella’s debut EP I Can Be Your Mother has established the artist as a powerhouse of poignant lyrics paired with masterful production and a captivatingly unsettling aesthetic. In 2023, Isella caught attention with her single “Hot Gum,” which has been streamed more than 12 million times, and this past year she opened for Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour at Wembley Stadium and supported Melanie Martinez at Madison Square Garden.
A self-proclaimed “slut for words,” Isella’s sharp lyrics about objectification, fame and technology are delivered in a slam-poetry cadence set against an undercurrent of pop distorted like a smile through bared teeth. She isn’t afraid to push boundaries — her sound is a Frankenstein’s monster of pop, rock, rap and classical that integrates her talents as a producer, guitarist, pianist and classically-trained violinist.