We’re halfway through 2024, which means a plethora of great music being released. Whether you’re into indie pop or death metal, there’s a batch of music waiting to be heard. We take a quick look at some great tunes that have been unveiled in the first six months of 2024.

The best albums/EPs of 2024 so far

Infant Island - Obsidian Wreath (Secret Voice)

With Obsidian Wreath, screamo/post-metal unit Infant Island has delivered one of 2024's most powerful releases with a frantic 36-minute swirl of fear, hopelessness, and unity.

Purest Form - self-titled

Los Angeles' Purest Form show no shame in their love for 90s industrial metal with their energetic self-titled debut EP. Fans of fellow L.A. industrial act Youth Code and Texas industrial noise outfit Street Sects will find themselves quickly latching onto this release within the first 10 seconds of "Broke."

Restrictor Plate - Slamtona 500

Death metal and NASCAR racing don't normally go hand in hand, but Richmond's Restrictor Plate, who describe their music as "200 MPH wall slamming Nascore," managed to unite the two worlds with their Slamtona 5000 EP. Clocking in at 15 minutes, the release features wall to wall breakdowns with song titles such as "Earnhardt Stomp" and "Beaten With A Monkey Wrench." It wouldn't shock us if some NASCAR drivers are secretly bumping this before their races.

Majorette - Forever Starts Tuesday

Queens twee pop artist Majorette began 2024 by delivering a short but sweet debut EP Forever Starts Tuesday. Featuring toy synthesizers, violin, and the artist's own pet cockatiel Ursula on guest vocals, the nine-minute release Is the perfect introduction to an artist looking to fill our heads with simplistic yet tuneful tracks.

Dog Park - Festina Lente

While members of France's Dog Park come from different countries, their love of dream pop music brought them together during lockdown. With Festina Lente, the four-piece band delivered one of the genre’s most ravishing debut albums.

Other grand records from 2024

Blunt Chunks - The Butterfly Myth (Telephone Explosion Records)
Caravan Palace - Gangbusters Melody Club (Le Plan Records)
Rosie Tucker - Utopia Now (Sentimental Records)
Salt Cathedral - Before It's Gone
Ashlynn Malia - MALIA (Jullian Records)
Mui zyu - nothing or something to die for (Father/Daughter Records)
Jane Weaver - Love In Constant Spectacle (Fire Records)

The best singles of 2024 so far

Blunt Chunks - "Can't Be The End"

Blunt Chunks' debut album The Butterfly Myth comes with one of the best album closers of 2024 with "Can't Be The End," which features guest vocals from American Idol alumni J Valerione.

The Barbarians of California - "Dopamine Prophecy"

Aaron Bruno has found success with the alternative rock group AWOLNATION, but the artist always spoke fondly of their hardcore roots. Debuting this year, The Barbarians of California allows Bruno to reconnect with their past, and hardcore fans will be surprised to hear them tear it up on the band's debut single "Dopamine Prophecy."

Bury Me With You - "The Mirror Looking Back"

SoCal group Bury Me With You are looking to revive 2000s screamo, and they're doing just that with their nostalgia coded "The Mirror Looking Back." Clocking in at under three minutes, the song sounds like a forgotten demo from 2006 that was brought back to life.

Fortnite - “Swim Free”

While written for popular battle royale video game Fortnite, "Swim Free" has the potential to be a crowd pleaser at EDM festivals with its animated dolphin noises primed to be blared over massive speakers.

Kendrick Lamar - "Not Like Us"

It's very rare that a diss track becomes a global phenomenon. During their heated rivalry with Drake, Kendrick Lamar dropped one of the most talked about songs of the year with "Not Like Us." With a bevy of memes stemming from this jam, don't expect this song to die down for years to come.

Other grand songs from 2024

Chalk - "Bliss (feat. Fears)"
Caroline Romano - "Used By You"
Pride Month Barbie - "Effulgent"
Sunny Day Real Estate - "Novum Vetus"
Infant Island - "Clawing, Still"
Ashlynn Malia - “Cool Girl”