The Alt’s 25 Most Anticipated Records of 2024

Posted: 23rd January, 2024 by The Editor

The start of a new year is a hopeful time. All of us over at The Alt staff wake up from our post year-end list slumber, and get thinking on what might come out in the new year. Who will be the forgotten legends that comeback and release the record that makes them new fans? Who will be the completely unknown stunner who emerges seemingly from nowhere? And maybe most importantly, who will be our favorite artist who delivers the new record we had been hoping for? Sure there will also be some awful records, and even more totally forgettable ones, but lets think on the bright side!

These are the 25 records that The Alt staff is most excited for this year. Some of them might not end up as 2024 releases, but whenever they do arrive, you better be sure we will be tuning in. Check out our list and then let us know your most anticipated records. We love hearing from you over on our Patreon (where you can support The Alt and keep independent music journalism alive).

2024, lets rock! 

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Alex G

Alex G has not announced a new record—but he has announced a new summer tour and signed to RCA, which I’m hoping promises a new album right at the end of 2024. It feels wild that the internet icon has signed onto such a monster label, but not too surprising considering the success of 2022’s God Save the Animals. Alex G will open for Foo Fighters this year and announced a string of shows with julie. At the very least, we’ll get some new music from him, as he’s once again pairing up with We’re All Going to the World’s Fair director Jane Schoenbrun to score the A24 horror movie I Saw the TV Glow. Emma Stone is helping produce this film, which stars Fred Durst (for all the nu-metal kids out there). – Ryleigh Wann 

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All Under Heaven

All Under Heaven haven’t released new music since 2022, and yet the two singles “Don’t Suffer Alone” and “Alley Cat” constantly found their way into my rotation last year. With one EP and a few singles under their belt, the New Jersey shoegazers are high up on my list for ones to look out for when they release their debut album sometime this year. – Loan Pham

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Anxious

Anxious released one of the best emo albums in years, Little Green House, in January of 2021, and the Connecticut group have been touring on it ever since with a couple of singles that followed. Their latest single “Down Down” from last fall is one of their biggest pop-punk jams yet, and I can’t wait to hear what comes next.  – Loan Pham

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Bad Moves

Bad Moves’ album Untenable was one of my most listened albums of 2020, their songs are catchy as hell, and they’re not afraid to call out the baddies. The way this year is looking–at least in America–we’ve never needed Bad Moves’ mix of power-pop, punk, and ska to pump our fists into the sky to more. Or maybe we just need fun songs to sing along to in 2024. Either way, a Bad Moves album will have us covered. – Jami Fowler

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Charly Bliss

Guppy still stands as one of my favorite albums since 2017. The New York band’s 2019 follow-up Young Enough, while still entrenched in the grungier rock of its predecessor, embraced more of their power-pop elements. Since then, they’ve toyed a lot with a cohesion of glam-rock and bubblegum pop that has overwhelmingly worked in their favor. Last year, they dropped a fresh single “I Need a New Boyfriend” that relied entirely on hyper-pop production. Going into 2024, I’m interested in hearing if Charly Bliss will continue to fuse their rock/pop tendencies together for a new album or completely ditch it for the sound of their latest tune–and ultimately how that will be received if they choose the latter. – Hope Ankney

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Chastity Belt – Live Laugh Love (3/29)

I have been a huge fan of Chastity Belt since 2013’s No Regerts. This band of friends (and excellent musicians) make some the most interesting and funny “slacker rock” music going, if slacker rock was an actual genre whose definition was “makes you feel like your hanging out with that one quiet kid who doesn’t seem to care about school or what people think or expectations other people have for them, then finding out they are super smart and can make you laugh even when nothing seems funny.” I can’t wait to see how much they’ve grown in the last few years when Live Laugh Love comes out March 29th! – Jami Fowler

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Collateral

Collateral put out one of my favorite hardcore demos of last year. It had more of the punkier stomp I’m always looking for, wavering between the fast and slower mosh parts, all while embedding plenty of room for some singalongs. The band recently announced their next release would be an EP coming out in February on Fortress Records/Scheme Records. My excitement doubled after seeing them at the hardcore fest FYA, where they played new songs and a Bad Brains cover (“Supertouch/Shitfit”), teasing a little about where their sound draws from. I do not imagine anything crazy on the new EP beyond some fun hardcore punk, and if they write anything as memorable as “The Act,” I will be satisfied. – Hugo Reyes

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Faye Webster – Underdressed at the Symphony (3/1)

Influenced by hazy ’70s pop and soft folk music, Faye Webster always releases albums that are just nice to sit with and admire. To listen to how she allows songs to expand and breathe is a significant part of her charm as an artist; getting lost in the lush production is the other. With each release she seems to refine her sonic direction and songwriting, which is why I’m always chomping at the bit when new Webster is near. On March 1st, she’ll be dropping Undressed at the Symphony, her first full-length project since her widely-acclaimed 2021 record I Know I’m Funny haha. And, if it’s anything like her past releases, it’ll be just as savory. – Hope Ankney

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Gouge Away – Deep Sage (3/15)

Gouge Away dropped “Idealized” last spring with no warning, a slow, grungy track that felt like the natural next step from some of the more melodic tendencies on their 2018 LP Burnt Sugar. That song is slated to appear on their upcoming third record Deep Sage, along with the more straightforwardly post-hardcore single, opener “Stuck in a Dream.” The two songs are total opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of Gouge Away’s sound, but if there’s one thing that should be clear about the Fort Lauderdale punks, it’s that they’re not so easily pigeonholed. – Zac Djamoos

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Great Grandpa

Great Grandpa confirmed on Instagram that, after five long years, we’ll be getting new music from them this year. Their last LP, Four of Arrows, would be a perfect swan song, one of the best indie rock albums of the past decade—a smoky, folksy alternative rock album that blew up the formula of their goofy first LP. If Great Grandpa can pivot from their winking, candy-coated pop rock to the meditative, towering, genuinely moving work on their sophomore album, the sky’s the limit for whatever comes next.  – Zac Djamoos

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Greet Death

Simply one of the best bands doing it right now, Greet Death seem poised to make a leap to a larger crowd this year (they recently announced a run of tour dates supporting Say Anything that should give them ample opportunity to win over new fans). The group’s most recent release, New Low, was our favorite non-LP of 2022 at The Alternative, while 2019’s snowy, doom-filled New Hell landed in our top 30 of that year, so it’s safe to say we’re fans of the Michigan rockers. It remains to be seen if the turn to more acoustic based tunes on New Low was just a one-EP diversion or the next step in the group’s evolution, but either way Greet Death is likely to be in the conversation for best rock record of the year come December. – Aaron Eisenreich

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J. Cole & Kendrick Lamar

In the dead of winter, A.D. 2015, two of the best artists in the world, masters of their craft, fresh off their best projects of their career—one, the first platinum album without features in 25 years; the other, Grammy winner for Best Rap Album (and snubbed for AOTY); both lauded amongst the best hip-hop albums of last decade—confirmed their intent to release a joint album. In doing so, the two traded beats: Kendrick Lamar dissected the “Fire Squad” beat with a carnivore’s efficiency; J. Cole proseltyzed over the iconic “Alright” track. It was glorious. Cole even gave us a release date: “But this February, bet shit get scary when I fuck around and drop—.” Here I am, eight years later, still waiting. Maybe, as Lamar rapped, “Ib [Ibrahim Hamad, President of Dreamville Records at the time] should’ve never sent the instrumental”; that would’ve saved me from years of pining and regret. But I am still anticipating it, in my bones, so it makes the list. – Hanson Egerland

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Jimmy Montague – Tomorrow’s Coffee (2/28)

This may be cheating a bit on my part as I’ve been listening to Jimmy Montague’s upcoming record Tomorrow’s Coffee since before the tunes were even mastered, but that also means I can confirm from experience that it’s a record that should absolutely be on your radar. Montague (real name James Palko) has had his hand in a slew of great records recently, notably playing bass on the Taking Meds rocker from last year Dial M For Meds and Perspective, A Lovely Hand To Hold’s gorgeous swan song Phantasmagorialand. As Jimmy Montague, Palko explores the “super sounds of the ’70s,” using his piano as a foundation for stunning and precise horn and string arrangements (Palko filled out the Jimmy Montague band with members from The Most), sharply cutting guitar lines, jangling tambourines, a guest verse from the legend Chris Farren, and perfectly classic background vocals provided throughout by Oldsoul’s Jess Hall. In addition to Tomorrow’s Coffee, Montague heads should keep an eye out for a full-length from Pretty Rude, a project that finds Palko trading in the slick horns for some greasy, scuzzy guitars. – Aaron Eisenreich

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Khruangbin – A la Sala (4/5)

Khruangbin’s funky, soulful sound is inspired by music from around the globe. The trio blends ethereal notes with subtle lyrics and nasty bass lines–someone on the internet once described them as sounding like the inside of a lava lamp, and to be honest, that’s spot on. Their new record A la Sala is out on April 5th on Dead Oceans, and I can’t think of a better time to jumpstart summer than with a new Khruangbin album. To me, their music is best drenched in summer sun, watching beads of sweat roll down a glass and craving refreshment. Their music is a tall drink of water and always refreshing–just listen to single “A Love International” for proof. – Ryleigh Wann

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Knocked Loose

After releasing two of the hardcore singles of last year, Knocked Loose has our attention. “Deep in the Willow” and “Everything is Quiet Now” showcase that the band has sharpened their sound and are certainly comfortable in their hardcore/metalcore sound. The two singles show a lot of promise for the Kentucky-based band, especially with the recognition they’ve been getting from the hardcore scene and beyond. Although there’s been no official announcements, I can foresee a new Knocked Loose record in 2024 and it’s sure to be their gnarliest to date. – Sarah Knoll

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Mannequin Pussy – I Got Heaven (3/1)

Last year, Mannequin Pussy released three songs off their upcoming fourth album I Got Heaven that balance their high energy punk rock roots with a plush indie rock flair. It’ll be their first full length album since 2019, and already sounds like the band at their best as they approach ten years in their career. – Loan Pham

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MGMT – Loss of Life (2/24)

MGMT’s 2018 record Little Dark Age marked a turn in the band’s sound and trajectory. Leaning into a more darkwave-oriented sound, the band took more risks–and it paid off. With a handful of release between 2018 and now, the band have now taken another risk in their sound. Releasing a trio of songs earlier this year, the band has been shifting into a slower, more rock-influenced sound, one reminiscent of the early 2000s indie rock canon, like The Flaming Lips circa Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots–but still grounded in MGMT’s original sound. I’m looking forward to seeing the whole vision that the band has for this record and how it will be received by OG fans, especially with “Time to Pretend” featured in Emerald Fennell’s polarizing film Saltburn. MGMT continue to evolve as a band, and it will be exciting to see their next transformation on this new record. – Sarah Knoll

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Origami Angel

I started blogging about music in the autumn of 2019 for The Grey Estates (RIP we miss it, folks). Around the same time, The Alternative (this blog you are reading now) put on a weekend fest stacked with great bands at Mr. Roboto Project in Pittsburgh. On the Saturday of the fest I was slightly hungover, trying to decide when to pop over to Roboto, when I hit play on Origami Angel’s Gen 3 for the first time. The reaction was immediate, and I quickly pulled myself together, showered, and got to the gig as fast as I could (Gami was playing somewhat early in the day). As anyone who has seen them live can attest, the duo is ineffably brilliant in their ability to combine shredding with sugarcoated pop melodies. A few weeks later, I was sent an early copy of Somewhere City, a massive record that I spent months listening to on repeat for 8 hours every work day—stopping my work to gas up the music coming out of the speakers every time the “you’re the goddamn king of the universe” part of “Find Your Throne” came around. Last year, the gruesome twosome put out an eccentric and inventive mixtape The Brightest Days that felt like the purest incarnation of their sound yet. There’s buzz about a new full-length in the works from Origami Angel to be released at some point this year and I am eagerly awaiting what avenues this group—who seem capable of pulling off anything they want musically—will explore next. – Aaron Eisenreich

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One Step Closer

With each successive release One Step Closer has tightened up. Released a year ago this month, their Songs for the Willow EP was an all-too-brief teaser for the LP they’ve promised for this year; the three tracks were as aggressive as anything off This Place You Know, but they carried a newfound melodic sensibility that demonstrates their ability to be catchy without seeming soft. Melodic hardcore has been having its moment, and it’s hard to think of a worthier ambassador than One Step Closer. – Zac Djamoos 

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Real Estate – Daniel (2/23)

Indie rock band Real Estate has announced their sixth album, Daniel, out on February 23rd, and with it an album release show in New York, free for entry if your name is Daniel (the Daniels are allowed one non-Daniel as a plus one). “Haunted World” and “Water Underground” are the latest singles off their album. The latter is a song about songwriting, and since Martin Courtney taught a songwriting class last year, I’m sure that inspired some new material for the album or a deeper appreciation for the art of writing. – Ryleigh Wann

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Sheryl Crow – Evolution (3/29)

If we’ve had a conversation about music, you most likely heard me go on about legendary singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow. The icon is getting ready to release her new album Evolution in March. Her last album Threads featured artists such as Chris Stapleton, Chuck D, Bonnie Raitt, and Margo Price, to name a few. While there is no word about big names making guest appearances on Evolution, the new album already sounds promising;  she’s released great singles in “Alarm Clock,” an upbeat song that will remind you of hits such as “All I Wanna Do” and “Everyday Is a Winding Road,” and the title track. The lyrics to “Evolution” concern the weight of decisions we make everyday: “We can create, we can destroy / We can feel pain, we can feel joy / We can plant seeds and watch love grow / We can feel love ’cause it’s written in the human kind.” – Jazmin Lemus 

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Snarls

Snarls burst onto my radar with their debut LP ‘Burst’ in 2020… Obviously a lot of time has passed in between that early success and now, but the band have been releasing singles and an EP, and clearly prepping for the level up. They have been working with well respected producer Chris Walla (formerly of Death Cab), so I think we can expect that we do get that follow-up sophomore LP, it will fulfill the promise of their gem of a debut.  I’m extremely interested to see what tricks they have up their sleeve. – Henderson Cole

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Taylor Swift – Reputation (Taylor’s Version)

While Taylor Swift hasn’t confirmed the release of Reputation (Taylor’s Version), it’s probably right around the corner, if the “Easter eggs” haven’t been sprinkled around yet. She’s riding the high of her Eras Tour, with a second leg happening in 2024, released a film of the tour, and now is all over the NFL by way of dating Travis Kelce. She was the punchline of a joke at the Golden Globes, TIME’s Person of the Year, and has been racking up CO2 emissions with her private jet (Taylor, please let that thing collect some dust for a bit). I’d love for her to reimagine Reputation in a new way—give us a slowed-down version of “Call It What You Want” or “Getaway Car” with a Jack Antonoff feature. Until we get the re-release of Reputation, look back with our editors in our roundtable discussion of Taylor Swift. – Ryleigh Wann

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Trauma Ray

Trauma Ray kicked off this year by signing with Dais Records and soft announcing their debut LP for this year. Coming off their superlative split with fellow slow-gazers Downward last year which contained probably the two best Trauma Ray songs yet, and considering the progression they’ve made on each of their previous EPs, it’s hard to imagine anything besides a complete masterpiece for the Fort Worth band. – Zac Djamoos

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