Social Picks: Discogs Community’s Favorite Albums of 2024 So Far

Dig into the community’s favorite records from the first half of 2024, featuring releases from The Smile, Taylor Swift, Shellac, and more.

Discogs asked social media followers on Instagram and Facebook what their favorite albums of 2024 were so far. People shared everything from indie rock to experimental trap and jazz. After an album was shared in a comment, other fans of that record showed support by “liking” it. The albums with the most “likes” were compiled in a list here.

Explore the best-selling records of the year so far below.

Wall Of Eyes

The Smile

2024

The Smile‘s sophomore record avoided the slump with a collection of more subdued and lush tracks than its predecessor, A Light For Attracting Attention. Wall of Eyes is a slow burn packed with texture and complex atmospheres. The Radiohead side project, comprised of Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, and Tom Skinner, is officially morphing into a star of its own.

Wall Of Eyes

The Smile

2024

Rock, Alternative Rock, Avantgarde

Vinyl

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Lives Outgrown

Beth Gibbons

2024

In one of the best surprises of the year, Beth Gibbons stepped out of the shadows and released her debut solo record. Lives Outgrown is a light, expansive record fit for Portishead fans and new listeners alike. Her ability to build an atmosphere in a single song hasn’t diminished at all.

Lives Outgrown

Beth Gibbons

2024

Rock, Alternative Rock, Indie Rock

Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo

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TANGK

Idles

2024

On TANGK, Idles responds to calls that they had become stale with a stark left-hook. The Bristol punks have smoothed out the distorted edges and vocalist Joe Talbot backs off the in-your-face aggression. Gone are the chest-beating cries against toxic masculinity and classicism heard on Brutalism through Crawler. The softer, foot-tapping love songs and broader instrumentals have arrived.

Tangk

Idles

2024

Rock, Post-Punk

Vinyl

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Tigers Blood

Waxahatchee

2024

When Waxahatchee released Saint Cloud in 2020, much of the indie rock world listened. The breakthrough album saw her running toward sobriety and away from unhealthy habits and her emo-adjacent work. Tigers Blood is like an epilogue where the listeners get the chance to see how she’s been since. It expands on the hopeful sentiments, the slight country twang remains, and the songs sound more timeless and mature than before.

Tigers Blood

Waxahatchee

2024

Rock, Folk, World, & Country, Indie Rock

Vinyl, LP, Album, Limited Edition

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Only God Was Above Us

Vampire Weekend

2024

On Only God Was Above Us, Vampire Weekend‘s first record since 2019’s Father of the Bride, the group eschew the short, twee songs that they’re known for in exchange for lengthier, knottier tracks. Fittingly, the record closes with the group’s longest track yet, “Hope.” Here, lead singer/guitarist Ezra Koenig pleads for the listener to make peace with a chaotic world, let go, and evolve.