As 2024 comes to an end, it’s clear this year has been exciting for music listeners all around. From Billie Eilish and Tyler, The Creator to Sabrina Carpenter and Noah Kahan, artists have dropped albums that skyrocketed in popularity, grabbing the internet’s attention. Anticipation grew with teasers before release dates, opinions grew as songs debuted, and the excitement continued as more albums entered the scene. For many, music has been a form of self-expression, and students at Cass are no different as they’ve been eagerly waiting for each and every released date to come.
Music often shows mixed reactions, with opinions ranging from excitement to criticism. A senior at Cass High School, Zoey Cheney shared her thoughts, stating, “Sabrina Carpenter’s album was overrated in my opinion, but Megan Moroney and Billie [Eilish]’s albums have so much emotion with the songs that they write.” In today’s culture, sharing opinions is a given, and artists putting all of their feelings into music often earn fans’ respect and love. Listeners either connect deeply with the lyrics or admire the artists’ vulnerability.
This year’s album releases sparked a frenzy on social media. From TikTok to Instagram, music fans pieced apart every detail: the album themes, song arrangements, and standout tracks, their bonuses, etc. Videos that analyze the albums receive millions of views, likes, and shares. One release that stood out specifically was Tyler, The Creator’s highly anticipated Chromokopia. On October 17th, Tyler announced his eighth studio album—a surprise, given that his statement earlier this year that no new music was in the making. On top of that, he dropped the album very soon after announcing it. He released the single ‘Noid’ very soon after releasing his album date. Not even a week later, his vinyl and tour dates for a world tour were released.
The announcement set the music world insane. Since releasing his debut album in 2009, Tyler has acquired a massive following, with nearly 18 billion streams across platforms. Even though his fanbase is rightfully earned, many have said that this album was not going to be good due to the lack of time put into it. That said, he has been working on the album for a year, but he just kept it a secret so he could work on this very sentimental album. Freshman at Cass High, Jacob Linehart described Chromokopia as “very emotional,” with tracks like “Like Him”, which explores the pain of an absent father figure, and other songs that delve into societal paranoia. Tyler’s unfiltered lyricism continues to connect with listeners worldwide.
Tyler’s bold and direct approach has kept his reputation as one of the most compelling artists of his generation. Sabrina Carpenter’s’ Short N Sweet’ was an amazing addition to pop culture, and is a high contestor of album of the year. Billie Elish’s “Hit Me Hard and Soft” had a lot of different emotions in it, but connected her to her fans. These three albums were essential to the music culture this year.
But, as this year’s albums wrap up, they serve as a powerful way for music to connect others and pursue thought and emotion. With 2024 almost over, fans are already looking ahead to what’s next, but it’s clear this year’s musical impacts will stay around for years forward.