Only two months into 2024, numerous artists such as Green Day, Declan Mckenna, 21 Savage and more have released hit records; however, this is just the beginning.
Throughout history, the decades have been differentiated by their distinct musical sounds (i.e. 70s disco, 80s rock, 90s hip-hop, etc.). Now that we are well into the 2020s, it is safe to say that music is more diverse than ever. With the broad range of musical advancements we have seen in the past decade, a multitude of genres are accessible to audiences everywhere.
In the past few months, a variety of the world’s biggest artists have announced new projects, along with others’ rumored returns to the industry, which could make this a year to remember.
There is no doubt that certain years in the 21st century have stood out amongst the others when it comes to the music that came from them; my favorite in particular being 2017. A defining year in the music industry, resulting in all new angles of musical influence that artists still draw inspiration from today. Albums such as Lorde’s “Melodrama,” SZA’s “Ctrl,” Kendrick Lamar’s “Damn.” and Drake’s “More Life,” are all cult classics that changed the course of music’s history.
If there is one thing that is for sure, it is that 2024 is the year of comebacks. After the COVID-19 pandemic, many artists were hindered from releasing new music, while others were motivated to release more than ever.
March
Beginning in March, Ariana Grande returns with her seventh studio album, “Eternal Sunshine.” Grande’s latest album “Positions,” released in 2020, received critical acclaim; however, due to her busy schedule filming the 2024 and 2025 two-part film “Wicked,” her music career was put on pause. On Jan. 7 of this year, Grande announced her comeback single “yes, and?,” followed by an album announcement later that month. Grande took to Instagram to share a clip of various producers’ reactions to the project, described as “brilliant” and “an elevated version of all the albums that you did before like ‘Sweetener’ meets kind of ‘Thank U, Next’,” said the various label members. There will not be any more singles before the album’s release on March 8.
Other projects set for March releases include Kacey Musgraves’ “Deeper Well,” which was announced during this year’s Grammys ceremony. Musgraves returns to the music scene on March 15, and her first single of the album’s title is out now. On the same day, Justin Timberlake releases his first album since 2018, titled “Everything I Thought I Was,” including the single “Selfish.” This marks Timberlake’s sixth album as a stand-alone artist.
The end of March also brings Beyoncé’s “Renaissance Act II,” which was announced during the Super Bowl in a Verizon ad, along with the project’s first two singles “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages.” Beyoncé’s first entirely country album will be released on March 29, as a sequel to her critically acclaimed “Renaissance,” which took home the Grammy for “Best Dance/Electronic Album.” Serving as the second body of a trilogy of albums, it is rumored that the global superstar will once again embark on a world tour for the record.
April
So far, April only has a few set releases; however, the star-studded lineup is surely one to look forward to. Starting April 5, both Conan Gray and Lizzy Mcalpine will each release their third full-length albums. Gray’s “Found Heaven” has been preceded by four singles, all encapsulating 80s synth energy. “Older,” by Mcalpine, is the first album from the star since her skyrocketing in popularity. After the heartwrenching single of the same name, “Older” is sure to break hearts worldwide.
Another doubleheader will occur on April 12, with both Maggie Rogers and Girl in Red having projects set for release. “Don’t Forget Me” and “I’m Doing it Again Baby!” both have lead singles on the Spotify charts. After opening for Taylor Swift at select shows of “The Eras Tour,” new fans across the country are ecstatic about what is to come from Girl in Red.
Wrapping up April is, of course, Taylor Swift’s “The Tortured Poet’s Department.” Swift’s 11th studio album will be released on April 19, including collaborations with Florence & the Machine and Post Malone. Swift announced the album when accepting the “Best Pop Vocal Album” Grammy Award for her preceding album “Midnights,” which also took home “Album of the Year.” While on her record-breaking world tour, and in the midst of releasing rerecordings, it seems as if the demand for new Swift music is higher than ever, even 18 years into her career. It is unclear if there will be any singles prior to the album’s release, as there were none before “Midnights.”
Confirmed 2024 Releases
Along with the numerous titles with set release dates, there have been multiple confirmed releases directly from the artists themselves. Ice Spice and Normani’s debut albums, “Y2K” and “Dopamine,” are releasing this year, with no set dates for either. SZA has also announced “LANA,” which was originally going to act as a deluxe to her hit album “SOS;” however, she has since revealed that the project will be its own album. Other A-list artists that have confirmed albums coming this year include Billie Eilish, Chance the Rapper, Charli XCX, Dua Lipa and Playboi Carti.
Rumored 2024 Releases
While 2024 is already overwhelming with the number of major artists releasing projects, we are only two months in. Many artists are still rumored to release some of the most anticipated albums of the 2020s so far.
Although this comes with every year, 2024 may be the year Rihanna finally announces a new album. Having been eight years since “Anti,” Rihanna’s comeback will be one for the books. Along with Rihanna, Frank Ocean has also not been active in the music scene since 2016. His latest album “Blonde,” was critically acclaimed and deemed an instant classic. Although he has not made any official announcements, Ocean’s headlining of Coachella has led fans to speculate a return to the music industry.
Other artists rumored to release this year include Katy Perry, Lorde and Selena Gomez.
