As many of y’all know, I thoroughly enjoy pop culture, especially music and movies, like so much that I’ve watched The Substance twenty-three times already. I’m always sharing music reviews and hyping up songs on my Instagram page that I feel need to be heard. Music has always been the soundtrack of my life. I don’t listen to the radio and I make my own playlists, just like when we burnt CD’s on Napster and LimeWire. Each song I have in my rotation always serves as a reminder of what period of my life I was in, whether negative or positive. Like when I was depressed and new music came out, it saved me from going down really far into an unattractive, paralyzing rabbit hole. Now, it’s a different vibe hearing those same albums as a sober, happy and healthy guy.

As we approach the end of another year, it gives me such pleasure to hang out at Mile High Kava and concoct my annual list of the best albums of the year, in my opinion, but like also facts. If you really think about it, all critics are also forming their opinions too, as we are all human beings and critique things everyday. Wow Michael, this is to talk music, not your life. Well actually music is my life. Okay, so let’s go through my favorite and also well done albums of 2024, in no particular fashion.

C, XOXO – Camila Cabello

When I heard Camila Cabello’s debut album Camila, I became a fan of her immediately. I knew who she was from Fifth Harmony, but didn’t really engage with them like I did with Destiny’s Child, Danity Kane and TLC. Any event, Camila’s slick sounds, her lyrics and overall production on this album are absolutely fire, music to the ears type of music. Check out Dade County Dreaming and He Knows. Pop gold.

Ohio Players – The Black Keys

The Black Keys have been a force of nature in the alternative rock genre for decades now and continue to sell out shows across the globe. On Ohio Players, The Keys showcase a new, sharper sound and as always, incredible guitar and drum playing throughout the entire eighteen track record. This is the perfect album to listen to during a road trip, a long weekend in the mountains, in the car or just relaxing at home. I have been a fan of The Black Keys since their 2014 album, Turn Blue. I would like to see them in concert soon. Their music has uplifted and given life to so many listeners around the globe, including me. They are just so rad. Check out the song Don’t Let Me Go.

143 – Katy Perry

Katy has received a bad rep over the past seven years as she did not produce or make that great of music, nothing even close to the brilliant and super successful Teenage Dream album in 2010. With many flops from an artist, of course the fans and even die hards will lose interest and forget about them. Katy is very talented though and holds many honorable records for her music, especially earlier in her career. On 143, Katy shines brighter than ever, with sleazy, club-thumping beats with features from JID, Doechii and 21 Savage. An entire dance fest throughout and Katy is at her most confident and vulnerable self to date.

Alligator Bites Never Heal – Doechii

Doechii truly busted out onto the music scene when she was featured on Katy Perry’s album above, 143. I’m His, He’s Mine is a catchy, sexy song in which Katy and Doechii absolute crush their verses. On Doechii’s debut album, Alligator Bites Never Heal, it’s clear she’s ready for the big leagues with her constant, stellar rap skills and a no bullshit type of mentality. The production on this album is absolute fire, with almost every song containing a slick, good beat and outstanding lyrics. Be on the lookout for Doechii next year as I feel she has a lot of potential to be up there with greats like Nicki Minaj and Megan Thee Stallion.

F-1 Trillion – Post Malone

Seeing how all of our most famous pop stars decided to give country a shot in 2024, why wouldn’t Post Malone? He’s a Dallas boy and a huge Dallas Cowboy’s fan. Also, he is the only one that managed to hit a home run with the genre change; sorry Beyoncé. The fact she is even nominated for album of the year at The 2025 Grammy’s is beyond baffling. Posty however, knocks it out of the park. With features from Tim McGraw, Morgan Wallen, Blake Shelton and Luke Combs, how could he possibly fail at his attempt at country? Spoiler alert, he isn’t even remotely close to missing the mark. This album is one of my favorite country albums of all time and shows us even more just how talented Post Malone is.

eternal sunshine – Ariana Grande

Trying really hard not to be biased as all of y ‘all know I am a huge fan of Ariana Grande’s music, more specifically her thank u, next album (2019) that changed my life, helped me through some dark shit and overall was the soundtrack to my life for at least two years straight. It would be safe to assume that I really, really dig her and her music, and brilliant production, too. It’s constantly on almost every playlist I make and hits in different ways each listen. Her (2024) album, eternal sunshine, is not quite the masterpiece that is thank u, next, but eternal sunshine still reigns supreme in one of the best pop albums of the early part of this year. Some good jams and awesome production lingers throughout, while her voice on slower songs like imperfect for you, true story and ordinary things is impeccable. The song eternal sunshine is a bona fide banger and gets better each time I am blasting it in the car.

Short n’ Sweet – Sabrina Carpenter

I honestly didn’t even know who Sabrina Carpenter was until her super sexy song Espresso was played to death all summer long. It was a song that I was annoyed by at first mostly because I don’t normally like love the shit they play on the radio. Who even listens to the radio anymore? Anyway, Sabrina’s debut like new album is catchy, written well and produced impeccably. She’s very sexual in a classy way as she’s so detailed in the way she paints a picture for anyone who listens to her music, especially sexual situations and sexual innuendos. I hope she goes far as I think she’s super talented. Is she going to win album of the year at the 2025 Grammy’s? No, but to be included is its own accomplishment, hands down.

Full Bloom – 311

311 graced us with their first album in five years and the guys still have it. Blended sounds of pop-rock, alternative pop and funk are heard throughout. On Full Bloom, Nick Hexum and the gang give us some of the best music from 311 in awhile. 311 has been a favorite band of mine since the mid 2000’s and continue to blow me away on how they can re-create new types of music with every album they release. I can’t wait to see them live again next year at Red Rocks.