Short n’ Sweet – Sabrina Carpenter

Sabrina Carpenter is this year’s pop princess. The petite, blonde bombshell has taken the world by storm with her playful humour, cheeky lyrics, and of course, her platform shoes.

But her latest album, Short n’ Sweet is unapologetically Sabrina, and carefully weaves humour, feelings, and pleasure throughout.

The album promotes songs that are feminine, mischievous, and emotional, offering something for everyone. So whilst it may have a short run time at just 36 minutes long, but it is the type of record that feels sweeter with each and every listen. 

Prelude to Ecstacy – The Last Dinner Party

The Last Dinner Party’s highly anticipated debut album was destined to be anything but timid, and Prelude to Ecstasy proved exactly that. Released in February, this huge release took listeners on a theatrical journey – in keeping with the band’s vintage coquette style.

Tracks like Burn Alive and Caesar on a TV Screen blend literary and historical references, while The Feminine Urge addresses generational trauma with poignant lyrics. Other songs, such as My Lady of Mercy, delve into queer identity and the complexities of Catholic upbringing, while Sinner reflects on the experience of navigating personal and societal shame. It was this release which established The Last Dinner Party as a rising force in the alternative rock scene

brat – Charli XCX

Charli XCX’s album BRAT, released in June, marked an intense, genre-bending exploration of pop with a hard edge, melding gritty and emotional themes of fame, isolation, and authenticity. Known for her experimental approach, Charli crafted BRAT to be sonically bold, drawing from hyperpop, punk, and electronic music, while delving into personal and societal challenges of the music industry and public life.

The album inspired a whole cultural movement, with millions aspiring to have their very own Brat Summer, and the latest edition of the release featured a host of huge names including The 1975, Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, Troye Sivan, and many more.

Hit Me Hard and Soft – Billie Eilish

Billie Eilish’s latest album, Hit Me Hard and Soft, has quickly climbed the charts since its release on May 17, 2024. All ten tracks from the album debuted on the Billboard Hot 100, marking an impressive milestone, with the single LUNCH reaching #5, making it her highest-debuting track so far. The album itself entered the charts at #2, before rising into the top spot a few weeks later.

Billie and Finneas, her brother and main collaborator/producer, wrote, recorded and produced the album at his house throughout 2023. The release weaved themes of self-discovery, emotional turbulence, and queer identity, with tracks like Blue reflecting on toxic relationships and Lunch subtly celebrating her first same-sex romance.

The Tortured Poets Department – Taylor Swift

The Tortured Poets Department, Taylor Swift’s 2024 release, reflects her exploration of emotional vulnerability and intense relationships. The album, released as a double edition, features 31 songs: 16 on the standard release and an additional 15 on the extended “Anthology” edition.

Collaborations with artists like Post Malone and Florence Welch add unique layers to the album’s storytelling, which critics describe as some of Swift’s most introspective yet. Commercially, The Tortured Poets Department debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 and has been praised for its literary references, with Swift channelling the archetype of the “tortured poet” in a playful yet powerful manner.

Vertigo – Griff

Vertigo by Griff, released in 2024, marked the British pop artist’s long-awaited debut album, balancing contemporary pop elements with a touch of indie sensibility.

Divided into three volumes, songs such as Astronaut brought out the theme of seeking space in relationships, while Tears for Fun captured heartbreak with a powerful pop edge, and Cycles, influenced by Mura Masa, delivered electronic textures that complement her signature melancholic style.

Commercially, Vertigo continued Griff’s steady rise in the pop music scene, producing a nuanced experience that resonated well with listeners and critics alike.