There are years for good music, and then there are years like 2024. At one point, it felt like every single pop diva around was releasing a new album (sometimes within just a few weeks of each other, making for some fierce chart battles) – and we loved every second of it. We’ve seen powerhouses like Taylor Swift, Kylie Minogue, SOPHIE, Charli XCX and Kacey Musgraves all drop new music, making us fear for the drought we are about to experience in 2025 (come through and save us Mother Monster). But in the meantime, let’s revisit some of the most iconic records released by the biggest LGBTQ+ icons and allies this year.
Tension II by Kylie Minogue
Is there a word stronger than mother? Kylie Minogue has been in the industry longer than most of our favs and she’s yet to let the gays down. Tension II is an album many artists would spend a lifetime trying to make, but for Kylie, it’s just another day at the office. The endless bops combined with her massive tour announcement had us all feral, and for that we say thank you, Kylie.
Crash by Kehlani
Kehlani’s first album since Blue Water Road saw the star get more personal than ever, with airy guitar pop at the core of Crash. The record sees them dive into a number of genres, all while tackling themes of love, loss and life.
God Said No by Omar Apollo
With song titles such as Done with You, Life’s Unfair and Against Me, it came as no surprise that Omar Apollo’s newest album was inspired by a breakup. Met with critical acclaim, God Said No shows Apollo at perhaps his most introspective.
THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT by Taylor Swift
Just when the world thought Reputation (Taylor’s Version) was imminent, Taylor Swift gagged the globe with THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT. It quickly became 2024’s biggest album, spending 17 weeks at #1 in the US alone. It helped solidify Taylor’s legacy as one of the biggest artists of all time.
Wicked: The Soundtrack by Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo
Ariana Grande singing Popular? Cynthia Erivo belting I’m Not That Girl? Jonathan Bailey on a collab with the two? Wicked sent shockwaves that went far beyond the queers, but it’s safe to say that the soundtrack felt especially made with us in mind. Is it too soon to call it the greatest movie soundtrack ever?
SOPHIE by SOPHIE
Released posthumously, SOPHIE’s second and final album was met with the critical acclaim it deserves. The self-titled masterpiece was praised for honouring the late Trans icon’s legacy and has been declared 2024’s best album by Rough Trade.
Short n’ Sweet by Sabrina Carpenter
In many ways, 2024 was the year of Sabrina Carpenter. At one point it felt like you couldn’t go more than 30 seconds at a time without hearing either Espresso, Please Please Please or Taste – but who says that’s a bad thing?! Sabrina’s latest record was a triumph full of nothing but gleaming pop perfection.
What a Devastating Turn of Events by Rachel Chinouriri
Rachel Chinouriri’s debut album proved that she’s a force to be reckoned with in the music industry. The heart-wrenching songs explore themes that deeply resonate with Queer fans. Love? Check. Trauma? Check? Committed to calling out injustice? Check!
Deeper Well by Kacey Musgraves
As one of the LGBTQ+ community’s fiercest allies in country music, Kacey Musgraves has always kept us fed – and Deeper Well is no exception. Full of acoustic tracks about love, loss and hope for the future, the album is the perfect addition to a rainy day at home.
Chromakopia by Tyler, the Creator
Tyler, the Creator is an artist who rarely does anything by the book, which the short and rapid rollout of his newest record is a reminder of. The record explores what his life was like growing up in Los Angeles, and may be his most personal yet.
HIT ME HARD AND SOFT by Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish’s third studio album took the queers by storm this year, not least because it featured the LGBTQ+ anthem Lunch. HIT ME HARD AND SOFT is one of the top contenders for Album of the Year at next year’s Grammy Awards, and helped solidify the star as one of the community’s biggest icons of our lifetime.
9 Sad Symphonies by Kate Nash
Kate Nash returned to music with a bang this year, dropping her first new album since 2018 in the form of 9 Sad Symphonies. The album sees the star explore a new sound as she tackles themes of isolation, mental health and romance, all complete with her signature style of conversational lyricism that fans have come to know and love.
brat by Charli XCX
This hear, it was impossible to go to any LGBTQ+ venue without hearing a song from brat. Charli XCX had the girls, gays and theys captivated from the second that infamous green artwork landed online. It will undoubtedly go down as not only her biggest record to date, but also a masterclass in how to do an album rollout.
Transa by Red Hot Organisation
Spotlighting the most daring and imaginative Trans+ artists today, Transa is a compilation record that – to be frank – did not get the attention it deserves. At its core, it’s a positive celebration of the community that looks towards a brighter future for us all, complete with contributions from the likes of Sam Smith, Beverly Glenn-Copeland and Sade.
