#IMPresents: The Best of Q2 2024

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So the second part of the year has concluded, and summer is in full swing. We’ve had plenty of great music in that time to soothe the soul, dance all night too, or even take apart your favourite rapper. Our writers have come together to discuss their fave singles and albums of the last few months. Whether you like your hip-hop chilled or your pop loud and blaring, there will be something here for you.

Santiago Abad

Best Album: St. Vincent – All Born Screaming

‘All Born Screaming‘ marries industrial rock and electronic elements with piano ballads and dynamic rock breakdowns. It culminates in an album that is an absolute riot. The album transitions between various genres effortlessly, with individual tracks navigating diverse soundscapes. ‘Violent Times‘ evokes the ambiance of a Bond film. Meanwhile, ‘Big Time Nothing‘ commences as a heavy electronic industrial track before the chorus is drenched in funk-infused guitar riffs and bass. She collaborates with esteemed musicians such as Cate Le Bon, Dave Grohl, Josh Freese, Rachel Eckroth, Mark Guiliana, Justin Meldal-Johnsen, Stella Mozgawa, and David Ralicke. Clark demonstrates her prowess as a producer by subtly integrating their contributions. 

Best Song: Billie Eilish – CHIHIRO

The bass line in ‘CHIHIRO‘ was enough for me to fall in love with this track. Then, as the song progresses, and the lyrics ebb and flow with the sound design, I was completely enraptured with it. The references to Studio Ghibli’s acclaimed film are also a standout since Billie wrote the lyrics as a parallel of Chihiro’s journey and her own. Finneas‘ production here is one of my favourites ever. The production feels dreamlike, the synthesizers otherworldly. It sounds like nothing Billie has done before, yet it feels exactly like her.

Kloe Paton

Best Album: Vince Staples – Dark Times

Masterful in making catchy yet thought-provoking music, Vince Staples has done it again. Unflinchingly honest; personal; reflective; ‘Dark Times‘ has soundtracked my summer so far. If you listen to rap for bars and deeper meaning, you’ll like this project. If you listen to rap for the vibes and energy, you’ll also like this project. ‘Little Homies‘, ‘Étouffée‘, and lead single ‘Shame On The Devil‘ are in heavy rotation in what feels like a summer of LA rap dominance. 

Best Single: Rapsody FT. Erykah Badu – 3:AM

What’s sweeter than one smooth-talking, truth-seeking lyrical goddess? Two! Rapsody dials up her trademark lyrical prowess into one of the best love songs of recent times. Neo-soul legend Erykah Badu keeps the hook light and simple on top of layered production, with horns fit for the ultimate modern-day love jam.

Peter Wellman

Best Album: Charlotte Day Wilson – Cyan Blue

Charlotte Day Wilson is a known unknown within music. She’s been on many projects, from KAYTRANADA, Tom Misch; and graces a few BADBADNOTGOOD tracks. A multi-talented singer/songwriter and producer, the Canadian-born Charlotte Day Wilson has a sombre and soulful voice. It makes any song quiver with energy. It’s good lying on the floor and thinking about the universe, staring at the ceiling until your lover returns from getting mozzarella. It’s a breakup album; a lonely project that weaves longing through its songs. Here, it’s like each track was made staring out the window, waiting for the smack of a boot on the pavement to a beat that you could recognise in your sleep. 

‘Cyan Blue‘ has some interesting choices. The soundscape of ‘Over The Rainbow‘ includes a babble of laughing children that then transitions into ‘Kiss & Tell‘, a downtempo ballad. Considering how much Charlotte is featured on other people’s albums, this only features the vocals of Snoh Aalegra. It’s bluesy and overall a fun album. Listen to it, then listen to ‘I Can Only Whisper‘ from her last album and go and dance in the rain somewhere.

Best Song: KAYTRANADA FT PinkPantheress – Snap My Fingers

What happens when you stick two of the most influential and talented producers onto a dance track? Well, this song. It’s light, airy, and fun. This is all the things you would expect from a PinkPantheress track but with the exacting style of KAYTRANADA. Its synths are fun, along with the thumping kick that provides a spine to this song. KAYTRANADA produces some of the tightest dance tracks. As a master of features, he knows how to build a track with who he collaborates with on it. For instance in the song ‘Still‘, his collaborator features as my best album pick.

Thomas Atkinson

Best Album: Charli xcx – BRAT

Charli xcx has been one of the most creative and influential pop artists of the last decade since the release of ‘Vroom Vroom‘. Now, with her sixth LP, she has released her magnum opus, backing catchy pop goodness with personal tales of loss and self-doubt. With production from the likes of A.G. Cook, George Daniel, and Hudson Mohawke, you have some of the most creative mixtures of dance and pop music out there.

The variety on offer gives you the anthem that is ‘360‘, the club slammer that is appropriately titled ‘Club Classics‘, or even the fitting tribute of ‘So I‘. Following Charli’s evolution as a pop artist has been an interesting ride, and despite all the bangers, this is her best work yet.

Best Song: Kendrick Lamar – Meet The Grahams

The recent back-and-forth between Drake and Kendrick Lamar has been one of the most exciting and publicised moments in hip-hop in recent times. Between ‘Euphoria‘, ‘Not Like Us‘, and this track you have plenty to choose from, but ‘Meet The Grahams‘ is my personal fave. The song is ruthless and chilling, as all good diss tracks should be. To be frank, it is a complete character assassination of the Canadian rapper.

The chilling piano beat from The Alchemist, alongside Kendrick’s cold-hearted delivery, makes each line hit, as he addresses each member of the Grahams. Whether addressing serious allegations or that Drake’s dad should have worn protection, the lines are brutal. This track keeps your attention from start to finish, and while some may feel uncomfortable, this is an excellent diss record.

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