The Best Country Albums of 2024
The Best Country Albums of 2024
2024 was an unforgettable year for country music, showcasing a blend of rising stars and established legends who delivered some of the most memorable albums to date. From heartfelt ballads to boot-stomping anthems, this list celebrates standout projects that defined the genre over the past year. Here’s a look at the best country albums of 2024, in no particular order:
Zach Top – Cold Beer & Country Music
Zach Top’s debut album brought a ’90s country vibe with a modern twist. Tracks like “Sounds Like The Radio” and fan-favorite “I Never Lie” showcased his knack for clever songwriting and traditional melodies. With fiddles, steel guitars, and banjo plucks, this album is a must-listen for fans craving a classic country sound.
ERNEST – NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE
This 26-track love letter to Music City blends authenticity and collaboration. Featuring standout tracks like “Would If I Could” with Lainey Wilson and “I Went To College/I Went To Jail” with Jelly Roll, ERNEST celebrates the songwriters and stars that define country music while proving his versatility as a dynamic artist.
Kameron Marlowe – Keepin’ The Lights On
Kameron Marlowe’s sophomore album is a powerful 16-track collection that delves into mental health, love, and self-reflection. From the honky-tonk anthem “911” to the emotional “Never Really Know,” this album solidifies Marlowe’s place as a vocal powerhouse and masterful storyteller.
Kenny Chesney – BORN
Kenny Chesney’s BORN delivers 12 tracks that celebrate life’s highs and lows with his signature coastal-country sound. “Take Her Home” became a chart-topping hit, but heartfelt songs like “Just To Say We Did” ensure this album keeps summer alive all year long.
Scotty McCreery – Rise & Fall
Scotty McCreery’s fifth studio album offers a nostalgic yet modern twist on country. Songs like “Fall of Summer” and “Cab In A Solo” highlight his authentic storytelling and tender love ballads, making this project one of his best to date.
Luke Combs – Fathers & Sons
Luke Combs delivers an emotional masterpiece with Fathers & Sons, exploring themes of family bonds, love, and loss. Tracks like “Parents Know Best” and “Reunion” bring heartfelt stories to life, making this album a touching addition to Combs’ stellar career.
Lainey Wilson – Whirlwind
Lainey Wilson’s Whirlwind captures perseverance, heartbreak, and love through 14 beautifully written tracks. Fan favorites include “Country’s Cool Again” and the groovy “Hang Tight Honey,” with the Miranda Lambert duet “Good Horses” adding a special touch.
Jelly Roll – Backroad Confessions
Jelly Roll’s raw honesty shines through on Backroad Confessions. Blending country with rock influences, songs like “Down in the Dirt” and “Whiskey Woes” tackle themes of redemption and resilience.
Carly Pearce – Wishful Thinking
Carly Pearce returns with a deeply personal album that balances vulnerability and empowerment. Tracks like “Mirror Mirror” and “Tennessee Love Song” showcase her growth as both a singer and songwriter.
Ella Langley – Hungover
Ella Langley’s career skyrocketed in 2024, thanks to her platinum hit with Riley Green, “You Look Like You Love Me.” The track, which earned over 186M streams and secured her first No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, made Langley the first female artist this year to top the chart. Riding the wave of success, she released her debut album, Hungover, on August 2nd.
Post Malone – F-1 Trillion
Post Malone’s debut country album, F-1 Trillion, released in August, features 18 tracks packed with collaborations alongside country legends like Dolly Parton and Tim McGraw, as well as rising stars like Jelly Roll and Lainey Wilson, plus an extended version with nine solo tracks that showcase his genre-bending storytelling.
Shaboozey – Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going
The Best Country Albums of 2024 was originally published on hankfm.com
