Music Year-End Lists ⇥ albumoftheyear.org

The end of the year is an exciting time because, try as I might, I cannot possibly listen to all the records released in a year. That means I miss a whole bunch of terrific albums until they are mentioned in some year-end roundup. These are some of my favourites:

• The main link on this post goes to Album of the Year and its aggregate roundup of critics’ picks. You already know which album is number one.

• The Quietus published its quirky-as-usual list earlier this month. There are also several genre-specific lists. Their picks are sometimes hard to like, but never boring.

• Gramophone last week posted its picks for the best classical albums of the year. It is a big list and, even skimming it, I think there is something in there for just about everyone.

• Anthony Fantano has begun List Week with some honourable mentions and his favourite EPs of the year. New videos daily with the best — and worst — the year had to offer.

I am sure there are terrific records that do not appear on any of these lists, just as I am sure there are album rankings you reference instead. If there is one you think I would like, please let me know. So far, these are the lists I prefer to help me find great albums I missed in 2024.