Robert Christgau: Dean of American Rock Critics

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This was originally published as free content, in Robert Christgau's And It Don't Stop newsletter. You can have Christgau's posts delivered to your mailbox if you subscribe.

Dean's List: 2024

The 74 best albums of the past year (or so)

Introduction moved here

Expand reviews

  1. Louis Armstrong: Louis in London (Verve)
  2. Wussy: Cincinnati Ohio (Shake It)
  3. Phelimuncasi & Metal Preyers: Izigqinamba (Nyege Nyege Tapes)
  4. Adrianne Lenker: Bright Future (4AD)
  5. Eminem: The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce) (Aftermath/Interscope)
  6. Buck 65: Punk Rock B-Boy (self-released '23)
  7. Tucker Zimmerman & Friends: Tucker Zimmerman & Friends Play Dance of Love (4AD)
  8. Kampire Presents: A Dancefloor in Ndola (Strut)
  9. Chappell Roan: The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess (Island '23)
  10. Previous Industries: Service Merchandise (Merge)
  11. Charli XCX: Brat (Atlantic)
  12. Doechii: Alligator Bites Never Heal (TDE/Capitol)
  13. Buck 65, Doseone, Jel: North American Adonis (Handsmade '23)
  14. Fake Fruit: Mucho Mistrust (Carpark)
  15. Billie Eilish: Hit Me Hard and Soft (Darkroom/Interscope)
  16. Beyoncé: Cowboy Carter (Parkwood/Columbia)
  17. Jason Moran: From the Dancehall to the Battlefield (Yes '23)
  18. Rosie Tucker: Utopia Now! (Sentimental)
  19. Heems/Lapgan: Lafandar (Veena Sounds)
  20. Unholy Modal Rounders: Unholier Than Thou 7/7/77 (Don Giovanni)
  21. Fred Again..: 10 Days (Atlantic)
  22. Laurie Anderson: Amelia (Nonesuch)
  23. Tierra Whack: World Wide Whack (Interscope)
  24. Kendrick Lamar: GNX (pgLang/Interscope)
  25. Carly Pearce: Hummingbird (Big Machine)
  26. Jon Langford & the Men of Gwent: Lost on Land & Sea (Country Mile '23)
  27. Miranda Lambert: Postcards From Texas (Republic/Big Loud/Vanner)
  28. The Paranoid Style: The Paranoid Style Presents: The Interrogator (Bar/None)
  29. Bad Moves: Wearing Out the Refrain (Don Giovanni)
  30. Vampire Weekend: Only God Was Above Us (Columbia)
  31. Wimps: City Lights (Youth Riot '23)
  32. África Negra: Antologia Vol. 2 (Bongo Joe)
  33. Azuka Moweta & Aniome Brothers Band: Nwanne Bu Ife (Palenque '23)
  34. Chris Smither: All About the Bones (Signature Sounds)
  35. Jon Langford & the Men of Gwent: The Legend of LL (Country Mile '15)
  36. Kathryn Williams & Withered Hand: Willson Williams (One Little Independent)
  37. Jamila Woods: Water Made Us (Jagjaguwar '23)
  38. Jon Langford: Gubbins (self-released '23)
  39. M.J. Lenderman: Manning Fireworks (Anti-)
  40. David Murray: Francesca (Intakt)
  41. Guy Davis: Be Ready When I Call You (M.C. '21)
  42. Les Amazones d'Afrique: Musow Danse (RealWorld)
  43. Margaret Glaspy: Echo the Diamond (ATO '23)
  44. LL Cool J: The Force (Def Jam/Virgin/LL Cool J)
  45. Dolly Parton: Rockstar (Butterfly/Big Machine '23)
  46. Ren: Sick Boi (The Other Songs '23)
  47. Jack Harlow: Jackman (Atlantic '23)
  48. Rail Band: Buffet Hotel de la Gare (Mississippi)
  49. Megan Moroney: Am I Okay? (Columbia Nashville)
  50. Morgan Wade: Obsessed (RCA)
  51. Sonic Youth: Walls Have Ears (Goofin')
  52. El Michels Affair & Black Thought: Glorious Game (Big Crown '23)
  53. Regina Spektor: Home, Before and After (Sire '22)
  54. Charlotte Adigéry and Bolis Pupul: Topical Dancer (DeeWee '22)
  55. Waxahatchee: Tigers Blood (Anti-)
  56. Kim Gordon: The Collective (Matador)
  57. Old 97's: American Primitive (ATO)
  58. Guy Davis: The Legend of Sugarbelly (M.C.)
  59. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit: Weathervanes (Southeastern '23)
  60. Zach Bryan: The Great American Bar Scene (Warner)
  61. Serengeti: KDIV (Othar)
  62. Robert Finley: Black Bayou (Easy Eye Sound '23)
  63. Thomas Anderson: Hello, I'm From the Future (Out There)
  64. The Cucumbers: Old Shoes (self-released '23)
  65. Hinds: Viva Hinds (Lucky175)
  66. Swamp Dogg: Blackgrass: From West Virginia to 125th Street (Oh Boy)
  67. Rosali: Bite Down (Merge)
  68. Millie Jackson: On the Soul Country Side (Kent '14)
  69. Yard Act: Where's My Utopia? (Island)
  70. Fox Green: Light Over Darkness (self-released)
  71. Ciara Grace: Write It Down (self-released)
  72. Okuté: Okuté (Chulo '21)
  73. Bill Orcutt: Music for Four Guitars (Palilalia '22)
  74. MC5: Heavy Lifting (Ear Music)

And It Don't Stop, Feb. 3, 2025


2023 Essay | --