by Jacques Wang
2024 – What a year it has been for country music! With a growing interest and fanbase, country music has undoubtedly become one of the most popular music genres of 2024. This wouldn’t’ve been possible without the tons of amazing projects that came out this year. With 2024 coming to an end, I figured I would rank down my 10 favorite and best country albums of the year.
Side note: I am only counting full albums, so there are no extended plays (EPs). I am also only counting individual works, so there are no compilation albums, like the Twisters movie soundtrack.
10. NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – Ernest
Let’s start with what I believe is the most microcosmic album of the year: NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE by Ernest. After spending years as a songwriter for countless Nashville A-listers, Ernest’s singing career exploded in 2021 when he released “Flower Shops” with country-pop superstar and close friend Morgan Wallen. Since then, Ernest has created his own separate musical identity, and his new album proves it.
Born and raised in the music city, Ernest has been exposed to many musical influences throughout his life. What makes NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE stand out is how old-school most of the songs sound. His song “Why Dallas”, which features Lukas Nelson (son of the legendary Willie Nelson), has a Western swing and honkytonk feeling. The same could be said for songs like “Ain’t As Easy,” “How’d We Get Here” and “I Went To College / I Went To Jail,” a comedic duet with Jelly Roll about their respective past before making music. The lead single, “Would If I Could” was written by legendary songwriters Dean Dillon and Skip Ewing in the 90s, only for Ernest to dust it off the shelf and record it with fellow country music star Lainey Wilson. By embracing neotraditional country, half of the album feels like it is coming straight from the past.
On the other hand, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE features plenty of modern country-pop and bro-country songs Ernest is known for writing, like “Did It For The Story,” “Redneck Sh*ttt,” and “Hangin’ On” featuring Morgan Wallen. His heavy reliance on the fiddle and pedal steel guitar still makes those songs feel unique and somewhat traditional.
Overall, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE best represents the music of the titular city and the state of country music in 2024. The mix of traditional and contemporary country makes Ernest one of the most versatile country singers of our time.
9. Fathers & Sons – Luke Combs
Next, we have the only album on this list nominated for Album of the Year at the 58th CMA Awards, Fathers & Sons by Luke Combs. Ever since he became a father to two young boys, this country superstar has detailed his journey to parenthood in his songs. This year, around Father’s Day, Luke cut out an entire album dedicated to that theme.
Drawing on his own experiences with his father and the ones he will share with his kids, Luke has released 12 new songs about fatherhood like “Front Door Famous,” “Huntin’ By Yourself,” “Remember Him That Way.” and “The Man He Sees in Me.” There is not a single track that won’t give you goosebumps or shed a tear. Listeners will instantly relate to every lyric and reminisce about their own experiences with their father and children. This whole album feels like a love letter to Luke’s sons. For someone known for singing about drinking and his love for alcohol, Fathers & Sons shows an authentic and vulnerable side of Luke Combs that fans love him for.
While the songs are not as memorable or commercially successful as some of his previous works, there is no denying that Fathers & Sons is Luke Combs’ most original and emotional project so far. For that reason, it is my number 9 pick for best album of the year.
8. Welcome To The Plains – Wyatt Flores
I’m gonna be completely honest with y’all, I haven’t listened much to Wyatt Flores before compilating this list and I’m kick’n myself for not doing so earlier. The fact that this album has made it to this list says a lot about how good Welcome To The Plains is. Ever since the start of his musical career in 2022, this rising 23-year-old country/Americana singer from Stillwater, Oklahoma has been building a growing fanbase, thanks to his rustic voice and relatable lyrics.
With the release of Welcome To The Plains, country music fans like me can discover his music. By mixing red dirt music, neotraditional country, and folk rock, Wyatt has created his own musical identity that sounds gritty and authentic. With tracks like “Only Thing Missing Is You,” “Don’t Wanna Say Goodnight,” “Stillwater” and the titular song, Welcome To The Plains feels like you are living in the middle of Oklahoma. Songs like “When I Die” and “Oh Savannah” feature deep lyrics about struggles with relationships that many young fans can relate to.
Wyatt Flores has a bright and successful career ahead of him and Welcome To The Plains best showcases his talent as a singer-songwriter. Hopefully, Wyatt will release more music in 2025 and become even more popular.
7. Cowboys and Dreamers – George Strait
Okay, I know I’m very biased with my next entry, but I had to include George Strait’s new album on this list. Five years after releasing his last album, this legendary country music icon unveiled his thirty-first studio album, Cowboys and Dreamers, earlier this year.
With a career spanning over forty years, Cowboys and Dreamers still conserve the neotraditional and honkytonk style the King of Country is known for. George’s new album features two joyous festive songs as its lead singles, “Three Drinks Behind” and “MIA Down In MIA.” I could see both songs reaching number 1 had it been released during the King’s prime. George Strait still shows his ability to sing romantic and comedic ballads with songs like “To The Moon” and “Calling From The Car,” respectively. George also pays his respects to songwriter and dear friend Keith Gattis who passed away in 2023 in the song “Rent,” which Gattis co-wrote. George and his son, Bubba, co-wrote “The Little Things,” which reflects on his life and how it’s “the little things” that matter in life, showcasing the King’s storytelling talents. This album also features “Honky Tonk Hall of Fame,” a fast-firing duet with Chris Stapleton, and a cover of Waylon Jennings’ “Waymore Blues.”
With the release of Cowboys and Dreamers, George Strait reminds listeners what country music was and still should be about, and why he is still the one and only King of Country Music.
6. Am I Okay? – Megan Moroney
From the King of Country to the Princess of Country, at my number 6 spot, we have Megan Moroney’s sophomore album, Am I Okay?
Ever since the release of her mega-hit “Tennessee Orange” and her debut album, Lucky, Megan Moroney’s career has been on a steady climb, establishing her as one of the most popular female country singers of our generation. Her second album Am I Okay? follows that trajectory and expands the themes of dream romance and dramatic breakups she’s known for. The first theme is best shown in the titular song. With songs like “No Caller ID,” “28th of June,” and “Mama I Lied,” Megan is expanding on the “sad emo cowgirl” image she’s been capitalizing on. Megan has also been adding more “happier” breakup songs like “Man on the Moon” and “Indifferent.” Megan put out an emotional track called “Heaven By Noon,” which was written about her uncle who passed away during the 9/11 attacks, showing fans a new personal side of her.
Overall, Am I Okay? has solidified Megan Moroney’s status as a leading female country artist. The album, quickly becoming a fan favorite, is filled with plenty of fun songs that showcase the personality fans have come to love. Personally, I prefer Am I Okay? to Lucky, which is why it’s my 6th favorite country album of 2024.
5. F-1 Trillion: Long Bed – Post Malone
From Beyoncé to mgk, if there is one thing that 2024 will be known for is the wave of pop and hip-hop artists crossing into country music. To be completely honest, I am not a fan of this phenomenon. However, if there is one artist who was able to pull it off, it has to be Post Malone, and his new album F-1 Trillion shows why Posty succeeded in becoming a country star.
One thing that people will notice about F-1 Trillion is the abundance of country stars who collaborated on the album. From current superstars like Chris Stapleton and Jelly Roll to country legends like Dolly Parton and Hank Williams, Jr., each collaboration fits the style of music the collaborators are known for, making F-1 Trillion by far the most diverse album on this list. It’s in this album where we find the massive hit “I Had Some Help” featuring Morgan Wallen. With more than 800 million streams on Spotify and after spending weeks at number 1 on both pop and country charts, there is no doubt “I Had Some Help” is one of the biggest hits of 2024. F-1 Trillion also features another song that hit number one on country radio, “Pour Me A Drink” featuring Blake Shelton. “Guy For That” featuring Luke Combs is currently sitting in the top 10 of the country charts. All three lead singles of F-1 Trillion sound like they were designed to rule the country charts, which demonstrates Posty’s understanding of the Nashville music industry.
However, as fun as those songs sound, what makes Post Malone stand out are his solo songs. One of those songs is “Yours,” an emotional father-daughter song Posty wrote for his own daughter. The deluxe version, F-1 Trillion: Long Bed, features plenty of neotraditional/Western swing tracks that I believe are too country for country radio, like “Fallin’ in Love,” “Go To Hell,” and “Back To Texas.” The inclusion of those old-school songs is what convinced me that Post Malone can be a country singer.
Overall, F-1 Trillion and its deluxe edition, F-1 Trillion: Long Bed, proves Post Malone is a massive country music fan and he was made to become a country music star. I believe Posty found his staple and I hope he stays longer in the genre and will make more country projects in the near future.
4. Don’t Mind If I Do – Riley Green
For my next entry, we have Riley Green’s Don’t Mind If I Do. Ever since his debut studio album back in 2019, Riley Green has become one of the biggest country stars of our time. His latest album, Don’t Mind If I Do, certifies that position.
Riley’s third album feels like a rollercoaster of emotions. The titular song, which is a sorrow duet with fellow Alabama country star, Ella Langley, talks about wanting to reconnect with his previous lover. On the other hand, Don’t Mind If I Do features plenty of fun songs celebrating his new bachelor life and how is better off single, like “Rather Be” and “Damn Good Day To Leave.” The tracks “Worst Ways” and “Change My Mind” are both sensual songs about how he wants to get physical with his partner, which fits the masculine and muscular body image he is famous for.
Lastly, we cannot talk about this album without talking about “Jesus Saves.” This heartbreaking ballad, which is solo written by Riley, tells the story of a homeless man and all his misfortunes in life. Riley’s songwriting and storytelling is phenomenal. His smooth voice delivers every line so effectively, making us feel sorry for the homeless man in the story. Honestly, “Jesus Saves” is enough to cover the entire album, which is why I had to include it on this list.
3. still hungover – Ella Langley
If we are going to talk about Riley Green and Don’t Mind If I Do, we have to talk about his duet partner Ella Langley, and her debut studio album, hungover.
This 25-year-old country singer has become one of the biggest rising stars in the music industry. This is all thanks to hungover’s lead single, “you look like you love me.” This viral hit follows the story of a young woman hitting on a man at a bar with this pickup line:
“Excuse me / You look like you love me / You look like you want me / To want you to come on home / And baby, I don’t blame you / For lookin’ me up and down across this room / I’m drunk and I’m ready to leave / And you look like you love me”
This ballad also offers the male perspective of the story sung by Riley Green. The simple songwriting, conversational storytelling, catchy lyrics, and old-school Western melody are beyond fantastic; they make “you look like you love me” original and stand out. No wonder why it became so viral on TikTok. “you look like you love me” has recently hit number one on the Billboard Country Airplay, making Ella the only female artist to do so in 2024.
Outside of “you look like you love me,” hungover features plenty of songs that make you fall in love with this starlet. On the topic of bars and one-night stands, songs like “i blame the bar” and “love you tonight” further explore the themes of giving in to desires despite the consequences. With her mezzo-soprano voice and gritty no-nonsensical lyrics, Ella Langley is building up her musical personality of an emotionally tough woman with songs like “better be tough” and “paint the town blue.” On the other hand, Ella is leaving room for vulnerability with songs like the titular track, “nicotine” and “monsters.”
The deluxe version of this album, still hungover, features the heartbreaking track “girl you’re taking home,” which talks about comparing herself to her ex’s new lover and how he treats the latter better. still hungover also features “weren’t for the wind,” which is fast becoming a fan favorite. With 21 million streams on Spotify in the two months since the release, I have no doubt this will be Ella’s next radio single and future number-one hit.
Having followed Ella Langley since her debut EP in 2023, I am so proud to see her career grow from a newcomer to a country music star in such a short time. This is why it’s in my top 3 best country albums of 2024. I can’t wait to see what she has planned for 2025.
2. Go Down Singin’ – Chase Rice
Before I reveal my number 1 pick, we have Chase Rice’s Go Down Singin’. Chase Rice’s music career started when he co-wrote Florida Georgia Line’s massive hit, “Cruise.” In the following years, he scored two number-one hits on his own with “Eyes On You” and “Drinkin’ Beer. Talkin’ God. Amen.” Since then, Chase Rice has been attempting to shed his bro-country personality with his 2023 album I Hate Cowboys & All Dogs Go To Hell. This transition became successful when Chase left his recording label and self-released his new album Go Down Singin’.
With his new album, Chase Rice has embraced a new musical style that relies on acoustic instruments and soft rock, which feels more authentic and traditional. After listening to his music for almost 10 years, this is Chase’s best project so far.
The titular track talks about Chase’s decision to pursue this new musical direction. This new musical style is best shown in his songs “Fireside” and “That Work Don’t Work No More.” “Oh Tennessee” further explores his decision to become an independent artist and gives us an insight into Chase’s view on the current state of country music. Songs like “Hey God It’s Me Again” and “If Drinking Helped” showcase the new personal songwriting Chase is promoting. Go Down Singin’ gives us also a ballad based on his hunting experience during his childhood with “Arkansas,” adding to the authenticity of the album. No track on this album will get you crying quite like “You In ’85.” With his rustic voice and the hard-hitting piano melody, Chase pays an emotional tribute to his late father with this heartfelt song by drawing parallels between their lives.
Overall, Go Down Singin’ represents Chase Rice’s growth as an artist and evolution from the bro-country era he started with to the more authentic music style and personal songwriting he has embraced. Chase has found the musical identity he’s been searching for with this new album. Of the projects that I’ve listened to in 2024, no album has surprised me more than Go Down Singin’, which is why it’s number two on my list.
1. Cold Beer and Country Music – Zach Top
And finally, my favorite and the best country album of 2024 goes to Cold Beer and Country Music by Zach Top. Where do I start with this gem?
If there is one thing you might have noticed in all my articles, I have this longing for neotraditional and old-school sounding country music in this day and age (I am a 2000s baby raised on 90s country). No artist fits my musical needs quite like Zach Top.
This rising star from Sunnyside, Washington has made quite the name for himself in 2024. Thanks to his twangy baritone and reliance on fiddles, electric, and steel guitars, Zach Top’s music is very reminiscent of 80s and 90s country legends, like Alan Jackson, Keith Whitley, and Randy Travis. This is showcased in all 12 tracks of his debut album, Cold Beer and Country Music.
The first song “Sounds Like the Radio” best represents the type of country music he makes and how Zach acknowledges how his music sounds like the radio “back in ’94.” The twangyness of the melody is the perfect kind of song to line-dance along to. The same twangy melody can be found in his songs, like the titular track, “The Kinda Woman I Like” and “Things To Do.” Cold Beer and Country Music also features a romantic ballad with “There’s The Sun.” Like his predecessors, Zach showcases his storytelling talents in the ballads “Cowboys Like Me Do,” “Dirt Turns To Gold” and “Bad Luck.” In “Lonely for Long,” a song about convincing a woman to leave her lover for him, Zach can sing his charm adding to the authenticity of the storytelling.
No song made me fall in love with his music quite like “I Never Lie,” which has become a fan favorite and Zach Top’s most popular song. In this song, the narrator retells to his ex-lover how life has been great since they broke up.
“Well, I’ve never been better / Things are going my way / I sleep like a baby / I never show up late for work / Oh, and I don’t drink whiskey / I don’t know how it feels to hurt / Oh, and I ain’t been lonely since you said goodbye / Wish I could say I miss you, oh, but you know I never lie”
The genius and comedic storytelling make listeners wonder if the narrator is being sarcastic or not, which reminds me of George Strait’s “Ocean Front Property.” “I Never Lie” is currently sitting in the top 30 on country radio. Given the popularity and virality of this song, I expect it to become Zach Top’s first number-one next year. The songwriting, catchy hook, and neotraditional melody easily make “I Never Lie” my favorite song of 2024.I could make a list of all the best country artists and country songs in 2024, and Zach would still come on top of all those lists. Zach Top proved that real country music is still alive and popular in 2024. I can’t wait to see where his career will go from here.