There have been a great number of excellent albums in 2024. Every year, something special surprises music fans with its greatness. The problem comes in when many long-term fantastic musical artists start to slip and give us bad records.
That is the case with the list below. The main issue was that the albums simply were not exciting. These performers shouldn't feel as if they owe us new music, but if they do make new songs they should be with the thought of challenging listeners.
There is still time for these artists to make good albums, though, in one case, they might be done. For the others, let's just hope they do better in the future.
Five extremely disappointing albums from 2024
5. Jennifer Lopez - This is Me...Now
Lopez has not produced a lot of good music in quite a long time now. She poured lots of money into the production of this record and the songs come off as if she wanted a slick sound but not much integrity to the tunes. Lopez also made a movie to go along with the album, but it is just as shallow as the record. We get it. She is rich. She just needs to give us something of substance next time.
4. Coldplay - Moon Music
This is more of a complaint about the direction of the band. Early in their career, they produced winners such as "Yellow." The band's sound has not changed a ton, but they have become less rough around the edges and aim for a glean on everything. This makes Moon Music and everything else the band does seem superficial. The music is not awful, but it's not something you are going to be humming along with in 20 years.
3. Gwen Stefani - Bouquet
This one gets a bit weird. Stefani seems quite happy with her life with Blake Shelton and good for her. She has also been quite autobiographical during her career, and open about her emotions. But she appears sapped of any vitality or new ideas on this album. It is like her happiness has stopped her ability to make good songs.
Most of the tracks are dull and forgettable. Worse, her discussions about her relationship with Shelton make her seem as if she is content with not being original anymore.
2. Justin Timberlake - Everything I Thought I Was
Timberlake used to have a way with a melody and how to use his fantastic voice to augment almost every line. He did not just create sexiness with his tunes; he oozed it. That time is long gone, and now Timberlake seems jaded and slightly angry at himself. The biggest issue with this album is that it is just boring, like all the worst pieces of his earlier albums.
1. Katy Perry - 143
There used to be a time when a musical artist might have one or two guest appearances on a record, and even that seemed gimmicky, and many of those tracks were singles that still heavily featured the performer whose name was on the album. Perry's drivel features a vast number of people helping her out, and almost every guest spot is wasted.
The record appears to be produced to have a number of top-10 songs, but none of the tracks work. After this album, we might have seen the last of Perry, who has been on a losing streak for many years now. She certainly has lost her appeal as an important recording artist.