Four ridiculously overrated albums released in 2024

by

As a long-time music enthusiast who’s seen the industry evolve from vinyl to streaming, I must say 2024 was quite a year! Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, and Beyoncé were absolutely dominating the scene, leaving even Oasis’ reunion in the dust. It seemed like Swift was on another level – bigger than the Beatles ever were, if you ask Noel Gallagher (and don’t tell him I said that!).

2024 could very well be known as an era where exceptional female musicians shone particularly brightly. Artists like Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, and Beyoncé were at the forefront of music, with their achievements often overshadowing other events, such as Oasis’s 2025 reunion tour.

It seems like Swift might have reached a level of fame comparable to the Beatles at their peak, surpassing even Oasis. However, it would be wise not to mention this to Noel Gallagher.

Nevertheless, the year produced a number of overhyped, insubstantial music releases. While some of these albums weren’t downright poor, they simply didn’t add any value or significance to our musical landscape. Here are four examples that I find unremarkable:

Four of the most overrated albums of 2024

Camila Cabello – C,XOXO

Cabello seems to have discarded her past persona in favor of emulating Charli XCX’s style. Instead of her usual lighthearted tunes and family-friendly lyrics, she appears to be aiming for a more experimental sound. It wasn’t just about the change in words, but also the musical shift, as Cabello’s vibe feels uneasy throughout most of the time.

Indeed, the song titled “Uuugly” seems to feature very little of the main artist. Instead, we have a track by Drake. This situation might reflect Cabello’s true feelings about this recording: She may have felt compelled to release it to please the record label, but she didn’t necessarily desire to be involved with it herself.

Usher – Coming Home

The album was released coinciding with Usher’s underwhelming Super Bowl half-time show, and unfortunately, the performance’s lackluster quality seemed to carry over to the album as well. The singer offers a plethora of tracks for fans over 20 songs: Rhythm & Blues infused with sensuality that one might opt to play during a romantic rendezvous. However, the downside is that the album loses its charm if you listen to it repeatedly.

Interestingly, out of all the songs on the album, just three were chosen as singles, and none were released after the LP was published on February 9. Despite reaching number one on Billboard’s Top Albums Chart, the popularity of the album waned relatively soon. Can you recall if any of the tracks from the album are still stuck in your head during December?

Bon Jovi – Forever

Let me clarify, I’m not here to criticize Jon Bon Jovi’s vocals. After all, he underwent surgery in 2022 and, as we all know, time takes its toll on even the best voices. Yet, on his latest album, he holds his own quite admirably, although there’s a hint of experience in his tone, which is understandable given his lengthy career in music. Many vocalists face similar changes over the years, after all.

The issue lies in the fact that this album was released as part of an intense promotional campaign which also featured the Hulu docuseries, “Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story.” As a fan of the band, you might have felt pressured to purchase it due to the numerous advertisements about the new record. However, even if in 20 years, you’re still grooving to “Slippery When Wet,” it’s possible that “Forever” won’t be among your favorites.

Jelly Roll – Beautifully Broken

Country music could be considered the most accessible genre within the music industry for artists looking to branch out from their original style, such as Jelly Roll or Beyoncé. It appears that they find country music to be a potentially simpler path towards achieving musical success, as it has proven successful for Jelly Roll.

The challenge lies in the fact that the artist is currently more well-known, despite continuing to sing about the same topics he once rapped about. His vocal skills are less than exceptional, yet his audience appears to be content for now. It wouldn’t be shocking if his career took a downturn once the novelty of his ‘country gimmick’ fades away.

Read More

2024-12-12 14:00