As the year draws to a close, we reflect on another remarkable journey filled with outstanding releases and exciting discoveries. Choosing just ten albums to define a year is never an easy task, but these records have left an indelible mark on us, becoming the soundtrack of our past months. Now, it’s time to celebrate the very best. Presenting the West Coast Soul.de Top 10 Albums of 2024!
Album Of The Year:
“Túnel Acústico” by Marcos Valle
No one has lived a life quite like Marcos Valle, and his latest album “Túnel Acústico” proves that no one makes music quite like him either. Valle’s journey from bossa nova wunderkind to global music icon has been as eclectic and daring as his sound, and with his 23rd (!) studio album, he brings it all full circle. If you thought Marcos Valle had already given us everything over his six-decade career, you haven’t heard “Túnel Acústico” yet. Our album of the year 2024.
What’s remarkable about Túnel Acústico is how seamlessly it bridges Valle’s past with his present. The demo of “Feels So Good” was discovered on a shelf, 44 years after it was recorded, yet with modern production techniques—including AI-assisted stem separation—it’s been transformed into a standout track that feels timeless. Valle’s ability to recontextualize the old into something new is a testament to his genius as a musician.
Marcos Valle is not just a composer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist—he’s a shapeshifter. From definitive bossa nova to iconic disco pop, and now, a fusion of jazz-funk, samba, and sophisticated soul, Valle continues to evolve, bringing joy and deep emotion to each phase of his career. Túnel Acústico is not just another album; it’s a masterwork that distills the essence of who Marcos Valle is: an artist whose music knows no boundaries, only possibilities.
READ OUR INTERVIEW WITH MARCOS VALLE
Albums of the Year: Ranks 2 to 10
“Cinema 3000” by Common Saints
Common Saints’ debut album, “Cinema 3000”, is an expansive soundscape that beckons listeners into a cinematic world, lush with warm grooves and meticulously crafted textures. The personal project of acclaimed producer Charlie J Perry, Common Saints channels a deep-rooted reverence for the laid-back ’70s with arrangements that feel like love letters to a lost era of soulful psychedelia. This album is Perry’s opus, taking listeners on a journey where the songs unfold like scenes, blending vintage warmth with modern edge to produce something both timeless and original.
“Got A Story To Tell” by Thee Sacred Souls
When Thee Sacred Souls first broke onto the scene with their 2022 self-titled debut, they were hailed as a soulful revelation, a band whose smooth grooves and nostalgic melodies drew comparisons to the golden age of Motown and Stax. Now, with their sophomore album “Got A Story To Tell”, they’ve proven they’re no flash in the pan. This San Diego trio delivers 12 tracks of pure soul that not only build on their initial success but push their sound into darker, more introspective territory.
“A Lover Was Born” by Kelly Finnigan
Kelly Finnigan’s album, “A Lover Was Born”, feels like a masterclass in soul music, blending grit and grace with a nod to the legacy of Midwest soul. Known as the frontman of Monophonics, Finnigan’s latest solo record solidifies his status as a unique voice in modern Soul and R&B, deeply rooted in the timeless traditions of classic labels like Curtom and Capsoul. The album traverses both physical and emotional landscapes, documenting a journey that’s as much about longing and hope as it is about self-discovery.
“L.A. Rainbow” by Dane Donohue
It’s been 46 years since the world last heard from Dane Donohue, the enigmatic AOR singer-songwriter whose self-titled 1978 debut became a cult classic among West Coast music aficionados. In 2024, against all odds, Donohue returned with “L.A. Rainbow”, a shimmering album that reaffirms his legacy while sounding as fresh as any contemporary Yacht Rock revivalist could hope to achieve.
“Radio Chévere” by Rio 18
Rio 18’s latest album, “Radio Chévere”, is a thrilling cross-continental ride through the many worlds of Latin and Tropical music, guided by the infectious voice of guest DJ Coco Maria. Spearheaded by Carwyn Ellis, a Welsh musician with an insatiable passion for Latin sounds, this album plays out like a vibrant, kaleidoscopic mixtape, blending cultures, languages, and genres into an ambitious yet undeniably fun sonic adventure.
“A La Sala” by Khruangbin
Khruangbin’s latest album, “A La Sala,” presents a return to their roots, marking a departure from the more radio-friendly pop sound of their previous album, “Mordechai.” This record is a testament to the trio’s commitment to their signature style, offering a blend of simmering, low-key rhythms and minimal vocals that epitomize their musical essence.
“Analog Love” by Dabeull
Dabeull has long been one of the masters of the contemporary French electrofunk scene. With “Analog Love”, his overdue solo debut album is finally being released. The nine-track marvel is the artist’s reverent homage to the electrifying funk and R&B music of the 80s. Recorded on the legendary Harrison 32C console, the centrepiece of Michael Jackson’s magnum opus “Thriller”, this album is a seamless fusion of nostalgia and innovation.
“The Modern Illusion” by Dark Satellite
Dark Satellite, the dynamic duo of Denis Moulin and Paul Curtiz, have delivered a captivating debut album, The Modern Illusion, that masterfully blends West Coast music nostalgia with a modern twist. After years of collaborating on various projects, the two musicians finally came together during the global pandemic to create an album that is as fun as it is musically sophisticated.
“Soft Focus” by Joel Sarakula
Joel Sarakula, the globetrotting Australian troubadour known for reviving 70s-inspired funk, soul, and soft-rock, has returned with a new album that feels like a love letter to the West Coast sound. “Soft Focus” doesn’t merely echo smooth music’s golden era—it polishes it for a contemporary listen, blending nostalgic warmth with fresh, indie-pop charm. Sarakula himself has called this album his “definitive statement” in smooth music, and he might just be right.
WEST COAST SOUL.de Albums of the Year Spotify Playlist
Want to do more than just read about our Albums of the Year? Dive into the music itself! Explore a curated selection of the best tracks from these standout releases in our Spotify playlist, “West Coast Soul.de – Albums of the Year 2024” – the perfect soundtrack to close out the year.