Country music in 2024 was a wild ride, a bucking bronco of twang and heartbreak, with rhinestone-studded superstars and dusty-booted newcomers battling it out for a spot on the charts. From Beyoncé’s history-making “Cowboy Carter,” a love letter to Black country artists, to Zach Bryan’s dive bar lamentations in “The Great American Bar Scene,” this year had it all. These 14 albums were randomly selected from a list of country albums released in 2024 ¹, plus one editor’s choice that we just couldn’t ignore. So grab a cold one, crank up the volume, and saddle up for Trendy’s Top 15 Country Albums of 2024:

1. Zach Bryan – The Great American Bar Scene Zach Bryan, the Navy veteran turned country music poet, delivers a gut-wrenching masterpiece with “The Great American Bar Scene.” This ain’t your grandpappy’s country, folks. This is raw, unfiltered emotion, soaked in whiskey and regret, echoing through smoky Oklahoma dive bars². Bryan’s voice, weathered beyond its years, paints vivid portraits of small-town life, love gone wrong, and the search for meaning in a world that often feels meaningless. The album kicks off with a spoken-word poem, “Lucky Enough,” where Bryan lays bare his soul with a vulnerability that’ll leave you breathless³. From the mournful “28” to the defiant “American Nights,” Bryan proves he’s not just a songwriter, he’s a truth-teller, a voice for the heartbroken and the lost⁴.
2. Beyoncé – Cowboy Carter Queen Bey lassoed the country music world and gave it a shake with “Cowboy Carter,” a defiant and dazzling genre-bending extravaganza. This ain’t no rhinestone-studded imitation; Beyoncé infuses country with her signature swagger, blending classic twang with Blaxploitation funk and psychedelic soul⁵. She tips her hat to country legends like Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson, while shining a spotlight on rising Black country stars like Shaboozey and Brittney Spencer⁶. With “Cowboy Carter,” Beyoncé not only redefines country music, she reclaims it, carving out a space for Black artists in a genre that has often excluded them⁷.
3. Miranda Lambert – Postcards from Texas Miranda Lambert, the reigning queen of country music sass, takes us on a wild ride through the Lone Star State with “Postcards from Texas.” This album is a kaleidoscope of sounds, from honky-tonk swagger to introspective ballads, all delivered with Lambert’s signature fiery vocals⁸. She kicks things off with “Armadillo,” a rollicking tale of a weed-smoking bandit, setting the tone for an album that’s both playful and poignant⁹. Lambert doesn’t shy away from the grittier side of life, tackling themes of divorce, heartbreak, and resilience with a raw honesty that’ll leave you wanting more⁸.
4. Post Malone – F-1 Trillion Post Malone, the face-tattooed rapper turned country crooner, surprised everyone with “F-1 Trillion,” a star-studded love letter to country music. This ain’t no gimmick, folks. Malone dives headfirst into the genre, trading his trap beats for banjos and steel guitars¹⁰. He enlists a who’s who of country royalty, from Dolly Parton to Luke Combs, for a genre-bending journey that’s both familiar and unexpected¹¹. While some critics might scoff at his authenticity, Malone’s heartfelt vocals and clever songwriting prove he’s more than just a tourist in country music land¹¹.
5. Gabby Barrett – Chapter & Verse Gabby Barrett, the powerhouse vocalist who stole our hearts with “I Hope,” returns with “Chapter & Verse,” a deeply personal exploration of faith, family, and finding your voice. This album is a testament to Barrett’s growth as an artist, showcasing her maturity and vulnerability¹². She opens with “The Chapter,” a reflective look at her journey, and closes with “The Verse (Doxology),” a powerful expression of her faith¹². In between, Barrett delivers heartfelt ballads and infectious anthems, proving she’s a force to be reckoned with in the country music world¹³.
6. Keith Urban – High Keith Urban, the guitar-slinging Aussie with a heart of gold, returns with “High,” an album that’s all about chasing that feeling of euphoria. Whether it’s the rush of love, the thrill of a live show, or the simple joy of a perfect summer day, Urban captures it all with his signature blend of country-rock and infectious energy¹⁴. He kicks things off with the anthemic “Straight Line,” a classic Urban track that’ll have you singing along in no time¹⁴. From the soulful “Messed Up as Me” to the playful “Wildside,” Urban delivers an album that’s both uplifting and introspective¹⁵.
7. Thomas Rhett – About a Woman Thomas Rhett, the king of feel-good country anthems, slows things down and gets personal with “About a Woman,” a heartfelt tribute to his wife, Lauren Akins. This album is a love letter, a celebration of the joys and challenges of marriage and family life¹⁶. Rhett’s smooth vocals and tender lyrics paint a picture of a love that’s both passionate and enduring¹⁶. From the soulful “Somethin’ ‘Bout a Woman” to the playful “Don’t Wanna Dance,” Rhett delivers an album that’s both romantic and relatable¹⁷.
8. Sturgill Simpson (as Johnny Blue Skies) – Passage du Desir Sturgill Simpson, the country music maverick, throws us a curveball with “Passage du Desir,” an experimental and genre-bending album released under the alter ego Johnny Blue Skies. This ain’t your typical Nashville sound, folks. Simpson explores a sonic landscape that’s both familiar and otherworldly, blending country with rock, psychedelia, and even a touch of French chanson¹⁸. He tackles themes of love, loss, and self-discovery with a raw honesty that’ll leave you pondering the mysteries of life¹⁹. “Passage du Desir” is a testament to Simpson’s restless creativity and his refusal to be confined by genre boundaries²⁰.
9. Zach Top – Cold Beer & Country Music Zach Top, the newcomer with a classic country heart, transports us back to the golden age of ’90s country with his debut album, “Cold Beer & Country Music.” This is pure, unadulterated twang, folks, with fiddle and steel guitar leading the charge²¹. Top’s voice, smooth as Tennessee whiskey, delivers heartfelt tales of love, loss, and life in the rural West²². He’s a throwback to the days of Alan Jackson and George Strait, but with a contemporary edge that’ll appeal to a new generation of country fans²¹.
10. Shaboozey – Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going Shaboozey, the “Modern Cowboy” himself, breaks down barriers with “Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going,” a genre-bending fusion of country, hip-hop, and Americana. This ain’t your typical Nashville sound, folks. Shaboozey’s unique blend of styles creates a sonic landscape that’s both familiar and groundbreaking²³. He tackles themes of identity, addiction, and finding your place in the world with a raw honesty that’ll resonate with listeners from all walks of life²⁴. With “Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going,” Shaboozey proves that country music can be both diverse and inclusive²⁵.
11. Ella Langley – Hungover Ella Langley, the rising star with a voice like a shot of whiskey, delivers a raw and emotional debut with “Hungover.” This album is a rollercoaster of heartbreak, regret, and defiant self-discovery²⁶. Langley’s vocals, powerful and vulnerable, will grab you by the soul and not let go²⁷. She tackles themes of love gone wrong, small-town life, and the struggle to find your place in the world with a honesty that’s both refreshing and relatable²⁸.
12. Blackberry Smoke – Be Right Here Blackberry Smoke, the Southern rock stalwarts, deliver a solid and soulful album with “Be Right Here.” This is classic country-rock, folks, with soaring guitars, bluesy grooves, and a touch of Southern grit²⁹. They tackle themes of life, loss, and the importance of staying grounded with a maturity that comes from years on the road³⁰. “Be Right Here” is a reminder that sometimes the best thing you can do is just be present in the moment³¹.
13. Jelly Roll – Beautifully Broken Jelly Roll, the face-tattooed rapper turned country singer, bares his soul with “Beautifully Broken,” a deeply personal exploration of addiction, redemption, and faith. This ain’t your typical Sunday morning gospel, folks. Jelly Roll’s raw honesty and gritty vocals give these songs a weight that’ll hit you right in the gut³². He tackles themes of mental health, forgiveness, and finding your way back from the brink with a vulnerability that’s both inspiring and heartbreaking³³.
14. HIXTAPE – Hixtape: Vol. 3: Difftape Hardy and a posse of country music stars pay tribute to the late, great Joe Diffie with “Hixtape: Vol. 3: Difftape.” This album is a celebration of Diffie’s legacy, with artists like Toby Keith, Reba McEntire, and Post Malone putting their own spin on his classic hits³⁴. It’s a nostalgic trip down memory lane, with a modern twist that’ll appeal to both longtime fans and newcomers³⁵. “Hixtape: Vol. 3: Difftape” is a fitting tribute to a true country music icon³⁶.
15. Richard Lynch – Some Days are Better Than Others Richard Lynch, the independent country artist with a voice as smooth as Kentucky bourbon, delivers a heartfelt and honest album with “Some Days are Better Than Others.” This is classic country storytelling, folks, with songs about love, loss, and life in the American heartland. Lynch’s warm vocals and relatable lyrics on songs like the title track and “Jesus and Bocephus,” will resonate with anyone who’s ever felt the highs and lows of life. He’s a true craftsman, a songwriter who knows how to spin a yarn and capture the essence of human emotion.

Conclusion

2024 was a year of bold experimentation and heartfelt authenticity in country music. Superstars like Beyoncé and Post Malone jumped into the genre, shaking things up and expanding its boundaries. Meanwhile, artists like Zach Bryan and Richard Lynch kept the spirit of classic country alive, delivering heartfelt stories and timeless melodies. From dive bars to stadiums, country music in 2024 proved that it’s a genre with a rich history and a bright future.