When we rounded up the best non-English albums of 2023, we spotlighted everyone from NewJeans and Diljit Dosanjh to Ralphie Choo and Yamê. Now, for our best non-English albums of 2024 list, we're back with another great selection of established and upcoming talent from all around the world — from Buenos Aires to Seoul — singing in Spanish, French, Italian, Korean, Swedish, and more.
Parasite director Bong Joon Ho once famously said, “Once you overcome the one-inch tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films.” The same sentiment applies to music. You don't need to understand everything a person is singing to enjoy truly great music, and the world seems to be noticing that, slowly but surely. According to data from Apple Music, 28 non-English songs made the cut for the Top 100: Sing list and, according to Spotify Wrapped 2024 metrics, Bad Bunny, Peso Pluma, and Feid were all in the top 10 of most-listened-to artists globally.
If you want to discover even more great music that goes beyond the English language, we're here to help. Below, we have rounded up our top 15 best non-English language albums released in 2024, in no particular order, so you can give your playlists a much-needed global update. Happy listening!
Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso, Baño María
Main language: Spanish
Genre: Argentinian Alt Pop, EDM, R&B, Jazz Fusion
Release date: April 17, 2024
Thanks to their Tiny Desk, life-long friends Ca7riel and Paco Amoroso became a viral sensation, but the Argentinian collaborators deserved praise way before then. NSFW Baño María is, without a doubt, one of the non-skip albums of the year.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music
Judeline, Bodhiria
Main language: Spanish
Genre: Indie/Alternative, Flamenco Fusion, Venezuelan Folk
Release date: October 24, 2024
Judeline's debut album is ethereal, alluring, and hauntingly captivating. Featuring multiple moon references and callbacks to her childhood in Andalusia as well as her father's in Venezuela, Bodhiria is an experience that invites all five senses.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music
Kali Uchis, Orquídeas
Main language: Spanish
Genre: Latin Pop, Reggaetón, Synthpop
Release date: January 12, 2024
Following the success of Red Moon in Venus, all eyes were on Kali Uchis for Orquídeas. She took that energy and channeled it into a beautiful album inspired by Colombia's national flower, featuring collabs with Peso Pluma, Rauw Alejandro, and more.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music
Mahmood, Nei letti degli altri
Main language: Italian
Genre: Indie/Alternative, Electro Pop
Release date: February 16, 2024
Mahmood's “Tuta Gold" went viral as soon as it came out, but the rest of the tracks on Nei letti degli altri deserve just as much attention, with superb production and exquisite story-driven lyrics delivered by the two-time Sanremo Music Festival winner.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music
Klô Pelgag, Abracadabra
Main language: French
Genre: Synthpop, Electronic
Release date: October 11, 2024
Quebec native Klô Pelgag's fourth album, Abracadabra, is as magical as its name suggests, with brain-caressing synths galore and soft guitars conjuring up a woodsy transcendental vision.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music
Os Garotin, Os Garotin de São Gonçalo
Main language: Portuguese
Genre: MPB, R&B, Blues, Jazz, Pop, Hip-Hop
Release date: May 8, 2024
Brazilian trio Os Garotin is setting out to redefine Música Popular Brasileira with a unique blend of genres, all tied together by delightful voices across the 12 tracks in their debut album. (Also noteworthy are their EPs Mais Uma História de Amor and Lucas.)
Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music
Atarashii Gakko!, AG! Calling
Main language: Japanese
Genre: J-pop, Rock
Release date: June 7, 2024
The word that best describes Atarashii Gakko! is irreverence, and that's exactly what their 11-track debut album is filled with. Including tracks like “Tokyo Calling” and “Toryanse," it's impossible not to match their boisterous energy while listening.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music
Ionnalee, Blund
Main language: Swedish
Genre: Indie/Alternative, Pop
Release date: September 13, 2024
Blund is the Swedish version of Ionnalee's English-language album, Close Your Eyes, and features extra emotional charge. What starts off as a mystical and relaxing record picks up the pace and transforms into a synth dreamscape.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music
Liniker, Caju
Main language: Portuguese
Genre: MPB, Samba, Jazz, Soul, Pop
Release date: August 19, 2024
Across 14 tracks, including a collaboration with superstar Pabllo Vittar and Lulu Santos, Brazilian singer-songwriter Liniker showcases her lyrical and vocal prowess while traversing genres in her sophomore album Caju.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music
Akriila, Epistolares
Main language: Spanish
Genre: Alt-pop, Latin Trap, Reggaetón
Release date: August 22, 2024
Rising Chilean star Akriila leans into chaos for her debut album Epistolares. Featuring 12 tracks in total, including a blunt letter to her dad, she's said the album was a vehicle to find the music she wants to make, and the result is a true sonic voyage.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music
Leellamarz, Still Young Boy L
Main language: Korean
Genre: Melodic rap, R&B, Hip-hop
Release date: February 21, 2024
South Korean artist Leellamarz once again puts his voice to the forefront in Still Young Boy L, which features collaborations with Sik-K, HAON, Trade L, CAMO, and Chan. Vibey and smooth, this is one to just hit play and enjoy.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music
Aespa, Armageddon
Main language: Korean
Genre: K-pop, Dance
Release date: May 27, 2024
For the indisputable bops that are “Supernova” and “Armageddon” alone, Aespa's first studio album deserves a shoutout. Featuring 10 tracks, the quartet continues its experimental, campy, and sci-fi-esque streak with Armageddon.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music
IU, The Winning
Main language: Korean
Genre: K-pop, Ballad
Release date: February 20, 2024
Teeming with positive lyrics and bubbly compositions, IU's The Winning is the perfect representation of what the singer stands for. The album features NewJeans member Hyein and Wonsun Joe in Spanish-guitar led track “Shh..,” but the clear standout is “Love Wins All."
Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music
NCT 127, Walk: The 6th Album
Main language: Korean
Genre: K-pop, Hip-hop
Release date: July 15, 2024
2024 is the year NCT 127 members began enlisting in the military, but before going away, they gave us one of their best albums to date, mixing sultry balladry with '90s-tinged scrubbing for a best-of-both-worlds collection.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music
Stray Kids, ATE
Main language: Korean
Genre: K-pop, Hip-hop
Release date: Stray Kids, ATE
Stray Kids have never shied away from experimenting with sounds. They thrive when they are at their noisiest, but ATE gives the restrained chaos a cohesive edge, pulling elements from drill and Latin styles while fully embracing raucous rap and honeyed vocal intermissions.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music
