AARP’s 12 Favorite Music Albums of 2024

AARP (Courtesy Dennis Keeley; Courtesy John Grant; Courtesy of the Artist; Courtesy V. Haddad, Rohan Rege, Olive Panter; Courtesy Interscope Capitol Labels Group) Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

Musicians over 50 didn’t just release great new albums this year. Many also marked major milestones in their careers, whether it was through comebacks, finales, or simply the sheer volume of

their output. In 2024, the unstoppable Herb Alpert, 89, released his 50th album. At the same time, older stars who’d been missing in action for some time, like The Cure, Sade and

country-punk pioneers Lone Justice, made striking returns.

Other seasoned stars wrapped up their careers in rousing form, including L.A. punk legends X, who issued their avowed final album, and the Allman Brothers, who released their epic-length

Final Concert from a decade ago. Coupled with stellar collections from other well-traveled stars, this year gave fans of grown-up music a wealth of new sounds to savor. Here are AARP’s 12

favorite albums for 2024.

Though Herb Alpert will hit 90 in March 2025, the tone of his trumpet has lost none of its purity or distinction. Likewise, his music sounds as clean, robust and joyous as ever. For his 50th

work, Alpert emphasizes covers of songs from the 1950s and 60s, such as “Sh-Boom” and the Elvis Presley hit “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” But he also delivers new cuts, such as “Dancing Down

50th Street,” which has all the flirty charm of his ‘60s classics.

Back in 1980, X gave their hometown of L.A. a hard new soundtrack. At the same time, their punky sound had enough variety, through its minor key harmonies and blasts of rockabilly, to have

staying power. This year, the foursome — led by Exene Cervenka, 68, and John Doe, 71 — decided to quit while they’re ahead. Understandably, many of their swan-song tracks reference the

group’s storied history, especially “Big Black X,” which chronicles their struggling days while also offering sage advice: “Stay awake and don’t get taken.”

Allman Brothers: Final Concert: 10-28-14​

Brilliant as their best studio albums may have been, the Allmans always shot the moon live. So it came as a blow when, in 2014, key members decided to move on, leading to their final

concert. The show took place at a venue that had hosted them for decades, New York’s Beacon Theatre. Because I was lucky enough to be there, I can report that this recording captures

everything I experienced. Although the concert was of Allman-esque length — over three and a half hours — it whipped by in a blur of inspiration and beauty. The nearly 10-minute version of

“Blue Sky” featured some of the most ravishing and fleet guitar solos Derek Trucks and Warren Haynes, 64, ever devised. While it’s disappointing that the Allmans didn’t invite back the

song’s author (guitarist Dickey Betts, who passed away in April 2024), it’s hard to fault any event as bold and generous as this.

Artists: Transa

Nearly 35 years ago, the Red Hot organization began releasing brilliantly curated all-star compilations to raise money for the fight against AIDS. This year, the nonprofit created its most

purposeful collection in years by focusing on transgender issues and stars. More than 80 artists — trans and not — took part, including names as big as Jeff Tweedy, 57, and Andre 3000. With

46 tracks, it covers a lot of ground, from witty punk anthems like “Surrender Your Gender” by Jayne County, 77, to country-soul pieces like “Any Other Way” by Americana star Allison

Russell. But the stand-out comes from Sade, 65, whose “Young Lion,” her first new song in six years, offers an apology to her transgender son for not understanding his identity sooner. The

song’s deeply personal nature makes it that much more relatable.