The Music Finland staff chose their favorite Finnish albums of 2024 – and the verdict is in! See our choices below, and scroll down to listen to our newest staff picks Spotify playlist.

Jeez, what a year it’s been for Finnish music! Now it's time to recollect, which albums made the biggest impression on the staff at Music Finland during the year. Take a look at our choices below, arranged alphabetically by each voter's name.

Chosen by: Tuuli Elo (Export Manager, contemporary and classical, folk and global music)

Emilia Sisco: Introducing Emilia Sisco (Timmion Records)

"Elegant, newly released album from Emilia Sisco! The combination of the album’s retro-style soul and Emilia’s amazing voice blew me away. Try this as your holiday dinner soundtrack once you’ve heard enough Christmas carols."

Listen to Introducing Emilia Sisco on Apple Music and Spotify.

Chosen by: Teemu Fiilin (Communications Manager)

Modem: Megalomania (Modem Age / Don Giovanni Records)

”I had a horrible nightmare. I dreamed that I went... back in time. It was terrible.” That was a quote from Back to the Future (1985). Now, if you were to go back to 1985 and heard something like Modem’s debut album Megalomania, it wouldn’t be so terrible. Modem’s retro-futuristic and melancholic synth pop leans to the age of Italo disco, the Cold War, and Super Mario Bros, with a slight – you guessed it – darkwave-ish and dystopian gloom hovering over everything. Here and there, you can find a couple of obvious hat-tips to e.g. Prince and New Order, but the overall vision is purely Modem – with vocals sung in Finnish, you could never mistake these guys for a US band. Even though they only started in 2022, the duo, consisting of Tytti Roto (vocals and synthesizers – also known from bands like Ghost World and Rosettes) and Ville Valavuo (synthesizers, guitar, programming – familiar from bands like Kohti Tuhoa and Foreseen) have already toured in Central Europe and Scandinavia. The album is released in the US by the excellent Don Giovanni Records (hint: there’s a vinyl version out there, too!). On stage, they are even more amazing, with a visual style matching the music perfectly, so go and see them if you get the chance.

(ps. my special export award goes to DJ FKU for churning out almost 50 singles and over 20 ep’s this year – which all pretty much slap – and gathering about 8 million monthly listeners for some phonk stuff that sounds like it was produced and mixed on Windows 95)."

Listen to Megalomania on Apple Music and Spotify.

Chosen by: Merja Hottinen (Research Manager)

Oranssi Pazuzu: Muuntautuja (Nuclear Blast)

"I often find it difficult to categorize music into genres, and in the case of Oranssi Pazuzu’s latest release, Muuntautuja, it might be best to avoid labels altogether. The band has been described as avant-garde metal or psychedelic black metal, with terms like dark ambient also entering the discussion. While these labels certainly capture elements of their sound, none fully encapsulates its essence. Even "metal" alone doesn’t feel entirely accurate—after all, as one band member once remarked, metal is just one color in their expansive palette. This diversity is particularly evident in Muuntautuja. The music invites interpretation: it can be experienced as any of these genres, a fusion of them, or something else entirely. You might uncover connections to noise, trip-hop, experimental music, sound art, poetry, electronic music—or even hints of postmodern classical. The true beauty of the album lies in its extraordinary depth and complexity; the music is so layered that each listen reveals new discoveries."

Listen to Muuntautuja on Apple Music and Spotify.

Chosen by: Niko Kangas (Senior Advisor)

Vladislav Delay: Hide Behind The Silence EP 1–5 (Rajaton)

"Vladislav Delay’s collection of 5 eps, Hide Behind The Silence, is a beautiful fusion of ambient dub and somewhat contemporary experimental. Hypnotic yet challenging listening experience, appealing to fans of experimental electronic music."

Listen to Hide Behind The Silence EP 1–5 on Apple Music and Spotify.

Chosen by: Kari Laitinen (Information Manager)

Kolizio: Universala albumo (Alba Records)

"The Kolizio brass ensemble, consisting of six brass virtuosos of classical and jazz music, collides different musical genres in an inventive way. The pieces on the album are original compositions and arrangements of classic works made for the ensemble and are influenced by classical music as well as jazz and Latin rhythms. The band's musicians are each masters of their own instrument, which is reflected in the unyielding precision and virtuosic freedom of the ensemble."

Listen to Universala albumo on Apple Music and Spotify.

Chosen by: Heli Lampi (Head of Communications and Promotion)

Ánnámáret: Bálvvosbáiki (Uksi Productions)

"Anna Näkkäläjärvi-Länsman, is a musician who belongs to the Arctic indigenous Sámi people. The album Bálvvosbáiki brings together Ánnámáret's yoik, electronic music (Turkka Inkilä) and 'jouhikko' (the bowed lyre, played by Ilkka Heinonen). The album adapts the ancient Sámi worldview to the present day and asks, where are the sacred places of today. This captivating music speaks through its content and the professionalism of the skilled musicians. An absolute gem!"

Listen to Bálvvosbáiki on Apple Music and Spotify.

Chosen by: Lasse Lehtonen (Editor-in-Chief, FMQ)

Lotta Wennäkoski: Zeng (Alba Records)

"The rhythmic and timbral delights of the mesmerizing opening track, Zeng (2018–19) for recorder and string orchestra, set the tone for this vibrant album of chamber music by Lotta Wennäkoski. Her work has been gaining increasing international attention in recent years, and it’s no surprise - this album showcases her artistry brilliantly. The exquisite performances by the Avanti! Chamber Orchestra and its unparalleled soloists bring fresh, dynamic interpretations to Wennäkoski’s music. Highly recommended for all listeners, even those who may typically find contemporary music challenging to engage with."

Zeng is not available on streaming platforms, but you can buy the cd from Alba Records.

Chosen by: Mikko Manninen (Executive Director)

Moon Shot: The Power (Reaper Entertainment)

"The Power is Moon Shot's second album and showcases all of the band's strengths. The band's sound has evolved and refined further on this second album. The album is full of great melodies and energy, not to mention heavy riffs. Equally perfect for home listening and running."

Listen to The Power on Apple Music and Spotify.

Chosen by: Paulina Partanen (Manager, Sheet Music Production)

Nightwish: Yesterwynde (Nuclear Blast)

“The final part of a trilogy – an album full of great melodies and sounds to explore and enjoy. Auntie likes!”

Listen to Yesterwynde on Apple Music and Spotify.

Chosen by: Turo Pekari (Innovation and Business Development Executive)

Amnesia Scanner & Freeka Tet: HOAX (PAN)

"Amnesia Scanner, the Berlin-based Finnish duo Ville Haimala and Martti Kalliala, known also from their work with AI music pioneer Holly Herndon came back in style this year with their opus HOAX. The 22 tracks trip is split into 2 parts: first one is the electronoise burst of Amnesia Scanner and the 2nd part is by Freeka Tet, a French-born experimental artist, who uses ubiquitous technology of noise-cancelling headphones to produce… let’s say weird soundscapes based on the 1st part of the album. This music doesn’t fit neatly into any category, which makes it exciting for those who crave something different."

Listen to HOAX on Apple Music and Spotify.

Chosen by: Loviisa Pihlakoski (Editor/FMQ, Communications Expert)

Piip: Pienet ihmiset isot puut (Eclipse Music)

"Piip is a jazz quartet whose socially conscious instrumental music blends jazz with influences from progressive rock and Finnish folk music. Saxophonist Laura Helander's compositions explore themes of nature and concern over biodiversity loss. Their album Pienet ihmiset isot puut (Little People, Big Trees) reflects a sense of melancholy and sorrow, expressed through airy melodies by the piano and baritone or alto saxophone. However, the music also captures moments of joy, much like the beauty nature provides."

Listen to Pienet ihmiset isot puut on Apple Music and Spotify.

Chosen by: Anna Reponen (Export Manager, pop and rock)

Erika Sirola: The Four Faces EP (The Gate Was Open)

"Erika Sirola’s The Four Faces is a captivating EP in the art pop genre. Produced by Minna Koivisto with some international collaborators, the four tracks are dreamy, dramatic, and rich in emotion. Each song tells its own story, pulling listeners into a mysterious and cinematic world. The highlight is “A Child”, which feels like it belongs in a movie. Its sweeping melodies and haunting lyrics create a nostalgic, almost magical atmosphere. You can imagine these songs performed live in a smoky club, where their full intensity would shine. Erika Sirola is carving out her place in the music world, and fans of dark, artsy pop should definitely listen.

Listen to The Four Faces on Apple Music and Spotify.

Chosen by Emilia Sipakko (Intern)

Grande Mahogany: As Grande As (Laundry Music)

"As Grande As is a genre-blending masterpiece, seamlessly fusing funky psych-rock, groovy rhythms and inventive arrangements into a fun and captivating experience. Each track bursts with personality and the intricate layers of guitar licks, playful synths and experimentation make it impossible to resist. It’s the kind of album that simultaneously feels both nostalgic and refreshingly modern. Have a listen and be ready to Bop your Head (Till it Drop!)."

Listen to As Grande As on Apple Music and Spotify.