TOP 24 Songs of 2024

Where did the time go?!  2024 was quite the eventful one that had people going “brat” over the summer and living free and in just a matter of months, receded to being “demure and very mindful.”  The music of 2024 reflected all of the ups and downs throughout the year, as it was without a doubt, the year of the “pop girlies”.  It was an absolute breakout year for the likes of Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter while Charli xcx, Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo had people talking about their new music, live performances and growth.  Not to be dismissed was the continued emergence of electronic and indie music inspired by the aughts from artists like Balu Brigada, Fcukers and Sun Room.  It was an amalgamation of fun sounds complemented by amazing music created by the artists who make up our list of the top songs of 2024.

24 Rachel Chinouriri – “Never Need Me”

One of the standout tracks from the debut album by Rachel Chinouriri, ‘What A Devastating Turn Of Events’ “Never Need Me” is a soulful yet soaring indie pop anthem. Chinouriri’s playful and spunky vocals are punctuated by strong instrumentation on this bittersweet and empowering ode to putting one’s self first despite caring deeply about another person.

23 Mk.gee – “Alesis”

Mk.gee’s performance of “Alesis” on Saturday Night Live re-affirmed our stance that this is one of the best songs on his current album, ‘Two Star & The Dream Police’. It’s dreamy, lo-fi and melancholic that’s reminiscent of “Every Breath You Take” by The Police, with delicate instrumentation and soft vocals that set the tone for this nostalgic yet present-day track.

22 Katie Pruitt – “Self Sabotage”

The latest album ‘Mantras’ by Katie Pruitt is filled with self-analysis touching on her journey from self-sabotage to self-compassion. “Self Sabotage” is lyrically raw, emotional and moving accompanied by delicate instrumentation that showcases Pruitt’s powerful vocals.

21 Jamie xx feat. Honey Dijon – “Baddy on the Floor”

When “Baddy on the Floor” featuring Honey Dijon was released earlier this year, it was the perfect celebratory summer anthem. The high-energy house song is an absolute banger with its driving beat and Honey Dijon’s powerful vocals that is just the tip of the iceberg of amazing songs on the album ‘In Waves’ by Jamie xx.

20 Magdalena Bay – “Death & Romance”

Magdalena Bay have a penchant for creating incredibly catchy euphoric melodies set against infectious vocals that hit so hard. “Death & Romance” is no exception, as this synth-pop masterpiece is cinematic and one of the more unique pop songs released this year.

19 Sun Room – “Get Me Outta New York City”

Sun Room has continued to hone their sound since their beachy vibes of the quarantine days and “Get Me Outta New York City” is an excellent demonstration of their growth. The track is raw, crunchy and reminiscent of garage rock from the early aughts in the style of The Hives, The Von Bondies and The Vines.

18 FKA Twigs – “Perfect Stranger”

A release late in the year but one that’s made an indelible impression, “Perfect Stranger” by FKA Twigs embodies all the characteristics of a perfect pop song. It’s experimental nature with a variety of sounds capture peak Kylie Minogue from the 2000s updated with UK garage and techno.

17 Night Tapes – “Drifting”

Lead vocalist Iiris Vesik of Night Tapes has an absolutely gorgeous voice with wide range, as demonstrated on “Drifting” from their latest EP, ‘assisted memories’. The song is dreamy, ethereal and pure joy that captures the essence of synthpop dance.

16 MJ Lenderman – “She’s Leaving You”

With a track that could easily fit on a mixtape from the 90s, filled with Liz Phair, Pavement and The Lemonheads, “She’s Leaving You” by MJ Lenderman has the hallmark rawness of those bands with an updated vibe. The nostalgic vibes will strike a chord with elder millennials, as the song goes through the experience of a cheating man going through a midlife crisis.

15 The Lemon Twigs – “How Can I Love Her More?”

Theatrical and whimsical, “How Can I Love Her More?” by The Lemon Twigs is fresh yet familiar with intricate arrangements featuring horns, two drum sets, an adventurous bass part, theremin, flutes and harpsichord that captures 60s British music perfectly.

14 salute – “Saving Flowers” ft. Rina Sawayama

We’ve been big fans of salute for a while now and after witnessing the large crowd he played to at Coachella, the Austrian producer, who’s now based in London, is getting his fair share of critical acclaim. The collaboration with Rina Sawayama on “Saving Flowers” is stylish and is expertly crafted to capture those “endless summer vibes”.

13 Yot Club – “Human Nature”

Heartbreak is incredibly painful as many can attest to, but why not dance while the tears flow? The moniker for Ryan Kaiser, Yot Club achieves that balance of “happy/sad” with the gentle yet upbeat alt-pop song “Human Nature” as he sings “I wanna turn you back into a stranger // Could’ve seen it coming // it’s human nature // Everyone’s gonna leave sooner or later”. *sad face

12 Genevieve Stokes – “Dreamer”

One of many standouts from her debut album ‘With a Lightning Strike’, “Dreamer” by Genevieve Stokes is upbeat and euphoric. Stokes was inspired to capture the feelings of summer in her native Maine and more than succeeds in its intention.

11 Amyl and the Sniffers – “Jerkin”

There’s never a dull moment with Australia’s Amyl and the Sniffers nor is their music ever confused with anything other than raw, energetic and pure punk. “Jerkin” is chaotic and loose while maintaining it’s authentic high-energy focus that makes for an infectious listening experience.

10 Balu Brigada – “so cold”

One of our favorite new bands of the year is without a doubt, New Zealand’s Balu Brigada. A mix of sounds from Franz Ferdinand, The Strokes and Gorillaz, “so cold” hits hard and has been on many playlists in one form or another throughout the year.

9 Sabrina Carpenter – “Espresso”

Trend or no trend, that’s no denying the earworm that’s “Espresso” by Sabrina Carpenter. As a pure pop song, it’s breezy and fun, the instrumentation is well produced and lyrics turned catchphrases are what make it that much more satisfying and worthy of so many repeat listens.

8 LCD Soundsystem – “x-ray eyes”

Often imitated but rarely duplicated, LCD Soundsystem returned this year with the a dance-punk masterpiece “x-ray eyes”. The song’s driving beat and James Murphy’s iconic vocals create a euphoric and energetic listening experience that have been the band’s trademark.

7 Charli XCX – “Von Dutch”

The summer of 2024 will forever unapologetically be “brat summer”. Charli XCX took things to another level with the release of her latest LP ‘brat’ with so many standouts like “Von Dutch”. The track has been living rent-free for months as the synths are hypnotic and instantly transports the listener to a dark sweaty and hot club where the night never ends.

6 The Marías – “Run Your Mouth”

One of the grooviest and catchiest songs The Marías have made, “Run Your Mouth” is addictive and the most upbeat song from their sophomore album ‘Submarine’ that gets your head bobbing and before you know it, dancing along.

5 Fcukers – “Bon Bon”

Giving off high-energy late 90s UK house/garage that’s reminiscent of Groove Armada, “Bon Bon” by Fcukers is an absolute banger. Filled with gritty baselines and groovy percussion, the trio from NYC created a wild party tune that will instantly transport many to the summer of 24.

4 Clairo – “Juna”

Sure, many songs by Clairo are worthy of the slow dance, but “Juna” is just so captivating. Her dreamy and soft vocals complement the song’s delicate instrumentation that’s absolutely timeless.

3 Fontaines D.C. – “Starburster”

Fontaines D.C. haven’t missed a beat with their latest album, ‘ROMANCE’ and the lead track “Starburster” is Fontaines D.C. at their finest. Lead singer Grian Chatten keeps the flow going on this track, dropping bars while namechecking Sega Bodega and Prodigy against a driving beat that makes this hybrid of dance, rap and punk so uniquely Fontaines.

2 Chappell Roan – “Good Luck, Babe!”

2024 was hands-down the year of Chappell Roan. From her record-breaking turnouts at all the major festivals this year to her headline-making moments on and off-stage, it all came back to her music. While many may associate the year with her “Hot to Go” routine, it was “Good Luck, Babe!” that really helped grow her audience. Capturing that 80s pop era sound of Kate Bush, Wham! and even Talking Heads, “Good Luck, Babe!” is layered, while Chappell’s vocals are front and center showcasing her range, befitting for the queer anthem of the year.

1 Billie Eilish – “Birds of a Feather”

With the release of her third album, ‘Hit Me Hard and Soft’, there was nothing obvious which direction she would take. Inspired by electronic and dance, Eilish put together a collection of songs where there are no dull moments. “Birds of a Feather” is wistful and haunting as Eilish sings about the pain of being dragged by a loved one’s absence while set against a mid-tempo instrumentation that’s both retro yet modern.