The Best 50 Songs Released in 2024, According to Me

A list of some music I loved this year, in no particular order.

Dec 14, 2024

It’s hard to believe we’re already at the end of 2024. This was a fantastic year for music, and this list was nearly impossible to narrow down. If I included all the songs I really loved this year, it would probably be close to 200 items long. No joke. Alas, I had to choose just 50. If you’d like to listen to all these songs in one place, I made a handy Spotify playlist (sorry Apple music users), which you can find here:

The Official Spotify Playlist: The Best 50 Songs Released in 2024, According to Me

Anyway, without further ado, here’s my list of the best 50 songs released in 2024, according to me, in no particular order.

1. euphoria — Kendrick Lamar

Arguably the best diss track of the year, if not one of the top 10 of all time. Every single line in this song is a banger, and I’m not embarrassed to admit I had the entire thing memorized after only a week. It’s futile to even attempt summarizing the genius of this song in one short paragraph, so I’m telling you right now, if you haven’t sat down with the lyrics and listened to Kendrick commit a murder against Drake over the course of just 6 minutes… what are you waiting for?

2. AMERIICAN REQUIEM — Beyoncé

The first time I heard this song I was in shock. Never in a million years did I think I’d hear a psychedelic rock-inspired song come from Beyoncé’s catalogue, but I’m thrilled that she proved me wrong. But let me just rant for a second. The sitar… The epic, rambling, self indulgent structure… The gritty vocals… The driving beat... The message about reclaiming a genre Black people created... The production that offers up surprise after surprise… I love everything about this song, because it’s a perfect example of Beyoncé’s incredible range. She can do anything, and she does all of it flawlessly. COWBOY CARTER was one of the best albums of 2024, and this song is arguably one of the best ones on it.

3. Von dutch — Charli xcx

When Charli released the short teaser clip for “Von dutch,” in February, I immediately loved it so much I screen-recorded the clip, put it into GarageBand, made a loop of it that lasted about two minutes, and downloaded it to my Spotify as a local file so I could listen whenever I wanted. I think if this song hadn’t been the lead single for BRAT, it would be most people’s favorite off of the album. This was my most-streamed song of the year, and I think that tells you all you need to know about it. Iconic.

4. I Want — Mk.gee

I will be forever grateful to Matty Healy for introducing me to this artist. Mk.gee’s 2024 album, Two Star & the Dream Police has some of the best production I’ve heard this year. There’s just something about that twangy bass guitar, the weirdo chill shoegaze vibes, and those completely unexpected melodic turns that are just so irresistible to me. I highly recommend listening to his entire discography. (If you want to hear more songs I love with strange melodies and key changes, check out my playlist, “swerving onto the modal interchange and nearly causing a wreck.”

5. So Long, London — Taylor Swift

One of the most underrated tracks on The Tortured Poets Department, and one of Taylor’s best Track Fives. I don’t see enough love for the unique, beautiful production on this song. The lyrics are some of her best too — the rhyme scheme alone is so compelling. There are many, many great lyrics on the album, but this song includes some of my favorites: “Every breath feels like rarest air / when you’re not sure if he wants to be there,” and “You sacrificed us to the gods of your bluest days / And I’m just getting color back into my face / I’m just mad as hell cause I loved this place.” It’s one of my favorites off of TTPD, no doubt.

6. All Night — The Dare

After Brat summer, The Dare’s album What’s Wrong With New York? was exactly what I needed to scratch my itch for more campy, bass-heavy club music. The bridge on this song makes me feel absolutely insane in the best possible way. I wish I still lived in New York just so I could go to Bossa Nova Civic Club and get absolutely wasted dancing to this. And by the way, I’ll just warn you now — “Girls” is not on this list, simply due to a technicality. It was first released on The Dare’s EP Sex back in 2023, and because I have so many songs I want to include on this list, I have to stick to the rules — these are 2024 releases only. But this might as well serve as that song’s honorary place on the list. Both songs are absolute bangers, and “Girls” on its own was an entire cultural moment this year along with BRAT and TikTok’s fascination with “indie sleaze.” If you wanna listen to more stuff like BRAT and songs from The Dare, check out my playlist “THE DARE ENERGY__CLUB BRAT.”

7. My Golden Years — The Lemon Twigs

Wings…? The Zombies…? Is that y’all?? No, but close. The Lemon Twigs is one of those bands a pretentious music magazine might claim is just contrived cosplay for a legend that shouldn’t be touched, similar to how Greta Van Fleet is often referred to by music journalists and enjoyers alike as a cheap copy of Led Zeppelin. But I don’t care about any of that. This is 70’s power pop for 2024, and I couldn’t be happier. Special shoutout to my assistant choir director from high school, who was the first person to properly introduce me to that genre. He, like this band, was majorly inspired by artists like Big Star, Sweet, and The Beatles in his own music. It’s rare these days to hear music that sounds truly nostalgic, but “My Golden Years” is just that — a shot of pure vintage indulgence.

8. Good Luck, Babe — Chappell Roan

I don’t really think I need to explain this one. Chappell Roan deserves all the accolades and recognition and praise for releasing the song of the summer and bringing back Kate Bush vocals, real fashion, and true novelty to modern pop. And as if that wasn’t enough, “Good Luck, Babe” might very well have one of the best bridges of all time — a raging, bitter, yearning outcry to a past lover who couldn’t fully and openly accept their sexuality as a lesbian. It’s tragic, but incredibly catchy; a song that almost feels like the granddaughter of Robyn’s “Dancing On My Own.” I really can’t overstate how much I love Chappell. The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess was one of my favorite albums of 2023, and I can’t wait to see what does next. Based on the two (as of yet) unreleased songs she’s performed this year — “The Subway” and “She Gets The Job Done” — we have a lot to look forward to.

9. For Sure — Ethel Cain, American Football

Anything Ethel Cain touches is gold, at least in my eyes. Similar to Lana del Rey, she has a way of infusing darkness and mystery into all of her music… and there’s nothing I love more than darkness and mystery. Her cover of this song from American Football molds a melancholy midwest-emo melody into a sweeping, gothic epic, as she’s so fond of crafting in so much of her music. If me and Ethel Cain have one thing in common, it’s our love of long songs. She took a three-minute-long track and turned it into a lingering, partially ambient, shoegaze-y exploration of the original material that’s almost 10 minutes long. It’s totally self-indulgent and so, so good.

10. Juno — Sabrina Carpenter

“Juno” is bubblegum pop done just right. It’s been a massive year for Sabrina, and it’s so deserved. She’s one of the funniest pop girlies in the mainstream right now (along with Chappell Roan), and I don’t think she gets enough credit for her clever, catchy-as-hell lyrics. The guitar solo in this is just the cherry on top of an already incredibly fun, vibey, cheeky song about wanting to have a guy’s baby. Everybody please say thank you to Jack Antonoff for producing one of the best pop albums of the year.

11. Juna — Clairo

This song title is only one letter off from the one above it (Clairo shade?), but it couldn’t be more different. “Juna” is a chill, absolutely delightful song with tons of retro sounds that evoke both slow, bossa nova-esque jazz standards and twinkly, folksy singer-songwriter vibes from the 50s, 60s, and 70s. I loved her entire album Charm, but I think this song is a definite standout.

12. reincarnated — Kendrick Lamar

I could go on and on forever about the genius and beauty of this song. I haven’t been able to stop listening to Kendrick’s new album GNX since it came out. He gave us hit after hit with this one, but the second I heard the piano of that 2Pac sample from “Made N****z” I knew “reincarnated” would be my favorite song of the bunch. In this masterpiece, Kendrick takes the listener on a journey through his psyche, exploring the legacy and personal influence of blues legends John Lee Hooker and Dinah Washington by embodying himself in their spirits while he tells their epic and ultimately tragic life stories — both woven through with music, addiction, fame, and untimely death — through their voices. It’s not hard to draw comparisons to Kendrick’s own life when you hear him speaking in the voices of his predecessors. His tone and flow throughout the song are near-perfect emulations of 2Pac himself, a figure who still looms large over Kendrick’s life and music.

During the third verse, Kendrick Lamar returns to his own body, and starts to converse with God about his place in the world and the moral paradoxes of fame and power. It says a lot about Kdot’s character that at this high point in his career, fresh off of winning one of the most epic rap beefs in modern times with seven songs from one album simultaneously in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, he still remains introspective and critical of his own influence. He even goes as far as to compare himself to Lucifer during his conversation with his “Father” (God, but intentionally a double entendre to also reference his actual Dad), invoking the Bible chapter Isaiah 14 and recalling how the devil — a musician, originally — was cast down from heaven for committing the sin of pride. It’s a nuanced, powerful metaphor for the way music and the industry can both corrupt and heal. Kendrick ends by proclaiming “I rewrote the devil’s story just to take our power back, ‘carnated.” He wants to rewrite the story for future generations of Hip Hop, and leave behind the generational trauma and corruption of the past to pave a brighter path forward, one where artists can make music without the burdens of violence, corruption, or miscommunication.

I’m barely scratching the surface with this analysis, so if you’re interesting in reading more about this incredible song, check out this excellent article from Clash — “‘reincarnated’ By Kendrick Lamar: An Interpretation” from Mimi The Music Blogger — that I referenced to fact check this section. They explain the lyrics and meaning with far more detail, eloquence, and accuracy than I ever could.

Anyways. Can you tell I love this song?

13. martingale — Searows

Searows is one of those artists I don’t publicly show enough love for. He makes some of my favorite acoustic singer-songwriter music, and I can always turn to his catalogue, but especially “House Song,” when I’m feeling depressed or simply not in the mood for anything remotely peppy. Sometimes it’s good to just wallow in a piece of music for a while, you know? When I first heard “martingale,” it earned an immediate spot on this year’s annual autumn playlist. A perfect song for summer’s end, when that weird nostalgia starts to seep in along with the cooler air.

14. Screen Cleaner — George Daniel

As a huge fan of The 1975, I was incredibly hyped when I saw that George (husband of icon Charli xcx, drummer, genius producer, DJ, and house music aficionado) was officially releasing solo music separate from the band. It’s been a pretty big year for me and the house/electronic genre in general, so it’s no surprise I immediately loved “Screen Cleaner.” I love George’s use of the Tove Lo sample. He has such an innate understanding of song structure and melody after producing pop music for such a long time, so unlike a lot of other house music — for me at least — his beats don’t linger in one place for too long, and you never feel like you’re just twiddling your thumbs waiting for the drop. I can’t wait to see what he does next with his solo career and brand-new record label DH2. Proud of him!

15. supernatural — Ariana Grande

Eternal Sunshine wasn’t necessarily a standout album for me this year, but it was still super enjoyable, and definitely had some standout songs. “supernatural,” with its laid-back beat, airy syncopated vocals, and spacious synths instantly made me fall in love. It’s somewhat rare that I’ll listen to a song and know it’s a new favorite within the first 15 seconds of play time, but this was one of the few that fit that bill. The moment a song clicks perfectly into place in my brain is one of my favorite feelings in the world, and I still get a little bit of that hit whenever I listen to this gorgeous pop gem, even if it’s the 100th time I’ve heard it.

16. image — Magdalena Bay

Not every viral TikTok song deserves to be a hit. I can confidently say this one does, though. I’m pretty sure I had the hook “Ohhhhhhh my godddd… 22 more minutes” stuck in my head for days after I heard it. I’ve been a fan of Magdalena Bay since back when every single thirst edit and TikTok was set to “Killshot (Slowed + Reverb),” and I’ve loved watching their evolution as a group over the years. Imaginal Disk was one of the best albums of this year and really showcased how their sound has expanded out into totally new weird niches and sub-genres. There’s really nothing like catchy pop melodies placed over original, wacky, exciting production. Both BRAT and Imaginal Disk are perfect examples of this.

17. Skater — Four Tet

I love George Daniel, but I’m going to go ahead and admit this was my favorite ambient track of the year. Four Tet’s 2024 album Three is one of those records you can put on while doing something else and still totally vibe to with no problems. It was hard to narrow down one song I loved the most from the track list, but “Skater” stood out because it evokes a very strange sense of deja vu in me. I’m not really sure why, but it might have to do with the fact that it sounds like something you might hear in the soundtrack of a moody 80’s film or the opening credits of a TV crime drama. I’m obsessed with it.

18. I Could’ve Been a Star — Suki Waterhouse

Perhaps the strangest album title I’ve heard this year, Memoir of a Sparklemuffin wasn’t necessarily on constant rotation, but “I Could’ve Been a Star” definitely was. In fact, I don’t think I listened to this song enough, considering how much I love it. Suki has such a romantic way of singing — very similar to one of my all-time faves, Lana del Rey — and even though the whole drone-y throwaway vocal delivery doesn’t always work, it absolutely does here. This is a lovely, bittersweet song that feels like a vision out of a movie; a drive along the coast in late afternoon; something I want to slow dance to with a lover I’ll never see again. There’s just a certain nostalgia that comes with a song in 6/8 that can’t be recreated in any other time signature.

19. Cardinal — Kacey Musgraves

Once again, the 70s folksy vibes drew me in. They always do. The guitar in the intro is so beautiful and immediately brings to mind one of my favorite Beatles songs, “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown).” Coincidence? Or maybe it sounds like The Mamas and Papas, or perhaps just all my favorite singer-songwriter material from the 60’s and 70’s wrapped into one. Its lyrics about Kacey’s grief, personified as a cardinal delivering her a “message from the other side” after the tragic loss of her friend and country music legend John Prine, make it one of the most touching songs of the year for me.

20. There Were Stars In Your Eyes — Slow Fiction

My roommate from when I studied abroad in London, Julia, is the lead singer of this band. She’s also an incredible poet — like, an actual poet, not just a lyricist. We were never that close and haven’t spoken in years, but I’ve kept up with her band since they had only 20 monthly listeners on Spotify. They now have 28.4K. “There Were Stars In Your Eyes” comes off of their second EP, Crush, and is a great example of the simultaneously gritty and dreamy indie-rock music they make. One of my favorite lyrics is “The house is still on fire / too bad nobody’s home / Your voice is so admired / just waiting on your call.”

21. Push — Skrillex, TAICHU, OFFAIAH, contra

Yes, this song is in an iPhone commercial. Does that make it any less cool? Probably. But it’s still a fucking vibe, and that’s all I really have to say about this one! Inside every tumblr internet kid who grew up in the 2010’s is a very small yearning for the days of Bangarang, and if you disagree, either you didn’t live it, or you’re lying.

22. Everything is romantic featuring caroline polachek — Charli xcx, Caroline Polachek

I love this dark interpretation of the original “Everything is romantic” from BRAT — it feels like the other side of the coin; the feeling of getting back from a beach vacation to rainy weather and stress and stale air in your bedroom, wondering how you live here everyday when it seems so miserable compared to where you just were. The refrain “fall in love again and again” sounds more ominous in this version than it does joyful. Caroline Polachek’s signature wailing vocals, the minimal production that builds to a crescendo, and the vulnerable, endearingly random (yet strangely still relatable?) lyrics made this a highlight of Brat and it’s completely different but also still brat.

23. BODYGUARD — Beyoncé

I still think those background vocals sound like Taylor Swift. Whether it’s her or not, “BODYGUARD” was one of my favorite songs on COWBOY CARTER. It’s sexy, sweet, groovy, picturesque, and so addicting. AND there’s a guitar solo? It’s honestly hard for a song to get better than this. I’ll go as far to say that this is in my top 10 Beyoncé songs of all time — don’t ask me what they are, though. I’m still figuring that out.

24. So Sick of Dreaming — Maggie Rogers

I was lucky enough to see Maggie Rogers in concert this year with one of my best friends who’s also a huge fan. Maggie’s soulful, slightly rough-around-the-edges sound was just amplified twofold listening to her live. Out of all the songs on Don’t Forget Me, I think “So Sick of Dreaming” best represents what it was like to hear her voice in person. It’s a beautiful song, but arguably the best part is the We-Are-Never-Ever-Getting-Back-Together-inspired gossipy voicemail message that serves as the bridge. I will never stop saying this — Maggie Rogers is one of the most talented singer-songwriters in the industry right now, and more people need to appreciate her insane talent.

25. Run Your Mouth — The Marías

Maria Zardoya’s voice is one of the most unique in pop music right now. There’s almost something cartoonish about it, but it enhances all the music she makes — very similar to Misterwives lead vocalist Mandy Lee. This was one of the catchiest indie-pop songs of the year from one of the best indie-pop albums of the year. The Marías have always made sexy, groovy, and incredibly vibe-centric music, and 2024 is no exception. You’ve just gotta love a playful little song like this.

26. Not Like Us — Kendrick Lamar

Psst — I see the song of the summer, part II. I might hold the unpopular opinion that this isn’t actually the best diss track or even song that Kendrick Lamar released this year, but I do think this is his biggest hit, and the song that unequivocally brought the most joy to the most people in 2024. This man had middle-schoolers screaming “Certified Lover Boy? Certified pedophile!” at their school dances, plus all of L.A. (and the entire West Coast, in spirit) dancing on Drake’s grave at The Pop Out: Ken & Friends at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, CA. Performing “Not Like Us” six times in a row while simultaneously uniting every gang in the city on stage put the final nail in the coffin. If anything deserves the credit for officially shutting down one of the most ridiculous rap beefs of all time once and for all, it’s this song. And I haven’t even mentioned DJ Mustard’s perfect beat. Lemme hear you say OV-HOE— !!!

27. so american — Olivia Rodrigo

There have been a ridiculous amount of addictive pop songs released this year. The first line of the chorus — “He laughs at all my jokes, and he says I’m so american!” —is up there with lyrics from “Good Luck, Babe” and “Espresso” for Catchiest Hook Of The Year. This song feels like the peppy pop-rock Gen-Z daughter of “She’s American” by The 1975. No wonder I love it. “so american” is the kind of song you’re required to play going 70 mph on the highway while scream-singing your lungs out in order to fully enjoy, and that’s exactly why it’s so good.

28. Espresso — Sabrina Carpenter

Speaking of songs of the summer and the catchiest hooks of all time — this is possibly the most Song-of-the-Summer “Song of the Summer” in all of modern history. I’m trying to think of the best line to include here to illustrate the crack-cocaine addictive effect of “Espresso” (no pun intended), but literally every single line is a genius, sugary hook. “Too bad your ex don’t do it for you” might be my personal favorite, though. There’s really not much else to say except that this song is a fucking bop and a certified hood classic. Case closed. That’s that me espresso.

29. Mary Boone — Vampire Weekend

I personally love a good children’s choir as background vocals. I also love pretty strings and sparkly piano layered over a funky beat. Now, I have to admit — I’ve never been a hardcore fan of Vampire Weekend or someone who keeps up with every single album release, but I have a small collection of their songs I consider staples in my Spotify library. “Mary Boone” is just one gem from their most recent album (along with “Prep-School Gangsters”) that I happened to stumble across on a random Spotify playlist . It’s funny how songs just find you sometimes. I’m so glad this one did.

30. I might say something stupid featuring the 1975 and jon hopkins — Charli xcx, The 1975, Jon Hopkins

I’m writing this fresh off the news of Azealia Banks’ and Matty Healy’s Twitter beef, so unfortunately it seems as if the most obvious interpretation of the title “I might say something stupid” is still very topical. But never mind all that. The sparse ambient production from Jon Hopkins, building on itself throughout the song with delicate piano, lush synths, electric guitar, and finally a huge fuzzy base and high hat, is gorgeous. Matty’s writing is what really makes me love this song, though. As someone who’s struggled with my mental health for nearly my entire life, it feels incredibly validating to hear depression talked about with such stark candor and in so few words.

“Rot in your house in a tie / Putting my skin into anything / I eat a lot like a fly / I get nervous and sip the wine,” is the line that hits me the hardest. Not moving from your bed, not caring about what you wear, barely eating, drinking out of nervousness to numb the pain… It's all very real and very relatable. I cried a lot during my first few listens of this song, and I still hold it very dear to my heart. It’s been a difficult past two years for Matty, and I feel so privileged that I got to hear new music from him and The 1975 this year, even if it was just one song on a remix album and a few other singles. “I don’t know if I belong here anymore” perfectly distills how many of us are feeling right now in this increasingly terrifying and difficult-to-live-in world. Thank you, Matty.

31. Free Treasure — Adrianne Lenker

One of my favorite sub-genres of all time is indie country-folk. There’s a time and place for the type of country music you sing along to on a highway drenched in sunshine, but this is not that. Adrianne Lenker makes music for cloudy days. And as a big fan of cloudy days, “Free Treasure” is the kind of delicate, slightly sorrowful acoustic song I really resonate with. I love when artists aren’t afraid to lean into an actual country-folk sound with real instruments fully stripped down to their bare bones with no extra pop or electronic elements thrown onto a backing track to create “ambience,” or whatever. Sometimes you have to sit with the simplicity and create the ambience yourself. Paint your own picture with Adrianne’s beautiful Dolly Parton-esque vibrato.

32. JOYRIDE — Kesha

Kesha’s first song as a free woman is possibly the weirdest, wackiest, most joyful club music I’ve ever heard. Somehow she takes accordions and makes them work on a pseudo-hyperpop EDM track. I’m not going to question her methods. All I wanna do until the new year is watch the viral edit to this song on a loop and occasionally stream “JOYRIDE (Revved Up Remix) for a change of pace. Thank you Mother, for this incredible gift. I can’t wait for what’s next.

33. Snap My Finger (ft. PinkPantheress) — KAYTRANADA, PinkPantheress

I found this song while making a playlist titled “pinkpantheress is that you?”. I really don’t know much about KAYTRANADA as I only have a couple of their songs in my Spotify library, but I really enjoyed listening to their 2024 album TIMELESS while writing this — I’d recommend it to anyone who likes chill, R&B-infused electronica. Anyway, I love pretty much anything PinkPantheress is involved in. I’m obsessed with her soft, miniature-sounding vocals and DnB-alt-pop production style. The production on “Snap My Finger” doesn’t have her signature skittering UK jungle-y garage beats, but KAYTRANADA’s mellow, sparse electronic sound is still a great compliment to her vocals and unique melodic runs, constantly shifting between major and minor. My favorite line delivery? “I’ll figure it out… and maybe one day, you’ll feel the same.”

34. Guilty as Sin? — Taylor Swift

From The Blue Nile references to the chill soft rock sound to the religious metaphors, I love everything about this song. There’s just something shimmery and special about it I can’t really put my finger on. It’s a song about yearning and getting off to Matty Healy — I won’t parse words here. That is what it’s about. Argue with the wall. Lol. It’s sexy, of course, but the tone of melancholic longing under all the double entendres is really what makes this song stand out from other “horny” songs in Taylor’s discography. She’s an expert at layering emotions in her work, and this is one of the best examples to date of that talent. “Guilty as Sin?” could easily be the best song off of the standard TTPD album.

35. DNM — Mk.gee

Yes, this is the second Mk.gee song on this list. I’ve become such a huge fan of his sound this year, I just can’t leave “DNM” song off. The drums, echoey piano, screechy metallic accents, and the haunting vocals and synths layered far behind them create that signature spacious, dark, dry sound I never want to stop listening to. I know Mk.gee’s been getting a lot of play and recognition this year, and I really hope he continues to grow so even more people can hear the genius of whatever project he comes out with next. If I could, I’d include his entire album on this list. I can confidently say he’s one of my favorite rising artists in the indie space — or really anywhere — right now.

36. Dinner With Friends — Kacey Musgraves

I debated which song I wanted to include from Deeper Well on this list, and ultimately decided I had to have two, “Dinner With Friends” being one of them. This ethereal track is too beautiful to not have on this list. It’s essentially a “My Favorite Things” for depressed young people in 2024 looking for meaning in the small, beautiful little moments in life. Kacey tends to write very simply, but despite that, her lyrics in this song are incredibly evocative. One of my favorite parts of “Dinner With Friends,” though, is her vocals in the chorus. It’s such a stark, interesting choice to make — placing the melody pitched up an entire octave on a layer over the main melodic line, rather than a traditional harmony. It gives the whole song a beautifully hollow, raw sound. I love it.

37. Mahashmashana — Father John Misty

Right off the bat — this song is 9 minutes and 19 seconds long. That’s already a win in my book, as A Practiced Connoisseur of Long Songs. A long song still has to be a good song for me to like it, though, and I pretty much immediately knew it would be. Father John Misty makes incredibly cinematic music with beautiful orchestral accompaniment behind soulful, folksy vocals. I have to say, though — this song is especially good in that regard. The saxophone solos in the instrumental sections alone are simply fantastic and make me feel like I’m about to start involuntarily floating up towards the heavens. I’m not really a religious person, but man… this is very corny, but if Father John Misty was my pastor, you’d see me in church every damn Sunday. This is an epic magnum opus of a song, and one of the best album openers I’ve heard in a while.

38. 365 — Charli xcx

“Bumpin’ that” is one of the most iconic phrases to come out of 2024, and it’s all thanks to Charli. The nasty, grimy club vibes on this track make it an addicting bop, and the excellent sampling of her own “360” — the opening track of BRAT — makes it so this final track of the standard album, “365,” flows almost seamlessly back to the beginning when you have the album on repeat. On BRAT, Charli takes the listener on a journey from a 360-degree, full circle, self-indulgent turn in the mirror to an entire year-long party girl anthem for the ages. It’s the perfect conclusion to one of the best albums of the year — and decade, so far. Long live the queen.

39. Raat Ki Rani — Arooj Aftab

I’ll be so honest with y’all right now — I know nothing about this artist, and this is the first song I’ve ever heard from her, so apologies if this is an egregious gap in my music knowledge. After hearing “Raat Ki Rani” on a year-end playlist from some big publication I can’t remember the name of, I fell for it so hard I just had to include it on this list. From my very basic research, I know Arooj Aftab is Pakistani-American and sings primarily in her native language of Urdu. I know I’ve said this about a lot of songs on this list, but this is without a doubt up there with the top 10 most gorgeous songs I’ve heard this year.

Arooj’s voice is absolutely captivating and nearly impossible to turn your attention away from. This dark, soothing, slightly groovy, mysterious ballad is everything I want from every artist I listen to, but I know most of them couldn’t even come close to what Arooj does on this track. The harp alone is enough to steal the show, but what really takes “Raat Ki Rani” over the edge to fantastic for me is Arooj’s haunting vocals. It feels pointless trying to capture the beauty of this masterpiece in writing, so all I can do at this point is yell at you to go listen to this song. Go listen to this song!

40. Diet Pepsi — Addison Rae

Addison Rae’s evolution from TikTok star, to try-hard fledgling music newbie, to cash cow Netflix actress, and then finally to an singer with her own unique perspective on pop has been fascinating to watch. I’ll admit — I had my doubts about her when she first released music. She hadn’t found her niche yet, though. I liked a few of the songs on her debut 2023 EP, AR, but “Diet Pepsi” showed me that, in 2024, she’s fully stepping into her own as an artist. She combines a BRAT-esque aesthetic with a euro-pop, y2k sound and messy weaponized innocence to make a seductive, breathtaking track about “losing all [your] innocence in the backseat.” It’s one of the best songs to come out in the hyper/bubblegum/alt-pop space in 2024 — the year of BRAT — and that’s really saying something. The music video for this song is one of the best of the year, and the key change down a step for the last chorus is a stroke of genius. “X… O… Let’s… go…” will be stuck in my head for years to come.

41. heart pt. 6 — Kendrick Lamar

This is the fourth Kendrick song on this list, for anyone counting. It seems a little excessive to put this many songs from one artist on a list of only 50 (the same can be said for the strong Charli xcx presence here), but 2024 has truly been Kdot’s year, and his success deserves to be properly celebrated. This song documents the emotional ups and downs of Kendricks career, starting with TDE and Black Hippie, and concluding with his present dominance over his genre as one of the greatest of all time, now looking beyond himself and his own music to inspire a new generation of artists and establish himself as a “Black Exec,’” as he says in this song. For anyone who doesn’t know much about Kendrick’s beginnings, I would highly recommend listening to this track to hear the story of his come-up from a reserved kid attending label meetings in the shadow of his contemporaries, to arguably one of the greatest rappers alive today, straight from the source. “heart pt. 6,” a song title that would normally signal a coming album based on Kendrick’s deliberate release pattern of “heart pt. __” singles over the years, is already a bit of a tease. But what makes it even better is that Kendrick reclaimed the name from Drake’s pitiful attempt to steal it for himself during their beef this last summer, and made a song one million times better than the awful single Drake put out. The SWV “Use Your Heart” sample in this is absolutely beautiful — the use of classic samples as melodic features and interludes on GNX is just flawless. This song is emblematic of everything I love about Kendrick’s music.

42. Supersad — Suki Waterhouse

I’m a little shocked two songs from Memoir of a Sparklemuffin (still a ridiculous name) got onto this list, but while reviewing all my favorite albums of 2024, I realized this second stand-out track from the Suki’s album just had to be included. The hook alone — “There’s no point in being supersad… (there’s no point in being supersad)” — is addicting enough to earn it a place. While the other Suki song mentioned here is a gorgeous gloomy ballad, this one one is a playful, grungy, indie-pop-rock romp that makes you want to spin around on a dance floor after rallying with your friends for one last drink at the dive bar. …Or at least it does for me.

43. Death & Romance — Magdalena Bay

From the moment I heard the piano chords at the beginning of this song, I knew I would love it. I distinctly remember the first time I listened to “Death & Romance,” when I’m pretty sure I added it to my “currently listening” playlist within the first 15 seconds of hearing it. The cosmic-sounding undulating synths underneath the driving beats from the drum kit and more otherworldly vocals from lead singer Mica Tenenbaum make this one of the best indie-pop songs of the year. I feel like I might have said this about another track on this list, but I guess it doesn’t really matter, because that’s why I included both of them in the first place. Once again, Magdalena Bay slays.

44. Bed Chem — Sabrina Carpenter

Sabrina might be the horniest white girl in pop right now (yes, this is Ariana shade, because, I’m sorry, I cannot accept lust for Boq from Wicked as valid), but if she continues to release music like this, I have absolutely zero judgement about it. While “Espresso” and “Juno” might be included here because they’re pop perfection and it would be malpractice as an enjoyer of that genre to leave them out, “Bed Chem” is on this list simply because it’s my favorite song from Short n’ Sweet. Raunchy, hilarious lyrics aside (“Where art thou? Why not upon-eth me?” is one of the best things I’ve heard all year), this is a glossy, groovy showcase of Sabrina’s criminally underrated vocals and her absolute mastery of the genre right now.

45. Ordinary Heaven — Bleachers

Jack Antonoff has done it again. You’d think after producing music for seemingly every single artist currently active in the industry, he wouldn’t have much time to spare for his own projects. I’m so glad he does though, otherwise we wouldn’t have this emotional, earnest song about cherishing the everyday moments with your lover — valuing time together simply because there’s nothing spectacular about it, and that in of itself is a gift. The ordinary act of simply choosing to live a life with someone is what makes that life so beautiful. “You dance around the apartment… And I just get to be there… I just get to witness” is such a simple sentiment, but so incredibly romantic. The spoken word verse at the end, placed over synths and a far-off, noodling saxophone solo, is introspective and sobering. Throughout the song, though, his layered, choppy vocals seem to have the opposite effect. They shout at the listener: Pay attention! You get to witness this life. You get to be here. Cherish it.

46. DENIAL IS A RIVER — Doechii

Doechii’s music reminds me of old school rap, and I mean that as a massive compliment. She’s like if Missy Elliot, Lauren Hill, Lil’ Kim, and Doja Cat had a baby. I’m obsessed. I think I can speak for a lot of people when I say that she’s one of the most exciting newer voices in the hip hop genre, and I can’t wait to hear more from her when she releases her official debut album. She’s fucking hilarious, insanely clever, and so extraordinarily talented. In all of her performances the talent and confidence just drip off of her. Based on the fact that this song is a tongue-in-cheek conversation Doechii has with herself, and the fact that I had so much to say about Kendrick’s “reincarnated,” I’m starting to think I have a special thing for introspective rap songs where the artist bargains with themselves. Lol. Kendrick was right when he posted Doechii’s mixtape to his Instagram story with the caption “the hardest out.”

47. imgonnagetyouback — Taylor Swift

Not everyone will agree with this pick, but this is a personal favorite of mine from TTPD, so it felt wrong to leave it off. “imgonnagetyouback” has some of the most interesting production on the album, starting off with chopped up synths and weird crispy vocal inflections leading into a bitter, seething verse and a cheeky, wistful chorus that swells with Taylor’s soaring, breathy vocals. She uses the double entendre of “I’m gonna get you back” to highlight each of the two preceding lines in the chorus — it’s so clever, and frames the entire song as a picture of the paradoxical, contradictory thoughts of a person left reeling by heartbreak. It perfectly encapsulates the simultaneous anger and longing many of us feel after a relationship ends, and like many of her songs, the bridge is where this one shines the most. The layered vocals separated by an octave give the song a haunting, desperate, almost disorienting feel, as if her voice is echoing around the head of the object of her affections. “Told my friends I hate you / but I love you just the same” pretty much sums it up.

48. Starburster — Fontaines D.C.

It took me a while to get around to listening to Fontaines D.C. 's 2024 album Romance, but I finally did, and I love it. “Starburster” is a brash, angsty, anxiety-ridden song that builds up in layers of frantic lyrics, harsh drums, and dark guitar to create a groove that sort of makes you want to bang your head against a wall, but in the best way. The intro is a bit deceiving with its distorted strings and bright piano, but before you can get too used to it, the song dives into the heavy first verse. Similar to Doechii’s “DENIAL IS A RIVER,” this song features theatrical heavy breathing, which I find deliciously off-putting, yet very fitting, considering that (from what I’ve seen on Reddit) this song is about a panic attack on the London tube. It’s a weird composition that can’t quite seem to decide what it wants to be, but I don’t care, because that’s the kind of song I adore the most. The bridge sounds completely different than the rest of it, with delicate strings and slowed down, tender vocals that immediately switch back to being grimy and rushed when the chorus hits for the last time. It’s an incredible rock song that makes you want to “bite the phone” and “bleed the tone,” as they so poetically put it.

49. squabble up — Kendrick Lamar

The West Coast is thriving and turning the fuck up under Kendrick Lamar’s reign. This song, which Kendrick originally teased at the beginning of his “Not Like Us” music video, embodies the sound of West Coast rap and is one of the clear stand-outs on GNX. Clearly Kendrick knew this, because he made it a single and filmed an insane, must-watch music video for it, filled with an insane amount of easter eggs and cultural references. I know I’ve raved a lot about GNX here, but I have no shame about it. It’s undoubtedly one of the best albums of the year, and “squabble up” is undoubtedly one of the best songs. The Debbie Deb sample from “When I Hear Music” is simply the melodic cherry on top of a slew of hype lyrics and subtle digs at Drake. “luther (with sza)” almost made it in this spot, but after re-listening to the album for what seems like the hundredth time already, I knew this banger had to make the list. Cheers to 2024, Kendrick. You won.

50. Girl, so confusing featuring lorde — Charli xcx, Lorde

I saved one of the best songs on this list for last. At this point we can confidently say that yes, the internet did go crazy when Charli and Lorde worked it out on the remix. Charli crafted the original genius of this song, but Lorde — the subject of her lyrics — adds an entirely new layer to it that elevates it far above “good” into true greatness. Lorde’s verse includes some of the best lyrics on BRAT, in my opinion. The moment I heard “And it's just self-defense / Until you're building a weapon” my life changed. I’m serious. This song takes a dynamic many women and girls experience — simultaneous envy and respect of a peer that eventually morphs into a weird, defensive, insecure stance that leaves both people unsure of where their true feelings lie — and puts it into words that virtually anyone can understand. Lorde transforms this vulnerable club banger into an even rawer exploration of both of these women’s pasts. For herself, Lorde talks about disordered eating: “'Cause for the last couple years / I've been at war in my body / I tried to starve myself thinner / And then I gained all the weight back / I was trapped in the hatred.” For Charli, Lorde recognizes that her former perceptions of her might have been overblown: “Forgot that inside the icon / There's still a young girl from Essex.” That last line alone was enough to make me emotional.

Honestly, forget the production. I’ve talked enough about it in the blurbs for the four other songs from BRAT and its subsequent remix album on this list. Charli might not be known for her lyrics, but the vulnerability and honestly in the words of her most recent albums can’t be overstated. “Girl, so confusing featuring lorde” is special because the simplest of words somehow bring clarity to one of the most confusing situations a women can find herself in, both in girlhood and adulthood. That is the beauty of both Charli and Lorde’s writing — they don’t need flowery language or five verses to express all of their feelings. They can do it in a single line: “Man, I don’t know, I’m just a girl.”

Thanks so much for reading. In case you missed it: