In a 12 months of exuberance and terror, songs have come from each path to consolation, to entertain, to torment, to tease. Here, in descending order of measurement, are the 30 better of the 12 months.
1. Chappell Roan“Good luck, darling!”
The results of Roan’s success – a single so vigorous that it took his 2023 debut to the highest of the charts – is its emotional specificity: in some way elegant and jagged on the identical time, “Good Luck, Babe!” is a track by which a lady convinces a lover to think about what he is abandoning in a breakup by asking her to think about waking up in a couple of years and realizing that she might have had all of this – and now as a substitute it is simply somebody’s… spouse. “You know I hate to say ‘I instructed you so,’” Roan sings, his voice rippling with the unwelcome disgrace of his personal ache, “You know I hate to say it, however I instructed you so.” What a scene. —Mikael Wood
2. Kendrick Lamar, “Not Like Us”
Will the Recording Academy actually award the Grammy for file or track of the 12 months to a single that accuses Drake of being a pedophile? How might it not be? No track has hit tougher or dominated the tradition extra fully in 2024. It’s a haters’ ballet: a 4 1/2-minute neutron bomb of revenge that emptied Toronto and, as a substitute of tarnishing its Pulitzer, opened the street to Ok. Dot on the Super Bowl and ready us. for the extraordinary shock album “GNX”. Wop-wop-wop-wop-wop. —August Brown
3. Sabrina Carpentiere“Please, please, please”
A brand new discovery at each flip, every extra entertaining and heartbreaking than the final. — MW
4. Charli XCX with Lorde, “Girl, So Conusing”
Imagine the actual Jolene leaping on a remix with Dolly Parton. – AB
5. Tommy Richman, “Million Dollar Baby”
(He makes a smelly face) — MW
6. Shaboozey“A (Drunk) Bar Song”
A wealthy textual content about America’s cultural and racial realignments – and a assure that Shaboozey won’t ever pay for an try once more. – AB
7. Kali Uchis and Peso Pluma, “Just Like an Angel”
The most luxurious disco-funk jam of the 12 months. — MW
8. You, Wetzel and Jessie Murph, “High Road”
The most tender rock ballad of the 12 months. — MW
9. Billie Eilish“Birds of a Feather”
In which Eilish makes use of her imagined demise to search out life in excessive notes she by no means hit. — MW
10. Taylor Swift, “But Daddy, I Love Him”
Best being pregnant announcement troll in a pop track since “Papa Don’t Preach.” – AB
11. Gracie Abrams, “It’s So True”
“I might go learn your thoughts / Always take into consideration your silly face.” — MW
12. Megan Moroney“The third time The appeal”
Yet one other late summer time Moroney spotlight, attractive, gritty and brilliantly written. – AB
13. Tinashe“Unpleasant”
Does Feeld even will let you submit a bio if it does not point out this track? – AB
14. Zach Bryan, “Pink Skies”
Quick: Savor this uncooked and transferring demise ballad earlier than Bryan totally enters his villain arc. – AB
15. Tyla, “Truth or Dare”
Hard to high “Water,” however Tyla’s cup overflows. – AB
16. SZA, “Saturn”
Stock up on protecting crystals on the House of Intuition as a result of there will probably be no scarcity of vibrations horrible subsequent 12 months. – AB
17. Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars, “Die With a Smile”
I believe Bruno wakes up and ever tries Not write successful? — MW
18. Sade, “Young Lion”
If you’re a dad or mum, you’ll cry. — MW
19. Mk.gee, “Rockman”
A stained glass tribute to Ric Ocasek, divided right into a thousand glowing items. – AB
20. Post Malone that includes Morgan Wallen, “I Had Some Help”
Making a multitude has by no means felt like this clear. — MW
21. Kim Gordon, “Bye Bye”
Sonic Youth’s noise doyenne doing Patti Smith-style lyrics over lure beats too damaged for Playboi-Carti? What a world. – AB
22. Songs, “Love Me JeJe”
An invitation for R&B and Afrobeat followers to immerse themselves in Nigeria’s radiant music historical past. – AB
23. Beyoncé“16 Carriages”
A avenue track extra lonely than ever. — MW
24. SML, “Industry”
Like P-Funk falling down a flight of stairs. – AB
25. Ryuichi Sakamoto, “For Johann”
A haunting piano ballad of devotion and friendship from one deceased composer to a different. – AB
26. Dua Lipa“These partitions”
Killer bassline, attractive slide guitar – and a glamorous pop star decided to not allow you to in. – MW
27. Burial, “Dreamfear”
“I’m the lord of ecstasy” – hell sure. – AB
28. Ethel Cain, “Punish”
“American Teenager” was a basic, however is it dangerous to say it feels good to have Cain again and sound completely depressing? – AB
29. Salute with Lauren Mayberry, “Ashamed”
The Chvrches frontwoman cleverly turns this goth breakup lament on its head (and roasts the Health singer within the course of). – AB
30. Ella Langley, “Nicotine”
Never doubt the flexibility of a nationwide regulation to promote an habit metaphor. — MW
