Over the course of the year, so much incredible music has been released from so many incredible artists. Every year, I try to listen to as much new music as I can in preparation for making my end of the year lists. Before I write about any albums, I want to highlight my top 20 favorite singles of the year 2024. For clarification, a single is a stand-alone song either part of a bigger project or not. I am also limiting myself to one song per artist.

Before I get into the top 20, there are four singles I want to highlight as honorable mentions:

Timeless - The Weeknd (ft. Playboi Carti)

Genres: Trap, Pop Rap

The Weeknd and Playboi Carti team up for a boostful, playful, and catchy trap banger.

Flash in the Pan - Jane Remover

Genres: Alternative R&B, Emo Rap

Jane's witty wordplay and daring production is what made me keep coming back to this one.

Favourite - Fontains D.C.

Genres: Jangle Pop, Inide Pop

One of the best indie rock singles all year. Fontains D.C. channel The Cure and other 80s bands for a very well-written and passionate song.

For Cryin' Out Loud - FINNEAS

Genres: Indie Pop, Pop Rock

Due to his sister's success (Billie Eilish) many look over FINNEAS's solo music which is unfortunate because this is one of the catchiest songs of the year.

Ok, now it is time to get into the top 20. Below are my favorite singles of the year 2024!

#20 Please Please Please - Sabrina Carpenter

Genres: Soft Rock, Urban Cowboy

This past year was certainly one dominated by female pop artists. It brought many artists to new heights, one of which being Sabrina Carpenter. While I haven't been a huge fan of her music in the past, "Please Please Please" was one I could get behind. The glimmering and country-esk production works so well with Carpenter's vocals and witty lyrics.

#19 One Wish - Ravyn Lenae (ft. Childish Gambino)

Genres: Contemporary R&B, Neo-Soul

Ravyn Lenae was an artist I discovered as of this year. I am so grateful I did because her vocals are so lush and soothing. "One Wish" is a deeply moving song about her relationship with her father which features a wonderful feature from Childish Gambino who sings from the father's point of view—one of the best R&B singles of the year.

#18 Punish - Ethel Cain

Genres: Ethereal Wave, Slowcore

Ethel Cain is an artist who has slowly begun to grow a cult-like following over the years, one that I am a part of. This single, "Punish", is the lead single to her upcoming project set to drop next year. While only one album into her career, Cain has already developed a distinctive style and sound. This track is dark and grim but also comforting in its own way. I can't wait for a whole album of this next year.

#17 Highjack - A$AP Rocky (ft. Jessica Pratt)

Genres: Cloud Rap, Trap

While this year might have been another year without a new album from A$AP Rocky, we at least got "Highjack" which is a fantastic piece of melodic rap. In its three-minute runtime, Rocky packs so much in here. The bars all hit and the outro sung by Jessica Pratt is so well-sung and melodically beautiful. It's an unlikely collaboration but man does it work so well. Still waiting on the album...

#16 Don't Forget Me - Maggie Rogers

Genres: Singer-Songwriter, Country Pop

Similar to Sabrina Carpenter, Maggie Rogers is an artist who had yet to impress me until this year. This track blew me away. Roger's vocals sound fantastic over this soft rock production. I think she truly found her sound with this one.

#15 Alone in Miami - Remi Wolf

Genres: Indie Rock, Bedroom Pop

Remi Wolf has always been a powerhouse vocalist, and if you didn't believe her yet, she proves it to you on "Alone in Miami." It's my favorite out of the great batch of singles she released this past year. As I mentioned, the vocal performance is amazing, as well as the lyrics here. An all-around great track from an underrated voice in pop.

#14 I Walk - Mount Eerie

Genres: Slacker Rock, Post Rock

Mount Eerie, also known as The Microphones, also known as Phil Everum, released a gigantic album this past year, however, the lead single, "I Walk", is one that is not leaving me. The cold atmosphere this song creates is something to get lost in every time. The lyrics are deep, and Phil's hush vocals are entrancing.

#13 Wristwatch - MJ Lenderman

Genres: Alt-Country, Slacker Rock

MJ Lenderman is yet another artist that I discovered this past year, and I am very grateful I did because "Wristwatch" is a very well-produced and performed rock-country crossover. Lenderman's vocals come as somewhat lazy and checked out but I think that adds to the overall vibe of the track. The chorus here hits it home.

#12 Holy, Holy - Geordie Greep

Genres: Jazz-Rock, Progressive Rock

This is Geordie Greep's debut single out of his band Black Midi, and to put it lightly, this song is quite the trip. The first time I heard it I was left near speechless. It doesn't waste a single second in its six-minute runtime. The guitar riffs, vocals, and lyrics are so widely out of control yet it all comes together incredibly.

#11 Houston - Jean Dawson

Genres: Synth-pop, Alt-pop

Jean Dawson has been an underrated artist for quite some time. His music spans all genres, however, I think Dawson absolutely nailed the 80s synthpop sound on this track. The lyrics are very touching and the melody is great. Fans of what The Weeknd has been doing lately should find much enjoyment in this single.

#10 16 CARRIAGES - Beyoncé

Genres: Contemporary Country, Country Soul

The one and only Beyoncé showed off more of her versatility when she took things in a country direction. While there is a whole 27-song album to get into, "16 CARRIAGES" is a powerful and grand statement as a lead single. The lyrics send a message and Beyoncé, as always, sounds incredible over the gritty Americana instrumental of the track.

#9 Not Like Us - Kendrick Lamar

Genres: West Coast Hip-Hop, Hardcore Hip-Hop

2024 arguably gave us the most memorable rap beef of all time. Back-to-back-back drops that Kendrick Lamar gave us were enough to end Drake in a second, as if there were any questions to begin with. "Not Like Us" was somewhat escapable over the summer but I for one was not complaining. Kendrick dances on Drake's grave for nearly five minutes over an incredible beat from producer Mustard. The beat suits Kendrick flawlessly making this one of the most memorable dis-tracks ever.

#8 Mary Boone - Vampire Weekend

Genres: Chamber Pop, Trip Hop

The duo that is Vampire Weekend has had skin in the game for a long time now, however, in 2024 they arguably had their best release yet. This single is absolutely infectious. The piano in the drop of the second chorus is more than enough for this song to earn a placement in the top 10.

#7 Cheerleader - Porter Robinson

Genres: Indietronica, Electropop

This track took a couple of listens to click, but once it did, I couldn't get enough of it. Porter Robinson has been in the EDM/electropop genre for some time now, but none of his work really caught my eye until "Cheerleader." I can't lie, upon first listen it sounds a bit like it could be in a Disney Channel Orginal, but, once you get past that, the chorus here is truly infectious. This is a song that does not involve much thought to enjoy.

#6 Eusexua - FKA twigs

Genres: Trance, Art Pop

FKA Twigs is slated to release her new album "EUSEXUA" in January and I can not wait. All three of the singles that have been released have been phenomenal. My favorite of the bunch is the title track which was the first single to be released. This track feels like you are in an underground rave, with the pulsating beat and Twig's enchanting vocals, it makes for quite the lead single. I am eagerly waiting to see what else this album has in store.

#5 Good Luck, Babe - Chappell Roan

Genres: Synthpop, Pop Rock

Similar to Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan rose to fame like no other in 2024, and all the hype is warranted. "Good Luck, Babe" was another song this year that seemed inescapable, and again, I am not complaining. This really is just a well-sung, well-produced, and well-written pop song. I really can't wait to see where Chappell Roan goes musically next year because I think she is the future of pop.

#4 SIN MIEDO - JPEGMAFIA

Genres: Experimental Hip Hop, Hardcore Hip Hop

JPEGMAFIA continues to prove he is one of the most creative and talented rappers in the game with "SIN MIEDO." The second single off of his 2024 album "I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR YOU" is an absolute ride from start to finish. There is so much packed into this song, whether that be the glitchy sample, off-the-chain bars, or the incredible guitar solo that comes in following the second chorus. This track is an all-time favorite for me in JPEG's catalog and a must-listen.

#3 Sadness as a Gift - Adrianne Lenker

Genres: Singer-songwriter, Americana

Adrianne Lenker is quickly crowning herself as one of the best songwriters of this generation. The single "Sadness As a Gift" came out back in January and is still able to crack my top three. This goes to show how powerful this song is. The lyrics and beautiful instrumental paint such a vivid image and truly transport the listener to a place of serenity. This song still hits like the first time I listened to it back at the beginning of the year.

#2 Image - Magdalena Bay

Genres: Synthpop, Dance-pop

There really is so much to say about the album that pop duo Magdelena Bay put out this past year titled "Imaginal Disk", but if I can't sit down with everyone and force them to listen to the entire record from start to finish (as much as I may want to) I can at least point them to "Image." This single is by far one of the grooviest songs I have ever heard. The chorus is on another level of catchiness and that goes the same for the instrumental too. This will be a song is a dance-pop masterclass that will stand the test of time.

#1 Club classics - Charli xcx

Genres: Bubblegum bass, Futurepop

Well, we have landed at 1. A song that I played more than any other song in 2024. Charli xcx has been a special pop artist for a long time now, however, people are just now catching on to her greatness due to her majorly successful album, "BRAT", from this past year. There is much more to say about that record as a whole, however, the single "Club classics" is a song that I genuinely just could not get enough of. In less than two and a half minutes, Charli xcx brings me to a club that I never want to leave. I really could have picked any of the singles that Charli xcx released prior to the record release or in relation to the record, but, I don't think I will get over this song any time soon. The chaotic and boastful energy can alter my mood for the better every single time, making it my favorite song of 2024.

That's a wrap on my favorite singles for the year 2024! So many other incredible tracks didn't make the cut; however, I am pleased with the 20 I have listed. I can't wait to discover all the new music next year.

By: Harrison Mullin