Top 20 best songs of 2024

1-21

Ignacio Weil

Entertainment - December 26th 2024, 11:00 GMT+1

Photo collage png — About this gallery:

For this list, we focused on the bangers that dominated the airwaves all year long. Sure, your personal favorite might not have made the cut (we mostly leaned toward popular artists – guilty as charged), but there’s no denying these tracks were *everywhere*, all the time.

Of course, this is a totally subjective list, so if you think we left out an absolute masterpiece from this year, why not drop it in the comments? Let the friendly debates begin!

| © Billie Eilish / Universal Music / Kendrick Lamar

Cropped Still House Plants M M M — 20. Still House Plants – M M M

Imagine trying to juggle slowcore, free improv, and post-hardcore all in one song, and somehow ending up with something this cool. Still House Plants’ “M M M” is a little like wandering into an experimental art show that just happens to slap. Jessica Hickie-Kallenbach’s vocals float between dreamy pleas and raw urgency, all set against scrappy guitar strums and tug-of-war percussion that feels perfectly imperfect. It’s a song about longing for connection – one moment a whisper, the next a desperate shout. Halfway through, everything slows down and then jolts back to life like it’s running out of time. Equal parts messy and magnetic, “M M M” is the sound of holding it all together – barely.

Cropped Jessica Pratt Life Is — 19. Jessica Pratt – Life Is

Jessica Pratt’s “Life Is” doesn’t just sound retro; it feels like a treasure unearthed from a time capsule, preserved in soft-focus amber. The reverb-heavy production, bongos, and tube-warm guitar tones transport you to a cozy living room from a long-lost yesteryear. Every element feels quietly in competition to out-subtle the others: a twinkling bell here, a wistful splash of Wurlitzer there. Pratt’s voice, delicate yet grounded, leads the way through this time-bending pocket of warmth. It’s the kind of song that makes you feel like you’ve known it forever, even if you’re hearing it for the first time – a little nostalgic miracle tucked into the chaos of 2024.

Cropped Leon Bridges Peaceful Place — 18. Leon Bridges – Peaceful Place

Leon Bridges has always been a time traveler, and “Peaceful Place” is another step in his sonic journey. This time, he’s fused his vintage soul roots with Nigerian juju and Afrobeat influences, creating a track that sways and sighs in perfect harmony. With guitar melodies that seem to float on a summer breeze, it’s as if Bridges bottled the feeling of exhaling deeply after a long day. Between the pentatonic melodies and his honeyed vocals, “Peaceful Place” manages to sound both nostalgic and refreshingly modern. It’s the musical equivalent of finding your happy place – and who couldn’t use a bit of that?

Cropped Skaiwater Rain — 17. Skaiwater – Rain

Let’s talk about that drop. Skaiwater’s “Rain” is a self-produced fever dream that feels like it’s rewriting the rules of whatever genre it decides to touch. Starting off as a wistful, twinkling ballad, it lulls you into a false sense of calm before the bass drops like a wrecking ball through your expectations. Those blown-out 808s don’t just rattle your speakers – they shake your brain in the best way. Somewhere between lovelorn vocals and chaotic production lies a chaotic masterpiece that feels as messy and overwhelming as love itself. It’s a mind-bending, ear-shattering trip, and Skaiwater pulls it off like it’s no big deal.

Cropped charli xcx 360 — 16. Charli XCX – 360

Charli XCX has never met a rule she didn’t want to break, and “360” is no exception. This track is her brash declaration of pop dominance – part hyperpop chaos, part futuristic fever dream. “I set the tone, it’s my design,” she sings, and she’s not wrong. With a whirlwind of glitchy beats and razor-sharp lyrics, “360” feels like it’s daring you to keep up. Charli has a way of making her audaciousness feel effortless, and here she’s at her cockiest best. It’s a sonic rollercoaster that spins you around until you’re dizzy – and just when you think you’ve got your bearings, it takes another wild turn. Buckle up.

Cropped Tyla Safer — 15. Tyla – Safer

Tyla’s “Safer” is the kind of song that whispers dangerous truths in your ear while tempting you to dance a little closer to the edge. With its signature amapiano beat – hollow, hypnotic, and slightly ominous – it sets the perfect backdrop for a story of romantic temptation. Tyla’s silky vocals glide over the production as she weighs her desires against the clear warning signs, delivering a performance that feels as conflicted as the lyrics. The tension builds like a storm on the horizon, yet there’s an undeniable pull that keeps you listening. “Safer” is a perfect example of how a beat can seduce while a melody warns, leaving you caught in the best kind of musical limbo.

Cropped sabrina carpenter please please please — 14. Sabrina Carpenter – Please Please Please

Sabrina Carpenter’s “Please Please Please” is the ultimate pop shrug, served with an exasperated smirk. This is a shiny, candy-coated anthem for anyone who’s ever rolled their eyes at a partner who Just. Doesn’t. Get. It. Carpenter’s voice is all sugar with just a dash of salt, cooing, “I beg you, don’t embarrass me,” before the mounting frustration takes over. By the final verse, the sleek production mirrors the chaos of a relationship gone off the rails, proving that comedy and heartbreak really can coexist in three minutes of pop perfection. It’s cheeky, relatable, and catchy enough to play on repeat while you mutter, “Please don’t make me repeat myself.”

Cropped Nick León Erika de Casier Bikini — 13. Nick León & Erika de Casier – Bikini

“Meet me at the beach, it’s me in the bikini” – the hook alone could’ve made Nick León and Erika de Casier’s “Bikini” a summer anthem, but the song doesn’t stop there. León’s production is pure sonic sunshine: walloping bass, shimmering synths, and a playful beat that feels like it was designed for golden hour. Erika de Casier’s vocals float over the track like a breeze, her delivery equal parts sultry and wistful. It’s a song that makes you want to drop everything, grab a drink with an umbrella in it, and pretend you’ve never heard of responsibility. Equal parts vacation daydream and late-night come-on, “Bikini” is a pure vibe.

Cropped The Cure Alone — 12. The Cure – Alone

Trust The Cure to make their first new music in 16 years sound both timeless and apocalyptic. “Alone” opens with an epic instrumental that takes its time – three and a half minutes, to be exact – before Robert Smith’s iconic voice even appears. The song unfolds like a Gothic novel, its symphonic layers and ominous melodies building a world of fire, fallen birds, and dying dreams. Smith’s lyrics are grim, but there’s a wink of self-awareness in the drama, like he’s fully embracing the role of the tragic narrator. By the time the full band crashes in, you’re ready to sink into this beautifully orchestrated despair. “Alone” proves that nobody does Gothic grandeur quite like The Cure.

Cropped MJ Lenderman Wristwatch — 11. MJ Lenderman – Wristwatch

MJ Lenderman’s “Wristwatch” is a tragically funny take on modern manhood, complete with a techy timepiece and existential loneliness. The protagonist brags about his all-in-one gadget – a compass, cell phone, and megaphone rolled into one – only to admit it “tells me I’m on my own.” Over a tumble of electric guitars and pedal steel, Lenderman paints a picture of a man so preoccupied with status symbols that he misses the point entirely. The song’s hangdog humor is as sharp as its critique, and the playful line about his “houseboat docked at the Himbo Dome” is an instant classic. “Wristwatch” is a bittersweet salute to all the lost boys out there, still searching for meaning in their cool new toys.

Cropped fontaines d c starburster — 10. Fontaines D.C. – Starburster

If panic attacks could sing, they might sound like “Starburster,” Fontaines D.C.’s bold leap into the surreal. Grian Chatten’s breathless, stream-of-consciousness delivery channels chaos with poetic precision, while the band creates a backdrop that feels like watching a cosmic explosion from a safe but awe-inspiring distance. The spaghetti western twangs and sudden dreamlike interludes are a daring departure from their usual fare, but it’s the nerve-jangling energy that keeps you hooked. “Starburster” is a masterpiece of disorientation, proving that sometimes the only way forward is to blow your sound up and piece it back together in dazzling new forms.

Cropped FKA twigs Eusexua — 9. FKA twigs – Eusexua

In “Eusexua,” FKA twigs takes us to the limits of language and desire, coining a word to describe a feeling too powerful for mere words. Her whispery vocals ride ghostly techno beats and jittery synths, crafting a soundscape that feels both intimate and otherworldly. As the track builds to its feverish climax, the hypnotic beats seem to warp time, leaving you breathless and unsure if you’ve experienced bliss or heartbreak – or maybe both. “Eusexua” isn’t just a song; it’s an experiment in how music can transcend the tangible and transport us into twigs’ singular, enigmatic world.

Cropped Addison Rae Diet Pepsi — 8. Addison Rae – Diet Pepsi

Addison Rae’s “Diet Pepsi” is the pop equivalent of a perfectly manicured Instagram post: slick, cheeky, and just self-aware enough to keep you invested. With its shimmering chillwave synths and breathy delivery, the track walks a fine line between earnestness and parody. Rae’s Lana Del Rey-esque homage to Americana is both ridiculous and brilliant, complete with cherry-red cheeks and a key change that could knock you off your feet. Whether you find it absurd or addictive (or both), one thing is clear: “Diet Pepsi” is pop’s ultimate guilty pleasure, delivered with a straight face and a wink.

Cropped Beyoncé Texas Hold Em — 7. Beyoncé – Texas Hold ’Em

Beyoncé throws down the gauntlet with “Texas Hold ’Em,” a rowdy, banjo-infused celebration of her roots that defies every expectation of what a pop-country crossover can be. The track’s stomping beat and conversational vocals make it feel like you’re sharing a whiskey with her at a dusty bar, but its pointed critique of the country music establishment is razor-sharp. This isn’t just a song; it’s a statement, a challenge to gatekeepers who would dare question her place at the table. With “Texas Hold ’Em,” Beyoncé proves she can outplay anyone, no matter the genre.

Cropped Charli XCX ft Lorde Girl So Confusing — 6. Charli XCX (ft. Lorde) – Girl, So Confusing

Charli XCX and Lorde make emotional messiness sound like an art form on “Girl, So Confusing,” a track as layered and complex as the friendship it explores. Charli’s verses are a maze of insecurity and admiration, her voice sharp with self-doubt as she questions whether her connection with another artist is genuine or one-sided. Then Lorde arrives, peeling back her own insecurities in a verse that reframes the entire song. Their collaboration is raw and deeply human, highlighting the fraught, performative dynamics of female friendship with unflinching honesty. “Girl, So Confusing” is both a gut punch and a warm hug, reminding us that we’re all a little messy – and that’s okay.

Cropped Billie Eilish Birds of a Feather — 5. Billie Eilish – Birds of a Feather

“Birds of a Feather” is Billie Eilish at her most tender, romantic, and existentially ironic. The track opens with a funeral – a bold choice for a love song – and Eilish weaves together the contradictions of life and death, romance and morbidity, sentimentality and sarcasm. The result is a hauntingly beautiful alt-pop anthem that feels like sunlight breaking through storm clouds. Her voice, unbridled and soaring, brings an unexpected warmth to her signature sound, while the lyrics hint at a newfound self-assuredness. As a love song, “Birds of a Feather” is deeply unconventional; as a Billie Eilish track, it’s pure magic.

Cropped Waxahatchee ft MJ Lenderman Right Back to It — 4. Waxahatchee (ft. MJ Lenderman) – Right Back to It

Waxahatchee’s Katie Crutchfield and MJ Lenderman deliver a song so intimate, it feels like you’re eavesdropping on a private conversation. “Right Back to It” captures the push-and-pull of a relationship where self-doubt and steadfast love coexist. Crutchfield’s vocals, alternately fragile and resolute, float over interlocking guitar and banjo melodies that feel like a warm embrace. The lyrics, steeped in self-reflection, paint a picture of someone learning to soften their edges while marveling at the patience of a partner. It’s a love song for real life – not perfect, but all the more beautiful for its honesty.

Cropped Sabrina Carpenter Espresso — 3. Sabrina Carpenter – Espresso

With “Espresso,” Sabrina Carpenter takes the caffeine-fueled metaphor for love and spins it into pure pop gold. Every line is a playful flex, delivered with a wink and a strut, as Carpenter turns grammatical acrobatics into lyrical hooks that stick in your head. The funky, languorous disco beat is all smooth confidence, perfectly matching the unseriousness of the song’s cheeky wordplay. It’s the kind of track that makes you want to toss your cares out the window and strut down the street as if you’re in your own music video. Carpenter proves with “Espresso” that pop doesn’t always have to be deep to hit hard.

Cropped Chappell Roan Good Luck Babe — 2. Chappell Roan – Good Luck, Babe!

Chappell Roan has a way of turning heartbreak into high drama, and “Good Luck, Babe!” is no exception. A searing anthem for anyone who’s ever been left behind, the song blends campy theatricality with raw emotional truth. From the soaring falsetto in the chorus to the stunning middle-eight that practically begs for its own spotlight, Roan captures the essence of longing, frustration, and defiance. It’s a rallying cry wrapped in a glittering pop package, and its queer narrative only deepens its impact. “Good Luck, Babe!” is as much a declaration of independence as it is a taunt, proving Roan’s rise is unstoppable.

Cropped kendrick lamar not like us — 1. Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us

Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” is not just a diss track – it’s a masterclass in lyrical warfare and cultural commentary. The song crackles with tension, driven by a beat so infectious that it makes its devastating blows feel even sharper. Lamar dismantles his opponent with precision, delivering quotable lines that are as biting as they are unforgettable. Beyond its role in rap’s most talked-about feud, “Not Like Us” is an anthem of defiance and identity, reflecting a world increasingly divided. This isn’t just Kendrick at his best – it’s hip-hop at its most potent, proving once again why he’s in a league of his own.

1-21

As the curtain closes on 2024, it’s time to celebrate the soundtrack of a year that kept us dancing, reflecting, and sometimes yelling at our speakers. From chart-topping anthems to underground gems, this year’s music gave us everything: heartbreak ballads that cut deep, pop songs so catchy they became memes, and experimental tracks that bent genres like they were made of rubber. Whether you were strutting to Sabrina Carpenter’s disco-fueled sass, swaying to Leon Bridges’ soulful escapism, or marveling at Kendrick Lamar’s lyrical firepower, 2024 was a year where music didn’t just entertain – it made us feel alive.

In this list, we’re counting down the 20 best songs of 2024, as chosen by their cultural impact, critical acclaim, and sheer ability to get stuck in our heads. It’s a mix of the bold, the beautiful, and the outright brilliant. Let’s dive into the hits that defined the year and reminded us why we press play.