2024 has been an absolutely phenomenal year for music. We’ve seen the rise of new stars such as Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter, and the return of artists such as Bruno Mars and Rizzle Kicks. Charli XCX’s BRAT encapsulated the summer, whilst JADE and ROSÉ fabulously launched their solo careers. And yet, it still feels like I didn’t listen to enough music. So, feel free to tell me your favourite song of 2024 in the comments or on Instagram! But for now, here are the songs I had (and still have) on repeat this year, in no particular order.
Happy For You – Dua Lipa
Best lyric: And I didn’t even want to cry (Oh, what is this feelin’?), couldn’t believe it, had to ask myself why
Possibly the most emotionally-charged melody off of Dua Lipa’s 2024 album Radical Optimism, Happy For You is the perfect summer pop song as she blends upbeat production with sentimental lyricism. Part of me wishes it was released as a single, but its album track status shows that Dua Lipa puts everything into her releases – lyrically, vocally and melodically.
You can listen to Happy For You here:
New Sport – Rizzle Kicks
Best lyric: There were voids in the shallow, turned out we were just joint at the shadow
Rizzle Kicks began their comeback this year with a trio of singles; Javelin, Gumdrops and New Sport. New Sport consists of this effortlessly cool production, combining funk and soul elements. The melody also features smooth vocal technique from Harley and sleek rap lyrics from Jordan. It looks as if 2025 will be an even bigger year for Rizzle Kicks, with their album Competition Is For Losers set to be released in February.
You can New Sport here:
Sexy To Someone – Clairo
Best lyric: Sexy to someone, it would help me out, oh I need a reason to get out of the house
Clairo’s release of her third album Charm showed a new side to her artistry, unveiling 70s sounds that incorporate jazz, psychedelic folk and soul. The lead single Sexy To Someone has something so addictive about it, with much relatability rooted in the lyricism. Clairo released the music video just three weeks ago, and the imagery perfectly encapsulates the breezy feeling of the production.
You can listen to Sexy To Someone here:
Favourite – Fontaines D.C
Best lyric: You were my favourite for a long time
Fontaines D.C hugely contributed to the indie music scene this year upon the release of their album Romance. Whilst many of the tracks take on a heavier rock sound, Favourite is such a pretty song, whilst still embracing rock elements. Grian Chatten’s breathy vocals add so much to the beauty of the song; just the way he sings the lyric above is alleviating.
You can listen to Favourite here:
Beaches – Beabadoobee
Best lyric: Dont’ wait for the tide just to dip both your feet in, ‘Cause I’m sure now, I’m sure
Beabadoobee reached new audiences this year following the release of her album This Is How Tomorrow Ends, featuring single Beaches. There’s a stripped back ease about the song – a melody you can’t help but sing along to. The honeyed vocal is bound to draw the listener in and maintains a musical charm.
You can listen to Beaches here:
Angel Of My Dreams – JADE
Best lyric: Sellin’ my soul to a psycho, they say I’m so lucky
2024 has been a significant year for JADE. Angel Of My Dreams was her first ever release since Little Mix announced their hiatus in 2022, and it was an absolutely phenomenal introduction to her solo career. The song fuses an exhilarating chorus with dance-pop verses, and JADE even released a sad version of the melody to showcase her powerful vocals further. She’s also kept up the vibrancy and innovation with her follow-up single Fantasy, and I’m immensely excited to hear what she puts out next.
You can listen to Angel Of My Dreams here:
People Watching – Sam Fender
Best lyric: Oh, I stayed all night ’til you left this life ’cause that’s just love
Sam Fender first launched People Watching this summer when he headlined Boardmasters, alongside Nostalgia’s Lie; a single yet to be released. There’s an undeniable warmth to People Watching, as Fender blends familiar and fresh synths on a The War On Drugs influenced baseline. Lyrically I did not think he could get much more poetic, but the story he tells about his late friend and mentor Annie Irwin is written beautifully, inspired by his walks to and from her care home. I may have to update the top ten tracks here: (Every Sam Fender Song: Ranked – LaMusique).
You can listen to People Watching here:
Good Luck, Babe! – Chappell Roan
Best lyric: And when you think about me all of those years ago, you’re standing face to face with ‘I told you so’
It’s fair to say that Chappell Roan skyrocketed to fame this year as she released her queer anthem Good Luck, Babe! The melody is stunningly timeless, with descriptive lyrics that became a viral sensation. Chappell Roan has majorly contributed to the return of this idea of a ‘true pop star’, with her charismatic image and enchanting performances.
You can listen to Good Luck, Babe! here:
APT – Bruno Mars, ROSÉ
Best lyric: Don’t you want me like I want you, baby? Don’t you need me like I need you now?
APT is perhaps the catchiest song of this year. Bruno Mars is one of the few male singers contributing to the pop scene as of late, and BLACKPINK’s ROSÉ solo career is flourishing. There’s a refreshing mix of K-Pop culture, Brit-dance undertones and a pop-rock soundscape on this song. The video has reached an impressive milestone, being the most viewed music video on Youtube in 2024, amassing 726 million views.
You can listen to APT here:
Wave – Remi Wolf
Best lyric: My baby’s gonna buy me a big boat for my birthday, all I really wish that he would do is keep my company
I could have chosen many songs from Remi Wolf’s album Big Ideas for this article, and so I chose my personal favourite. Wave has this euphoric pop-rock sound that is addictive, telling the rocky reality of a long distance relationship. Remi Wolf has established herself as a force to be reckoned with as she traversed across funk, soul and pop genres this year, with her versatility earning her more critical acclaim than ever before.
You can listen to Wave here:
Wildflower – Billie Eilish
Best lyric: Do you see her in the back of your mind? In my eyes?
If there ever was a prize for the most emotive performance of the year, it would have to go to Billie Eilish’s live performance of Wildflower from Amazon Music’s Songline. The 2025 Grammy nominee knows exactly how to convey hurt, anxiety and doubt in her angelic vocals as she sings of the reality of dating a friend’s ex.
You can listen to Wildflower here:
Girl, So Confusing – Charli XCX, Lorde
Best lyric: Can’t tell if you wanna see me, falling over and failing, and you can’t tell what you’re feeling I think I know how you feel
In the midst of BRAT summer, Charli XCX joined forces with New Zealand indie royalty Lorde to release Girl, So Confusing. This indie-dance track acts as an ode to the often inevitable strain society puts on female friendships, as the two singers reflect on the last decade where they rose to fame. The anecdotal nature of the melody is where the beauty of it lies.
You can listen to Girl, So Confusing here:
Astronaut – Tears For Fears
Best lyric: Travel at the speed of thought, it’s all I wanna do
After releasing their first number one album in thirty years – The Tipping Point – Tears For Fears are continuing to evolve their sound. The British new wave group produce a jubilant melody on their single Astronaut, a part of their album Songs For A Nervous Planet, as they explore galactic themes reflected in the production. The contrast between a high vocal and low vocal is captivating.
You can listen to Astronaut here:
Die With A Smile – Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga
Best lyric: If the world was ending, I’d wanna be next to you
There’s so much to love about the classically tuneful track that is Die With A Smile. It shows just how good a song can be when two iconic artists come together and unleash their talent. Bruno Mars is the only singer to make this list twice, as his collaborations this year were just that brilliant, and 2024 has been a big year for Gaga as she starred in The Joker: Folie a Deux. She’s also set to release her highly-anticipated seventh album in 2025.
You can listen to Die With A Smile here: