Every year we say “it’s been a great year for music!”, but we really mean it for 2024. Each week it seemed there was a fantastic new album, an excellent EP or a hot new single released. Some that transcended artists into the stratosphere, landed them on a lot of radars, or threw them straight to the tippy top of stardom. It has been a marvel of productivity, and quite fun (also, chaotic) trying to document as much of it as possible.
Now’s the time where we try to condense all of that output into a Best Of list. We believe everything is subjective, so here are our favourites instead. We’ve spent months listening and relistening to so many – SO many – releases that it got a bit crazy for a second, and also reminded us to start these lists way earlier. Anyway, we’re kicking off List Week 2024 with our Favourite Singles Of 2024. We hope you enjoy.
25. St. Vincent – “Broken Man”
St. Vincent kicks things off with “Broken Man”. Annie Clark delivered a heavier sound for new album All Born Screaming. Adding extra grit to her already jagged, angular style. This was showcased brilliantly on the lead single, as it brought thunderous riffs and grooves to the forefront on top of Annie’s spiralling vocals. Creating a dark but accessible listen that still leaves a mark.
24. Bea Maher – “My Type”
Bea Maher was the first of many who made their debut this year, and the South London artist caused a splash with “My Type”. Her blend of Jazz and Soul highlighted her excellent voice while also producing a sultry, easy-going instrumental.
23. thanks mom – “Teenage Sacrifice”
“With maniacal laughter, jovial crowd vocals and the fuzziest of guitars, this latest tune is a real injection of fun. Its over the top quality only increases that desire to become part of the thanks mom world. Perhaps even to the point of willing to be the sacrifice in question in order to do so.”
22. South Arcade – “HOW 2 GET AWAY WITH MURDER”
“As much as we’d like to forget about how Dexter ended (both times), this new single offers nothing but cinematic goodness. Kicking off with an intro that already aims for the jaw, South Arcade waste little time in filling the ears with gritty riffs and thunderous drums. It is straight up, balls to the wall anger and one that’ll certainly go down well with crowds.”
21. Eve Buckley – “Big Shot”
“With its loaded topic armed with a range of emotions, “Big Shot” embraces the Amy Winehouse influence to great effect. Sonically, it envelops the airwaves with booming instrumentation that takes full advantage of its big band sound. It houses a lot of dramatic moments but knows when to scale things back to allow that chorus to sound even bigger. The verses ease into the mind with their grooves, allowing shades of Lianne La Havas to shine through the mix and really help the song flow nicely.
Eve’s vocals are a real highlight. They do a great job directing things, sounding powerful and emotive, which really makes it easy to connect with, especially with the many moods that are conveyed in the lyrics.”
20. Jamie xx – “Baddy On The Floor”
Some songs have no right sounding as good as they do, and this is one of them. Whenever Jamie xx’s releasing music, you’re guaranteed a good time. From the first few seconds of “Baddy On The Floor”, you already know it’s a bop. Booming beats, endless loops and a larger-than-life atmosphere, it has all the tools to make a baddy out of you.
19. Under Starling – “The Hunger”
“Latest single “The Hunger” sets aside the acoustic guitars and replaces them with roaring, distorted riffs. Easily becoming the heaviest song on the album, and with good reason. Inspired by the Irish Famine, the vocals are strained and filled with anger as they touch upon themes of survival and desperation. Illustrating the suffering inflicted by colonisers in that period. Illustrating how painful and sombre it was, and remains to this day.”
18. Sick Love – “Don’t Wait”
“Latest single ‘Don’t Wait’ aims for the Pop-Punk fans as its palm-muted guitars and breathy vocals lead us into a more atmospheric tune that could turn the heads of many – even with the admission of spitting up blood in amongst it all. But it’s ‘Jacknife’ that warrants the spilling of blood, with a riff that sounds downright nasty.”
17. Alexandra Leaving – “Out Of This World”
““Out Of This World” is bold and unstable in its desire to get to you. It feels powerful and quite exhilarating really. If this is a taste of what we can expect to hear in future releases, then I’m fully prepared to jump on board once again.”
16. EX GENERATION – “Holding Your Heart”
EX GENERATION emerged from the depths to release one of the most vibrant and composed albums of the year. The unexpected treat highlighted by its lead single. “Holding Your Heart” is like a long exhale. Taking its time to steady itself, and procure an atmosphere you would want to stay inside forever.
15. swim school – “Give Me A Reason Why”
“‘Give Me A Reason Why’ follows with arguably the most in-your-face instrumental swim school have made yet. A strong barrage of noise comes at you with unrelenting force as this breakup song of sorts tears apart the airwaves. Delivering a cathartic performance that feels like a real relinquishing of emotion from all its’ parts.”
14. Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us”
Kendrick Lamar has entered a phase of his career where he can do anything, but we did not anticipated starting a beef with Drake would be one of them. Many, many diss tracks were aimed towards the ol’ lover boy. Each one more savage than the last, but it’s “Not Like Us” that takes the crown for us. Not only is it full of pearl-clutching gasps, it’s also seriously catchy. No way was Drake going to come back from this. “Stop! Stop! He’s already dead!” image here.
13. Charli xcx & Lorde – “Girl, so confusing”
Now for the opposite. “Girl, so confusing” for when the beef becomes a whole meal. Charli xcx and Lorde hashed it out. Working out their differences to collaborate on a tune that was already great, but excelled it with the power of friendship. It’s a beautiful thing, and Lorde’s verse is a wonderful build up to a climax that takes it to the next level. Sad we never got to hear Kyle MacLachlan on this track, but maybe that’s for the remixed brat remix album.
12. Jungle – “Let’s Go Back”
One of the biggest omissions from our Spotify Wrapped this year was Jungle. Having seen them at The O2, not a day has passed without their music played. How they didn’t make it into our top 5, we shall never know, but that doesn’t stop how much we enjoy “Let’s Go Back”.
Its jovial piano keys make you feel like taking the easiest, breeziest stroll imaginable, and with Jungle’s embrace of the laid back “Back On 74” style, the latest single is equally as mellow, but packed with grooves.
11. Ezra Collective ft. Yazmin Lacey – “God Gave Me Feet For Dancing”
Another song that started as a surprise and became a mainstay of our regular rotation, Ezra Collective’s “God Gave Me Feet Dancing” is a song that lifts the mood, whatever the mood. Its vibrant personality makes you wonder how you made it through life so long without it. Instrumentally gorgeous, Yazmin Lacey’s vocals push it into that modern classic territory. So good.
Head on over to the next page to see the top 10!