Fave Listens of 2024

A list of favorite songs and albums listened to for the first time in 2024.

There’s a reason it was a brat year: Charli xcx’s album, with its confidently simple title and almost-nauseating green cover, is infectious and bold. Charli proves she is fearless and therefore powerful. Bumpin’ that!

Brat - Charli xcx

BRAT - Charli xcx

Published by Atlantic Recording Corporation

Originally released 2024

The pop girlies were eating good this year: and it was the year of Charli and Chappell. Chappell’s album harkens back to the glorious pop-before-tiktok, with Olivia Rodrigo attitude, Taylor Swift lyricism, and catchy, sing-along choruses.

The rise and fall of a midwest princess - Chappell Roan

The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess - Chappell Roan

Published by Amusement Records

Originally released 2023

An album of showtune jazz covers to accompany a Hollywood stint as the infamous (and cringey) Harley Quinn character (from the flop Todd Philips’ Joker sequel) shouldn’t work, but somehow Gaga makes it a record that’s a delight to listen to.

Harlequin - Lady Gaga

Harlequin - Lady Gaga

Published by Interscope Records

Originally released 2024

“Sugar Water Cyanide” - Rebecca Black

She’s come a long way since her breakout “Friday,” and Rebecca Black is ready to make her mark on the hyperpop scene with this catchy banger.

“Sugar Water Cyanide” - Rebecca Black

Published by Rebecca Black

Originally released 2024

“Warriors in Arms” - Shoji Meguro

He may not have snagged The Game Award for best music, but Shoji Meguro’s combat theme (featuring enthralling changing from Keisuke Honryo, Chief Priest of Myojoji Temple, and Glory Chorus Tokyo) is too iconic to ignore.

“Warriors in Arms” - Shoji Meguro

From the Metaphor: ReFantazio Soundtrack

Published by SEGA

Originally released 2024

Yes: She made the list twice. “Disease” marks a return to dark-pop form for Gaga, and hopefully ushers in an equally exciting new era of music from her in the new year.

“Disease” - Lady Gaga

“Diseas” - Lady Gaga

Published by Interscope Records

Originally released 2024

“XXXhibitionist” - DeathbyRomy

Speaking of dark-pop; DeathbyRomy’s salacious banger is gritty in all the best ways.

Published by DeathbyRomy

Originally released 2024

“XXXhibitionist” - DeathbyRomy

Kesha brings back the fun with a catchy tune that hopefully is (like with Gaga’s new song) a gleeful indication of what’s to come.

“JoyRIDE” - Kesha

“JOYRIDE” - Kesha

Published by Kesha Records

Originally released 2024

A master of of the happy-sad, Griff created another captivating song that’s hard to pull away from.

“Tears for Fun” - Griff

From the album Vertigo

Published by Warner Music UK Limited

Originally released 2024

“Tears For Fun” - Griff

“Espresso” - SAbrina Carpenter

Sabrina Carpenter captured the epitome of “unserious” with surprisingly addictive lyricism. “That’s that me espresso” …I mean, c’mon.

“Espresso” - Sabrina Carpenter

Published by Island Records

Originally released 2024

Doechii oozes confidence with a high-intensity, play-it-loud single.

“Crazy” - Doechii

Published by UMG Recordings, Inc.

Originally released 2024

“Crazy” - Doechii

“Onigiri” & “Oh God” - Jerskin Fendrix

Did you know the guy who did the Oscar nominated score to Yorgos Lanthimos’ Poor Things is also an experimental indie pop artist? We didn’t either—and these songs from his 2020 album prove he’s an exciting artist to keep an eye on.

“Onigiri” & “Oh God” - Jerskin Fendrix

From the album Winterreise

Published by UMG Recordings, Inc.

Originally released 2020

“Weird World,” “Off with her tits,” & “Black Eye” - Allie x

Allie X’s Girl With No Face houses some quirky hits—like a dark, alt-pop alternative to the classic and bubblegum pop that dominated the year’s radio waves.

From the album Girl With No Face

Published by Twin Music Inc

“Weird World,” “Off With Her Tits,” & “Black Eye” - Allie X

Originally released 2024

For as monumental as it was, Cowboy Carter was a little long and a little one-note, but “16 Carriages” was a great introductory single to Beyoncé’s emergence as a country powerhouse.

“16 Carriages” - Beyoncé

“16 CARRIAGES” - Beyoncé

Published by Columbia Records

Originally released 2024