2024 was all over the place, and so was my music taste. This might be the least cohesive year of music-listening in recent years for me, and I didn’t latch on to as much new music as I have previously. However, I did discover some love for albums released in the early 2020’s, and have been dabbling with the idea of going back to purchasing music on iTunes as streaming costs continue to rise across the board, and as I find myself leveraging Spotify’s discovery features less (I am definitely a creature of habit when it comes to music). I’ll certainly have an update by next year, but without further ado, here were my top songs from 2024:
1. Mt. Joy, Mt. Joy
Despite the titular album and song being released in 2018, it took me 7 years to find this song and then overall album. It was my first purchase on iTunes in probably 11 years, if it’s any indication for how much I enjoyed the album. Although a note for future artists: please don’t make a song and its album the same name as your band— it makes them very difficult to find.
Favorite Verse:
“Berry stands on a dirt road
The sunlight on her clean clothes
And if I stare forever, the road pinches together
The mountains fall into the sea
What if I built the frame, then gave you my name?
Would you wander forever with me?”
2. You First (Re: Remi Wolf), Paramore
In a surprise, this might be the first cover of a song I’ve had on a Top 10 list. Similar to Florence and the Machine’s Free from last year, this song just rips. The vocals, the mixing, and guitar all sound great— just a treat to listen to.
Lyric with Favorite Instrument Backing:
“I like it when you’re pissed off
Fucked up in the head
It makes me feel a little less crazy, oh”
3. Pink Pony Club, Chappell Roan
I was extremely (not even fashionably) late to the Chappell Roan party. The synth in this song is something to behold in good headphones, or if you need a great pick-me-up in the middle of a long trail running race!
Favorite Pink: #F0155A
4. Defying Gravity, Wicked Soundtrack
I had to save some space on the Top 10 for this song. It might be a controversial opinion, but I think I prefer this version to the original Broadway recording, in large part due to Cynthia Erivo’s intonation on the quieter parts. I think the recording benefitted from the scene being set in film as opposed to the stage, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that both singers dominated this song. What a film!
Favorite Line: “Something has changed within me. Something is not the same.”
5. Doubt, Hippo Campus
Just a fun song!
Second Favorite Song Called “Doubt”: 21 Pilots
6. Anyway, Noah Kahan
Even though the song is nearly 5 years old and a new album was released since Cape Elizabeth, I kind of stumbled into listening to this song a ton this year. I think it ended up being a good mellow balance to the rest of my playlist for the year, which was mostly comprised of upbeat, or uptempo songs.
Favorite Line: “I hope, I ain’t the last of what the world left you— a coat, something you only wear in cold weather”
7. Free, Florence and the Machine
The first of two songs to land on this list in consecutive years, Free still rips. Bill Nighy still crushes it in the music video. No notes!
Favorite Line: “I’m on fire but I’m trying not to show it.”
8. Leather Jacket, Arkells
Leather Jacket is now over a decade old, and it landed back in my Top 10 after its debut last year. I still haven’t been able to pinpoint the source of its allure, but it really just pulls me back into the late 2000’s and earlier.
Still My Favorite mid-2000’s Phone: Sidekick
9. Vampire, Olivia Rodrigo
I’m a sucker (ha) for any song that builds momentum throughout. It’s what launched The View Between Villages by Noah Kahan into the Top 10 upon release, and what pulls Vampire in as well. It’s a great running song, especially if you are looking to start running fast for no other reason than it’s fun.
Favorite Vampire: Laszlo Cravensworth
10. Post Humorous, Gus Dapperton
We got to see Gus Dapperton live in Boston in 2024, and I left the concert thinking “why isn’t this band more famous?” Post Humorous is my favorite song by the band and shows of Gus’ vocal range extremely well. If they ever come back to New England, I’d gladly see them again, especially before they explode in popularity!
Favorite Bone: Clavicle
On to 2025!