There was no escaping the top pick this year but that doesn't mean the rest of songs on this list were not just as engrossing:
1. Not Like Us (Kendrick Lamar):
there’s not much left to say about Lamar’s mega hit but there is a reason why it was the defining song of 2024.
2. St. Chroma (Tyler, the Creator):
Tyler whisper-raps as if to say, Listen close, I have something important to tell you. That, along with Daniel Caesar’s ethereal gospel vocals asking “Can you feel that fire?” and a modular synth speeding up its frequency like a kettle about to blow, makes it feel like we’re traversing space and time straight into Tyler’s psyche. (PITCHFORK)
3. Reincarnated (Kendrick Lamar):
throughout 'reincarnated', Kendrick Lamar weaves a profound narrative of music's lifetimes, tracing its lineage through historical figures and genres while confronting the generational curses that continue to shape its trajectory. (CLASHMUSIC)
4. Etouffee (Vince Staples):
over a lively New Orleans-bounce infused beat (the title is a reference to a Creole dish), Staples doesn’t stray from the rest of the album’s subject matter, but he’s less remorseful. He reflects on his journey, his hood, and his friends—standing tall in the face of the streets, greedy labels, and ungrateful fans—with a more celebratory attitude, pleasantly surprised he made it this far. It all comes together on a rousing hook that connects the New Orleans references with shoutouts to the Big Tymers, B.G. and No Limit Records. (GQ)
5. B2B (Charli XCX):
perfectly captures the deep club sound she’s been promising to give us for a decade now.
6. Ya Ya (Beyonce):
after another snappy introduction from Martell, Beyoncé basks in an echo effect on her girlish vocals as she finger-snaps and calls for a beat. You can picture the video of her high-stepping and hair-flinging as she slinks and slides around the retro groove. The interpolations of Nancy Sinatra’s “These Boots are Made for Walkin’” and The Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations” inject the song with a carefree vibe as Beyoncé has a ball with her vocals, going into Marilyn Monroe mode via Elvis Presley snarls. There’s even a bit of Tina Turner feistiness in her delivery, perhaps a nod to another trailblazer who hopscotched genres with conviction. (US TODAY)
7. Either On Or Off The Drugs (JPEGMafia):
a profound exploration of the artist's internal and external conflicts. Through his unique lyrical style and the emotive production, Peggy captures the complexity of navigating life as an artist influenced by various pressures and personal battles. (INDIE FEEL)
8. Wacced Out Murals (Kendrick Lamar):
now that Drake has been dispatched of and a Super Bowl appearance coming up, Kendrick now aims his fire further and now the deepening divide threatens to careen to an uncertain yet stunning lyrical future.
9. It’s Dark And Hell is Hot (JPEGMafia):
for anyone doubting Peggy’s mastery of juxtaposing genres into gold, kindly listen to this.
10. Angel Of My Dreams (Jade):
a career of success and frustration packed into three minutes, a bold, bravura statement of frenetic creativity. It feels like an album distilled into one huge, a colossal piece of WTF pop songwriting that bursts free of constraints. (CLASHMUSIC)
11. Zero Sum (The Smile):
is immaculate as Greenwood goes absolutely insane on the track. The guitar riffs are so unique and electrifying, making you listen in awe to an unbelievable display of talent. Thom Yorke's vocals and Skinner's drumming are just as good. (POST-TRASH)
12. Symptom Of Life (Willow):
over jazzy textures and piano, Willow brews an irresistible track that should make Jamila Woods green with envy.
13. Kingdom Come (Cindy Lee):
a blissful wall of sound.
14. Satellite Business 2.0 (Sampha & Little Simz):
a jazzy interlude from last year’s Lahai, errs more on the low-key side of his sound, but it courses with an untapped energy hinted at by Sampha’s rapidly unspooling lyrics. He’s practically rapping on there, a connection further illuminated by a new version of the track featuring Little Simz, one the UK’s preeminent emcees. (STEREOGUM)
15. CA All Day (Blu & Shafiq Husayn):
Blu can produce, rap, oversee a classic hip/hop track and it matters little if he’s doing it solo or not. Here he incorporates so many nifty little cool details and creates such magic.
16. Tu Corazon Es Mio (Kali Uchis):
it captures the commitment of being in a relationship and also talking about how being in a relationship can be beautiful as the bond that is created between the two is unmatchable. It also talks about how they should not focus or listen to what other people have to say about them because the ones thriving in a relationship are themselves, not the public. “Dicen que el amor en su juventud solo resulta en el dolor, what do they know? They’re miserable, broken and alone”. She promises to stick next to her partner through the hardships they face, which I think shows their unwavering love and emphasizes loyalty. “Bien o para mal, you know that I’ll always be by your side.” (TROJAN TRIBUNE)
17. Million Dollar Baby (Tommy Richman):
yes yes, I know how people think about the viral rise of musicians using social media to secure hits but this one was too irresistible.
18. Hot One (Denzel Curry feat. TiaCorine & ASAP Ferg):
a fun little banger.
19. 3 Sisters (Waxahatchee):
overshadowed by bigger singles but give it a few spins and get lured in by its charm.
20 . Darlin’ (Jean Dawson):
the immensely talented Dawson steps up big time.
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