The last couple of years have really seen a swing in my personal listening habits to the single song, but in 2024 the album once again claimed the throne. 6 months in and it’s already been a sensational year for the full-length; with a quick headcount revealing already dozens of albums that I know will be bustling for my Top 10 placement come December. But we’ll save that discussion for the end of the year, and instead use this mid-way point through 2024 to highlight ~30 of the songs that have scored January to June and will no doubt crystalise over the summer months. Interestingly most of the list is made up of electronic music this year; largely from artists without an LP out so maybe that’s a theme. Check them all out (in no order at all) below:
- ‘BerwynGesaffNeighbours’ by Fred again..
The backlash around Fred again’s notable privilege has gathered momentum this year; but he continues to prove his talent regardless. The single with Lil Yachty was a real highpoint but this Gesaffelstein remix with Berwyn was the one I got transfixed by. The bass on this song could be used in a controlled demolition.
- ‘Starburster’ by Fontaines D.C.
No, I don’t rank anything before the end of the year but — gun to my head — this is currently The Best Single of 2024. There’s nothing more thrilling than hearing an already amazing band take a huge leap into an even higher plain. The way Grian Chatten gasps for air at the end of every line in the chorus is how I react whenever I hear it. - ‘Not Like Us’ & ‘euphoria’ by Kendrick Lamar
No discussion of 2024 is complete without mention of the cultural earthquake Kendrick Lamar made by igniting then dominating the beef with Drake. I could fill this list with the great music that came out it but these 2 were the ones I played over and over and over again. Victory never sounded so simultaneously bloody-thirty and downright fun. - ‘Like That’ feat. Kendrick Lamar by Future & Metro Boomin / ‘BBL Drizzy’ by Metro Boomin
OK permit me just 2 more songs from the above topic then I promise I’ll move on. Future & Metro Boomin’s 2(!) collab albums were immediately buried by the incendiary Kendrick feature (“motherfuck the Big 3!”) then Metro Boomin took Drake’s challenge to “make some drums” personally by crafting the most joyous beat of the year — chaos ensued.
- ‘Treat Each Other Right’ by Jamie xx
It’s somehow been a full 9 years since Jamie Smith released his incredible debut solo album In Colour so news of its imminent follow up was very welcome, especially with this belter released to announce it. I wasn’t super into previous single ‘Baddy On The Floor’ but this one completely reignited by excitement to fever pitch. - ‘Taste Like Metal’ by Jean Dawson
If you ask me, Jean Dawson is rapidly becoming one of the most interesting and innovate artists working today. It’s telling that 2 of his songs were in my most played last year and that this one from a new EP sounds absolutely nothing like them but is just as amazing. His sound flirts with balladry here but the rough edge keeps you coming back. - ‘all of me’ by 21 Savage
It was high time for a widescreen 21 Savage album that captured his potential and spoke to his journey, and in January we got it. After an impassioned intro spoken word from his (British) mother, a beautiful Rose Royce sample from 1977 ushers in the concrete hard opener that does what 21 does best — makes a mark.
- ‘Nothing Matters’ by The Last Dinner Party
Yes, this song was initially released as a single over a year ago, but I didn’t hear it til it landed on the band’s debut album this February. I could have chosen several songs from it but it had to be ‘Nothing Matters’ for capturing the sheer abandon and desperation of pleading for intimacy without any of the complications that come with it. - ‘Seven’ by Koreless
Another producer famed for his scarcity, Wales’ own Koreless returned this year to follow up his stunning 2021 debut album with ‘Seven’ It starts as a twinkling, musicbox melody but quickly careers into a frantic techno palette, with a propulsive beat and fuzzing manic energy. Hopefully it leads to more music sooner than later. - ‘PAID’ by Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign
Just as there is no ethical consumption under capitalism, so too is it increasingly impossible to follow artists without having to stomach their unpalatable beliefs. Would I buy Ye tickets? No. Would I support him by buying merch or records? Also no. But life is hard and pleasure is fleeting. Put this song on loud in your car on payday weekend with all the windows down and tell me you feel nothing.
- ‘#RICHAXXHAITIAN’ feat. 03 Greedo by Mach-Hommy
The last time Mach-Hommy went over Kaytranada production (‘$payforhaiti’) it was probably the best song of 2021, and now they’re back together vying for the title again. I’m a huge Mach fan but I didn’t think he had a summer hit like this in him, and Greedo sounds better than anyone else has with autotune for years. - ‘The Precision of Infinity’ by Jlin & Philip Glass
Who knew 87 year old Philip Glass was a fan of Chicago footwork/juke music? Coming out of nowhere to completely blow me off kilter, his gorgeous collaboration with the now legendary Jlin was the perfect demonstration of two disparate worlds colliding perfectly. His piano crashes like a wave while the beats break you into droplets. - ‘Sympathy is a knife’ by Charli XCX
This one will holds a special place for me because when I played it for my daughter in the car for the first time (she loved the pre-album singles) she immediately started dancing and trying to mime the lyrics in the mirror while yelling ‘LOUDER!’ Whether you’re a 4 year old girl, a 32 year old dad or anywhere inbetween; it’s undeniable.
- ‘Honey’ by Caribou
Something has definitely clicked among the headphones-dance producers this year and they all seem to have decided that they’re coming for the dancefloors. Coming over more like something from his Daphni side-project, ‘Honey’ is the most physical and urgent dance song from the Caribou moniker maybe ever. - ‘Hind’s Hall’ by Macklemore
I’m as surprised as you might be at seeing the name Macklemore in a list like this but real recognise real, and if you are a mainstream artist making a pro-Palestine song in 2024 then you deserve a place, even if it doesn’t absolutely bang as much as ‘Hind’s Hall’ does. Not a line is wasted, least of all “I want a ceasefire, fuck a response from Drake” Whew. - ‘The Hills’ by Courting
I was kinda into the debut album from Liverpool’s Courting in 2022, but when I heard the 3rd song from the new one, I was completely smitten. The lyrics make absolutely zero sense to me but are sung with such passionate earnest that you’re immediately sold. The percussion is like a galloping horse and you just get completely carried away with it.
- ‘Nkita’ feat. Fimiguerrero by Knucks
I’ve been a huge fan of Knucks since his amazing 2019 breakout single ‘Home’, and his 2022 debut album Alpha Place cemented him in my eyes as one of England’s very best MCs. So I was more than ready for his return this year with this Baha Men-interpolating ready radio single. Time for him to go massive please. - ‘Violent Times’ by St Vincent
Bro I don’t want to be dramatic but Annie Clark AKA St Vincent might actually be too good. Like, at a dangerous level. Her latest album took a little while to click for me but this one that kicks off the second side absolutely blew me away. With its raunchy horns and her soaring vocals it’s easy to see where the Bond Theme nods are coming from. - ‘gimmi it’ by Two Shell
After a string of absolutely electrifying EPs over the last few years I look forward to absolutely anything the mischief loving pair put out. Their first single of the year with FKA twigs was kind of a left turn that didn’t really land with me, but the follow up ‘gimmi it’ was a masterclass in their lane, but on a mixture of steroids and acid. Insane.
- ‘BOA’ by Megan Thee Stallion
At this stage, if you’re into pop & rap music and you’re still in denial that Megan is the queen of it right now, I don’t know what to tell you. Delivering the lyric “Doin’ shit for TikTok / bitch, I’m really hip-hop” over a Gwen Stefani sample is a surefire way to make me a fan but this was still sadly overshadowed by the men fighting in hip hop this year. - ‘Lip Flip’ by aya
After releasing an astounding debut album for Hyperdub, Manchester producer aya had my attention. But the title track from her recent EP felt like another level up to me. Its gasping vocal samples and stuttering percussion feel like an audio panic attack but in a way that reaches into my brain and tickles it just right. - ‘WAKE UP’ by Backxwash
I love to see an artist develop and evolve, and Backxwash seems to do it in double time. The trio of albums released each year 2020–2022 were absolute spell-binding, but now she’s back with something to surprise again — a 7-min behemoth with the first half a rock inspired sound and the second; chipmunk gospel sampling that shows she can do it all.
- ‘Ruined’ by Adrianne Lenker
Big Thief’s leader Adrianne Lenker has proven over and over — both solo and with her band — that she is one of the most special songwriters working today. This one was the first single from her amazing new album; a simple and gentle piano ballad based around the stark, vulnerable line “You come around - I’m ruined” - ‘Never Fly Here’ feat. Quavo by Chief Keef
It was a big thrill this year to hear scene veteran Chief Keef come back with a full LP that proved beyond doubt his massive influence on hip hop as we know it today. This frantic team-up with fellow originator Quavo was the massive high-point showing them both better than ever. Playing in the car will make you want to speed off a bridge. - ‘CHROMA 001 HELIUM’ by Bicep
Continuing with the absolutely huge year for British producers; Belfast duo Bicep begun their CHROMA series with a major bang on ‘HELIUM’ Over a skittering, jungle adjacent beat they layer an amazing grime vocal sample that rises and rises in tension and releases just at the right moments. Absolute eyes-closed escapism.
- ‘don’t rely on other men’ by JPEGMAFIA
Only Peggy could build an entire beat over one line from Succession and somehow make it sound incredible. It’s a dark and driving one from the producer/rapper, but opens up in the second half with swirling, distorted guitars giving a twisted psychedelic edge. It’s thanks to this song I keep yelling “If the cops come around - No sé qué pasó!” - ‘Del Oro’ by Floating Points
Floating Points (real name Samuel Shepherd) is definitely now one of my favourite ever producers; particularly after last year’s undeniable Someone Close EP. It seems he’s on an upward trajectory as this single from his forthcoming 5th album is some of his best ever work — with the driving drumbeat giving it a fiery pulse. - ‘Generator’ by Justice
While Gaspard’s 2021 solo album was great fun, it’s now been sixteen years since Justice put out a truly great album (in my opinion) But with Hyperdrama they came as close to the magic of their debut as they ever have, with ‘Generator’ heralding its approach with blaring sirens, campy strings and an absolutely menacing bassline.
- ‘Doves’ feat. Benjamin Booker by Armand Hammer
A bonus track released this year for the pair’s already immaculate 2023 album — ‘Doves’ is less a hip hop song and more a 9 minute art piece. Featuring chants, reverbed guitars and static; it’s held together by billy woods’ always flooring lyrics: “Came back that night and took my baby out the crib so I could hold him / I know it can slip away slow yo, you can lose it all in a moment” - ‘EST’ by Tourist
Tourist’s latest album snuck up on me a bit; with a lot of it seeming comfortable to be played in the background. But as soon as ‘EST’ came on I immediately gave my full attention. It’s a perfect example of how the producer uses vocal samples to carry huge emotional heft with simple lines; here being the title’s anagram — “Every single time”
BONUS
- ‘Turn The Page (Overmono Remix)’ by The Streets
Still more 2002 than 2024; I couldn’t quite include it in this list, but it’s already my most played song of the start of the summer — particularly during the Euros. Overmono are on fire right now, and they elevate this already UK classic to titan status
