I thought I should try something different for this year’s mid-year list! So instead of there being the usual paragraph descriptions of each project or song, I challenged myself to only use one sentence. Some of them are jokes, some are serious, and some are just personal anecdotes. I do think everything here is great though, no matter what the description seems like I mean. I do recommend all of these projects and songs, not necessarily to everybody though. They are in alphabetical order by the project/song name, so this is not ranked in any way. And I’m sure I forgot something, so don’t get too angry if your favorites aren’t here, I might’ve just forgotten them. All projects and songs are linked if you click the name! Now, let's get into some of the best music this year has to offer!
Projects
I loved hearing one of modern rock’s most creative artists get a bit darker for an album.
It’s basically just another 21 Savage album, but it’s still a fantastic listen for people who like his stuff.
ScHoolboy gives us some of the best and most creative mainstream rapping in a long time.
This is the most essential album of 2024 and I think even has a chance to go down as an all-time pop classic!
The saddest and best written album of 2024.
Cowboy Carter may not live up to Renaissance, but there’s no denying how diverse and filled to the brim with great songs this album is!
Yet another bleak album with fantastic rapping that manages to have a sliver of hope.
A perfect R&B/dance EP for any length road trip.
Kamasi is back in full force with another mind-melting jazz opus, this time with vocal features!
Easily some of the best guitar work you’ll hear all year!
Billie’s most concise and mature album yet shows her mastering her sound and slowly expanding into other genres.
This six-song EDM EP has quietly become one of my most played projects of the year.
Adrianne’s so talented this random EP of loosies is still good enough to make the listener emotional.
After all these years, he finally made a project that, while not emulating his live shows, is just as good as his live shows.
Having another Vampire Weekend album after so much time is fantastic on its own, even without the music being awesome.
The soundtrack to the summer, except for the fact it came out in January.
A surprisingly conceptual, sonically beautiful, indie rock project from a new group out of the UK.
Who needs to DJ for a party when you can just put Kaytranada’s Timeless on repeat?
A more concise, beautiful art-rock project from the half-Radiohead.
Future and Metro doing exactly what we would expect from them, and succeeding.
Future and Metro doing the opposite of what we would expect from them, and still succeeding.
One of music’s best singers is back with her most well-rounded and psychedelic solo album!
Yard Act diversifies their sound with some blistering results and experiments that are always fascinating.
Songs
The nastiest, most futuristic rap banger of 2024!
“Cheerleader” is easily my favorite Porter Robinson song and provides a fascinating look at fan-artist relationships.
“Daydream Repeat” is an instant classic when it comes to Four Tet songs, especially ones to play in the car while driving late at night.
After careful deliberation, this is probably my favorite Maggie Rogers song!
The 2024 anthem for sorority girls with high self-esteem.
I’ve never heard any Caribou before, but I really love this house track, especially how it progresses!
He’s been performing the song live since 2018, so finally getting to have an officially released version of it is enough to make me shout it out here!
Just listen to the guitar work here and tell me you aren’t impressed.
The 2024 anthem for people who live in the Pacific Time Zone or hate Drake for any reason.
This six-and-a-half minute ballad is definitely my favorite MGMT song, and definitely one of the most beautiful tracks of the year!
Even when she just puts out a deluxe, O-Rod can still make some of the best pop-punk of the year!
I’ve been waiting for this song for over a year, so I’m just glad it’s finally here!
The song to play in the club when you’re also reminiscing on how easier life was a decade ago.
This chorus is golden, which is also the perfect hour to listen to this track!
The 2024 anthem for people who go to therapy.
An incredible, trashy club banger!
I know Fred’s probably put out objectively better songs in 2024, but until his album comes out, “Stay In It” will likely be my favorite from this year!
A jazz-fusion group and an up-and-coming hip-hop/R&B artist making the best soul and blues song of 2024 was quite a surprise!
The chorus here is undeniable!
This is easily the most heartbreaking SOPHIE tribute song we’ve gotten so far.
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