Year in Review: The 10 Best Songs of 2024

09. Hello Stranger! - "I promised you a miracle"

Hello Stranger! is the moniker for Swedish musician Joel Karlsson, formerly a member of the 2010s act Air France, which only released two small EPs during their run. But Karlsson brings the influential group's sound back to the 2020s with the balearic bop "I promised you a miracle." Clocking in at just 2:30, the breezy dance song is a nostalgic time warp thanks to its mysterious sampling, warm drums and tropical synths.

08. Mk.gee - "ROCKMAN"

After the release of his debut album "Two Star & the Dream Police," musician and producer Mk.gee released the standalone single "ROCKMAN," continuing his sparse pop sound. On this track, full of eagle screeches, Mk.gee sounds like he's covering The Police with a drum machine, a guitar with three strings and a dream. His brand of music sounds unlike anything going on in pop music and "ROCKMAN" is one of his finest examples.

07. JADE - "Angel of My Dreams"

It might have been a brat summer but JADE (Jade Thirwall of the recently split U.K. girl group Little Mix) offered some counter programing: "Angel of My Dreams," a glossy and sugary coated pop song that should have dominated the charts in the U.S. (it peaked at no. 7 in the U.K.). It's a wonderfully and cleverly crafted pop song that effortlessly shifts from dance to pop, and comes with one of the most quotable lyrics of the year: "When the camera flashy, I act so happy."

06. untitled (halo) - "blunt subconscious"

If you want something to make you feel you're a cool teen again, then untitled (halo)'s "blunt subconscious" has you covered. The LA-based trio channel the slacker swag of Sonic Youth, trading off boy-girl vocals over fuzzy guitar that border on shoegaze. It's a sexy rock song that's the perfect soundtrack for this moment.

05. Addison Rae - "Diet Pepsi"

"Diet Pepsi" is just a stepping stone in Addison Rae's rise to pop stardom. The TikTok star and actress knows how to craft an amazing pop song, as she proved with her short "AR" EP last year. On "Diet Pepsi" she takes things in a new direction; instead of being inspired by Britney and Gaga, Rae channels Lana Del Rey. With breathy vocals and sensual lyrics ("Say you love, say you love, say you love me / Losing all my innocence in the back seat"), Rae delivers a surprising yet confident song that comes with a brilliant key change.

04. Camila Cabello - "Chanel No. 5"

Pop star Camila Cabello shook things up this year with her single "I LUV IT" with many pointing out her sudden rebranding as a hyper pop artist. Indeed, it's a new sound for the former Fifth Harmony singer but on its follow up single "Chanel No. 5" Cabello comes into her own. "Cute girl with a sick mind," she sings before launching into the glitchy chorus "Wrist, wrist, spritz, spritz, make him come alive." It's a strange song to be sure, and a dramatic shift in sound for Cabello but on "Chanel No. 5" it works and certainly is better than the sonic avenue she was pursuing on past projects.

03. Tinashe - "Nasty"

We love a success story! R&B singer Tinashe (who is now independent after leaving RCA) has been turning out some of the best pop music since her chart-topping hit "2 On" in 2014. And she finally got chart success again with "Nasty," an incredibly sexy bop and one of the highlights of the summer. The addicting song slinks and slides with erotic beats and happened to also spark a few TitTok trends and memes. Nevertheless, Tinashe's brilliances shines on "Nasty," crafting one of the best R&B songs of the 2020s.

02. Ren G - "Cherry Bye Bye"

Ren G (formerly of Club Eat) makes one of the best odes to the 2010s with "Cherry Bye Bye." Sewing together "The Fame" era Lady Gaga (think "Eh, Eh (Nothing I Can Say)"), Rihanna and Paris Hilton's infamous "Stars Are Blind," Ren G creates 2020s pure pop perfection. With infectious lyrics ("With a kiss and a cherry bye-bye / Throw my French tips up to the sky / Out of luck need a four leaf clover / Give me twenty minutes, I'm just thinking it over") a reggae beat, and electrifying synths, Ren G approaches indie sleaze like no other, bringing a clever pop and queer sheen to the revival – 2008 has never sounded so good!

01. Charli xcx - 360

With a beat from producer A.G. Cook that should be put into a beat hall of fame, Charli xcx's "360" dominated the summer – and the rest of the year. It's a song that synthesizes all of Charli's big ideas and sounds in to a slick 2 minutes (always leave them wanting more!). It's an undeniable bop and one of the best in her stacked discography. Bumpin' that.

Honorable mentions: Wet - "Double," Kassie Krut - "Reckless," Christopher Owens - "I Think About Heaven," Kim Gordon - "BYE BYE," Dawn Richard - "Life in Numbers," F5ve - "Underground," Erika De Casier, Nick Leon - "Bikini," Cassandra Jenkins - "Only One," Adrienne Lenker - "Free Treasure," Chanel Beads - "Urn."