Music in 2024 is a kaleidoscope of genres, trends, and surprises. The rise of AI-fueled production has met a resurgence of analog warmth. Pop has evolved into an algorithmic symphony while jazz finds new life in unexpected corners. Rock remains a phoenix, rising again with modern twists, while hip-hop leans hard into its roots, reclaiming its cultural dominance. And country? It’s not just riding the waves of nostalgia; it’s digging its boots into the red clay, reconnecting with storytelling that hits you straight in the chest.

This year has been one of reinvention and revelation. From veteran artists making triumphant comebacks to newcomers rewriting the rulebook, 2024’s soundtrack feels like a history lesson and a prophecy rolled into one. Let’s break down the tracks and albums that mattered most, the ones that left me stunned, shattered, or downright euphoric.

Best Singles

If 2024 had a tearjerker anthem, Marc Scibilia’s More To This would be the torchbearer. Scibilia, an understated virtuoso, emerged from the ether with a single so raw and universal it felt like a shared diary. There’s a simplicity to the melody, but don’t mistake that for plainness—it’s a masterstroke, weaving heartbreak and hope into every note. It’s a song you play at 3 a.m., staring at the ceiling, wondering what went wrong and what might go right.

Kendrick Lamar doesn’t just drop music; he drops cultural grenades. Not Like Us is a searing critique wrapped in flawless production, a lyrical takedown of the shiny veneer that props up hip-hop’s elite. Yes, it’s a Drake diss track, but it’s more—a manifesto, a reckoning. Every bar is surgical, every beat a heartbeat. It’s the sound of a man at the peak of his powers, pulling no punches.

LL Cool J returned to the mic like a lion roaring back into its territory with Murdergram Deux. Pairing up with Eminem, the track is pure dynamite—a gritty, venomous ode to old-school hip-hop that proves age hasn’t dulled their edge. It’s raw, unfiltered, and gloriously unapologetic.

Meanwhile, XG flipped the pop script with Woke Up. This girl group shattered expectations, blending trap, R&B, and K-pop into a genre-defying anthem that owned TikTok and Spotify alike. It’s bold, it’s brash, and it’s everywhere for good reason.

Then there’s Falling In Reverse, whose single Ronald is an unhinged fever dream of a track. The accompanying music video catapulted it into meme legend territory—half horror movie, half visual assault, and 100% unforgettable. Ronald Radke has always thrived on chaos, but this? This is chaos perfected.

Big Artists Returning to Form

Rufus Du Sol has mastered the art of emotional electronic music, and their album Inhale / Exhale is a revelation. It’s a sonic journey through heartbreak and catharsis, with each track an emotional crescendo. They’ve taken everything that made them special and doubled down, creating an album that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant.

The Black Keys came roaring back with Ohio Players, an album steeped in swampy blues-rock and a nostalgic nod to the genre’s greats. It’s their grittiest, grooviest work in years—a love letter to the heartland with a modern twist.

Justice returned with Hyperdrama, a neon-soaked epic that feels like a rave at the edge of the universe. It’s bold, cinematic, and unapologetically grandiose. Every track feels like it was built to shake stadiums.

Forester’s Moonlight offers a different kind of return—a retreat into serene, ethereal landscapes. It’s a balm for the soul, blending indie-pop with ambient textures. If the world’s chaos gets to you, this album is the antidote.

And then there’s Keaton Henson, whose Somnambulant Cycles is an achingly beautiful exploration of insomnia and introspection. Sparse, haunting, and deeply poetic, it’s not just an album; it’s an experience.

New Artists Making Waves

Artemas is the sleeper hit of 2024, and yustyna is a masterpiece. There’s a purity to his music—a blend of folk and modern indie that feels timeless. His voice? It’s the kind that lingers long after the song ends.

Griff’s Vertigo spins tales of love and chaos with an energy that’s equal parts infectious and intimate. She’s a whirlwind, a hurricane, and her debut album is the eye of the storm.

Pete & Bas—yes, the grime grandfathers—are back with Mugshot, a gritty, hilarious, and surprisingly poignant release. They’re proof that age is just a number when it comes to raw talent and lyrical wit.

Little Simz’s Mood Swings isn’t just an album; it’s an achievement. Simz continues to push boundaries with razor-sharp lyricism and genre-defying production, making her one of the most exciting artists of the year.

Finally, Mustafa’s Dunya is pure poetry. A delicate blend of folk, R&B, and soul, it’s an album that transcends genre, speaking directly to the heart.

Original Music Soundtracks

Kris Bowers has outdone himself with The Wild Robot Original Soundtrack. Each piece is a tapestry of emotion, blending orchestral grandeur with electronic nuance. It’s a score that doesn’t just accompany the story—it tells one of its own.

Hans Zimmer’s Dune: Part Two soundtrack is predictably epic, but what else would you expect? Zimmer takes us deeper into Arrakis, crafting a soundscape that’s as vast and unrelenting as the desert itself.

Ludovico Einaudi’s A Cielo Abierto is a gentle masterpiece, a score that feels like a quiet conversation with the heavens. It’s the kind of music that demands your full attention—and rewards it.

Country Music Reborn

Country is thriving, thanks to artists who aren’t afraid to embrace its roots while pushing it forward. Stephen Wilson Jr.’s Son of Dad is a gritty, heartfelt ode to the Americana tradition. Ole 60’s Walls is haunting and authentic, stripping country music down to its barest essence.

Amethyst Kiah’s In The Pines is a revelation, blending Appalachian folk with a modern edge that feels groundbreaking. And Billy Strings? Highway Prayers cements his place as the genre’s reigning virtuoso. His picking is otherworldly, but it’s his storytelling that truly shines.

Back to The Future

2024 has been a year of bold moves, surprising comebacks, and transformative debuts. These releases remind us that music isn’t just something we listen to—it’s something we feel, something we live. And as the year rolls on, I can’t help but wonder what sonic treasures await us just over the horizon.