Yahoo News Our Favorite New Songs of 2024: Beyoncé, Charli xcx, and More
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There’s no question about it: Women dominated music this year. Whether it was the Powerpuff Girl trio of pop’s rising stars–Charli xcx, Sabrina Carpenter, and Chappell Roan—or reigning megastars like Beyoncé and Taylor Swift continuing to hone in on their craft, or even the swaths of exciting up-and-comers from Doechii to Gracie Abrams, the girls are really taking over.
With exciting new releases from Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, Tinashe, and more, the ELLE team had their hands (and playlists) full as we rounded up our favorite new music releases month after month this year. Now, we’re compiling all of our top picks—plus a few other notable additions—for our overall list of the best songs of 2024.
Check out our favorites below, and scroll even further to see the best songs from each month.
With reporting from Claire Stern Milch and Juliana Ukiomogbe.
“Hiss” by Megan Thee Stallion
“At the top of the year, Megan Thee Stallion came back with this track that gagged the internet, and with her sublime rhymes and clean bars, it’s clear that this rap queen has a rightful place on the throne.”—Samuel Maude, associate editor
“16 CARRIAGES” by Beyoncé
“‘16 CARRIAGES’ is the one for me. I’m a sucker for a self-referential ballad, and this song is exactly that. I’m also obsessed with the single’s cover art and need it on a piece of merch immediately.”—Juliana Ukiomogbe, former assistant editor
“Saturn” by SZA
“After debuting her new single ‘Saturn’ in a MasterCard commercial during this year’s Grammys, SZA officially dropped the song on all streaming platforms to wide acclaim. It’s both existential and dreamy as she waxes poetic about the possibility of life beyond Earth: ‘If there’s another universe / Please make some noise / Give me a sign / This can’t be life.’ It’s slowly becoming one of my favorite songs in her catalog.”—JU
“we can’t be friends (wait for your love)” by Ariana Grande
“This was Ariana Grande’s year. After dropping her Grammy-nominated album Eternal Sunshine in the spring, she shimmered all the way through a grueling Wicked press tour this fall. The devil works hard, Kris Jenner works harder, and Grande must be working the hardest of them all. While we’ve been served plenty of her content, I’m still stuck on ‘we can’t be friends (wait for your love),’ which completely changed my world view. With its Robyn-esque beats, coming-of-age vibes, and hopelessly romantic lyrics, the song stands as one of her best tracks. And yes, if you must know, I’ve played it 342 times (and counting) this year.”—SM
“Good Luck, Babe!” by Chappell Roan
“I dare you to play this song and not feel the sudden urge to jump around like a lunatic. ‘Good Luck, Babe!’ sounds like it belongs in one of those nostalgic teen movies. It’s fun! It’s energetic! It gets the people going!’—JU
“Espresso” by Sabrina Carpenter
“It wasn’t even close: ‘Espresso’ was the song of the summer, hands down. Sabrina Carpenter’s lead single off Short n’ Sweet completely took over the cultural zeitgeist, with even the grammar nerds in a tizzy. The catchy track proves that Carpenter is now one of the biggest names in pop music after years of being underestimated.”—SM
“I Can Do It With a Broken Heart” by Taylor Swift
“Even if you weren’t able to snag tickets to the Eras Tour, you can probably agree that it had been a minute since Taylor Swift released a certified banger. That is, until ‘I Can Do It With a Broken Heart.’ With pulsating synths, bass lines, and a pounding electropop beat, the song practically begs you to dance—whether or not you’re reeling from a breakup. Consider it the antidote to all the sad-girl ballads on TTPD. Lights, camera, bitch, smile!”—Claire Stern Milch, digital director
“Risk” by Gracie Abrams
“Gracie Abrams picked right; ‘Risk’ was the perfect lead single for her album The Secret of Us, which propelled the young star to household name status. It’s the perfect song with Taylor Swift flair for the longing lover in your life, and it proves that Abrams has songwriting down pat. Clearly, taking risks works.”—SM
“360” by Charli xcx
“Early in the summer, ELLE editors were asked in a TikTok what the song of the summer was going to be. Not to toot my own horn, but I said ‘Espresso’ and ‘360’ by Charli xcx. That’s right, internet: I predicted Brat summer (well, before it was in full swing, at least). And, what a bratty little summer it was! The now Grammy-nominated ‘360’ is arguably the anthem of the iconic album. Charli really is my favorite reference, babe.”—SM
“Birds of a Feather” by Billie Eilish
“‘Birds of a Feather’ remains the standout on Billie Eilish’s HIT ME HARD AND SOFT. The dreamy love song is perfect for any wedding processional, as Billie exclaims, ‘I’ll love you ‘til the day that I die.’ We could say the same about this track, too.”—SM
“Love Me Jeje” by Tems
“Tems’s 2024 album, Born in the Wild, is one of this year’s best, and its lead single is a warm and inviting display of her buttery alto vocals. Paying homage to her childhood, she interpolates the ’90s Nigerian hit song of the same name from Seyi Sodimu. She sings ‘love me jeje (loosely translated to ‘softly’ in Nigerian) / love me tender,’ and the song lives up to its lyrics.”—Erica Gonzales, senior culture editor
“symptom of life” by WILLOW
“WILLOW consistently delivers. And this single from her album b i g f e e l i n g s is more of what makes her so distinct: introspective lyrics, experimental production, and a slight rock tinge. If you’re someone who frequently goes on hot girl walks like I do, I recommend listening to this on your next stroll.”—JU
“Nasty” by Tinashe
“This year, Tinashe matched all of our freaks with this addictive, viral single. In a statement about the song, she declared, ‘This is that all summer long kinda BOP!’ and she was absolutely right. ‘Nasty’ was a sweaty summer banger and its Janet influences are clear.”—EG
“Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar
“You really just had to be there when this song dropped. I’ll never forget hearing ‘a minorrrrrr’ for the first time. Sublime! So many quotables. I played this all summer and can’t wait to hear it at every party for the months (and probably years) to come.”—JU
“Genesis” by Raye
“RAYE’s first single of the year is a seven-minute-long saga. Reminiscent of her smash hit ‘Escapism’ and her previous album, My 21st Century Blues, she explores insecurities and anxieties in the social media age and the messiness of your twenties. It’s confessional and intimate yet enormous in scope, switching from harmony-laden ballad to hip-hop-inspired banger, before concluding with a bluesy grand finale. Her message tying all of it together? Let there be light.”—EG
“Girl, so confusing featuring lorde” by Charli xcx and Lorde
“The collab of the century? Charli xcx and Lorde cleared up their alleged beef with a shockingly vulnerable collab about their relationship. They’re peers, they admire each other, they’re competitors, they’re jealous of each other, they’ve shied away from becoming close friends due to their own insecurities. As stunning as it is to hear these words exchanged between pop stars (‘I don’t know if you like me / Sometimes I think you might hate me’), it’s also deeply relatable for your average woman. In our girlhood-obsessed culture, it’s hard to admit you do sometimes feel competitive with those you consider friends. But Charli and Lorde worked it out on the remix, and we’re all the better for it.”—EG
“Nissan Altima” by Doechii
“Doechii just is that girl. How else can I say it? On this single from her Alligator Bites Never Heal mixtape, her rhymes are hyper-fast tongue twisters with impressive, confident delivery. The second verse nearly begs you to shout along: ‘Put the motherfuckin’ money in my motherfuckin’ hands!!!’”—EG
“Eusexua” by FKA twigs
“Every song FKA twigs has put out so far for her upcoming 2025 album Eusexua has been a hit, but none more than the title track. The beep-boop bop feels like an electric current, hitting every synapse of the brain with an enticing rhythm.”—SM
“Death & Romance” by Magdalena Bay
“Magdalena Bay’s Imaginal Disk album was such a moment that Rosalía dressed up as the cover art for Halloween. One of its highlights is ‘Death & Romance,’ a synthy, alt-pop epic that literally feels like flying through space. It’s an out-of-this-world spectacular with pounding keys, dream-like flourishes, and Mica Tenenbaum’s celestial vocals, but its central theme is very down-to-earth and real: nothing is fair in death and romance.”—EG
“Afterlife” by Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory
“For her forthcoming album, Sharon Van Etten wrote in collaboration with her band for the first time. Their lead single ‘Afterlife’ is a taste of that synergy, with a more synth-infused sound but still comprised of deep, meaningful lyrics. Van Etten sings about what happens to our loved ones when we’re gone: ‘Will you see me in the afterlife? / Will you tell me what you think it’s like / Come and tell me it’ll be alright?’”—EG
“hot to Someone” by Clairo
“No Clairo shade here: The singer-songwriter delivered a lovely third album, Charm, this past summer that lived up to its name. This thoughtfully written single spotlights a relatable insecurity and tiny desire we might all have—that to be ‘sexy to someone is all I really want.’”—EG
“Jump” by Tyla feat. Gunna and Skillibeng
“Tyla proved she isn’t just a one-hit wonder; she’s the next big thing—thanks to her self-titled debut album, which carried hits like ‘ART,’ ‘Truth or Dare,’ and, my personal favorite, ‘Jump.’ The South African artist shows her global impact on this collab, teaming up with Jamaican DJ Skillibeng and Atlanta’s Gunna for a hot and sweaty anthem that calls you directly to the dance floor.”—EG
“TGIF” by GloRilla
“Picture this: It’s 7 P.M. on a Friday and it’s 95 degrees outside, and this GloRilla smash is blasting through the speakers, deafening bass and all. The Memphis rapper only soared further into stardom this year, thanks to her mixtape Ehhthang Ehhthang, album Glorious, and standout tracks like ‘TGIF’ that show off her lyricism and unbridled confidence. This might have been a summer staple, but GloRilla always brings the heat.”—EG
“Life Is” by Jessica Pratt
“I’ll admit I was late to Jessica Pratt’s latest album, Here on the Pitch, but it’s almost been nicer to sit with it months later—it’s the kind of record that requires deeper reflection anyway. ‘Life Is’ is a prime example, with the L.A. singer-songwriter putting haunting lines like this one right in the first verse: Lately I’ve been insecure / The chances of a lifetime might be hiding their tricks up my sleeve / Used to be the greatest, now I see.’”—EG
“How Sweet” by NewJeans
“I just want the best for NewJeans. Amid ongoing troubles behind the scenes, the K-pop game changers were still able to produce two EPs this year, one of which includes this charming bop about letting go of a toxic ex. How sweet it tastes indeed.”—EG
“Never Need Me” by Rachel Chinouriri
“Rachel Chinouriri gave us a stunning album, What a Devastating Turn of Events, this spring, which really showed the depth of her songwriting. ‘Never Need Me’ is a more pop-leaning take on her usual grungy sound, but the result is familiar, comforting, and uplifting—the kind of song you’d hear in a 2000s coming-of-age movie. It’s a breakup anthem for people who need to set boundaries: ‘Oh, no, I couldn’t care what you do with your life / I hope you just take it easy / I hope that you never need me,’ she sings.”—EG
“Igual de Un Angel” by Kali Uchis feat Peso Pluma
“Kali Uchis’s Spanish-language album Orquídeas is a straight-up masterpiece, and this collab with Peso Pluma is one of the many reasons why. It’s downright heavenly, with her signature breathy vocals, a bumping bass line, and the kind of hook you can replay over and over again.”—EG
“Soup” by Remi Wolf
“Remi Wolf had me thinking about ‘Soup’ since the middle of summer. The bright harmonies on this track from her latest album, Big Ideas, just scratch the inside of my brain in the most satisfying way.”—EG
“Right Back to It” by Waxahatchee feat. MJ Lendeman
“‘Right Back to It’ sounds like one of those timeless American love songs, even though it’s less than a year old. Overplucked guitar strings and Waxahatchee’s Katie Crutchfield and MJ Lenderman’s harmonies blend perfectly as they sing about the ups and downs of a longtime relationship—the doubts and insecurities that sprout years in, and sparks that continue to fly. ‘But you just settle in, like a song with no end,’ they sing, much like this song itself, which feels so soothing you want it to last forever.”—EG
“Run Your Mouth” by The Marías
“I was ready for a Marías comeback. And, lo and behold, the first single off their next album arrived this month. María Zardoya’s light, airy vocals float over this funk-inspired track, and she jumps the octave in the chorus with ease. It’s an impressive preview of the duo’s next chapter.”—EG
“Patterns” by Laura Marling
“Marling’s beautiful first single for her next album, Patterns in Repeat, is a reflection on becoming a first-time mom. ‘Pulled for meaning, I arched my back / And then from the black you were born,” she sings and hums over delicately plucked guitar.”—EG
“Sticky” by Tyler, the Creator feat. GloRilla, Sexyy Red, and Lil Wayne
“How many double takes did you do when you first realized Lil Wayne was in this lineup? As someone who wasn’t checking credits during my first listen through Chromakopia, imagine my surprise by the third verse. Tyler, the Creator enlists GloRilla, Sexyy Red, and, of course, Weezy for this posse cut that starts off a cappella and builds into big, brassy glory. At this point, it’s not just a collaboration, but a movement, with everyone from HBCU marching bands to TikTok dancers feeling its impact.”—EG
“Classical” by Vampire Weekend
“I relish in any time Vampire Weekend comes out with new music, mainly because they’re my college band. Nostalgia courses through my veins whenever I hear one of their songs. This comment on the music video for ‘Classical’ pretty much sums up my thoughts: ‘How does this manage to sound like the entirety of their discography in a song? Pure Vampire Weekend sound distilled down into one instant classic, wow.’”—CSM
“Witchy” by Kaytranada (feat. Childish Gambino)
“Kaytranada, a.k.a. king of the summer, blessed us with a new album full of bops just in time for block parties, beach days, and more. It was extremely hard to pick just one song to highlight, but I had to go with ‘Witchy’ featuring Childish Gambino. With lyrics like ‘You make me feel like I’ve been floatin’ / This ain’t a spell, you got me open, girl / You’re being witchy and I love it, girl,’ it’s been on repeat since it dropped.”—JU
“Like That” by Future, Metro Boomin, Kendrick Lamar
“If you’re going to team up with Kendrick Lamar, you’ve gotta give him the best track on the album, and Metro Boomin absolutely cooked here in ways my mind can’t even comprehend. And if those zig-zagging synths didn’t shock you, Kendrick’s ‘It’s just big me’ diss definitely will. Consider this one of the many preludes to ‘Not Like Us.’”—EG
“Beautiful Things” by Benson Boone
“Benson Boone burst onto the scene this year with his album Fireworks & Rollerblades, and the first single, ‘Beautiful Things,’ is the kind of scream-singing that really feels primal. Boone’s Elton John-esque style, onstage backflips, and risky vocals spell good news for the singer, who is nominated for Best New Artist at the 2025 Grammy Awards.”—SM
“HEAT” by Tove Lo and SG Lewis
“Tove Lo and SG Lewis brought the ‘HEAT’ this summer with this sweat-inducing song, which is also the title track of their EP. You can feel the perspiration dripping off the electric synths and jumping off the banging drums. Off to the rave we go.”—SM
“What’s Love” by Empress Of (feat. MUNA)
“After a year of wistful longing, I still find myself coming back to Empress Of and MUNA’s intergalactic track. The planetarium pop song puts everyone with a broken heart on a rocket and asks, ‘If a love can’t make you, break you, shape you / Then what’s love?’ Water signs beware, this one will wreck you.”—SM
“Diet Pepsi” by Addison Rae
“If, at the beginning of 2024, you had told me that an Addison Rae song would be on this list, I would have thrown a Diet Coke at your face. But, Rae’s hot track both deserves a slot and converted me to Diet Pepsi, which I plan to drink all winter long. The journey from TikToker to main pop girl is off to a strong start, and with a Charli xcx co-sign too, we couldn’t be more enthusiastic.”—SM
“It’s ok I’m ok” by Tate McRae
“Tate McRae’s lead single off her upcoming album So Close to What is catchy, beat-thumping, and just flat-out good. McRae, whose dance moves shine in the accompanying video, is an exciting young artist. With Britney vibes and the moves to make your swoon, everyone better watch out: It’s Tate time.”—SM
“Officially Mine” by Maude Latour
“The opener for Maude Latour’s Sugar Water is a rousing, get-on-your-feet-and-feel-the-summer dance. The song, which is dripping with incredible synths, is the standout on her album, and with an upcoming tour, Latour is clearly one we’ve got our eyes on.” —SM
“Baddy on the Floor” by Jamie xx and Honey Dijon
“It’s all about the ‘Baddy on the Floor,’ which Jamie xx created with the legend Honey Dijon. The ass-shaking, club-calling smash is meant to be listened to in a warehouse with sunglasses on and a drink in hand.”—SM
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