As 2024 Winds Down, These 19 Songs Were The Ultimate Soundtrack Of My Year

Between pop, rock, country, and more, these 2024 releases kept me going.
We’ve come to the end of 2024 (time flies!), and while it was a loooooong year, a lot of great music was released. Below, I compiled 19 of my favorite tracks from a wide variety of genres, including pop, rock, country, and even Broadway.
(A Spotify playlist with all the songs is available at the end.)
1. Kacey Musgraves, “Jade Green”

Kacey Musgraves, MCA Nashville, Interscope / Via open.spotify.com
Kacey Musgrave’s voice is so soothing, and her album Deeper Well showcases a tone and etherealness similar to 2018’s Golden Hour. “Jade Green” is my favorite off the album, with a haunting melody and ambient vibes that help it stand out among the rest.
2. MisterWives feat. Charlotte Sands, “Other Side”

MisterWives, Charlotte Sands, Photo Finish Records / Via open.spotify.com
In July, MisterWives released an encore version of their album “Nosebleeds,” remixing it to feature other artists. Charlotte Sands and Mandy Lee have powerful rock voices, and their tones blend very well. “Other Side” is super catchy and provides plenty of opportunities for both singers to show off some incredible vocals.
3. Billie Eilish, “The Greatest”
Billie Eilish, Interscope Records / Via open.spotify.com
Hit Me Hard And Soft was a great album from start to finish, but “The Greatest” is a highlight for me. The bridge especially surprised me when I first listened because the song starts so delicately. Billie’s live performances take the song to the next level and showcase her vocal ability.
4. Quarters of Change, “Tightrope”
Quarters of Change, 300 Entertainment, Elektra Records / Via open.spotify.com
NYC-based rockers Quarters of Change had a huge year following the release of one of my favorite albums of 2024, Portraits. Between a US/UK tour and sets at festivals like the Governors Ball, Ben, Attila, Ben, and Jasper have been keeping busy. “Tightrope” is an uptempo rock anthem that makes it very easy to hit the play button over and over again.
5. Maggie Rogers, “Don’t Forget Me”
Maggie Rogers, Capitol Records / Via open.spotify.com
Maggie Rogers has a naturally charismatic voice that you can recognize within seconds. Her whole vibe is so chill in the best way possible; she seems like someone you can run into randomly at the store, but the next day, she’ll be playing a sold-out show. “Don’t Forget Me” is a fitting closing ballad and title track to her 2024 album, with deep lyrics that will indeed make us not forget her.
6. Gracie Abrams, “I Love You, I’m Sorry”
Gracie Abrams, Interscope Records / Via open.spotify.com
Songs like “I Love You, I’m Sorry” only come across once in a blue moon. When I first heard Gracie’s gentle vocals come in with the opening guitar strums, I knew I was listening to something special. The bridge quickly went viral on TikTok and became a stand-out moment at her concerts, including opening for Taylor Swift’s Eras tour.
7. Svrcina, “Hummingbird”
Svrcina, Resin8 / Via open.spotify.com
I will forever shout from the mountaintops that Svrcina has one of the most underrated voices in pop music. She truly is an artist who can do it all, from her earlier days of cinematic songwriting to her current pop-trending releases. My favorite part of the synth-pop delight, “Hummingbird” is the pre-chorus and Svrcina’s effortless flip between her chest and head voice. Check out the rest of the album, 1200 Beats Per Minute, for more.
8. Taylor Swift, “The Prophecy”
Taylor Swift, Republic Records / Via open.spotify.com
As a big Swiftie, I was very excited about the release of The Tortured Poets Department. The album did take some time to grow on me, but “The Prophecy” was always a stand-out. When The Anthology was released, I was surprised by the shift in sound from the first half, with a gentle tone that more strongly fit the album’s theme. “The Prophecy” is a classic Taylor/Aaron Dessner collab, with ambient guitar melodies and a chorus that will be in your head for days to come.
9. Hunter Hayes, “Somebody’s Heartbreak” (Lost & Found)
LP Entertainment / Via open.spotify.com
Earlier in November, Hunter Hayes released a reimagined version of his 2012 platinum hit “Somebody’s Heartbreak,” as part of his EP Lost & Found. As a big fan of the original song, it was fun to hear the new riffs, instruments, and backing vocals he put into the new version. I always think it’s super cool when artists revisit songs from their catalog and put a new spin on it.
10. Rosé, Bruno Mars, “APT.”
Rosé, Atlantic Records / Via open.spotify.com
The best collabs are the ones you don’t see coming, and Rosé and Bruno Mars’s vocals fit together so effortlessly. Between great live performances, viral dance trends, and massive amounts of daily streams, let’s hope there will be more collabs between them in the future!
11. Sabrina Carpenter, “Lie to Girls”
Sabrina Carpenter, Island Records / Via open.spotify.com
No one had a bigger year than Sabrina Carpenter, and any song from her excellent Short n’ Sweet could have made this list. As a fan of ambient ballads, “Lie To Girls” stood out on first listen, especially with the more complex musicality of the song (I love it when the second verse has a different melody from the first verse!)
12. Benson Boone, “My Greatest Fear”
Benson Boone, Night Street Records, Warner Records / Via open.spotify.com
I remember watching Benson’s American Idol audition and departure from the show, and a few short years later, he’s now one of the biggest stars on the planet. I’ve seen TikTok clips of his concerts, and he is a true entertainer between his audience interactions and many flips off the stage. (I definitely need to catch his next tour!)
“My Greatest Fear” is a highlight from Benson’s debut album, Fireworks and Rollerblades, discussing the anxiety he feels about losing someone important to him.
13. “Great Expectations,” Brody Grant, Cast of The Outsiders
Masterworks Broadway, Sony Entertainment / Via open.spotify.com
I don’t typically listen to Broadway soundtracks, but I was hooked after seeing The Outsiders on Broadway. When I first bought the ticket, I was intrigued at how music could be interwoven into the storyline without feeling misplaced.
The show blew me away, and the soundtrack only enhanced the intensity of the plot and emotional moments (make sure to bring tissues). With Ponyboy’s Act 1 ballad “Great Expectations”, Tony nominee Brody Grant had the entire audience shook—you could hear a pin drop at the end of the song. If you haven’t seen the show yet, don’t miss out; it won ‘Best Musical’ for a reason!
14. Aurora, “Dreams”
Glassnote Entertainment / Via open.spotify.com
Aurora’s voice has a special ability to clear your mind of whatever you are thinking about and focus on nothing but the music. “Dreams,” Track 10 on 2024’s What Happened to the Heart? instantly hooked me with its ethereal synths and backing vocals. The song is like a lullaby (fitting for a song called “Dreams”), and I’ve had quite a few excellent naps on the morning bus commute listening to it.
15. Addison Rae, “Diet Pepsi”
Columbia Records / Via youtube.com
Addison Rae surprise-dropped one of the year’s best pop songs and set herself up to have a massive 2025. The dark pop Lana-Del-Rey-style is a stark contrast to previous releases, and with the follow-up track “Aquamarine,” it sounds like Addison has found her sound. I’m excited to see what’s up next!
16. Spencer Sutherland, Rachel Platten, “Rocket”
SM1 LLC / Via open.spotify.com
“Rocket” is a total earworm between Spencer’s vocal performance (those riffs!), the driving ’80s style synth in the chorus, and the sax solo at the bridge. Rachel Platten is a great addition to the track, coming in at the second verse and also adding harmonies and backing vocals.
17. Linkin Park, “The Emptiness Machine”
Linkin Park LLC, Warner Records / Via open.spotify.com
2024 marked the year of Linkin Park’s return, with Emily Armstrong as the new singer. While no one can replace Chester Bennington, Emily’s voice is extremely powerful, and the album “From Zero” did not disappoint. Lead single, “The Emptiness Machine,” is a head-banging track, and the second single, “Heavy is the Crown,” features a whopping 15-second scream that had my jaw on the floor. Catch Linkin Park’s world tour in 2025!
18. Madison Beer, “Make You Mine”
Epic Records / Via open.spotify.com
Madison Beer’s Grammy-nominated song for Best Pop Dance Recording is my pick to win this year. The way the track builds up over time, from the acapella beginning, to the layered synths in the first verse, and the eventual drop in the chorus, is so smart. I’m glad to see the Grammys giving “Make You Mine” the spotlight it deserves (tune in next February to see if she wins!)
19. Galantis, 5 Seconds of Summer, David Guetta, “Lighter”
Big Beat Records / Via open.spotify.com
This song has a cool blend of orchestral and electronic instruments, which you don’t often hear in dance music. Luke Hemmings’s voice is mixed well on this track, shining over the instruments. I almost like the acoustic version of the song even more than the original!