Dinner Music 91: The best songs of 2024 (so far)
an entirely subjective list full of missteps and strong opinions
A few weeks ago, The New York Times published an article that highlighted what they deemed to be the forty best songs of 2024, so far. There were plenty I agreed with, like Chappell Roan’s single, ‘Life Is,’ a song off Jessica Pratt’s incredible new album (which we featured a few weeks ago), and Ibibio Sound Machine. Not to say that I disagree with the list — taste is refined and determined in entirely subjective ways, with all kinds of cultural and societal pressures tugging it this or that way. Clearly, there was a gap between the taste of the New York Times pop critics and myself.
I noticed that the list had very few country songs. Kacey Musgraves and Beyonce were there, so was Maggie Rogers, all of which are great in their own right, but I mean country songs. Look through Rose McMackin’s Truck Songs newsletter and her playlist of Truck Songs of 2024 and you’ll know what I mean. It didn’t surprise me. The northeast has long had blinders to what is culturally relevant outside of that region. Again, I don’t mean this as a dig, but talk to any New Yorker and they’ll tell you it’s the center of the universe. A few years ago, I would’ve told you that, too.
The list was heavy on pop music: Sabrina Carpenter, Billie Eilish, Charlie XCX, Ariana Grande, Dua Lipa. It had all of the indie heavy hitters, new and old: St. Vincent, Iron & Wine, Clairo, Nilüfer Yanya, Waxahatchee, Adrianne Lenker (though, strangely, no Khruangbin). I couldn’t shake the feeling that the list was less of a best of and more a round-up of new songs from artists that everyone is expected to say are good. What makes a pop song the best? And not just a catchy, new pop song? To me, what makes Chappell Roan’s song feel so much stronger than Sabrina Carpenter’s? Roan feels urgent, like the song is saying something that hasn’t been said, not quite like she’s saying it at least, and that it’s something we all need to hear. I think ‘Espresso’ is fun as hell, but I don’t see myself listening to it months from now. I’m not an expert. I’m just interested in subjectivity and what might be lurking in the shadows.
This is not an objective list of the best songs of 2024. But, it is a list of the forty songs of 2024 that I never skip, that I’ve sent in unprompted 2 AM text messages to friends, that I put on when I first get into the car, that I skip backward to listen to again. There’s country music, global groove, pop songs, R&B ballads, neo-jazz, lounge, indie-folk, psych-rock, girly rock-pop tinged with nostalgia. Some of those songs were on the NYT list, some weren’t. There are a few albums that I listen to over and over. I know that all five of my top songs of this year will likely be Jessica Pratt, I’ve listened to Here In The Pitch so many times.
There’s a few blindspots or intentionally left-out genres. My (known) blindspots: Hip-hop/rap, metal, punk, rock and many sub-genres splintering from these. I left out dance music (how could I give away my secrets?), but if you want that hit then listen to Windows 95 Anthem by Demi Riquisimo.
Let me know if you think there’s anything I missed. My initial attempt at this list was 86 songs long, so more than half of my initial run was cut. We’re lucky. This year, so far, has been full of incredible music, a much needed gift.
Enjoy.
The playlist
Monday
Here in the Pitch - Jessica Pratt (2024)
Spotify / Apple Music / YouTube / Other streaming services
Tuesday
The Heartbroken Record - Lauren Watkins (2024)
Spotify / Apple Music / YouTube / Other streaming services
Wednesday
Submarine - The Marias (2024)
Spotify / Apple Music / YouTube / Other streaming services
Thursday
News of the Universe - La Luz (2024)
Spotify / Apple Music / YouTube / Other streaming services
Friday
Diamond Shovel - Blue Hawaii (2024)
Spotify / Apple Music / YouTube / Other streaming services
Pair with
Lemon Spaghetti with Roasted Artichokes. Here we are again with the lemon pasta, but a slightly different take.
Shirley Temple. To honor the track from Lauren Watkins, a reminder that Shirley Temple’s are delicious and refreshing. Plus, there is no drink more fun to order at the bar than a Dirty Shirley.
The Taxonomy of Country Boys. The life of a country boy, he sings, “ain’t nothing but a funny, funny riddle,” and who doesn’t like a good laugh?
The other trillion best-of lists, like the ones from Billboard, Pitchfork, Vulture and Rolling Stone.
Thank you, thank you. Have a great week.
Bonus:
Jacqui, I'm late to this playlist by a week and wondering if there is a way to access an archive of your weekly list (specifically this one) on Spotify? Thank you so much!
I just did my own list, I see plenty of overlap, the rest I’m excited to dive in to, never heard of Blue Hawaii or Lauren Watkins for instance. cheers!