Now that the thunderdome cage-match of selecting the 30(ish) Best Albums of the Year is complete, it’s time to loosen our collars and have some fun. These aren’t the “best” songs of 2024… but they’re our very favorites, the ones that are worth writing home about (errr, make that spamming your groupchats and jamming your personal playlists). We present them to you unranked, but listed in alphabetical order by track title so as not to have this thing descend into total chaos. Want even more songs? Check out the playlist below.
Full disclosure: before you rage @ us for not including indisputable bangers like Ezra Collective’s “God Gave Me Feet For Dancing” or Justice’s “Neverender” on here, it’s because they’re already getting implied shine on our 2024 Best Albums list.
Favorite Songs
Braxe + Falcon
If you’re a frequent listener to weekend afternoons, you may have heard me say once or twice that we “play to the sunshine.” As the jam of the summer, this beamed the rays that put smiles on faces, whether rockin’ the dance floors or just bopping your head cruising down PCH.
— Raul Campos (KCRW DJ, host of Global Beat)
"The Answers To The Questions”
Chrystabell & David Lynch
Out of questions asked into a dark wind and clouds of despair emerges hope, an answer, a light, and then love: All of this in a reverb-drenched dream with the music narrating the journey.
— Anne Litt (KCRW DJ)
Willow
“b i g f e e l i n g s” delivers big energy, jazz overtones, and a breakbeat that drives the scat-inspired vocal melodies to a big finish. It’s a track that makes me feel optimistic, despite knowing, as the refrain says, “I have so many problems.”
— José Galván (KCRW DJ)
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Yukimi
Solo Yukimi Nagono (of Little Dragon) has arrived, and this first taste is nothing short of glorious. Her voice is a special kind of ecstasy, a balm for the soul and analeptic for the mind. Carried by the refrain of "nothing’s gonna break me down," the track is a shot of something we could all use... right about now.
— Anna Chang (Senior Producer, Morning Becomes Eclectic)
Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross
Ok, having to pick just *one* song from the warehouse-party-tennis-fever-dream that is the score for Luca Guadanino’s Challengers is a cruel task, but someone here had to. Both the main theme and “Brutalizer” emerged as neck-in-neck fan faves for spring ‘24, so we’re giving the point to “Brutalizer” simply because there’s more of it to love. Plus, a hearty honorable mention to the snotty-aughties dance-punk lean of “Yeah x10."
— Marion Hodges (Digital Producer, Music & Culture)
Nilüfer Yanya
Like pressing a bruise or peeling a scab, the dull ache of Nilüfer Yanya’s guitar tones and lyrics like, “I call it shame, heating me up / I catch a flame, some call it love…” are equal parts exacerbated and relieved by the seriously sultry world that’s been built to hold this track.
— Marion Hodges (Digital Producer, Music & Culture)
“Die For Me (Feat. Lil Yachty)”
Jean Dawson
This is one of those tracks that feels physically heavy with gravitas, down to the weight of the opening piano keys pressing down. Then come the drums, leaden and sluggish, insisting you give Dawson’s splintered vocal delivery your full attention: “I bet somebody love me, no / After I've died, we'll see / Don't show up at my funeral / If you won't die for me.”
It’s a standout track from the rising LA singer’s 2024 album Glimmer of God, rounded out by Oscar-drama strings, heater synths, and a crazed verse from Yachty that’s perhaps best chalked up to poetic license. Carry this one carefully.
— Andrea Domanick, as selected by Jason Kramer (KCRW DJ)
Gavin Turek
Gavin Turek knows that when her heart is breaking, the cure is one hip-shaking dance away. It’s time to woman up, put on some bedazzled hot pants, and get those disco boots walking. With Gloria Gaynor-“I Will Survive”-swagger, Gavin hits it hard:
“Healin' is found on the dancefloor / Part of this life is comin' back for more / A natural remedy of sorts / I'm home at the disco”
Frosting on the cake, you ask? The video for the feel-good-dance-your-ass-off song of the year is a reenactment of the opening moments of the iconic Saturday Night Fever. Strap ‘em on.
— Anne Litt (KCRW DJ)
“EVERYTHING (Feat. Esi Sumbry & Ganavya)”
Immanuel Wilkins
We are “Everything” indeed. Our life is our history, filled with defining moments and pivotal turning points that shape our presence. “Everything” is a peaceful sonic expression of that road, that timeline of the lives that came before those who left their indentured signature of excellence contributing to the spirit of our community.
— LeRoy Downs (KCRW DJ, Just Jazz)
Beth Gibbons
When Beth Gibbons announced her return this year, undoubtedly some fans hoped that she would revive the shattered melodrama of her time fronting classic-era Portishead. Instead, she gifted us with this lovely and contemplative ode to the process of dying, produced with an organic warmth that befits the clear-eyed humanism of her lyrics.
— Myke Dodge Weiskopf (Senior Producer, KCRW Music)
Chappell Roan
I was raised to revere the energy and raw vocal talent of greats like Pat Benatar and Janis Joplin and, to me, Roan fits right at home amongst those stars. A billion streams later, “Good Luck, Babe!” holds strong as a testament to Roan’s musical preternatural ability to evoke emotion: a sapphic song still resonating across communities, all around the world.
— Malorie McCall (Social Media, KCRW Music)
Darkside
Any new output from elusive experimental-psych luminaries Darkside is cause for celebration, but this one marks a particular breakthrough. Drummer Tlacael Esparza joins forces with the project’s longstanding duo of electronic producer-vocalist Nicolás Jaar and jazz-bred guitarist Dave Harrington for “Graucha Max,” Darkside’s first musical offering as a trio.
“Graucha Max” feels like you’re in the middle of a dark, sexy circus with Darkside walking the tightrope, expertly balancing psychedelia, rock, and electronic. While each member contributes to the song’s magic, it’s the percussion, driving and frenetic, that takes center stage. If “Graucha Max” is a sign of what’s to come, we’re in for an electrifying new era. Be sure to catch them at Coachella in April.
— Francesca Harding (KCRW DJ)
Colette March
Colette March’s new EP Romanticopia is an effortless display of cohesive lyrical style with a varied sonic scope: some songs on it are like lo-fi Gaga, some are like pop ballads, others give Ingrid Michelson vibes, yet others give Cyn, and some are just plain fun for dancing.
“How To Be Bashful” offers a glimpse into how March masterfully pirouettes between poignant vulnerability and tongue-in-cheek takes on intellectualism. You’re lucky I have a word count… or I’d list every lyric.
— Malorie McCall (Social Media, KCRW Music))
Gesaffelstein
Off of Gesaffelstein's third studio album Gamma, "Hysteria" pays homage to post-punk with synth-fried, electronic horsepower. Reminiscent of Joy Division's "Transmission," "Hysteria" takes us for a ride at maximum velocity, testing the guardrails of its bpm for an exhilarating, over-too-soon minute and fifty five seconds.
— SiLVA (KCRW DJ)
"I Guess Time Just Makes Fools of Us All"
Father John Misty
Father John Misty has always had one foot firmly planted in the “Me” Decade, but “I Guess Time…” is such an undeniably ‘70s slice of country-disco choogle that it wouldn't sound out of place on your FM dial, sandwiched in between Atlanta Rhythm Section and The Ozark Mountain Daredevils. But lean into that transistor radio a little closer, and you might just get floored by Josh Tillman's most hilariously bleak reckoning on the fool in all of us.
— Dan Wilcox (KCRW DJ)
Joy (Anonymous), Todd Edwards, & Reggie Watts
As the tempo trend of club music has surged decidedly faster this year, even giving way to drum ‘n’ bass having another “moment” in 2024, this wonderful record from Aussie producers Joy (Anonymous) keeps all the jazzy swing of house music while still clocking in at a fast clip for those restless souls. Collaborators on what, I suppose, would be considered UK garage via Australia include revered producer and Daft Punk confidant Todd Edwards, as well KCRW's favorite iconoclast Reggie Watts, joining forces to help make magic on the dance floor.
— Jason Bentley (KCRW DJ, “Metropolis”)
“Let Me Cook (Feat. Dawn Richard)”
Flying Lotus
There’s nothing quite like a tune that whisks you away to another era while keeping you rooted in the moment. Flying Lotus’ “Let Me Cook” is exactly the vibe we need to usher in the chilly season ahead. This track is a full-on heater, dripping with ultra-sultry grooves that practically beg for a sunset drive, with its vocals weaving through the soundscape like lanes on the 110 freeway. Featuring the powerhouse Dawn Richard, “Let Me Cook” serves up a fierce command that echoes that mid-’90s spirit, laying it all out: This is how it is, and this is how she wants it. It’s a sonic directive that hits bold and strong, inviting you to lean into the rhythm and groove hard.
— Ro “Wyldeflower” Contreras (KCRW DJ)
Jayson Green & The Jerk
Gather ‘round, ye disciples of indie sleaze: While you’re in the club taking pics online, Jayson Green and the Jerk — a lowkey DFA supergroup including members of Orchid, LCD Soundsystem, Holy Ghost!, Les Savy Fav, Bear In Heaven, and The Juan MacLean — recorded this absolute banger in one night at an actual party. And it sounds like it, clinking bottles, background chatter, and all. The bassline is looooose, the horns are horny, the build is fevered, and the disco drums discipline the whole gang into keeping time. But the chef’s kiss is in the melody: A playground-chant refrain regaling the exploits of that One Guy who’s always messed up and trying to crash the hang, working too much for too little money in a broken system, and just trying to have a good time. Whomst amongst us?
— Andrea Domanick (Digital Editorial Manager)
The Bug Club
In my perfect universe, this is what a giant pop hit sounds like. “Lonsdale Slipons” wins this year’s award for the song that made me wanna get up and dance every time I heard it. A shoe as ugly as a Lonsdale slip-on doesn’t deserve such an awesome anthem.
— Travis Holcombe (KCRW DJ, host of FREAKS ONLY)
Andrew Pekler
If you've ever wondered what it would sound like if Stereolab covered a long-lost instrumental from Another Green World, Andrew Pekler has you covered: "Love Among the Crickets" was even released on their Duophonic record label. Pekler's work takes many forms, but this is one of his most sublime creations.
— Myke Dodge Weiskopf (Senior Producer, KCRW Music)
Tems
When Tems previewed this track live at Coachella this year, she taught the crowd the hook and we sang back it call-and-response style — Tems: "Love me jeje," Us: "Love me tender." It was love upon first listen and a highlight of my year. While the song pays homage to Tems' upbringing in Lagos, Nigeria, it speaks universally to the happy times we all hold, conjuring dance parties on warm nights, sunsets over the ocean, laughing with friends, living big, and loving gently.
— Anna Chang (Senior Producer, Morning Becomes Eclectic)
Mo Dotti
You may have heard, shoegaze is back. And, TikTok sensations notwithstanding, the epicenter of its IRL return is bubbling up right here in LA. And at the center of that, for my money, is Mo Dotti. The band’s (superbly) self-released debut, opaque, surveys the ’gaze spectrum, careening across the dream-, psych-, and fuzz- varietals with a confidence and attention to detail typically reserved for their forebears. It’s the kind of music you can really sit inside of, and “Lucky Boy” is a perfect threshold. Next time you’re feeling stuck — literally or existentially — put this one on and just try not to soar.
— Andrea Domanick (Digital Editorial Manager)
Kendrick Lamar
Curating a "best-of" list is a nuanced endeavor, balancing taste, cultural gravity, and raw impact. Including “Not Like Us” might seem like the obvious move, but leaving it out? Unthinkable. This track became an anthem of its time, leaping from cumbia-laced remixes at LA's Olvera Street in the heat of summer, to solstice-inspired sing-alongs at the Smithsonian’s African American History Museum, to casting an intimate aural backdrop in a dimly-lit, six-seat bar tucked in Kyoto by fall. Wherever it played, it wasn’t just heard — it was felt: loud, proud, empowering, unapologetic, and omnipresent. “Not Like Us” broke records and silences, turning whispers into reckonings, reverberating through culture like a timeless echo, solidifying yet again, Lamar’s role as a transformative voice in hip-hop.
— Ro “Wyldeflower” Contreras (KCRW DJ)
“Olive Branch (Ghosn Zeytoun)”
Elyanna
"Olive Branch" is Palestinian-Chilean artist Elyanna’s message of prayer and peace for her besieged people enduring a genocide. “My tears have dried out, and my heart is broken. I’m far away, but I’m praying for you,” she sings, accompanied by a simple piano and strings. Elyanna’s hauntingly beautiful voice is intertwined with the equally haunting, distant laughter of children, weaving through the track like a fragile memory of the more than 20,000 Palestine children whose lives were lost over the past year. Her delivery is profound, her range impressive, and her ability to convey despair is cathartic, offering a sense of connection amidst unimaginable pain.
— Valida (KCRW DJ)
Peter Cat Recording Co.
Named for an upscale kebab restaurant in Calcutta, Peter Cat Recording Co. delivered what was, for my money, the song of the summer in “People Never Change.” Who saw yacht rock from New Delhi coming? The song ascends with a long, hypnotic, tabla-driven groove, then breaks into a sun-soaked vibe that culminates in the most infectious crooner-fronted chorus. Timing out at six-and-a-half minutes, it still feels too short.
— Chris Douridas (KCRW DJ)
RÜFÜS DU SOL
It’s tough not to feel like the star of an action-packed thriller when listening to RÜFÜS DU SOL’s “Pressure,” with its ticking-time-bomb percussion, distorted synths, and a cinematic, thumping bassline growl that will make the mirrors in your car wince. Even more important than the world it evokes is our own programmed script, reminding us that despite some of us feeling victimized by the overwhelming stresses and struggles of life, the byproduct can be resilience and strength.
— Nassir Nassirzadeh (KCRW DJ)
Tierra Whack
The best bop you will ever hear about everyone's favorite pastime: singing in the shower. There's just something about the privacy, reverb, and steam that makes you feel exfoliated, mentally stimulated, and one step closer to operatic prowess. Tierra Whack gets it, and you should get into this track. No shower required.
— Novena Carmel (KCRW DJ, host of Morning Becomes Eclectic)
Orbital, David Holmes & DJ Helen featuring Mike Garry
We should all give thanks to UK-based DJ Helen for the brilliant moment of inspiration in taking Manchester street poet Mike Garry's spoken word "Tonight" and mixing it with the David Holmes remix of Orbital's classic "Belfast" The end result is a dancefloor epic that feels transformative, exhilarating and infinite... as well as the Greatest Love Song of 2024.
— Dan Wilcox (KCRW DJ)
Sleater-Kinney
This whole record — Little Rope, Sleater-Kinney’s 11th LP — is so good. Wall-to-wall, an album’s album of bristling rock and hard-won faith. And if you’re looking for a real soul-purge, something to slough off the scabs and calluses incurred by too much screen time and not enough consensus, look no further than closer “Unity Creature.”
“[It’s about a] personal relationship and a personal viewpoint, but it's also a mirror to what's happening,” vocalist-guitarist Corin Tucker told me during the band’s KCRW session this year. “[It reflects] how women are feeling in this country and how we feel like we're being seen in this country. And so to push those things both at the same time, that's the channel that developed into that song.”
It’s a real wailer that, despite fraught subject matter that seems to only get more salient, remains steady in its catharsis and brazen vulnerability. What’s music for if not that?
— Andrea Domanick (Digital Editorial Manager)
Charli xcx
Charli xcx’s prowess as the reigning pop queen is on full display on “Von Dutch.” It’s a bold, bad bitch attitude with edgy electro-pop production that emboldens you to summon your power and be unapologetically cocky.
— Tyler Boudreaux (KCRW DJ)
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