Another year has gone by. Can you believe it? 2024 has been quite the year for music. You can look at any genre in 2024 and see innovation. We saw pop artists release country influenced albums. We saw a resurgence of pop. We saw metal acts like Knocked Loose and Body Count perform on late night TV. This is just the start. As it’s become tradition, the Savage Content team came together to share their favorite songs of the year. These lists are so fun for us to make because you can see the variety of music that we all listen to. I asked the team to include a little explanation for what makes them the best of the best. Because a favorite song of the year isn’t necessarily a new release, but rather new-to-you, I allowed selections that meet those criteria too. Because any music can be new to someone at any time, even if it’s from 40 years ago. What made it in your top 5 this year? Check out our team’s top songs below!
Kristen
Twenty One Pilots - “Backslide” (Indie/Alternative)
Twenty One Pilots came out swinging with their 2024 album Clancy. It swiftly became my favorite album of the year and is in my top 3 albums from the group. Clancy goes back to the band’s roots in a lot of ways, with a lot of focus on the push and pull of enduring mental health struggles. There are so many great songs on this album that it’s hard to pick just one to highlight. But at the end of the day, I had to choose “Backslide” because it’s the one I find myself throwing on the most. The chorus is simply incredible, and I love how the song feels like it’s coming from the heart. It can be hard to be positive in a world that’s constantly changing and full of so much hate. It can be hard not to backslide in terms of your mental health when life continues to change, and new problems can always arise that need conquering. The raw honesty of this track really resonated with me.
YOASOBI - "Idol (アイドル)" (Japanese pop)
Any big anime fans out there may recognize this song because it was trending for a long time due to the massive popularity of the anime it comes from, Oshi No Ko. It’s fitting that a show about Japanese pop idols would have an opening song that sounds like it comes from an idol. It is scientifically impossible to listen to this song and not groove a little bit (don’t fact check me, I’m right), especially during that killer chorus. I love how upbeat and fun this song is, but the lyrics actually have a lot to say about how idols are treated as objects and expected to uphold certain images to stay on top. There’s a lot of pressure and parasocial relationships at play that fit well with the themes explored in the anime. I just discovered Oshi No Ko this year, but it instantly jumped to my top favorites list of the year.
Creepy Nuts - “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” (Japanese hip hop)
My husband and I watched the new season of the anime Mashle, and we never thought the creators would surpass the first season’s closing song they chose, “Chou Cream Funk” but “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born" did it. Mashle (or Magic + Muscles) is a comedy action anime that is a sort of parody of Harry Potter, but if there was a guy who can’t do any magic but gets into the magic school by his muscles that make people think he must have magic. It’s just as goofy as it sounds, and it totally works. This is such a fun, silly song. I have no further explanation, really.
Chappell Roan - “Good Luck, Babe” (Pop)
I don’t listen to a lot of pop, but with all the buzz about Chappell Roan, I got curious. And I found I really liked not only her music, but her as a person. She’s the queer icon the world needs right now, and I respect the hell out of her. There were a couple of bangers from her that swept the world this year, but “Good Luck, Babe” is the one whose chorus always gets stuck in my head. I have this beautiful memory of singing and dancing to this with a small group of people on the dance floor at my friend’s wedding. I love the empowered feeling that Chappell gives to so many people. I absolutely love the line, “you’d have to stop the world just to stop the feeling.”
Knocked Loose - “Don’t Reach for Me” (Hardcore/Metalcore)
Knocked Loose continues to mature their sound and tackle important topics that always hit the mark for me. I’ve been a fan of this hardcore group since 2016, and it’s been awesome watching them blow up, even getting a Grammy nomination for another song (“Suffocate” which features Poppy) on their album You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To. While I love that song, “Don’t Reach for Me” is one I find myself throwing on more often. I love the line, “no lie can be spread from a tongue removed.” The song is all about people who call themselves religious yet treat everyone around them like garbage, and how you’re not going to find sympathy from the singer if things go badly for them. Absolute monster of a track. I love it.
Rob
Kendrick Lamar “Reincarnated” (Hip Hop)
Solid song with a nod to Tupac, a selection from his latest album. This song represents and is consistent with all the lyricism and meaning that Kendrick has delivered this past year.
Avie Sheck (and his mom)- “Creep” Cover (R&B)
Incredible performance, authentic… and with the inclusion and manner of his mother’s singing is an unforgettable impact.
Niko Rubio – “Feliz Por Conocerte” (Pop/Rock Alternative)
Well executed pop/rock alternativa.
Chappell Roan “Good Luck Babe” (Pop)
Example of a hit song upon first listen, a dream set up single for an artist.
Megan Thee Stallion - “Mamushi” feat. Yuki Chiba (Hip Hop)
Just me being honest, I sang this song more than any other this past year LOL.
Adam
Megan thee Stallion featuring RM – “Neva Play” (Hip Hop)
Megan has been an artist who I have just grown to love over the past couple of years. So it was good year for all her hotties as she released not one, but two albums this year (ok technically one album and a deluxe version with extras tracks but it’s as long as an additional albums so I count it as two) and just about every track was pretty killer. I could only choose one song for the top spot, so I went with “Neva Play” which is fun and has a great music video too.
Olivia Rodrigo – “Obsessed” (Pop/Alternative)
Another artist who I wouldn’t have thought I would like this much, say 12 months ago or so. This is a pure 90s alt rock throwback that sounds at home next to Garbage or Alanis Morissette. Again, a number of songs from her could have been in this spot, but this one’s my favorite.
Sabrina Carpenter – “Espresso” (Pop)
I really grew to love Sabrina as an artist this past year, which is weird because for so long I was so anti-pop, but she is just so fun and undeniable. The only question was what song and as much fun as other tracks like “Please, Please, Please”, I just had to go with the bopping song of the summer.
Elsten Torres – “Turn Around” (Latin Jazz)
I met Elsten and heard his music through my work with Savage Content (shameless plug of Elsten performing for SC https://youtu.be/I7K_gZojytQ?si=VSiKNoU_ZqD5pJ3H) and instantly became a big fan. His latest album, Real Artificial, came out this past spring and it was hard to choose just one song from it (shout to the Beatles homage title track), but I went with “Turn Around” as it was a 90s pop/alternative throwback that hit me perfectly.
Lyrics Born (feat. Joyo Velarde) – “What Dreams are Made of” (Hip Hop/Rap)
I first heard Lyrics Born when I discovered the whole Solesides/Quannum crew about 25 years ago. For a while, I was super into everything he did around his Later that Day to Everywhere at Once era. And I kept up with him for a while after, and then just lost track and didn’t keep up with new releases. I heard about this latest album and that it would be his last (who knows for sure; retirement in hip hop is as real as pro-wrestling). I really enjoyed it. It reminded me of why I liked him so much. This was my favorite track off the album and the singing is provided by his longtime collaborator/wife Joyo Velarde.
Javi
Omar Appolo - “Invincible” (Pop)
Beautiful, mellow song. Very chill.
Bejo - “Chillin” (Spanish hip hop)
Refreshing hip hop from Spain. An unusual love song.
C. Tangana - “Nunca Estoy” (Spanish folk)
C Tangana has a unique style mixing urban rhythms with Spanish folk. Excellent.
The Cure - “A Fragile Thing” (New Wave/Alt Rock)
The Cure is back!
David August + Marina Herlop - “Vis” (Electronica)
Hypnotic Drum & Bass with vocals. David August is a master of Electronic Music.
Colleen
Elmo - “Sing” (Children)
It happened to me. I had a baby in January and now I’m in the 0.05% of Spotify listeners of this song for 2024.
Childish Gambino - “Can You Feel Me (feat Legend)” (Hip Hop/Rap)
Love this song. Love that he features his son. Love that the sampled song is “The African Alphabet” by Kermit the Frog (another household fave). Love how CG is equal parts shady and sweet. No notes.
Chappell Roan - “Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl” (Pop)
Were these the fugly jeans? These? What about these???
Billie Eilish - “CHIHIRO” (Pop/Alternative)
I’m a big Spirited Away fan, so I’m a sucker of this song. It also creeps me out a little bit. No matter---HMHAS is so cool.
Vulfmon and Evangeline - “Letting Things Go” (Funk/Pop)
Jack Stratton is responsible for 73% of all my ear worms.
Ben
Tijuana No! - “Spanish Bombs” (Ska)
This is a group I learned about on a podcast this year. They’re not a super active band now, but they helped create the 90's Mexican ska scene and while the Clash version is my favorite, their version of “Spanish Bombs” rocks!
Gas Station Boner Pills - “Get Low” (Punk trending towards Hardcore)
I saw this group play at Punk Rock Saves Lives fest. They introduced their next song as a John Denver cover while their drummer had the biggest grin ever...and went right into their version of “Get Low.” They brought a great time - it’s a great reminder music doesn’t always have to be serious. It can just be fun sometimes. Check their other songs out like "Fist Fight at a Waffle House" as well.
Calamatix - “Love Lies and Alibis” (Reggae)
This came to me via Spotify recommendation and became one of my favorite reggae songs of the year. Great song for cruising with the windows down.
Morgan Wade - “2am and London” (Country)
I've been a fan of Morgan Wade since she came on the scene. If you are a frequent traveler this song might hit home for you ... reminds me a bit of a relationship and a trip from about 15 years ago.
1876 - “++DGAF++” (Punk)
I learned about 1876 a couple of years ago and had a chance to see them live this year. They have a vibe like an early Flogging Molly (reminded me of when I first saw Flogging Molly at Warped Tour in NYC and found them via the dust cloud around the mosh pit that was like 20 feet high) but very much their own sound. They’re based in the Pacific Northwest with members from the Cheyanne and Blackfeet tribes. I expect great things from them as they continue!
These are the top songs from our team – what are yours? Do any of our picks overlap with yours? You can listen to all of these songs on our Spotify playlist. Check it out here. We can’t wait to see what new music comes out of 2025. I hope you enjoyed hearing from our team and have found some new songs to check out! Do any of our top picks align with your favorites? Let us know which songs are your favorites of 2024.
Thanks to every reader who has checked our blogs this year. We hope you’ll continue reading in 2025. Here’s to a great new year!
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