The Best New Songs of 2024 Playlist

Music fans eating good right now. Here's 25 new tracks from our ongoing archive of the best songs of the year.

Before we officially dive into the latest releases, here’s one final shout-out to my latest publication The Vinyl Collector’s Guide to the Best Albums of 2023. This comprehensive guide spans over 100 pages, offering a curated selection of albums complete with vinyl variants, direct links to Discogs, a helpful "For Fans Of" section, and plenty more.

Available in clickable PDF, Kindle, and paperback formats, it's a must-have for music enthusiasts. Plus, as a token of appreciation, paid subscribers of this newsletter will receive a complimentary copy. Don't miss out on this essential resource for any vinyl collector!

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Now we turn our focus on the new year and a new playlist! Welcome to the Best New Songs of 2024 Playlist, a curated collection of 25 tracks that promise a year filled with groovy jams. Don't forget to keep up with this playlist and our Album of the Year Leaderboard throughout 2024.

Below the playlist you’ll find liner notes on each track and links to vinyl where applicable.

The Best New Songs of 2024 Playlist

🎧 Stream on Spotify | Apple

Liner Notes:

1. Waxhatachee and MJ Lenderman - “Right Back to It” | Nothing is more in my wheelhouse than a Waxahatchee x MJ Lenderman duet. This gorgeous lead single is off Waxahatchee’s upcoming album, Tigers Blood, due out March 22nd. Vinyl Preorder: Clear Red | Ice Cold | Clear Smoke | Black

2. Middle Kids - “Terrible News” | Sydney's alt-rock trio Middle Kids is dropping their new album, Faith Crisis Pt. 1., next month. The album's latest single, "Terrible News," is a rocking jam that features multiple guitar layers, creating a rich, choir-like guitar effect. Vinyl Preorder: Cloudy Orange | Transparent Yellow

3. Cameron Sonnier - “Anytime” | Houston's own Cameron Sonnier unveils "Anytime," a warm and inviting single from his forthcoming sophomore album, Synchronicity. The magnetic chorus is guaranteed to get lodged in your brain.

4. Boldy James & Nicholas Craven - “Straight As” | A year ago, Detroit’s Boldy James suffered a near fatal car crash that left him with a broken vertebrate. Throughout his long rehabilitation, he worked with producer Nicholas Craven to craft Penalty of Leadership, perhaps the pinnacle of Boldy’s career thus far.

5. SPRINTS - “Literary Mind” | Dublin four-piece SPRINTS’ debut Letter to Self is our first great album of the year, with “Literary Mind” my favorite cut from the record. Vinyl: Red | Black

6. DJ Sabrina the Teenage DJ - “Anything Lost (Can Be Found Again)” | DJ Sabrina the Teenage DJ, who finished 20th on our Best Albums of 2023 list, continues with the heaters. No one else is making music like this.

7. Scoobert Doobert - “time with u” | Scoobert Doobert, which may be Scooby-Doo’s government name, drops some new lo-fi indie-pop goodness.

8. Ducks Ltd. - “Train Full of Gasoline” | Ducks Ltd. are gearing up for the release of their new album Harm's Way, offering another catchy preview that includes the backing vocals of Julia Steiner from Ratboys. Vinyl Preorder: Garden Fountain Clear

9. Kid Cudi - “BLUE SKY” | Cudder’s ninth and final album for Republic Records, INSANO, is a disjointed affair, yet the Lil Yachty-produced track "BLUE SKY" shines as a standout. Vinyl: Translucent Red

10. Faye Webster and Lil Yachty - “Lego Ring” | Speaking of Lil Yachty, here’s a fun fact: he was close friends with Faye Webster in middle school! They since grew apart but have reconnected for a lovely collaboration in support of Faye’s upcoming album Underdressed at the Symphony. Vinyl Preorder: Faye Blue | Blue & White Bullseye | Chandelier Silver

11. Kali Uchis - “Iqul Que Un Ángel” | Despite my limited Spanish vocabulary (I know donde esta la biblioteca and that’s about it), I thoroughly enjoyed Kali Uchis’ new ORQUÍDEAS album, with the showstopper being this Peso Pluma-featured joint. Vinyl: Milky Clear | Coke Bottle Clear | Black

12. Ride - “Peace Sign” | UK shoegaze legends Ride return with their seventh album Interplay arriving in March; first single and opener track “Peace Sign” sounds both fresh and classic. Vinyl Preorder: Red | Black

13. Ryan Gebhardt - “Soft Landing” | Beautiful song from Minneapolis’ folk artist Ryan Gebhardt, who’s ambitiously attempting an album a year until he turns 50.

14. The Smile - “Friend of a Friend” | The cinematic third single from Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, and Tom Skinner’s upcoming second album Wall of Eyes, out January 26. Vinyl Preorder: Blue | Black

15. 21 Savage - “redrum” | It’s already been a busy 2024 for 21 Savage, who dropped his third album, American Dream, and will be releasing a biopic of the same name on July 4th starring himself and Donald Glover (playing 21 Savage). Single “redrum” is a head-banger, featuring a music video shot in Savage’s hometown of Brixton Hill, London.

16. Erika de Casier - “Lucky” | This liquid drum and bass beauty is the first single from Erika de Casier’s new album Still, which features contributions from Blood Orange, Shygirl, and They Hate Change. Vinyl Preorder: Clear | Black

17. They Hate Change - “Wallabees & Weejuns” | Speaking of They Hate Change, the Florida hip hop duo just dropped a five song EP; closer “Wallabies & Weejuns” produced by Manchester’s 96Back, masterfully blends dance, R&B, and rap into a captivating fusion. I’m stoked to see these fellas in two weeks here in Orlando as they open for Wednesday and Hotline TNT.

18. Pissed Jeans - “Moving On” | “Cheesing into my cameraphone / Pretending that I’m not alone / Life’s the first thing that we all postpone” snickers frontman Matt Korvette in his trademark scowl on closer “Moving On,” off their upcoming sixth album Half-Divorced. Vinyl Preorder: Lime Green

19. glass beach - “commatose” | Just dropped today, glass beach’s long-anticipated and oft-delayed second album plastic death is worth the wait, featuring all sorts of progressive math-rock goodness. Penultimate track “commatose” is a ten minute epic that may be glass beach’s best song yet. Vinyl Preorder: Orange

20. The Lemon Twigs - “My Golden Years” | The Brothers D’Addario return with their brand of music that resonates with a familiar yet distinct echo of the past.

21. Kenny Mason, Paris Texas, See You Next Year - “Big Bank” feat Billy Lemos | “Big Bank” is the first single from music blog Pigeons & Planes’ upcoming compilation album, See You Next Year 2.

22. Mall Girl - “Emo Shred” | Oslo’s Mall Girl’s “Emo Shred” doesn’t live up to it’s name; it’s neither emo or shred-heavy, rather a bubbly pop anthem that does a lot in under two minutes.

23. MGMT - “Nothing to Declare” | I’m trying not to get my hopes up too much, but the first three MGMT singles off upcoming album Loss of Life suggest it could be a classic. Vinyl Preorder: Tangerine | Prismatic Splatter | Black

24. Jamie xx - “It’s So Good” | The xx producer is back with his first solo track since 2022. Even better news: he’s currently in the studio for the xx’s highly anticipated first album since 2017’s I See You.

25. Khruangbin - “A Love International” | The psychedelic rock trio just announced their new album A la Sala; here’s the joyful lead single. Vinyl Preorder: Element 115 | Soleil

Thanks for reading and listening. We’ll be back next week with our usually “Trips” featuring new vinyl releases, Album of the Year entries, classic record throwbacks, LP giveaways for subscribers, and all sorts of culture rabbit holes. Byeeee.

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