In 2024, the pop music scene was vibrant and marked by several standout albums that achieved both commercial success and critical acclaim.
BEST ALBUMS: The Tortured Poets Department by Taylor Swift dominated the charts and became Spotify’s most-streamed album globally, amassing over 26.6 billion streams. The album also topped the UK Albums Chart with the biggest opening week in seven years. Lyrically, the album explored themes of self-awareness, mourning, anger, humor, and delusion, drawing from Swift’s personal experiences and fictional narratives. Notably, the track “Fortnight,” featuring Post Malone, topped the Billboard Hot 100, contributing to Swift’s historic achievement of occupying the chart’s top 14 spots simultaneously.
Ariana Grande‘s seventh studio album, Eternal Sunshine, released on March 8, 2024, marks her return to music after a three-year hiatus. The album blends pop and R&B with elements of dance and synth-pop, showcasing Grande’s vocal versatility and emotional depth. The lead single, “Yes, And?”, debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Grande’s eighth chart-topping song. The album’s second single, “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)”, also achieved significant success. Critics praised, Eternal Sunshine for its introspective lyrics and innovative production. The album debuted atop the Billboard 200, marking Grande’s sixth number-one album in the U.S.
Hit Me Hard and Soft from Billie Eilish showcased her artistic evolution, blending alt-pop and bedroom pop styles. The album received universal acclaim for its production and songwriting, debuting at number two on the Billboard 200 and topping charts worldwide. Sabrina Carpenter‘s Short n’ Sweet, her sixth studio album, marked a significant breakthrough, propelled by the global success of the hit single “Espresso.” Carpenter’s performances at major events and her role as an opening act on Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour further amplified the album’s impact.
Meanwhile, Chappell Roan‘s debut album The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess resonated deeply with audiences, particularly within the queer community, thanks to its relatable lyricism and viral tracks like “Pink Pony Club” and “Hot to Go!” Roan’s performances at festivals like Lollapalooza cemented her status as a rising star.
Charli XCX‘s BRAT offered a nostalgic yet fresh take on the chaotic energy of the mid-to-late 2000s, embracing the era’s unapologetic imperfections. The album received critical acclaim for its playful and energetic tone, standing out as a bold artistic statement. These albums collectively highlighted the diverse and dynamic landscape of pop music in 2024, reflecting the artists’ innovative approaches and deep connections with their audiences.
Beyoncé‘s Cowboy Carter, released in March 2024, marked a significant departure from her previous work, as she ventured into the country music genre. The album features collaborations with artists such as Willie Nelson and includes a cover of Dolly Parton‘s classic “Jolene.” Commercially, the album achieved remarkable success. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, making Beyoncé the first woman to have her first eight albums debut at the top position. Additionally, Cowboy Carter broke streaming records, becoming one of the most-streamed albums in a single day in 2024 and setting the record for the biggest debut ever for any album by a Black woman on Spotify, with over 76 million streams globally on its first day.
BEST SONGS: Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars, both individually and collaboratively. Their joint effort, “Die With a Smile,” released on August 16, 2024, blended elements of soft rock and contemporary pop, highlighting the unique vocal styles of both artists. The track achieved remarkable commercial success, reaching number one on the Billboard Global 200 for eight consecutive weeks and amassing over 100 million streams globally each week. Additionally, it became the fastest song to reach a billion streams on Spotify, solidifying its place as a standout hit of the year.
Bruno Mars also collaborated with Rosé of BLACKPINK on the single “Apt.,” which achieved a ‘Perfect All-Kill’ in South Korea by topping all major music charts. This marked Rosé’s first chart-topping effort as a soloist and made her the UK’s highest-charting female K-pop solo artist. Among the standout tracks of the year was “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” by Shaboozey, which tied the record for the longest No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, maintaining its position for 19 weeks. Its catchy melody and relatable lyrics resonated with a wide audience, making it a defining song of the year. Kendrick Lamar‘s “Not Like Us” delivered a powerful declaration of West Coast hip-hop, showcasing his lyrical prowess and solidifying his status in the rap genre. Meanwhile, Chappell Roan achieved her mainstream breakthrough with “Good Luck, Babe!,” a critically acclaimed track that featured prominently in year-end best song lists.
Sabrina Carpenter continued her rise with “Espresso,” and “Please, Please, Please” a song that brought a nostalgic Y2K vibe to pop music, topping global streaming charts and highlighting her evolving artistry. Beyoncé also made waves with “Texas Hold ‘Em,” a standout track from her country-inspired album Cowboy Carter. The song demonstrated her versatility, topping the UK Singles Chart and marking her first UK number one single since 2008.
Ariana Grande‘s single “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)” from her 2024 album, Eternal Sunshine has garnered significant attention for its introspective lyrics and synth-pop sound. The accompanying music video, directed by Christian Breslauer, draws inspiration from the film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. It features Grande undergoing a memory-erasure procedure to forget a past lover, portrayed by actor Evan Peters. The visual narrative complements the song’s themes of love and loss, adding a poignant layer to the listening experience. Commercially, “We Can’t Be Friends” debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, marking Grande’s ninth chart-topping single.
Billie Eilish‘s “Birds of a Feather” further cemented her place in the pop genre, with its haunting vocals and introspective lyrics earning widespread acclaim. The track’s emotionally resonant themes showcased Eilish’s ability to connect deeply with her audience.
Other standout tracks include “Miss Me Too,” by Griff and the Taylor Swift duet, “Us,” from Grace Abrams.
