The Best Songs Released in April 2024

Happy May! My list of albums to listen to is becoming more and more overwhelming as the months go by. Here’s a list of albums to add to your list to make you stressed out, too!

Noteworthy album & EP releases:

Ego Ride, Asha Jefferies
WATER’S HERE IN YOU, Babehoven
Bad Bad Hats, Bad Bad Hats
Fireworks & Rollerblades, Benson Boone
garage sale, BETWEEN FRIENDS
Your Day Will Come, Chanel Beads
Found Heaven, Conan Gray
Scarlet 2 CLAUDE, Doja Cat
I’M DOING IT AGAIN BABY!, girl in red
ver2igo vol. 2, Griff
Wisecrack (Deluxe), Hailey Blais
Hovvy, Hovvdy
Beep Beep Repeat, Isaac Dunbar
Burn The Hard Drive, Jade Bird
A LA SALA, Khruangbin
Older, Lizzie McAlpine
But I’ll Wait For You, Local Natives
boy, Luke Hemmings
Don’t Forget Me, Maggie Rogers
Country, Medium Build
Silence Is Loud, Nia Archives
Name Your Sorrow, Pillow Queens
FUCK RAEGAN EP, RAEGAN
Boundaries, Sinéad Harnett
All Born Screaming, St. Vincent
THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT, Taylor Swift
I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 1.5), Teddy Swims
Popped Heart, Toledo
Memory Morning, Tourist
Only God Was Above Us, Vampire Weekend

In chronological order:

“If You’re Not In Love” – Dreamer Boy
Release Date – March 29

Like I do almost every month, I had to write about one of my indie white boys, and this time it’s Zach Taylor’s turn, because he might turn into my white boy of the year soon. Leading up to the release of his third album LONESTAR, the Nashville-based artist has already put out four singles from it, with “If You’re Not In Love” being my personal favorite. It’s fun and upbeat, mixing pop with some folk, and a production style that brings in an old school sound the way some of the best The 1975 songs do – all of this while singing about what seems like a huge identity crisis triggered by a broken heart. It’s perfect!!!

Soon to embark on his The Lone Stars North American tour later this month, I’m hoping this song becomes one of the mandatory songs on the setlist. It’s the kind of bop that should have the entire crowd dancing and screaming the lyrics, especially those who can unfortunately relate, and I will throw hands if that’s not the case. Dreamer Boy sound has evolved so much in the last few years, and this new project seems to be something completely different from his past releases, which I’m hoping is making Zach enjoy this whole music career thing more than ever. I cannot wait to hear this song live and sing it along with him. – Javi

“Too Slow” – Maude Latour
Release Date – March 29

If you didn’t already notice, we broke the “rules” for this post to include two songs released at the end of March, because we can! I feel like Maude Latour’s first single of 2024, “Too Slow,” was sort of a sleeper hit, which is sad because I think it is SUCH a pop banger! But I guess it makes sense because she was up against some heavy hitters in the pop space (RE: Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter: more on them later). However, I know that the true fans of Latour’s are going to continue to support her and get her to that next level of pop stardom.

“Too Slow” has a bit different of a sound compared to Latour’s previous work: it’s a bit more electronic pop, with more elements similar to artists like Charli XCX and Kim Petras, and I think it’s the perfect route for her to keep exploring. – Kristin

“Good Luck, Babe” – Chappell Roan
Release Date – April 5

I feel like “Good Luck, Babe” was probably like, everyone who reads our publication’s favorite song of April, and I love this for Chappell. If you’ve been around for awhile, you’re likely already aware of Roan, the pop star we’ve been raving about since 2022.

The momentum leading up to the release was unstoppable, as Roan continued teasing the track on TikTok for several weeks ahead of its release. It was perfectly timed with her debut at Coachella, giving her fans about a week to get familiar with the full song. Roan, who is known to be quite petty in her music, writing lyrics that hit below the belt (in the best way possible), and I think this time around, the edge is definitely still there, just a bit less obvious.

I’m obsessed with her confidence on “Good Luck, Babe,” telling off her ex-lover that they will always remember her and what could have been and what they will forever be chasing. It’s a beautifully-crafted zinger that showcases Roan’s songwriting and vocal abilities even more than her previous work, and I can’t wait to see what comes next. – Kristin

“Illusion” – Dua Lipa
Release date – April 11

Dua Lipa’s latest single, “Illusion,” served as the final teaser for her newest album Radical Optimism, which dropped this past Friday. Collaborating with Kevin Parker, Danny L Harle, Caroline Ailin, and Tobias Jesso Jr., Lipa delivers another groovy hit with infectious lyrics. “Illusion” swiftly climbed to the top of the US Dance/Electronic Songs chart and secured a spot in the UK’s top ten. The accompanying music video, directed by Tanu Muino and filmed in Barcelona, showcases Lipa’s dance prowess against the backdrop of towering structures, echoing her memorable Grammy performance.

Remarkably, “Illusion” was the first track penned for the album, setting the tone for the project’s creative journey. Exploring themes of self-awareness and resilience, Lipa cleverly navigates the game of perception, reveling in the thrill of outsmarting illusions. With its catchy beats and thought-provoking lyrics, “Illusion” reinforces Lipa’s reign over the pop landscape and sets the stage for the eagerly anticipated “Radical Optimism.” As the album’s release draws near, Lipa’s chart-topping success proves anything but illusory—it’s a testament to her enduring influence in the music industry. – Jesse

“Espresso” – Sabrina Carpenter
Release date – April 11

Sabrina Carpenter’s career just skyrocketed into pop stardom with the release of “Espresso,” a strategic bombshell unleashed right before Coachella Weekend 1. Collaborating with Julian Bunetta, Amy Allen, and Steph Jones, Carpenter’s latest single debuted at No. 7 on the Hot 100, marking her highest-charting hit yet. Despite sliding to No. 22, its infectious energy cements it as a summer standout, holding strong as the sixth-highest non-Swift song.

“Espresso” is aptly likened to its namesake, delivering an addictive melody and Carpenter’s signature cheeky lyrics (“My honey bee, come and get this pollen”). The track’s sensation extends beyond airwaves to TikTok’s influential sphere.

During her Coachella set, Carpenter unveiled “Espresso,” etching its chorus into audience consciousness. With each beat, she solidified its status as the summer’s anthem. In essence, “Espresso” embodies the perfect pop hit—catchy, energetic, and unforgettable. Carpenter’s rise shows no signs of slowing, and with “Espresso” leading the charge, she’s poised to dominate both charts and hearts for seasons to come. – Jesse 

“But Daddy I Love Him” – Taylor Swift
Release Date – April 19

I feel like I’ve talked about this song ad nauseam up until this point so I won’t say much, but I will say that I feel like this song is so obviously the standout track of TTPD and I can’t believe more people aren’t talking about it! It’s so quintessential Taylor Swift and I think it encompasses everything about her that makes her an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime artist and musician.

“But Daddy I Love Him” is a rare look at how Swift feels about her most dedicated of fans, who often become deeply invasive and even act inappropriate towards their so-called idol. – Kristin

“I’m Still Your Boy” – Luke Hemmings
Release Date – April 26

As one of Luke Hemmings’ (and all of the other 5sos boys for that matter) long time and unconditional supporters, I had kind of already decided that I was gonna love his newest solo project boy. HOWEVER, I also already knew this would be the case because Luke once again paired up with Sammy White, a usual collaborator of the king himself Harry Styles and of my personal favorite of the past few years, Del Water Gap.

With all that said, boy still surprised me, because it turned out to be even better than I thought it could be: it shows Luke’s personal and creative growth, being incredibly vulnerable and direct on what it wants to show. The title track is one of my favorites because it addresses Luke’s struggles through the years with growing up under the spotlight, and how his wife Sierra has been there for him through it all. It’s sweet while also a little tragic, and works perfectly with the other six tracks on the record. On the other hand, it made me think of some of Jeremy Zucker’s (another one of my favorites) softer work (re: “we’re fucked, it’s fine”), in the way it feels simple but original, scratching all the right spots of my brain. This song and EP all sound distinct enough from Luke’s work with the band; this is truly his, and it’s palpable in every single aspect I can think of. – Javi

“Euphoria” – Kendrick Lamar
Release Date – April 30

The ongoing feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake has been making waves in the rap world, and for those just tuning in, here’s the lowdown. It all started when Drake, in his collaboration “First Person Shooter” with J. Cole last October, dubbed himself, J. Cole, and Lamar as the rap trifecta. Lamar didn’t take kindly to this declaration, responding on “Like That” by Metro Boomin and Future in March, asserting that he stands alone as the top rapper.

J. Cole also entered the fray with “7 Minute Drill” on April 5th, only to backtrack a few days later. Drake retaliated with “Push Ups,” criticizing Lamar’s stature and his collaborations with mainstream artists. The drama intensified as Rick Ross joined in with “Champagne Moments,” accusing Drake of cosmetic surgery and ghostwriting allegations.

Drake fired back with “Taylor Made Freestyle,” even using AI-generated voices to attack Lamar further, while Kanye West added fuel to the fire with a remix of “Like That,” targeting Drake. Lamar’s latest entry, “Euphoria,” clocks in at over 6 minutes, taking aim at Drake’s parenting and branding him as a fraudulent artist. The track skyrocketed from Number 19 to the top spot on the daily US Spotify Chart.

As the saga unfolds, it’s clear this rap feud is unprecedented in its intensity and drama. Stay tuned to see how it all plays out, as tensions continue to escalate between these heavyweight contenders. – Jesse