The Best Songs Released in July 2024

Happy almost August! We decided to post this one a bit early since we’ll be covering Lollapalooza next week. As always, don’t forget to follow our New Music Sunday playlist on Spotify.

Noteworthy album & EP releases:

CRACK A SMILE COME STAY A WHILE, Abby Holliday
Rumination as ritual, Alessi Rose
he’s just not that into you!, Amelia Moore
Annie-Dog, Annie-Dog
The Loose Screws, Camille Jansen
Hereditary, Cassadee Pope
My Light, My Destroyer, Cassandra Jenkins
early twenties, cat burns
Bando Stone and The New World, Childish Gambino
No Hard Feelings, Chloe Lilac
X’s, Cigarettes After Sex
Charm, Clairo
Summertimes Getting Away Now, David Hugo
Dr. Dog, Dr. Dog
Socialite Rodeo, Earth to Emily
Ask That God, Empire Of The Sun
I Love You So F***king Much, Glass Animals
Vertigo, Griff
For The Best, Hailey Knox
Y2K!, Ice Spice
Okay With Every Part, Jessia
THE GOLDEN YEARS, Joshua Bassett
Damned if i do it for you, Kississippi
Nosebleeds: Encore, MisterWives
Carrier Pigeon, Odie Leigh
SMILE! 😀, Porter Robinson
Big Ideas, Remi Wolf
Kansas Anymore, Role Model

Bad Luck, Strawberry Launch

STARFACE, Lava La Rue

Second Dinner, slimdan

In chronological order:

“Lithonia” – Childish Gambino
Release date – 7/2/24

“Lithonia,” released on July 2 as the lead single from Childish Gambino’s final project, Bando Stone and the New World, is a monumental track and a bold departure from his previous work. This epic song seamlessly blends elements of R&B with the raw intensity of pop punk, showcasing Gambino’s versatility and innovative approach to music. The track’s rich, emotive R&B undertones are complemented by a dynamic, punk-infused energy, creating a sound that’s both nostalgic and refreshingly original. 

The fusion of these genres in “Lithonia” not only highlights Gambino’s ability to bridge disparate musical styles but also serves as a testament to his artistic evolution. The song’s powerful lyrics and energetic instrumentation capture a sense of both urgency and introspection, making it a standout piece in his discography. – Jesse

“The Car” – Annie-Dog
Release date – 7/3/2024

I don’t even remember where I first discovered Annie-Dog’s music earlier this month (probably on a playlist), but now as July comes to a close, her self-titled new EP is definitely going to end up on my best of 2024 list at the end of the year.

Don’t let the album artwork fool you: it may look like it will sound a certain way, but the five-track project took me for surprise, delivering a fusion of electronic singer-songwriter and alternative music from the ’90s. “The Car” is the closing track of the project, and arguably the song that brings everything together and ties it into a sonically cohesive knot. With just over 27,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, I’m looking forward to seeing where Annie-Dog’s music takes her over the next couple years. – Kristin

“Tough” – Quavo, Lana del Rey
Release date – 7/3/24

“Tough,” the collaborative track by Lana Del Rey and Quavo, has garnered significant attention following their live performance together, where their undeniable on-stage chemistry sparked rumors about a possible romance. The song itself is a genre-blending masterpiece that combines Lana Del Rey’s signature melancholic, cinematic pop with Quavo’s smooth, melodic rap. The production features atmospheric synths and a hauntingly moody backdrop, which contrasts with Quavo’s energetic and rhythmic verses, creating a compelling fusion of styles.

In “Tough,” Del Rey’s evocative vocals and introspective lyrics provide a poignant counterbalance to Quavo’s more upbeat and confident delivery. This juxtaposition of emotional depth and vibrant rhythm results in a track that is both intriguing and memorable. The song’s innovative blend of genres highlights their willingness to experiment and push musical boundaries, offering a fresh sound that stands out in both artists’ discographies. – Jesse

“cherry cola” – Devon Again
Release date – 7/5/2024

I’ve casually followed indie pop singer/songwriter Devon Again’s music for the past couple years, and I also had the chance to see her live when she opened up for Chappell Roan’s LA shows back in 2022 (seems like forever ago). But when I started seeing that Devon was teasing a new song, “Cherry Cola,” and that it was making major waves on none other than TikTok, I got super excited.

The hook is the definition of an ear worm: with production I can’t describe in any other way than “ethereal,” paired with a sugary sweet description of falling for someone new and missing them when they’re gone. “Cherry Cola” is one of my contenders for song of the summer, and I think it should be one of yours, too.
– Kristin

“Juna” – Clairo
Release date – 7/12/24

“Juna,” a standout track from Clairo’s new album, Charm, has quickly become a viral sensation on TikTok. The song offers a delightful antidote to the prevalent “brat summer” vibe, embracing a softer, more whimsical side of the season. The lyric, “you make me wanna go dancing, you make me wanna buy a new dress, you make me wanna strip off a new dress,” captures the essence of a “Charm Summer,” marked by light-hearted fun and romantic spontaneity.

With its infectious melody and playful lyrics, “Juna” creates an inviting and joyful atmosphere. Clairo’s vocal delivery, combined with the track’s upbeat instrumentation, highlights a refreshing break from the intense, rebellious energy of “brat summer.” The song stands out as the perfect soundtrack for those embracing a more innocent and charming summer experience. – Jesse 

“Soup” – Remi Wolf
Release date – 7/12/2024

I often talk about how disappointing it is when artists lead with a single that ends up being the best song on the album, therefore unintentionally delivering a letdown of a full project. With that being said, Remi Wolf absolutely did not do this, as “Soup,” a song that’s my personal favorite off her new album, Big Ideas, and one that I’ve been seeing gain a LOT of attention online as the best one, too.

I’m going to be vulnerable for a sec and admit that I don’t know what Remi is singing about for most of the song, but I don’t really think that’s the point. “Soup” is simultaneously a gorgeous ode to a lover and a masterclass in production, with a killer bass line and synth beats that make it sound refreshing and original while equally nostalgic for the funk of the past. – Kristin

“Something, Somehow, Someday” – ROLE MODEL
Release date – 7/19/2024

As a long time fan of Tucker Pillsbury, better known by his stage name ROLE MODEL, I take his artistic and musical evolution as a very personal thing, because it’s like seeing him grow up and evolve. In his new album Kansas, Anymore, the progress and blossoming of Tucker’s career is undeniable, and it’s already becoming one of my favorite records of the year. To be fair, I am obsessed with all the lore of the songs that stems from his relationship with Emma Chamberlain, but I am also just so proud and amazed by these songs and the beauty of the project as a whole.

With that said, “Something, Somehow, Someday” was accurately chosen as the closing track on the album, as it kind of summarizes Tucker’s whole point: he still he sees his ex as this wonderful and bright ray of sunshine, and he sees himself as some sort of antagonist in the story. “She’s a Friday night, he’s a bad dream,” “She’s a night in Rome, he’s a piece of work,” the entire song portrays them as opposites, but at the end of the day they both believed in their relationship regardless of their differences: “And I believe they’re meant to be, someday, somehow, someday.” It’s a tender and heartfelt love letter, that perfectly transmits how he seems to have felt and potentially still feels about it all. I think it’s a very beautiful thing that he’s able to look back on it in such a positive and peaceful light, and it’s likely one of the best songs ROLE MODEL has given us so far. – Javi

“Aftertaste” – Katie Gavin
Release date – 7/23/2024

Just a couple weeks ago, Katie Gavin, better known for her work as the lead singer in the band MUNA, started teasing a solo project (don’t panic: MUNA is not breaking up). With that being said, I made a note to pay attention, as I can say with pride that I’ve been a fan of MUNA for literal years at this point: first seeing them open up for Borns back in 2016 and then when they toured their debut album.

“Aftertaste,” which came this past week along with the announcement that Gavin will be dropping a solo album this fall and tour along with it. “Aftertaste” certainly has the elements of a MUNA track, mostly due to Gavin’s co-writing and vocals, but feels a bit more subdued with more low-key production choices, showcasing the songwriting element of the track more than what MUNA fans are generally used to. – Kristin