The Best Songs Released in September 2024

Happy October! September was a huge month for album releases, as you can see from the incredibly lengthy list of albums & EPs below. Enjoy!

Noteworthy album & EP releases:
See It Fades, Adriana Mccasim
FK IT, Alemeda 
amy, Amy Allen
Willson, ASHE
Late Start, Carol Ades
I’m Not Afraid of Music Anymore, Coin
What’s Wrong With New York? The Dare
Dayglow, Dayglow
It’s Nothing, Dolores Forever
No Way To Relax When You’re On Fire, Dora Jar
Zinc, Gallant
The Actress, Goldie Boutilier
starlett, Googly Eyes
Real Life, Hazel English
VIVA HINDS, Hinds 
Flood, Hippo Campus
Then Comes The Lightning, Holly Blair
WE GOOD, INJI
Creature of Habit, Jackie Hayes
Songs From A Thousand Frames of Mind, Kate Bollinger
juliet, Keni Titus
Requeim, Keshi 
Harlequin, Lady Gaga
Not Really Strangers, Mercer Henderson
Songs About You Specifically, MICHELLE
CHARLOTTE, Montell Fish
Dunya, Mustafa
Verbathim, Nemahsis
Mountain Music, Nina Nesbitt
Oh My God – That’s So Me, Okay Kaya
The Alexander Technique, Rex Orange County
Escaper, Sarah Kinsey
I Can Be Your Mother, Sofia Isella
SOPHIE, SOPHIE
Memoir of a Sparklemuffin, Suki Waterhouse
Shake, Sunflower Bean
COYOTE, Tommy Richman

In chronological order:

“I Destroyed Disco” – The Dare
Release date – September 6

The Dare’s “I Destroyed Disco” is the undeniable highlight of his new album, a record that’s been making waves since its release. The track encapsulates everything The Dare stands for—an audacious blend of gritty beats, raw vocals, and a rebellious attitude that harks back to the early 2000s indie sleaze era. The song has exploded on TikTok, where its infectious energy and defiant message have found a new generation of fans who embrace the gritty, carefree ethos of the movement. The album as a whole leans into this revival, with tracks that feel deliberately messy and chaotic in all the right ways, pulling inspiration from underground scenes while offering something refreshingly modern.

Critics and fans alike have praised the album for its boldness and its unapologetic embrace of a sound that many thought was left behind. “I Destroyed Disco” stands out not just for its thumping bassline and rebellious lyrics, but for its role in positioning The Dare as one of the leading voices in the indie sleaze revival. The album’s reception has been largely positive, with many celebrating its return to the gritty, DIY roots of indie music, while also acknowledging its ability to capture the zeitgeist of the current digital age. For many, The Dare’s new work represents a perfect collision of nostalgia and innovation, with “I Destroyed Disco” leading the charge. – Jesse 

“Behind The Curtain” – Dora Jar
Release date – September 6

I am so obsessed with Dora Jar’s long-awaited debut album, No Way To Relax When You’re On Fire, that I could probably make an argument for featuring any of the songs as my favorite. And I consistently go back and forth with the title track and “Behind The Curtain” as my absolute #1 track on the album, but I’m sure that will also change again during my next listen. But for now, “Behind The Curtain” is probably my favorite song.

“Behind The Curtain” is thee quintessential Dora Jar track: packed with electronic synths, weird production choices, and a melody that completely sticks in your brain long after you listen. The metaphorical references to “The Wizard of Oz” is easy to pick up on, as Dora references herself as a person hiding behind a facade and finally deciding to step from behind the curtain and live her life confidently. “I’m ready for anything now,” she sings. “Pull the lever.” – Kristin

“Talk talk featuring troye sivan” – Charli xcx, Troye Sivan
Release date – September 12

Charli’s brat is truly the gift that keeps on giving. I’m sure a lot of the upcoming remixes on brat and it’s completely different but also still brat will just continue to blow the world’s collective mind, but the ones that we’ve already received also deserve their flowers! As a long-time (and I mean circa 2012 long-time) fan of Troye Sivan, I am as happy as a clam anytime he releases music, especially when he collaborates with any pop girly that is dear to my heart, so this “Talk talk” remix immediately became one of my favorites this month.

Charli and Troye’s collaborative forces have already given us some amazing bops in the past, but for some reason “Talk talk” just feels better, maybe more grown up and upfront, but also I just absolutely love when two popstars show us their true power together!!! That’s truly just it. Troye’s verse just scratches my brain in all the right places, from the vocals to the lyrics to the bluntness of it all. “I got a good hotel to f*ck you in” oh, okay! And Charli’s entire brat discography is just superior. They’re both just living their best lives, at the top of their games, FINALLY getting the praise they deserve, and selling out arenas worldwide while on the SWEAT tour, and they will tell us about it. Everybody, say thank you Charli and Troye. – Javi

“black & white” – Jeremy Zucker, Chelsea Cutler
Release date – September 13

One of my all-time favorite artists, Jeremy Zucker, and his friend and collaborator, Chelsea Cutler, originally released their five-song EP brent back in 2019, which eventually became the first of what has become their joint musical project. As they both continue to thrive and grow in their respective solo careers, the East Coast duo have managed to continue finding each other musically through the years, releasing brent ii in 2021, and recently announcing brent iii, for which “black & white” works as a lead single.

Jeremy and Chelsea’s wonderful and natural synergy, and—as the youths say nowadays—joint slay, never ceases to amaze me. As someone that is mostly only a fan of one of them, I can still see how they get the best out of the other when put in a studio together. “black & white” is the perfect example of the level of earnestness and intimacy that they’re able to create as a duo, thanks to their one of a kind musical and emotional chemistry. Now that they’re both in very loving relationships, there is also a completely new approach to their songwriting style, and I am so happy that they’ve decided to continue expanding the world of brent giving us the opportunity to watch and hear them evolve as people and as musicians. – Javi

“Slugger” – Sasami
Release date – September 23

I feel like I’ve been incessantly talking about Sasami since I became enthralled with her album, Squeeze, from 2022, and I’m feeling super optimistic that her newest project, Blood On The Silver Screen, is going to push her over the edge to more acclaim, which she rightfully deserves.

Squeeze had a lot of interesting genre-bending moments of alternative metal and country rock: the former being an easy way for more passive listeners to not fully engage in the music (it’s a bit intense), but her newest singles, “Honeycrash” and “Slugger” lean more towards indie rock and pop, and are certainly more palatable (but sitll as good). Sasami background is primarily in classical music and production, but she opted for a more pop-leaning sound on “Slugger” and the rest of the album, noting the following in a press release:

:I wanted to be more playful and communicate more with pop culture,” she says. “When I listen to music, I think about how I feel, how I want to feel, how I want to move to it. And that’s what’s special about music—how it connects to culture, how it connects to different styles of music, how it connects to the timbre of the voice of the person singing it.” – Kristin

“Clueless” – Beach Bunny
Release date – September 25

Beach Bunny’s newest single “Clueless,” aka a 3 and a half minute existential crisis masked as a song, came out just over a week before my 30th birthday, and it low key (high key) made me spiral a bit. Speaking about the song on its release date, lead singer Lili Trifilio mentions the feelings of nostalgia and existentialism that always surface during her birthday, which not only feels relevant for me every year, but more so the days before my 30th.

Moral of the story, a lot of us still feel like teenagers as we get older, and despite being able (if you’re lucky) to feel stable—mentally, physically, emotionally, financially, in all of the ways—you’re still going to feel like you’re going through growing pains (that are just ‘growing,’ as Lili writes in the song). But if you really want to feel emotional, just let the next line sink in: “Everything feels more nostalgic in a partial memory.” – Kristin

“Kid Again” – Jon Bellion
Release date – September 27

Jon Bellion’s new track showcases the masterful production that has made him a sought-after collaborator for artists like Tori Kelly, Lawrence, and the Jonas Brothers. Fresh off producing the Jonas Brothers’ most recent album, Bellion returns to the forefront with his unique sound, blending pop with intricate electronic elements. His voice, which has always carried a raw, emotive quality, shines on this track, effortlessly weaving through the rich layers of production. Interestingly, Bellion confirmed in an interview that the chorus vocals are enhanced using AI. He sang the part and then used an AI filter to make it sound like a younger version of himself, adding a unique, futuristic twist to the track’s already innovative production.

In addition to Bellion’s standout vocals, the song features other voices that complement his, adding depth and texture to the overall composition. These additional voices work in harmony with the intricate production, which balances lush melodies with punchy rhythms and experimental sound design. Bellion’s ability to craft songs that are both radio-friendly and deeply innovative is on full display here, showing why he remains one of the most versatile producers and songwriters in the industry. The AI-filtered chorus adds an intriguing layer to the track, further pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in modern music production, while still delivering the emotional resonance that Bellion is known for. – Jesse 

“Silverlines” – prod. Labrinth Damiano Davide
Release date – September 27

“Silverlines,” the latest track by Damiano Davide, frontman of the wildly popular band Måneskin, marks an exciting new chapter in his career as he steps into a fresh collaboration with Labrinth. Måneskin has made waves in recent years with their high-energy rock sound and flamboyant performances, catapulting Davide into the global spotlight. Now, teaming up with Labrinth—known for his work on the hit show Euphoria and his own impressive catalog as an artist—Davide embarks on a new musical journey. Labrinth’s distinct production style is unmistakable in “Silverlines,” setting the tone for a cinematic, emotionally charged track that feels expansive yet deeply personal.

The song itself is very much a reflection of Labrinth’s influence, with sweeping production and atmospheric soundscapes that are characteristic of his work. At the same time, Davide’s powerful, raspy vocals are on full display, adding a layer of intensity and emotion that complements the rich, layered instrumentals. The combination of Labrinth’s intricate production and Davide’s raw vocal delivery creates something fresh and unexpected, blending the worlds of rock and electronic soul. For Davide, this collaboration showcases his versatility as an artist, proving that he can seamlessly transition from the rebellious anthems of Måneskin to a more introspective, genre-bending sound. – Jesse