The Best Songs Released in November 2024

We’re officially into the last month of 2024…anyone else petrified at what 2025 will bring us? Anyway, here’s some new music to keep you distracted 🙂

Noteworthy album & EP releases:
Petrichor, 070 Shake
BLUE SUPER LOVE, Ally Evenson
Loosies, Amber Mark
Porch Lights, Clover County
Chloe Quisha, Chloe Quisha
The Cure and The Cause, Chloe Southern
Rabbithole, EMEI
Soft Power, Fazerdaze
Access All Areas, FLO
Old Hobbies, Frances Whitney
I Blow Out Big Candles, Freak Slug
Headache, Girl Scout
Seed of a Seed, Hayley Heynderickx
Persona, Half Alive
GNX, Kendrick Lamar
From Zero, Linkin Park
Marietta, Medium Build
Dream Girl, Moody Joody
The Gospel According To Meg Smith, Meg Smith
AFTERCARE, Nessa Barrett
Everywhere I go, There I Am, Olivia O’Brien
Negative Spaces, Poppy
Cute Threat, Raissa
PLAYHOUSE, Sara James
flush, searows
Shawn, Shawn Mendes
baby drums, two blinks, i love you
The Jester, Wallice
Wicked: The Soundtrack, Wicked Movie Cast
Wasting Away, YUNA

In chronological order:

“Heaven II” – Julia Michaels
Release date – November 8

Julia Michaels has always been a master of blending vulnerability with playfulness in her songwriting, and her latest single, “Heaven II” is no exception. Collaborating with the incomparable Jon Bellion, Michaels takes listeners on a sultry yet sweet journey that feels both intimate and infectious. The song is unapologetically sexual, but it’s grounded in a loving, almost cheeky charm that highlights her ability to balance raw emotion with lightheartedness. From the very first verse, her lyrical style—those signature quick bursts of vivid storytelling—hooks you in, painting a picture that’s relatable yet uniquely hers. Bellion’s polished production only amplifies the track’s irresistible energy, layering lush beats with playful flourishes, including a horn solo that bursts through like a sunbeam, adding a jazzy, soulful warmth to the song’s vibe. 

What makes “Heaven II”  truly unforgettable is how it combines its magnetic melody with lyrics that linger. The standout line, “Take you to heaven on the daily, take you to heaven ‘til you save me,” perfectly captures the song’s blend of sensuality and devotion, emphasizing the depth of intimacy Michaels conveys with every note. Her vocal delivery, punctuated by clever phrasing and emotive shifts, makes each verse feel like a conversation you can’t turn away from. The chemistry between Michaels and Bellion is undeniable, with the horn solo acting as a playful exclamation point on their creative synergy. – Jesse

“All My Love (Imperative)” – half•alive
Release date – November 15

The beautiful thing about listening to music is how subjective it is. You can apply your own perspective and experience to a song that may have been written with an entirely different meaning and it still makes your viewpoint valid. That’s something I’ve always really loved about Long Beach band half•alive. Throughout the course of their career, the band has referenced how their religious views influence their music: it’s something even the most casual listeners can pick up on throughout their releases. Even though I grew up not going to church and consider myself to be agnostic, I still find myself connecting with their music: and I feel that especially with the song “All My Love (Imperative)” off the band’s newest album, Persona.

The very first verse of the song has lyrics that pack a punch: “Your activity obstructing your ability to care / Falling too deep in the narrative / Preaching busy as significance,” which, to me, can be interpreted as falling too in line with our culture’s hyperfixation on working hard and making money to feel like you’ve created meaning in your own life, but actually feeling empty and unfulfilled. As someone who generally wants to avoid making their 9-5 their life and their career their personality, I can absolutely relate to this, which is why this song is a stand-out on the album for me. – Kristin

“Mistake” – Keni Titus
Release date – November 15

Whether or not indie singer-songwriter Keni Titus meant to reference Avril Lavigne’s “Complicated,” in her new single “Mistake,” (which is, by the way, a song that was released when Titus was a baby), I instantly heard the 2002 smash hit when I first listened to “Mistake.”

Keni Titus’ 2024 EP juliet was already a contender for one of my favorite releases of the year, and the release of her new single, “Mistake,” makes me even more excited for whats to come from the artist. I think most people, if not everyone, can relate to the conflicting feelings that come with the death of a relationship: missing them, hating them, and dreaming of the day they’ll call back up and profess to you that it was all a mistake.

If you’re a fan of artists like Beabadoobee, who Titus opened for on her fall tour earlier this year, Phoebe Bridgers, and Gracie Abrams (whose vocals remind me a lot of Titus’), you’ll definitely fall in love with her sound. – Kristin

“Touching Toes” – Olivia Dean
Release date – November 15

It seems like maybe, finally, British singer-songwriter Olivia Dean is on her way to getting her flowers. Initially getting her foot in the door as a backing vocalist for the drum and bass band Rudimental at just age 17, Dean started releasing her own music in 2019, followed by her debut album, Messy, back in 2023.

“Touching Toes” is her first release since. Clocking in at just two minutes and 12 seconds, “Touching Toes” is a peek into the physical signs of a new relationship beginning to form: the unfamiliar pair of shoes getting their new spot on the floor and clearing out a drawer for their things.

Dean spoke about the release of this song as the year comes to a close, and how it’s a metaphorical bookmark to this era of music: “Touching Toes is a delicate love-song about letting someone into your space and the feeling of the flip switching in your head when you know it’s love. It’s an intimate moment I wanted to share as a bookmark to the end of this chapter of music from me.” – Kristin

“December” – Illuminati Hotties (cover)
Release date – November 22

Following the release of their highly anticipated fourth studio album, POWER, illuminati hotties, fronted by the Grammy-award winning producer and engineer Sarah Tudzin, has released a cover of Neck Deep’s “December.” The cover is part of Hopeless Records’ 30th Anniversary Cover Series, where select artists on the label’s roster cover some of their most iconic songs to date.

As a self-described emo kid at heart (I was once wearing various colored skinny jeans and listened to Good Charlotte in elementary school), it only makes sense that Illuminati Hotties’ cover of Neck Deep’s “December” unlocked something buried deep within me. Check out the full list of covers from Hopeless Records artists HERE. – Kristin

“luther” – Kendrick Lamar, SZA
Release date – November 22

Kendrick Lamar’s surprise album GNX, released on November 22nd, is a revelation, showcasing the iconic rapper at the peak of his artistry. Teaming up with Jack Antonoff, the electric Lady Studios resident savant, Kendrick has crafted a body of work that feels both expansive and intimate, blending his signature lyrical prowess with Antonoff’s innovative production. The result is a deeply textured album, full of unexpected sonic landscapes that push boundaries while staying grounded in the emotional depth Kendrick is known for. From the sharp wit of his verses to the lush, layered instrumentals, “GNX”  cements Kendrick’s reputation as one of the greatest storytellers of our time.

A standout moment on the album is the track “Luther,” featuring SZA. Originally credited only as a writer, SZA’s distinctive, hauntingly beautiful vocals became such an integral part of the track that she was later officially listed as a featured artist. The song is a meditation on love, loss, and longing, with Kendrick delivering introspective verses that weave seamlessly into SZA’s ethereal chorus. Her voice glides over the instrumentation like a gentle wave, adding a deeply emotional layer to the song’s narrative. Together, they create a track that feels timeless—a testament to the power of collaboration and vulnerability. “Luther” is not just a highlight of GNX, but a career-defining moment for both artists.
– Jesse

“need dat boy” – Lil Nas X
Release date – November 22

Lil Nas X is back with “need dat boy”,  a confident and playful anthem that blends his knack for viral hits with a fresh, electrifying sound. Leading up to the song’s release, Lil Nas X teased snippets on Instagram, sparking anticipation with a cheeky caption and a clip of him in the studio dancing to the beat. Fans were quick to dissect the preview, noting the track’s infectious energy and bold lyrics. True to form, the full release doesn’t disappoint—”need dat boy”  is a celebration of self-assured love and desire, delivered with the unapologetic charisma that has defined Lil Nas X’s meteoric rise.

The production  is as bold as its lyrics, merging pulsing basslines with shimmering synths and layered vocal effects that create a vibrant, club-ready soundscape. The track’s playful energy is matched by its sharp lyricism, where Lil Nas X explores themes of confidence and flirtation with witty one-liners and infectious hooks. There’s an undeniable chemistry between the artist and the production, which perfectly complements his ability to switch from sultry verses to high-energy choruses. Whether you’re a fan of his chart-topping anthems or just discovering his music, this song  is a must-listen that proves Lil Nas X is in a league of his own. – Jesse

“Fig Tree” – Chloe Slater
Release date – November 29

While I know it’s tough to release a single on Black Friday and the placement on Spotify’s New Music Friday playlist is probably less competitive on this day every year, I was still astounded to see Chloe Slater’s new single, “Fig Tree,” landing at #10 on the playlist. I only recently stumbled across Slater’s music earlier this year when I heard “Price On Fun” back in May, but I knew she would be an artist to keep an eye on.

“Fig Tree” is a haunting look into society’s obsession with vanity and maintaining youth for as long as possible, whatever it takes. About how insecurities are marketed to us in order for businesses to make money and for the rich to get richer. That consumption can make your problems go away when capitalism actually benefits from our low self-esteem. I can go on and on, but you should just listen to the song to get the full picture. – Kristin

Follow our New Music Sunday playlist on Spotify HERE