Staged Haze’s 15 Songs Of The Year: 2024 Edition

And just like that…2024 is coming to a close. This is our last post of the year. See you in 2025!

In chronological order:

“Burn The Hard Drive,” Jade Bird, Mura Masa
Release date – January 24

Pre-breakup songs are my favorite. The ones that describe a relationship deteriorating, feelings changing and turning into something else, someone’s face becoming a source of aching. On the chorus of “Burn The Hard Drive” Jade Bird sings: “There’s no good goodbye, no right way to die,”  because it’s literally almost impossible to have a nice breakup, even if you do it on good terms. Even the good memories will cause you pain for a while, reminiscing will only make it all hurt more, and a part of you will wish you could just get rid of it all, make it be gone, delete it like files on your computer.

This song came out right when I personally needed it and gave words to the things I was going through, so it became a permanent one in my rotation. Jade Bird’s earnestness and heartfelt songwriting, combined with Mura Masa’s eccentric and unique production, made up for a perfect indie pop bop that crushes your heart a little bit but gives you the comfort of being understood. I will hold this song close for a very long time! – Javi

“Cigarettes & Wine,” Del Water Gap, Holly Humberstone
Release date – January 31

Two of my favorite artists suddenly releasing a song together? This one was meant to become one of my favorites from the moment Holden Jaffe (AKA Del Water Gap) and Holly Humberstone even decided to work on something together. They compliment each other so much better than I could’ve imagined; the contrast in their voices turn “Cigarettes & Wine” into an intimate conversation, while the raspiness and tenderness they both share makes it all fit together like pieces of a puzzle.

The two indie darlings write some of the most sincere and devastating but enjoyable songs ever, so it only made sense for them to write a single full of fun and longing and desperate love. Although they technically sing about staying home and enjoying the simple things, the undertone of the song lets you know that it’s more difficult than that, and cigarettes and wine being enough is only something they can dream of. This song has been on repeat for me since it came out in January, and I don’t think it will stop being replayed over and over again anytime soon. – Javi

“Cinderella,” Remi Wolf
Release date – March 21

Remi Wolf’s “Cinderella”, a standout single from her latest album Big Ideas, is a vibrant, genre-blurring track that showcases exactly why she’s one of the most unique voices in music right now. There’s no one else who sounds quite like Remi—her sound defies typical “pop” labels, pulling in funky grooves, playful production, and her unmistakable energy. The song’s irresistible funk flavors make it impossible not to move, and Remi’s vocal delivery is as bold and dynamic as ever, balancing carefree cool with a hint of chaos that’s signature to her style.  

The accompanying music video brings the track to life with a burst of color and whimsy. Featuring a cameo from Mac DeMarco, it’s an explosion of playful visuals—vibrant, eccentric, and distinctly Remi Wolf. “Cinderella” feels like a party you don’t want to leave, a testament to Remi’s ability to craft music that’s fun, fearless, and unmistakably her own. – Jesse 

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

This was a song that I thought would definitely make it to my Spotify Top 5 but strangely didn’t, and I still consider it one of the best ones of the year. Dreamer Boy’s “If You’re Not In Love” –the third single from his sophomore album– is the kind that I would restart if I felt like I hadn’t given it enough attention to appreciate it as it deserved, putting myself in a loop of listening to this song over and over again just so I could get the uplifting, warm feeling that I knew it would always give me. Singer-songwriter Zach Taylor’s LONESTAR album is full of inspiring tracks that kept me afloat this year, but this is the one that stuck with me the longest.

And although the lyrics talk about feeling lost and unlike yourself, it’s the acknowledgement of it all that turned it into a hopeful track for me. There is nothing better than finding a song that exactly describes something you’ve been feeling but haven’t been able to put into words, and Taylor did exactly that with only a few lines in “If You’re Not In Love”. “I haven’t felt like myself, every time, every time that you see me,” “don’t you know you’re breaking my heart? Oh, but you saved my life, yeah, you saved my life.” This song is everything to me!!! I would like to thank Dreamer Boy for it everytime I listen to it, and I hope it continues to bring me that familiar, cozy feeling as it becomes an older song in my library. – Javi

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

I don’t think anyone who pays attention to popular culture doesn’t know the name Chappell Roan. Roan’s rise to fame earlier this year was nothing short of meteoric: releasing one of the biggest (and best) songs of the year, slots booked at festivals pulled record-breaking crowds, and all that nonsense about her being canceled on the internet.

Roan’s sheer talent, combined with her collaboration with Dan Nigro in the studio, “Good Luck, Babe!” was born. It’s a ridiculously delicious ear worm that sounds straight out of the ’80s, paired with lyricism that Gen Z’ers find all too relatable. The track’s impact on 2024 cannot go unrecognized: the bridge has been sung by millions of people, the onstage choreography lamented in our minds as nothing short of iconic, and don’t even get me started on the girl’s vocals on this track. Stunning! I believe that this is just the start of a very long career for Roan. And I can’t wait for what she does next. – Kristin

“Spite,” Omar Apollo
Release date – April 5

“Spite” by Omar Apollo landed in my top five songs this year, and for good reason—it’s one of those tracks that hooks you immediately and refuses to let go. As the first single off his new album, it perfectly set the tone for what turned out to be such a stunning and cohesive record. Omar’s ability to blend vulnerability with a slick, infectious sound shines through here, but it’s the chorus that makes **Spite** truly unforgettable. The melody is irresistible, with his smooth, emotive vocals giving it a magnetic quality that’s impossible to ignore.

I found myself coming back to it again and again, humming the chorus on repeat without even realizing it. It’s the kind of song that feels familiar on the first listen yet continues to reveal more with each play, showcasing Omar Apollo’s talent for crafting catchy, emotionally charged music that sticks with you. – Jesse 

“Illusion,” Dua Lipa
Release date – April 11

Dua Lipa’s “Illusion” the final single ahead of her second album Radical Optimism, is an undeniable standout and one of my favorites of the year. The track captures everything Dua does best: infectious grooves, sleek production, and an effortlessly cool delivery. The chorus, with its playful “Oooh, what you doin?,” burrows into your brain and refuses to leave—it’s catchy without being overdone, a perfect mix of pop and attitude. The song radiates confidence as Dua calls out someone’s game, balancing charm and sharp wit with ease.  

The music video elevates the track even further, featuring stunning visuals of Dua and her dancers defying gravity in a surreal, aquatic-inspired setting. It’s bold, epic, and completely captivating—much like the song itself. “Illusion” feels like the perfect lead-in to Radical Optimism, an album that solidified Dua’s ability to push pop music forward while keeping it endlessly fun and cool. – Jesse

“It Was Coming All Along,” Maggie Rogers
Release date – April 12

Maggie Rogers’ “It Was Coming All Along”, opens her newest album Surrender with a cinematic flair that immediately sets the tone for the entire record. The lush violins that kick off the track feel sweeping and nostalgic, reminiscent of The Cranberries, pulling you into a soundscape that’s both grand and intimate. It perfectly captures the free-spirited feeling Maggie envisioned for this album—like you’re driving with the windows down, blasting it at full volume, singing along with the kind of abandon that makes you feel alive.  

What makes this song so special is how it evokes a deep sense of contentment with the present. Whether I’m walking anywhere—be it through city streets or quiet paths—it brings that “in the moment” feeling to life, reminding me to simply exist and enjoy where I am. Maggie’s ability to craft a song that feels both personal and universal shines through here, setting Surrender in motion with pure, heartfelt energy. – Jesse

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

Looking back on the chaos that Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department gave us, along with the recent ending of Taylor’s career-defining “Eras Tour,” it’s easy to say that Swift, yet again, dominated most of the culture landscape of 2024. Swift’s fanbase is a weird one: it’s full of people who have an unhealthy parasocial relationship with the singer: and I’m saying this with as little judgment as possible, considering my levels of obsession over Swift have been a little ridiculous during the last 15 years of my life. But these neurotic tendencies hit an all time high when Swift was dating Matty Healy: so much so, that several thousand fans thought they could actually ban together and convince her to #dumphim.

“But Daddy I Love Him” is the older, neurotic sister to “Love Story,” the cousin of “Ours,” with more edge and less patience. If a big chunk of my fanbase, my parents, and a bundle of old, white male executives gathered me into a room and told me to dump the person I believed to be the love of my life, I’d be pissed, too. But hey, it made for an absolute banger of a song! – Kristin

“Deeply Still In Love,” ROLE MODEL
Release date – May 10

There are several songs from ROLE MODEL’s Kansas, Anymore album that I consider my favorites of the year, and it was truly hard to decide on one, but I think at the end of the day “Deeply Still In Love” remains superior. Released as the second single of his sophomore album, it’s a lighthearted but honest rendition to the beginning of the “acceptance” stage of grieving a relationship. It does not make light of how hard it is to get over someone, but it addresses how a part of you is always relieved because then you don’t have to make an effort to make things work anymore. There is a level of liberation when going through a breakup, even if we can’t see it at first.

Tucker Pillsbury sings about still being devoted to a lover, and at the same time about being okay with the fact that you will be fine, and they will also be fine, eventually. Of course to a point this is all just a charade, “I won’t get down on my knees, I’m trying to play it casually,” because it is still, oh, so painful, but it’s just how it goes. “Deeply Still In Love” is such a fun, almost unserious song, with very straightforward lyrics that, if they were directed to me, would make me want to die a little. Kansas, Anymore as a whole is a beautiful work of vulnerability, boldness, and self-awareness, and this single encapsulates it all so well. – Javi

“360,” Charli xcx
Release date – May 10

Before BRAT blew up and “brat summer” became a thing, Charli had been meekly releasing promotional singles for the album as early as February, with each of them delivering more and more of the energy that turned Charli xcx into potentially the artist of the year. “360” was one of those singles, one that talks about how Charli’s brand has always been distinctive and remarkable, even if it hadn’t been as noticeable and pointed-out before. She has been setting the tone for so many pop girlies for so long, and it was about time she was recognized as the icon that she has always been.

I also can’t help but take the “360” music video into account, where Charli gathered many of the internet’s favorite female celebrities. She gave women and girls around the world, who have been painted as something that they’re not, villainized and scrutinized daily, an anthem that explains that this all just means that people looove to talk about them. The song is only two minutes and 13 seconds long, and technically only name drops two famous women, but it seems to call out to so many more. “360” was a marking point for what Charli xcx’s sixth album was about to become, and listening back to it now feels as good as it did the first time, except now we know it was the beginning of a historic time for music. – Javi

“Sympathy is a Knife,” Charli xcx
Release date – May 10

Charli xcx has been a staple in the pop/dance space for several years at this point, but nothing can top the massive year she had in 2024 with her (as of right now) career-defining album, BRAT. I can make a case for about 1/3 of the album as “my favorite song,” but the true song that has stuck out to me from the very first listen is the incredibly revealing and deeply introspective “Sympathy is a knife.”

Albeit upbeat, fun, and engaging production wise, “Sympathy is a knife” actually quite the confessional when you take a deep dive into the lyrics. Speaking on the insecurities she feels when around a nameless, successful woman and (likely) peer in the industry, “Sympathy is a knife” can be relatable for any person when it comes to feeling less than someone else, and grappling with the feeling that it’s all in your head (For Charli, George says she’s just paranoid). For such an exciting album that features so many highs, “Sympathy is a knife” is a humanizing moment for this #1 party girl. – Kristin

“Messy,” Lola Young
Release date – June 21

When I first became familiar with British singer Lola Young‘s music, it was like a slow burn. I had heard some of her songs that were doing well on TikTok and I listened to her album when it came out, but when I heard her song messy for the first time it hit me like a ton of bricks.

Being in a toxic relationship, whether platonic or romantic, is incredibly anxiety inducing: it can often feel like you’re never doing enough or doing things the “right way,” and constantly being aware of every move you make is exhausting. “Messy” represents those feelings quite perfectly and simplistically. With just one line: “A thousand people I could be for you and you hate the fucking lot,” Lola Young nails what it feels like to be partnered in a dysfunctional relationship: and since this song is currently blowing up on TikTok, I hope it’s reaching people who need to hear it. – Kristin

“Taste,” Sabrina Carpenter
Release date – August 23

Sabrina Carpenter’s “Taste”, the third single from her 2024 album Short n’ Sweet, is a perfect example of her evolution into pop superstardom—an album practically destined to win a Grammy or two. The track is immediately irresistible, the kind of infectious ear worm Sabrina has mastered, balancing sultry vocals with sharp, playful lyricism. It’s confident and flirtatious, showcasing her knack for blending charm with undeniable hooks that feel both effortless and polished.  

The accompanying music video adds another layer of brilliance, featuring Jenna Ortega and parodying iconic films like “Death Becomes Her” and “Psycho”. With its mix of dark humor, vintage aesthetics, and campy undertones, the video feels like a perfect visual counterpart to the track’s cheeky allure. “Taste” cements Sabrina Carpenter’s ability to deliver songs that are catchy, cool, and endlessly re-playable—proving that her pop reign is only getting stronger as she continues to define her sound and style. – Jesse 

“The Baton,” Katie Gavin
Release date – October 25

I’ve spoken at length about how much I enjoyed Katie Gavin’s singles as a solo artist—nothing against MUNA, I love them as much as the next person—but there’s something so special and intimate about the work on Gavin’s first solo album, What A Relief. I could have picked a couple songs off the project that are my favorite, but “The Baton” makes me feel such deep emotions unlike any other song that’s on the project, or that was released this year, for that matter.

“The Baton” is a beautiful ode to a mother-daughter relationship, and how a daughter, who is swiftly approaching adulthood, starts to envision their lives when their mom will no longer be in it—sad but very real. How as daughters, we cherish what our mothers have taught us, but how we’ve been able to learn from what they couldn’t teach us as well. It’s deeply powerful and heartbreaking at the same time: if you haven’t listened to it yet, try to without crying! You’ll see.
– Kristin

Thanks for reading and see you in 2025!

Check out all of our year end coverage here.