2024 Wrap-Up: Singles
To look back at a spectacular year, we’ve ranked our top five singles of 2024.
6 min read
2024…it feels like a distant memory. To round off our ‘2024 wrap-up’ series, we’re looking at our favourite singles from an amazing year of music. Before diving in, check out our top albums and EPs.
As you can imagine, handpicking five singles from an entire year is a daunting task. We’ve curated singles which have made an impact or changed the game in the indie and rock genres, with honourable mentions dedicated to rising stars.
Credit: hard life 📸
5) tears - hard life
After the EasyGroup debacle engulfed the Leicester indie outfit in 2023, the band formerly known as Easy Life made their huge return with ‘tears’.
tears finds Murray comprehending the last nine months, and diving into several life-changing realisations that came with these changes. Bubbly, self-assured and poignant, this was the strongest way they could’ve returned, taking one of the biggest challenges a band could face and turning it into a success. The track will be remembered as a moment in time for the indie group, but also the time a band hit back at a corporation.
Catch our full review here.
Credit: IDLES 📸
4) Dancer - IDLES
IDLES have had a phenomenal year, with a colossal performance at Glastonbury which featured a surprise Banksy art display from the crowd. One of the biggest and most memorable tracks from their latest record is ‘Dancer’ which was co-produced by icons LCD Soundsystem.
The track is a departure from the heavy and harsh sounds of the previous IDLES catalogue and sees the group weaving a groove between their fiery riffs.
Credit: The Mysterines 📸
3) Hawkmoon - The Mysterines
After supporting Arctic Monkeys on their stadium tour, The Mysterines dropped their sophomore album ‘Afraid Of Tomorrows’, which was arguably one of the more underrated efforts of 2024.
The 12-track album features some of the band’s finest work, and an early sign that this is a band unafraid to change and experiment. One of the most impressive was Hawkmoon, a song which completely takes over your senses.
This dreamy and space-like landscape the band have painted would feel enormous on huge stages, and if you’ve slept on it, you need to dig in.
Credit: Wunderhorse 📸
2) July - Wunderhorse
No surprises here. July is arguably the biggest track the Wunderhorse has put out to date, appearing aggressively heavier than the Americana-style on Cub in 2022. July is a noticeable cry for help and a release of anger at the world.
Since the single’s release, July has taken on a life of its own due to Slater’s theatrical stage persona and has marked a new beginning for the revival of modern rock music.
Catch our full review here.
Credit: Fontaines D.C. 📸
1) Starburster - Fontaines D.C.
After awarding Fontaines D.C. with ‘Album Of The Year’ for their triumphant efforts on ROMANCE, there’s only one song which can also be #1. Starburster is jaw-dropping, mesmerising and bad-ass, all wrapped up in an addictive sound. While being the lead single of the new record, it’s also one of the strongest singles the band have released, and already become a closing staple of live performances.
We’d, without doubt, name it the rock anthem of 2024.
Honourable Mentions:
It’s also been an exciting year for rising stars! To shine a light on some of our favourite and most promising new artists, the below are singles well worth your time:
The Festival - The Ariston
Head Underwater - Corella
HOMETOWN - Emergency Break
He’s Just A Boy - Rae Charlea
Pause At You - Courting
What was your favourite single of 2024?
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