Emerging talents and returning pop veterans simultaneously released their projects in 2024, leaving audiences fed with new music almost every week. While some acts soared with their magnum opus and breakthrough moments, some fell flat and weren’t able to keep up with the current wave of pop stars in the digital age where first impressions matter.
Let’s take a look at some of the best and worst pop music records of 2024.
Best: BRAT - Charli XCX
The 2024 album Brat by English singer-songwriter Charli XCX is exceptionally noteworthy. It was the album that propelled XCX's career to new heights and offers a hyper-genre-bending body of work that demonstrates the singer's unrestrained creativity and unquestionable pop sensibilities. The album is a whirlwind of emotions and musical genres, from the cheerful, irresistible melodies of songs like "360" and "Apple" to the experimental soundscapes of "Club Classics." Brat stands out for its unreserved acceptance of chaos and individuality.
By contrasting hyperpop with the innermost thoughts and emotions of a pop star's psyche through lighthearted melodies and unvarnished sensitivity, XCX takes great pleasure in her paradoxes. Overall, what Brat successfully developed aside from good music was capturing the cultural zeitgeist to which Gen Z operates. It's not meant to be taken too seriously, encouraging listeners to get lost in the beat.
Worst: Y2K - Ice Spice
The internet since the last decade has welcomed pop stars in the mainstream who were initially gaining traction online. Up-and-coming rapper Ice Spice is just one of these artists that fits this mold of pop-stardom. Riding high from collaborative projects with the queen of rap Nicki Minaj with “Barbie World” and a feature with American global pop star Taylor Swift, Y2K by Spice which serves as her debut album was met with universally negative reception from both fans and critics.
At just under an hour, the album felt too short, leaving audiences with little time to truly grasp the rapper's full potential, or worse, showcase all she has to offer. There were no songs in the album that were over three minutes and each one of the tracks only had beats and pieces of it which could be used in the video-sharing app TikTok while she tries to chase the beat.
Unfortunately, this effort by Ice Spice missed the mark in delivering a solid debut rap album, unlike her seniors. Ice Spice's debut, Y2K, failed to showcase her artistry, squandering her chance to make a lasting impact on the industry and public. In the competitive landscape of female rap, a strong debut is crucial, and it unfortunately missed the mark, which could obstruct her potential to become a dominant force in the new wave of female rap.
Best: Imaginal Disk - Magdalena Bay
Imaginal Disk, by the Florida-based American pop duo Magdalena Bay, is a sonic adventure that skillfully combines synthpop, indie rock, and experimental electronic music components. They delivered rich layers of synthesizers, throbbing rhythms, and enthralling vocal melodies are all features of the album's painstaking retro-futuristic production.
Identity, relationships, and the intricacies of the human condition are among the topics covered in the album. Introspective and sometimes melancholic, Magdalena Bay's songs are also infused with optimism and resilience. This is helped by its breathy delivery and euphoric vibe which makes the listening experience enjoyable. Imaginal Disk demonstrates Magdalena Bay's development as an artist. Fans of electronic music and others will find it to be an engrossing and engaging listening experience. Tracks such as “Image,” “Love is Everywhere,” and “Fear, Sex” are just some of the stand-out tracks to check out.
Worst: 143 - Katy Perry
The “all-American-teenage-dream” Katy Perry's 2024 release 143 is a disappointing departure from her earlier vibrant work. Gone is the infectious energy and clever lyricism that once defined her music, instead, the album presents a collection of generic pop songs with flat production and phoned-in vocals. Tracks like "Lifetimes," "Nirvana," and "Crush" sound like generic, non-copyrighted music from YouTube, devoid of the spark that once ignited Perry's career.
The album's attempt at a mature, introspective sound falls flat, resulting in a collection of forgettable tracks that do little to advance Perry's legacy. 143 highlights a decline in her creative vision and a willingness to compromise artistic integrity for commercial success. With three consecutive albums facing disastrous rollouts, it's clear that Perry and her team need to reevaluate their approach and return to their roots to recapture the magic that once made her a pop icon.
Best: Charm - Clairo
A welcome change from Clairo's Charm is a joyful surprise to her fans and niche alike. Clairo's signature, effortlessly calm voice and catchy melodies make this album a sun-kissed trip through breezy indie-pop. Songs like "Juna" and "Sexy to Someone" encapsulate the carefree nature of youth, while "Wade" and "Pier 4" provide vulnerable and reflective moments.
With its clear and lively sound, "Charm" takes Clairo's lyrics to a whole new level. A refreshingly immersive listening experience brought about by the album's unified sound and airy mood. Charm demonstrates Clairo's development as a performer and her capacity to change without sacrificing her genuine voice. The album is intriguing and invigorating, and it will definitely make an impact.
Worst: This is me…Now - Jennifer Lopez
This Is Me... Now by American female entertainer Jennifer Lopez is a self-indulgent "passion" project that falls short on both an emotional and artistic lens. Together with the documentary The Greatest Love Story Never Told and the companion film This Is Me...Now: A Love Story, the album is a bloated, overproduced disaster that prioritizes Lopez's personal life over her creative prowess. Songs like "Heartsick" and "Till the World Fades Away" feel like recycled pop clichés, while the music itself is uninspired and boring.
Lopez's effort resulted in a collection of unmemorable songs, and the album fails to translate as sophisticated and contemplative. This Is Me... Now lacks the ability to show viewers a different side of Lopez, which, to be fair, she seems to have been trying to show, but still came across as shallow and inauthentic from her glamazon celebrity persona. It is a depressing reminder of a time when celebrity worship was paramount.
Honorable mentions: Superb surprises of the year
C,XOXO by the American pop star and former Fifth Harmony lead Camila Cabello is a daring and experimental shift from her earlier work. Songs like "June Gloom" and "Pretty When I Cry" showcase her deep vocals and reflective words. Despite being divisive to the general public, the lead single “I LUV IT," featuring American rapper Playboi Carti, successfully gave Cabello the chance to experiment with a new sound while still delivering it in a way that was distinctively hers. C,XOXO has a distinctive fusion of pop, R&B, and alternative elements, and is a compelling and revitalizing song that reveals a new side of Cabello.
The solid first debut album What a Devastating Turn of Events by English singer-songwriter Rachel Chinouriri demonstrates her exceptional talent and distinctive style. Love, sorrow, and desire are vividly depicted in Chinouriri's reflective lyrics and beautiful singing. Her ability to inspire a wide variety of emotions is demonstrated by songs like "Never Going Home," "All I Ever Asked," and "Come Over," which are both painful and optimistic. Chinouriri, an underappreciated musician, merits greater acclaim for her stirring performances and superb compositions. For lovers of soulful, alternative R&B, What a Devastating Turn of Events is a must-listen.
A year of musical triumphs and tumbles
2024 has been a year of both exhilarating breakthroughs and disappointing setbacks in the music industry. While artists like Charli XCX and Magdalena Bay pushed creative boundaries and delivered captivating albums, others like Ice Spice and Katy Perry struggled to connect with audiences and deliver on their potential.
The past year’s releases highlight the ever-evolving nature of pop music, where staying relevant requires a delicate balance of artistic innovation, commercial appeal, and genuine connection with listeners. As the industry moves into the future, it will be fascinating to see which artists can navigate the complexities of the modern music landscape and continue to captivate audiences with their unique voices and groundbreaking sounds.
