40. Katie Gavin “The Baton”
This song itself feels like a race, Katie Gavin‘s fiddle work propelling the powerful lyrics forward over the finish line. It’s a heartbreaking contemplation on an age-old topic, phrased in an entirely innovative way. Gavin declares, “I would tell my daughter she must be her own mother / ‘cause I can only take her as far as I can go / and on that very same day she’d join a kind of relay / I’d pass her the baton and I’d say you’d better run / ‘cause this thing has been going for many generations / but there is so much healing that still needs to be done.” “The Baton” is a song for anyone who has ever been a daughter. – Ali Meizels
39. The Smile “Friend of a Friend”
The Smile, a side project of Radiohead members Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood joined by Sons of Kemet drummer Tom Skinner, released two full-length studio albums this year. The first of these, Wall of Eyes, included the Beatles-esque third single, “Friend of a Friend”. Over a lackadaisical, jazzy groove, Yorke and company utilize a trippy pre-chorus and a noisy mid-song build à la Sgt. Pepper’s finale “A Day in the Life” to kick off their sophomore album’s second side. The appearance of this comparatively bright moment of instrumental sunshine, sprinkled lightly with surrealistic imagery in the track’s lyrics, was an early favorite of 2024 that tide Radiohead fans over nicely while they patiently waited for LP number ten. – Andy Mascola
38. Jamie XX “It’s So Good”
37. Mount Eerie “Empty Paper Towel Roll”
36. Waxahatchee “365”
Waxahatchee aka Katie Crutchfield’s voice is so singular, and the stripped-down production of “365” really lets it shine. This track is a deep-cutting reflection on a codependent relationship that is mutually detrimental, on the process of being dragged down by a partner and being unable to let go. She sings, “If you fly up beyond the cosmos / It’s a long way to fall back down / You always go about this the wrong way / And I’m too weak to just let you drown.” As usual, Crutchfield’s word choices feel astonishingly right, and each note she sings feels perfectly placed. – Ali Meizels
35. Mannequin Pussy “Nothing Like”
As if conjuring a moment culled from an amalgamation of the best of what nineties indie rock had to offer, Mannequin Pussy came through with a perfectly lovelorn near-shoegaze moment with their excellent mid-tempo single “Nothing Like”. “Oh, my useless life, it meant close to nothing, until I breathe the air you breathe,” singer Marisa “Missy” Dabice coos over the band’s propulsive rhythm section and a staccato guitar. Silversun Pickups could only dream of creating a song this good. – Andy Mascola
34. Nia Archives “Silence Is Loud”
33. Waxahatchee & MJ Lenderman “Right Back to It”
One of my favorite songs of the year, a collaboration between two musicians who both put out stellar albums in 2024. “Right Back to It” is Crutchfield and Lenderman’s first on-tape collaboration, although their voices sound so natural together it’s hard to believe they haven’t been making music together forever. Lenderman’s vocals anchor the chorus of the song, while Crutchfield’s signature higher notes make the track soar. Together they sing, “I’ve been yours for so long / We come right back to it / I let my mind run wild / Don’t know why I do it / But you just settle in / Like a song with no end / If I can keep up / We’ll get right back to it.” It’s a deeply satisfying song, and hopefully not the last we see from these two together. – Ali Meizels
32. Charli XCX f. Ariana Grande “Sympathy is a Knife”
31. Joyer “Softer Skin”
