Songs That Defined My Year - 2024 Edition

Happy Holidays everybody! It's that time of the year already. December 31st and it feels like I just blinked and the whole year went by! Like during previous years, I wanted to share a playlist of the songs that accompanied me throughout this year in no particular order (because I always play in shuffle mode to be surprised haha). It was a great year for pop music and acoustic, heartfelt gems! These are some of the songs that got a special place in my heart and I hope you like most of them at least!

Troye Sivan's ‘One Of Your Girls’

I know this song came out later last year (and was on last year's list) but it was this year that I really got it on repeat (I might have played it almost every other day this year)! It's a sad song wrapped around an infectious Dance-Pop production with a killer music video that got me hooked from the very first watch! It's also a song that I played a lot especially after going to his Something to Give Each Other Tour on Lisbon, May 29th.

Sabrina Carpenter's ‘ Espresso’

The ultimate summer anthem, not only of 2024 but it has an appeal perfect to be added to summer playlists for many years to come. Her velvety voice, dynamic, sassy delivery and effortless storytelling is wrapped around an infectious pop production with a memorable chorus that got the world singing along to it in no time (especially the part "I'm Working Late..."). Simply addictive!

Nemo's ‘The Code’

This year's Eurovision Song Contest winner representing Switzerland, young artist Nemo gifted us with an explosive and memorable piece of music that blends elements of Rap, Musical Theatre an Opera into an anthemic of self-discovery and identity. I adore how powerful and dynamic his vocal delivery is that that chorus is simply addictive! A song packed with energy and soul!

ROSÉ and Bruno Mars's ‘APT.’ 

BLACKPINK member Rosé hit the mark with APT. making this quite a memorable song to add to her solo career. It was Bruno Mars's year for global powerhouse collaborations, following Die With a Smile with Gaga, he teamed up with Rosé to gift us with can be one of the biggest songs of the year that pairs their stunning vocals with an infectious pop production and infectious chorus that reminds me a bit of The Ting Tings and is guaranteed to get stuck to your head right after the very first listen! The raucous bridge and chorus are my favourite parts of the song! 

Sabrina Carpenter's ‘Taste’

Another song by Sabrina Carpenter that won me over this year. Taste is a super catchy pop song with, risqué innuendos, tongue-in-cheek lyrics and vivid imagery that many fans claimed it's about her ex Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello! Her velvety tone, breezy melodies, infectious chorus and catchy bridge really make this quite an earworm of a song! The music video, co-starring Jenna Ortega, is a beautifully tribute to the 1992 movie Death Becomes Her and makes the song stand out even more! I have this one repeat!! 

RAYE's ‘Genesis, pt.ii’ 

British singer and songwriter RAYE is finally getting the recognition she deserves this year. Recently nominated for 3 Grammy Awards, I've been following the artist since her debut in 2014 and I am so happy to see the world finally seeing the amazing artist she is. Genesis, pt.ii is a masterful blend of pop, soul, hip-hop, jazz and classical music that showcases her stunning vocals and raw, honest storytelling abilities that make this quite an impressive and memorable listening experience.

elsaaa's ‘tous les deux’

Mysterious French producer elsaaa gifted us with a hypnotic Deep House gem called tous les deux which pairs her smooth, heavenly vocals with a warm production perfect for a laid-back weekend! has just shared her brand new single tous les deux, a super warm, hypnotic piece of Deep House music. 

JESSIA's ‘I'm Not Gonna Cry 

Canadian pop singer and songwriter JESSIA's I'm Not Gonna Cry is an uplifting anthem of resilience and self-empowerment packed with infectious energy and a memorable driving beat which set the tone for a memorable and fun listening experience. 

Stromae's ‘Ma Meilleure Ennemie’ feat. Pomme

Now this one still gives me the chills. I discovered it only after watching the second season of Netflix's Arcane and it's simply stunning! Literally translated as "My Best Enemy", this gem dives deep into themes of love, conflict, and the fine line separating the two. And congratulations to both Stromae and Pomme as "Ma Meilleure Ennemie" has broken the record for the most listened to French-language title in the world! 

KSI's ‘Dirty’ 

British artist KSI's latest single Dirty is a hauntingly beautiful piece of Alt/Dream Pop that plunges into the turmoil of a toxic, all-consuming relationship. I adore those lush vocals (which many say it may be Billie Eilish) and how they fit beautifully with KSI's effortless delivery. This is a song that captures the agony and ecstasy of being irresistibly drawn to someone you know is no good for you. The song's brooding, gritty soundscape mirrors the chaos and emotional conflict of this dangerous infatuation.

 
MICHA's ‘Hopeful’

A hearfelt acoustic-guitar driven gem that was written during a challenging time in MICHA's life, as he faced the loss of two people very dear to him and had to confront the profound realities of grief and loss. You can effortlessly feel the pain and raw, honest emotion pouring from his heartfelt vocal delivery that is guaranteed to resonate with most listeners.

A/P x Luke Cusato's ‘Close To The Flame’ 

Another heartfelt gem with delicate piano keys that finds the artists sharing a message about being with someone through thick and thin, even when life feels unbearably hard. A song about real, true love and how it can pull us out of dark places and save us from breaking. I am simply in love with those stunning vocals, packed with raw emotion and vulnerability. 

Sam Drysdale's ‘Would’ve Been Beautiful’   

Taken from his new project Bonnie’s Sad Songs, out now via Slaight Music, Would've Been Beautiful strips down to the essence of Drysdale's artistry, pairing heartfelt lyrics with acoustic instrumentation to create a raw and intimate sound. I am a sucker for acoustic-driven songs and this one is definitely up my alley. Sam Drysdale's vocasls are simply stunning, packed with raw, honest emotion and soul, instantly making me feel each and every single word he is singing. 

elijah woods's ‘What It Means’

This heartfelt gem finds the talented artist immersing listeners in a deeply emotional journey as he explores the struggles of trying to understand what it means to be human. An introspective and relatable storytelling flawlessly conveyed through elijah's hauntingly powerful vocals which radiate raw, honest emotion and soul that instantly gave me the feels and got me excited to want to share it with you guys.