Rather than acting as if I have an overly important take on what the best songs, albums, or artists were in 2024, I’ve decided to take a moment to reflect on the music I listened to most this year — based on my Apple Music Replay. From that vast list, I’ve selected my Top 7 artists, albums, and songs to reflect upon. I’ve adjusted my rankings based on my final reflection, not my Replay numbers. I’ll call them 9’s, not 10’s, because, well, who’s perfect? Fuckin’ nobody.
My Top 7 Artists of 2024
7. Mariah Carey
Mariah is always my #1, and sleighs in at #2 on my Replay list with 7,300 minutes, but since most of those minutes are due to listening to old music, I’ve bumped her down to #7. While of course she did rerelease a remastered version of “Rainbow” with some new remixes and blessed us with the “Portrait” Hopeful Child Remix, it was otherwise a year of Mariah nostalgia for me. I created a podcast and published a print magazine about “Me. I Am Mariah… The Elusive Chanteuse,” which consumed a lot of my Mariah-listening this year. I hope that in 2025, she’ll be my top artist, album, and song due to finally releasing #MC16. Let us pray.
THE 97 ZINE, Issue 1 – “Me. I Am Mariah… The Elusive Chanteuse”
6. Tori Kelly
With her album landing at #2 on my Replay list, it’s only natural that Tori Kelly belongs on this list. I also had the pleasure of having a meet-and-greet moment before seeing her live on her Purple Skies tour. It was amazing to see how much she has grown as a performer. She’s always been great live, but with this new music, her on-stage confidence has been amplified ten-fold. She’s doing choreography, serving diva chic, divine vocals and Y2K realness. Honestly, I was blown away by the artist that I saw blossoming before my eyes, and can’t wait to see what’s next for her.
5. JoJo
JoJo only released three songs this year, but perhaps more importantly, she released her memoir, “Over the Influence.” She’s always been one of my favorite artists, so reading (and listening to) her story was so impactful and made me appreciate her so much more. I also had the fortune to meet and speak with her at her book signing in September, and then watch her join Tori Kelly to perform “Bottomline” at Kelly’s show in October. She capped off the year by releasing two new songs, “Porcelain” and “Too Much to Say,” ahead of her forthcoming EP, “NGL,” expected on January 24. I can’t wait to hear the full EP and see her live on the Too Much to Say tour in March.
4. Usher
Usher is an artist I have loved and admired since 1997. He’s not one of my top-tier faves and I wouldn’t call myself his “stan,” but I love much of his music. Several of his songs are so special to me, and his music was a constant presence throughout my formative years, from 1997 through 2012 when his output began to slow down. Somehow, I had never seen Usher live… but after hearing the rave reviews for his Las Vegas residency, seeing his Tiny Desk concert, and finally his Superbowl performance, I knew I had to see his Past Present Future tour. I immediately secured tickets when they went on sale, and saw him for the first time in September. But… my seats were not ideal, and I was left frustrated by being so far away from a star I had wanted to see for so long. Luckily, the musical gods smiled down upon me: Usher announced a second run of shows at Barclays Center, and I splurged on VIP Pit tickets for his December show. I was front row, standing less than 6 feet away from the icon himself, with only a barricade (and a security guard between us. That experience alone lands him at #4 on my final list, despite him being #10 on my Replay artists list.
3. Barbra Streisand
If Apple Music tracked my vinyl record listening or my Audible account, Barbra Streisand would be much higher on this list. Listening to her 48-hour-long memoir, I learned so much about the legendary Ms. Streisand and wanted to listen to her music more as I heard her speak in such detail about each album. So, while she did not release a new album this year, it was my exploration of her catalog that landed her on my list. The great thing about getting into an artist like Streisand is that most of her work is from the era when vinyls were ubiquitous, making her albums easy to find used, and at an affordable price, usually just a few dollars a piece. My favorite albums of hers (of the ones I’ve spent time with this year – I didn’t listen to them all) are “Stoney End” and “Guilty.”
2. Ariana Grande
Another artist whose catalog I explored this year was Ariana Grande. In December 2023, I had the good fortune (thanks, Michele!) of being third row at Mariah Carey’s Madison Square Garden Christmas show when Grande (and Jennifer Hudson) joined Carey to perform “Oh Santa!” Witnessing Grande’s love and reverence for our mutual fave earned her a soft spot in my heart. Upon the release of “Yes, and?” a few weeks later, that soft spot turned into a fondness. I loved the track, and, to my surprise… so did my fave; Mariah jumped on the remix. So, with the Queen’s co-sign, I ventured headfirst into Grande’s catalog. Not much from her first two albums stuck (which, is probably why I never really took to her earlier) but I fell in love with (most of) her later albums, “Sweetener” and “Thank U, Next,” and had already liked “Positions.” I deeply connected with album tracks like “Fake Smile,” “Breathin'” and “Needy” (which ended up on my Replay songs list) along with singles like “God is a Woman” and “No Tears Left to Cry” that I had never paid much mind to, along with ones I had always liked (“Thank U Next,” “7 Rings,” and “Breakup With Your Girlfriend…”). Then, “Eternal Sunshine” dropped, cementing my respect for Grande. This week, I finally saw Wicked, and I have even more appreciation and admiration for her. She went above and beyond my expectations of her as an actress and as a singer. While it took some time, it was worth the wait. I am proud to say Ariana Grande has earned her place on my favorite artists list.
1. Beyoncé
I mean… what more can I say? Trouncing everyone else on my Replay list with over 12,000 minutes of listens, is Beyoncé. With 6,000 minutes for “Cowboy Carter” alone and the other 6,000 likely attributed to 2022’s “Renaissance,” there is no artist whose music was more ever-present throughout my year than Beyoncé’s. She was my top artist in February, April, and November. The majority of my Top 30 songs belong to her. It’s been 25 years since I became a fan, and she continues to inspire, motivate, and enthrall me with her work. After her phenomenal Christmas Day “Beyoncé Bowl” performance and 1.14.25 teaser, I remain on the edge of my seat, eagerly anticipating “Act 3” or whatever else she has in store for 2025.
My Top 7 Albums of 2024
7. Trouble In Paradise, by Chloe
It was like fate that Chloe dropped her beach-perfect, tropical paradise vibe of an album the same day I arrived for a long weekend in Florida this August. The album was in constant rotation that weekend, and the entire month, landing it at #5 on my Replay Top Albums list. While it’s an enjoyable listen, I brought it down a few spots on my final ranking because I didn’t find myself going back to it too often once summer ended.
6. Short n’ Sweet, by Sabrina Carpenter
In the pop sphere, this year belonged to Sabrina Carpenter. The breakout, it-girl of the year, she went from little-known to ubiquitous with her hit singles “Espresso,” “Please Please Please,” and “Taste.” The entire album is solidly sticky ‘n’ sweet pop confection, showcasing Carpenter’s knack for satirically sassy songwriting and mesmerizing melodies. Hopefully, she will continue to grow artistically beyond the rather typical sexually liberated trope that works so well for formerly innocent pop stars such as herself. I’m not sure how it only ended up at #11 on my Replay list – perhaps because I had the “Espresso” single saved in my library and not the album version.
5. HIT ME HARD AND SOFT, by Billie Eilish
While “Happier than Ever” was a solid album, it landed closer on the “sophomore slump” side of things than anything, from a commercial and critical perspective. With “HIT ME HARD AND SOFT,” Eilish showed real growth both personally and artistically. Opening up about her sexuality on songs like “Lunch,” letting her voice shine on “Birds of a Feature,” and taking it to the club on “L’Amour De Ma Vie,” she offered a variety of sounds and vibes on this set that proved she is more than just a “Bad Guy” …or sad girl. While it was at #8 on my Replay list, that’s gotta be because the extended dance mix of “L’Amour” is a separate single. Also, probably because the album is not a “listen all the time” sort of vibe.
4. Access All Areas, by FLO
When I was 9 years old, I chose my team in the Great War of Y2K boy bands and girl groups: Destiny’s Child. I have to say, it turned out to be a pretty great choice, all things considered. Since 1999, many girl groups have come and gone (admittedly, I might like men but I have little interest in boy bands), but none have grabbed or impressed me like FLO has. Most of the noteworthy groups have come from competition shows (Fifth Harmony) or manufactured settings (Danity Kane), lacking the sisterhood or necessary support systems to thrive in the way Destiny’s Child did. That is, until now. While “Access All Areas” may lack any standout hit, it makes up for that by being a strong showcase of their undeniable talent and tight harmony — both in and out of the studio. Despite being released in mid-November, it managed to fly to #4 on my Replay list, equaling my final reflective ranking.
3. TORI. by Tori Kelly
I’ve loved Tori Kelly since her debut album, but I always wished she’d step out of the acoustic, gospel girlie lane and take more of an artistic risk. With a new label and new team, she’s finally done that on her first self-titled set, TORI. Well aware that most of her fanbase is, like her, Millenial, she leaned in heavily on the R&B/Pop nostalgia that has inspired her to deliver an album that is perfect for her target audience. Steeped in the Y2K sound, she managed to celebrate it without the music sounding reductive or dated. She remains true to herself throughout it all, making its eponymous title perfect for it. In its final iteration, she added “a lil more” for us nostalgia heads, with tracks that recall Y2K icons like Usher (“u”) and a duet with one, her sister in song, JoJo, on “Bottomline.” The deluxe edition lands at #2 on my Replay ranking; and while I am not sure if the original version is included in that, it wouldn’t have ended up surpassing my #1. I’ve only bumped it down to #3 because…
2. eternal sunshine, by Ariana Grande
There is no way that Ariana Grande’s “eternal sunshine” is my #6 album of the year (according to the Replay list). With the amount of times that I know I’ve listened to it, it just can’t be true. Perhaps some sort of error due to the different versions of the album she released, I don’t know, but I know that, in my heart, it’s second only to one. I’ll speak about it more in the Artists section below, but this album has made me respect Grande as an artist in a way that I hadn’t before. From the introspective nature of the lyrics, to its crisp production and vibe-perfect vocals, she truly impressed me. Plus, I realized how she is truly my fellow-Cancer, fellow-Italian sister at heart with her many nods to Y2K nostalgia and remixes featuring Mariah Carey, Brandy, and Monica. Then, of course, there’s the fact that she starred in the film adaptation of one of my favorite musicals. It’s like she crafted this era for me, to be quite honest. Or, maybe there’s more to astrology than I ever thought.
1. COWBOY CARTER, by Beyoncé
Thousands of minutes ahead of everyone else (5,947 and counting; by comparison, TORI. has 1,818 at #2), nobody else stands a chance at #1 in the year that one of my lifelong faves drops an album. Immaculate from start to finish, there are albums, and then there are works of art. Beyoncé is truly the only artist on her level. While some artists and albums may have better music, objectively or out of context, there is not an artist, past or present, that has put more thoughtful consideration into the creation of an album than Beyoncé. She is more like a prolific author of historical fiction, the Lin-Manuel Miranda of pop music, who researches history and curates her knowledge and influences into intricate works of art. She has transcended the confines of the crossover pop star mold and is truly the one-woman Renaissance of our time.
My Top 7 Songs of 2024
The Top 30 on my Replay songs list is filled mostly with tracks from Beyoncé’s “COWBOY CARTER.” While it’s my favorite album of the year, I wouldn’t say that my Top 7 songs of the year are also my 7 favorite songs from that album. So, I’ve sifted through the other songs to select this list, limiting myself to one song per artist. Here goes:
7. “Big Boy (feat Starrah)” by Normani
The album opener should’ve also been the lead single from “DOPAMINE.” This stellar track has such a vibe, filled with attitude and a catchy hook that would’ve made it an inescapable hit.
6. “Too Much to Say” by JoJo
Of the two new songs JoJo dropped ahead of her “NGL” EP set to drop in January, “Too Much to Say” actually came in a bit lower on my Replay list than the other, “Porcelain.” However, that may only be because it’s been out longer. “Too Much to Say” was the more immediate and sticky of the two, which felt more in line with where JoJo is headed with her career both sonically and thematically. Clocking in just under 3 minutes, it begs for a replay. Here’s hoping an extended dance mix is yet to come.
5. “thing u do” by Tori Kelly
When Tori Kelly dropped the “Tori” EP ahead of her fifth studio album, and I heard “Cut,” I didn’t think that she could top such a certified bop. I was proved wrong with my first play of the album in April. As soon as I heard “Thing U Do,” I was grabbed and slain. The song showcases so many elements of what makes Tori great. Big vocals, catchy melodies, gospel-influenced arrangements, and her newfound confidence are all on prime display.
4. “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” by Billie Eilish
I don’t love every Billie Eilish song, nor do I consider her one of my favorite artists. She makes great music, though, and when she makes a great song she knocks it out of the park. I think “Birds of a Feather” might just be her best song to date. It’s the perfect combination of her signature chill, contemporary sounds, and classic influences. Then, of course, there’s that glorious vocal climax where she truly rises to the occasion.
3. “eternal sunshine” by Ariana Grande
While the album’s singles rank higher on my Replay list, that’s probably just because they were so catchy (and because its lead featured a remix with Mariah Carey) and easier listening. The title track, though, is a real artistic triumph for Grande, and the perfect encapsulation of what she did on this album. Deeply personal, vulnerable, and perfectly produced, “Eternal Sunshine,” the song, captures her growth both personally and artistically. Being so introspective and emotional (hell, it opens with an emotional sigh), it’s tough to keep on repeat like the album’s singles. Undoubtedly, it’s the best track on the album and one of the best of her entire career.
2. “Portrait (Hopeful Child Remix)” by Mariah Carey
One of my favorite Mariah modes is Remixriah, and this year she truly delivered on that front. From appearing on the “yes, and?” remix with Ariana Grade, to the “Made For Me” remix with Muni Long, to reimagining album tracks like “Rainbow’s End” and “Portrait,” she showed that a legend can still celebrate their legacy and be prolific creatively. While her fans might (incessantly) complain that it’s been over 6 years since the release of “Caution,” the parent album of “Portrait,” we’re frankly lucky that she’s giving us gems like this pair of dance remixes. Carey hasn’t done a new full-length, re-sung dance remix since 2012’s “Triumphant,” so hearing her go back to the studio and reimagine two fan favorites was truly a treat. Plus, the mini-audiobook component that came with “Portrait” was just as enlightening as a new album. Of course, we’d listen to an album much more… but hearing her speak her truth directly in your ear is an equally personal experience. Listening to the Hopeful Child Remix of “Portrait” feels like a window into Ms. Carey’s soul.
1. “BODYGUARD” by Beyoncé
Now, I don’t like to be one of those whiny BeyHivers who complains about promotional strategy and things of that nature… but… damn, “Bodyguard” is such a deserving, undeniable HIT. I cannot believe it’ll remain an album track forevermore. From the first play of “COWBOY CARTER,” the song hit and hooked me and hasn’t let go since. There is no occasion where I would ever hit “skip” on this song. It’s such a fun song that encapsulates what Beyoncé meant when she said the album is “not a Country album, it’s a Beyoncé album.” Look no further than “Bodyguard.” It has a little something of every genre and for everyone. While “Texas Hold ‘Em” was the perfect pandering Pop/Country crossover to lead with (alongside the perfect “16 Carriages” on the other end of the spectrum), “Bodyguard” would’ve been the follow-up hit to bring it on home. But, I guess Columbia, or whomever, bet on labelmate Miley Cyrus for a hit with “II MOST WANTED” – and we all lost.