We’re officially halfway through the year, and already there has been an abundance of superior tracks to dig into. Whether you’re still blasting Green Day’s Saviors or poring over standalone singles like Blondshell and Bully’s fiery collab, there’s nothing better than connecting with a song that seems to suit every mood. In the same vein as last week’s fan poll, where we asked readers to name the greatest albums of the year, we’re following up with the best songs of 2024 so far. These are their top picks, ranked accordingly below.
Read more: 25 best albums of 2024 so far
5. The Story So Far – “Letterman”
Over the years, the Story So Far have strayed further away from their pop-punk roots, and “Letterman” shows just how much they’ve progressed. Appearing early within I Want to Disappear, the song takes a similar approach to “Clairvoyant” by exploring gentler territory. Parker Cannon trades his enraged, overtly enunciated delivery for a softer approach, which makes it a great juxtaposition to some of the other bangers on the record (“Big Blind,” “You’re Still In My Way”) and demonstrates the band’s continued maturity and depth in a big way.
4. Bring Me the Horizon – “Kool-Aid”
Following Jordan Fish’s departure at the end of last year, Bring Me the Horizon promised “new music coming very soon,” and our readers didn’t have to wait long. The result was “Kool-Aid,” the sixth single from their long-anticipated follow-up to 2020’s POST HUMAN: SURVIVAL MODE. Given that the album mirrors modern-day digital excess, “Kool-Aid” is another pop-metal standout. It quickly revs up into sticky choruses, heady breakdowns, and vocals that feel straight out of Sempiternal — and made complete with a gnarly solo by Lee Malia.
3. Thursday – “Application for Release of the Dream”
Though Thursday have been touring often since 2016, they hadn’t shared any new music — and would only do so if it was “truly inspired and adds a new dimension to the band.” In April, however, the post-hardcore vets broke the seal by unleashing “Application For Release From the Dream,” their first new song in 13 years. Needless to say, the song makes good on their promise. Produced by current touring bassist (and Geoff Rickly’s No Devotion bandmate) Stu Richardson, it includes both the atmospheric brilliance of No Devolución while employing the band’s 2000s screamo tendencies once the bridge hits.
2. twenty one pilots – “Vignette”
twenty one pilots’ Clancy is a highlight of the year for many of our readers, and they’ve been especially fixated by “Vignette.” Appearing in the first half of the album, the song explores the throes of addiction, though Tyler Joseph admits that it has a few different interpretations. Throughout the album, the duo blend their many different eras through the inclusion of rap, reggae, indie rock, and beyond, but this time they experiment by incorporating strings. The result is stunning, heightened by a synth breakdown near the final chorus that makes the song a slam dunk.
1. Knocked Loose – “Suffocate” (feat. Poppy)
Knocked Loose are having a massive year, so it’s no surprise that “Suffocate” secured the top spot. Acting as an early preview from You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To, the song sees the Kentucky crew link up with post-genre shapeshifter Poppy for one of their best collaborations yet. The transition from Poppy’s whispery speak-singing to intense shrieking is a jarring pivot but strangely works, buoyed by the band’s savage breakdown. Clearly, the team-up encouraged Knocked Loose to push boundaries, and it remains a highlight of the new album.
