My relationship with pop music has always been complicated. Like many people, I once considered it to be one of the least entertaining genres. The radio hits were repetitive, formulaic and quickly grew annoying — you know exactly what I’m talking about. (Seriously, “Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran can only be played so many times.)
Pop stars themselves often felt cookie-cutter, a quality I once enjoyed as a child, but couldn’t stand as an adult. Every aspect of their music and public personas seemed meticulously designed to create endlessly marketable characters.
You may have heard the common argument, “All pop music sounds the same!”
I might have agreed with this in the 2010s, but it’s now 2024, and pop stars decades into their careers have finally made room for exciting new faces, such as Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, Reneé Rapp, Charli XCX and Billie Eilish. Although these artists have been building momentum for years, many experienced breakthrough successes this year, putting pop music back on the map.
These artists have redefined the genre by breaking the so-called “pop star curse.” They’re moving away from predictable, catchy chord progressions and shining a spotlight on subgenres like hyperpop and synth-pop. While they’ve each been in the industry for some time, their recent surge in popularity has brought a wave of new listeners — including me — who are now fully aware of their creative talents and unique styles.
As you prepare for your Spotify wrapped, let’s reflect on some of the most exciting releases in pop music this year.
Ariana Grande’s “eternal sunshine”
After a four-year hiatus, Ariana Grande returned with her most experimental single yet. Starting off in January, she released “yes, and?”— a track that showcases her talent in a way we’re not used to. Love it or hate it, this song is a clear sign of her creative evolution. Unlike her radio-friendly hits, “yes, and?” incorporates ambient textures, layered vocals and an unconventional song structure. To me, it’s an immersive experience that proves she’s not afraid to stray from the familiar pop formulas.
Other favorites from this album include: “intro (end of the world),” “supernatural” and “imperfect for you.”
Sabrina Carpenter’s “Short n’ Sweet”
In April, Sabrina Carpenter secured the song of the summer early with her hit “Espresso.” Although this track is about as radio friendly as they come, her newest album features a variety of sounds.
Her brand now leans into tongue-in-cheek innuendos and playful humor — it’s refreshing to see an ex-Disney star embrace her sexuality so freely. A standout track from this album is “Don’t Smile.” Her soft vocals combined with piano, drums and reverb guitar show a side of her we haven’t heard before, making it one of my personal favorites.
Other favorites from this album include: “Sharpest Tool,” “Bed Chem” and “Dumb & Poetic.”
Charli XCX’s “Brat”
Since the release of “Brat” in June, Charli XCX has been on a six-month streak of immense success, bringing hyperpop further into the mainstream. Her songs lean into a more experimental nature, a catchy and chaotic sound with distorted vocal effects, unpredictable rhythms and electronic samples. In October, she released “Brat and it’s completely different but also still brat,” a remix album full of collaborations with a variety of pop artists, such as Shygirl, Lorde, Kesha, Caroline Polachek, Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish and Troye Sivan.
Other favorites from both albums include: “Sympathy is a knife,” “365 feat. Shygirl” and “Everything is romantic feat. Caroline Polachek.”
Are there any releases that stood out to you this year?
