The 10 Best Summer Songs of 2024

The Black Crowes have long reigned supreme as rock dynamos. If you’ve forgotten why, then listen to “Wanting and Waiting” from their latest album, Happiness Bastards. The track is infectious and celebratory, with a foot-tapping beat and gospel-inspired melodies. Chris Robinson’s voice is characteristically transcendent as he croons about a lost love.

If a co-sign from Beyoncé wasn’t enough to turn you into a Shaboozey fan, then his latest track certainly is. “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” samples J-Kwon’s 2004 hit, blending early-aughts hip-hop with Shaboozey’s country twang. The result? An irresistible summer anthem. His voice is piercing as he sings about letting loose with a double shot of whiskey. By the time the chorus hits, you’ll want to pour a glass and join him.

Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas’s artistry is on full display in “Birds of a Feather.” The light track explores the heft of love. From the opening line (“I want you to stay”) to the pre-chorus (“and I don’t know what I’m crying for / I don’t think I could love you more”), the song weaves together a story about eternal devotion. Addictive and sweet, it’s the perfect companion on a warm summer day.

“Not Like Us” is the best thing to come out of Kendrick Lamar and Drake’s viral spat. The biting track dives deeper into their beef, but honestly? That’s the least interesting part of it. It pays tribute to West Coast rap with a high-energy beat inspired by the Bay Area legend E40. Kendrick’s flow is precise and at times comical. It’s easy to understand why “Not Like Us” broke Spotify’s record for the most streamed rap song in one day. Kendrick is just that good.

Omar Apollo always brings a refreshing level of honesty to his music, but “Spite” may be his most skillful work to date. The uncensored track boasts a bouncy and laissez-faire attitude—but if you listen closely, you’ll find some brutally honest reflections, too. Somehow he’s managed to make heartbreak sound fun.

Brittany Howard is back and, dare I say, better than ever. “What Now” is the title track of her first album in five years—and it rocks. Howard lends her smoky vocals to a funky melody as she reflects on a complex relationship. “I don’t wanna confuse you for fulfillment,” she sings. “I don’t want to wonder what our love is.” Raise your hand if you can relate! Good. Now go ahead and groove to this beat.

Leave it to Green Day to transport us back to our youth—you know, when a summer fling was the best thing that could happen to you. “Bobby Sox” opens with a timeless question: “Do you want to be my girlfriend?” From there, Billie Jo Armstrong explains why you should. He’ll take you to the movies, kiss you at the cemetery, and bore you to death—though that seems unlikely. Press play and imagine yourself starring in a sweet summer romance.

“Misses” hails from Dominic Fike’s brief but bountiful album 14 Minutes. This sunny track feels fit for a day at the beach, but I’d advise playing it on a loop. (It’s just a minute and fourteen seconds long.) Though the track is quick, Fike makes the best of each moment—blending a groovy guitar with pulsating drums and his Floridian drawl.

Okay, fine—my TikTok for You page may have inspired this choice, but at least the algorithm led me to a genuinely talented artist. I’ll keep it short: Tommy Richman’s “Million Dollar Baby” is a synthesized delicacy. Let his plucky beat and nineties-inspired vocals lead you to the dance floor.

Buddy is climbing the ranks as a rap wunderkind. His single “Like This” is unlike (pun absolutely intended) anything else I’ve heard this year. Instead of leaning into overproduced and Auto-Tuned arrangements, he strips things back with a simple track and crystal-clear lyrics. It’s refreshing, inspired, and a true delight to listen to.