The world has been ending, although. Apocalypse is drained, and a part of the enjoyable of “Hell of a Experience” is that it type of understands that. We partied prefer it was 1999 and right here we nonetheless are. “Nonetheless name my ex woman after I go half loopy,” belts Brown. In occasions like these, who wouldn’t? –Will Gottsegen
Pay attention: Nourished by Time, “Hell of a Experience”
13.
Addison Rae: “Weight-reduction plan Pepsi”
The cultural thought of a Lana Del Rey music—attractive child, American flag, rap-lite beat—hasn’t actually aligned with the type of music Lana really makes for practically a decade now. Thank god, then, that Addison Rae sped into 2024 armed with “Weight-reduction plan Pepsi,” a Lana-type-beat that is as laconic, seductive, and conceptually mind-boggling as the actual deal. The core parts of the sound are all there—cheeks which might be “crimson like cherries within the spring,” product-placement-as-Americana, a dinky sense of poeticism pushing up in opposition to real, heart-rending craving—however Rae juices issues a bit of with shimmering chillwave synths and the type of startling, almighty key change that is been lacking from pop for years now. It is a confluence of brilliance and ridiculousness that made “Weight-reduction plan Pepsi,” and the concept of Rae as a real ascendant pop star, unimaginable to disregard this 12 months. An excellent star would play this music off with a wink; an incredible one, like Rae, performs it straight. –Shaad D’Souza
Pay attention: Addison Rae, “Weight-reduction plan Pepsi”
12.
Nick León / Erika de Casier: “Bikini”
Listening to “Bikini” appears like sipping a frothy French 95 whereas taking in a stunning last-day-of-vacation sundown. The slinky collaboration between Miami dance producer Nick León and Danish R&B experimentalist Erika de Casier conjures up its sun-dappled scene via walloping bass, hyaline synth melodies, and a sprightly tempo to match the music’s sunkissed lyrics, full with a deliciously memorable invitation of a hook: “Meet me on the seaside/It’s me within the bikini/The one I all the time put on/Discover me daydreaming,” de Casier coos, simply earlier than León pitch-shifts her phrases down right into a frantic, intoxicating demand. Who may probably say no? –Eric Torres
Pay attention: Nick León / Erika de Casier, “Bikini”
11.
Geordie Greep: “Holy, Holy”
The most recent Broadway manufacturing of Jesus Christ Celebrity stars Geordie Greep as SATAN, recent out of Hell in time for completely satisfied hour at LOCAL BAR, the place his transferable expertise from centuries of soul-snatching—seduction, manipulation, basic wickedness—meet their match in UNNAMED WOMAN, the silent object of his determined monologuing. Devil, it seems, is sort of lonely in Hell, which is why his pathetic pleas for banal connection are backed by a sprawling jazz-fusion ensemble. As his musings develop more and more delusional, the stage musicians tumble down a slippery slope starting with Boz Scaggs and ending with a scorched-earth tackle Return to Eternally’s The place Have I Identified You Earlier than. “We perceive that this sounds batshit loopy on paper,” executives concerned with the manufacturing stated in a press release, “which is why we’re happy to tell you that it sounds much more batshit loopy on stereo.” Simultaneous face-scrunching, ethical questioning, foot-tapping, and appreciation for advanced jazz chords, or your a refund, assured. –Sam Hyland