The world has been ending, although. Apocalypse is drained, and a part of the enjoyable of “Hell of a Trip” is that it type of understands that. We partied prefer it was 1999 and right here we nonetheless are. “Nonetheless name my ex woman once I go half loopy,” belts Brown. In occasions like these, who wouldn’t? –Will Gottsegen
Pay attention: Nourished by Time, “Hell of a Trip”
13.
Addison Rae: “Weight loss program Pepsi”
The cultural concept of a Lana Del Rey tune—horny child, American flag, rap-lite beat—hasn’t actually aligned with the type of music Lana really makes for almost a decade now. Thank god, then, that Addison Rae sped into 2024 armed with “Weight loss program Pepsi,” a Lana-type-beat that is as laconic, seductive, and conceptually mind-boggling as the true deal. The core components of the sound are all there—cheeks which can 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 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 loss program Pepsi,” and the concept of Rae as a real ascendant pop star, not possible to disregard this yr. A very good star would play this tune off with a wink; an incredible one, like Rae, performs it straight. –Shaad D’Souza
Pay attention: Addison Rae, “Weight loss program 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 by way of walloping bass, hyaline synth melodies, and a sprightly tempo to match the tune’s sunkissed lyrics, full with a deliciously memorable invitation of a hook: “Meet me on the seashore/It’s me within the bikini/The one I at all times put on/Discover me daydreaming,” de Casier coos, simply earlier than León pitch-shifts her phrases down right into a frantic, intoxicating demand. Who might presumably say no? –Eric Torres
Pay attention: Nick León / Erika de Casier, “Bikini”
11.
Geordie Greep: “Holy, Holy”
The latest Broadway manufacturing of Jesus Christ Celebrity stars Geordie Greep as SATAN, recent out of Hell in time for blissful hour at LOCAL BAR, the place his transferable expertise from centuries of soul-snatching—seduction, manipulation, normal wickedness—meet their match in UNNAMED WOMAN, the silent object of his determined monologuing. Devil, it seems, is kind 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 Recognized You Earlier than. “We perceive that this sounds batshit loopy on paper,” executives concerned with the manufacturing stated in an announcement, “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
