Arts Vanity: A Reaction to My Top Songs of 2024 (LIVE)

Can I be honest with you? As I sit here under fluorescent lights in a library that shall not be named (Lamont) studying for a final I am far from ready for (Corporate Finance), I realize that this vanity was due 15 minutes ago. Not great planning on my part, I know, but we all have our flaws. For a moment, I considered repeating my vanity from last year and showing you my monthly playlists. But that would be boring. Lame, even. And so, as I stare at the ceiling trying to come up with an idea that will be both easy for me to write and interesting for you to read, it hits me: I have yet to listen to the “Your Top Songs 2024” playlist that Spotify created for me earlier this month.

The haters will say, “Najya, that’s the same thing as showing them your monthly playlists.” The haters are wrong. Last year, I cherry-picked the tracks from my playlists that made me seem cool. (I’ll admit it!) But this time, I have no control. This time, I will hit shuffle and react as I hear the music that made up most of the 89,679 minutes I spent with my headphones on this year. Personally, I am nervous — this is a vulnerable moment for me — but I don’t have time to back out. I need to keep studying. Do you promise not to judge?

First up is…

“For Emma” by Bon Iver — Awww. Wait, I'm going to cry. I do love this song. “For Emma, forever ago.” AWWWW.

“Steeeam” by Shelly — I’m honestly a bit surprised to hear this one. I didn’t realize I listened to it that much. I like it though!

“All My Fault” by Devon Again — Yesssss. I love the instrumentals on this one. Those drums!

“cherry cola” by Devon Again — Can you tell Devon Again was one of my top artists? This is the perfect song to scream the words to while you jump up and down. I would totally do that right now but I’m in the library. :(

“How To Never Stop Being Sad” by dandelion hands — Buzzkill!!! But unsurprising. Yes, this song actually is on my Top Songs playlist every year. Yes, I can recite every word. This is not a cry for help!

“Sofa King” by Royel Otis — Groovy. I love a play on words. “You’re so fucking gorgeous.” Sofa king. Get it?

“Lean 4 Real” by Playboi Carti feat. Skepta — Carti doing his thing. The Skepta verse is insane, though.

“wonder if you care” by flyingfish — A bit of shoegaze. I had a lot of “lay in the sun” time with this song this summer. Good memories.

“10x Stronger” by Dominic Fike — This is such a beautiful song, I just wish it was longer!

“SIN MIEDO” by JPEGMAFIA — Oh yeah. What a song. What an album! The electric guitar is insane.

“Good God” by Daffo — The vocals on this— or any song by Daffo — scratch my brain just right. Good God!

“Get Wid Lemonade” by [Kyle Davis] — Ewwwwwww! This remix is nasty. The Jeff Lorber sample? Tay-K? Perfection.

“To the Mountains” by Lizzie McAlpine — This song is so cute. The humming makes me happy. Wishing I was somewhere in the mountains right now.

“Fuck Love” by XXXTENTACION feat. Trippie Redd — This is such a highschool song for me, but it’s so good. The beat stuttering about a minute in is delicious.

“Femme Fatale” by The Velvet Underground feat. Nico — This calms my soul. And I like the Warhol banana on the cover.

“Tailor Swif” by A$AP Rocky — When I hear this song, all I can think about is the music video. Easily one of my favorite videos of all time. It’s so crazy, but it somehow makes perfect sense. Highly recommend watching it.

“Angelina” by Pinegrove — I wrote about my love for Pinegrove a few weeks ago. The first 15 seconds of this song is unmatched. “Whaaaaaaaaaaaaa.”

“Slugs” by Slow Pulp — This song is so summer. Listening to it when it’s so cold feels wrong. But it’s so beautiful.

“icantbelieveiletyougetaway” by aldn — The scream at the beginning does it for me every time.

“500lbs” by Lil Tecca — Ayeeeee. This is the perfect song to walk to. It puts the pep in your step.

“ATLiens” by Outkast — Classic. Shout out Atlanta! The way they say “air” and “care” is so satisfying.

“Persimmon” by The Army, The Navy — This entire album is indescribable. I could listen to these harmonies forever.

“Never Meant” by American Football — This was a big midwest emo year for me. It was also a big math rock year, so this song is a great combination of both. The guitar line is just. Wow.

“even when the sun is dead, will you tell them how hard i tried” by glaive — Banger! Literally. About a minute and 15 seconds in, you simply have to move your head. I look like a crazy person in the library right now.

“Die Trying” by Key Glock — This beat is so awesome. “I'ma get rich or die tryin'.” So motivating!

Okay! That was about a quarter of my playlist but, unfortunately, I need to lock back in. I promise that the other 75 songs are equally as amazing as these. Thank you for accompanying me on this journey. Until next time…

—Outgoing Music Executive and incoming Editor-at-Large Najya S. Gause is going to be okay. Right? Send her words of encouragement or ask for song recommendations at najya.gause@thecrimson.com.