Top 50 of 2024 / #35-31: An Illusion, The Devil and Moods

We are rocketing towards the top 20. We have some artists who have been on past top 50s, more Aussie music and a new top 50 artist. We also hit a number of different genres in this block, which shows how 2024 was a great year for music across the board. Let’s get into it.

35. Dua Lipa: Illusion

From Barbie to the clubs, Dua Lipa has had a busy few years. Illusion is one of the last pop tracks to lean into the disco influence craze of the past few years. This is a pure pop track with high energy, a hook that will burrow into your brain and some excellent bass lines. Anyone with a soul will have to dance to this track and some cool post production effects on her vocal makes this one of the best dance tracks of 2024.

34. Amigo the Devil: I’m Going to Heaven

Amigo the Devil is an enigmatic folk artist who is an excellent storyteller who exists on the fringes of that genre. An incredibly creative writer, Amigo gets into the murder ballad sub genre about a man who goes into the afterlife to get his revenge. Death, drugs and spirituality…all the hallmarks of Amigo’s music. He has a great passion in his vocal and this is one of the best murder ballads out there and resembles some of Nick Cave’s best work.

33. Little Simz: Mood Swings

Little Simz made past top 50 lists with her smooth Lauryn Hill – esque flow. On this track the British artist takes on electro industrial punk with her stoic bars and sharp electronic beats. It’s kind of like Nine Inch Nails meets Missy Elliott…this may seem difficult to wrap your head around, but it makes for high energy hip hop. I love it when artists take risks and evolve and this risk pays off huge.

32. Mannequin Pussy: I Got Heaven

Mannequin Pussy has been hovering around the top 50 for a few years, but this is their first time on the list. I Got Heaven is a good old 90s punk track with some blistering synth and vocal effects mixed in. Marissa “Missy” Dabice’s raw and ethereal vocals rip through the track and simultaneously depict sexual acts with angels, while also questioning religion. The raw energy in this track is off the charts and it is great to know that punk isn’t dead.

31. Troy Cassar-Daley: Old Road Home

Australian Indigenous country music icon Troy Cassar-Daley released an introspective record about country and mortality. Old Road Home talks about the land that he loves and how it changed over time. Some of the road home is comforting and recognisable, while others are new and unknown. This track speaks to how when we get older we are drawn to the familiar aspects of home. Even though it changes, it will always be home.