Best New Tracks Of The Week: 9/15/2024
Had 30 songs on the shortlist this week, wish me luck.
5. Driver - Soccer Mommy
While Soccer Mommy has never really consistently dazzled me the way some of her singer-songwriter peers do, she is pretty good at delivering something consistently solid. That's the case with her second single of the year which features a punchy instrumental marked by brash cymbal clashes and a great guitar solo on the bridge. But even more than that, it's her killer vocals on the hook that really sell the song.
4. Ballet - The Garden
After loving the most recent Garden album WAY more than anything the eccentric pair had done before I'm glad to see them keeping their momentum up on this new single. They once again combine punk snarl, synthetic drums and dizzying production to serve up a short but incredibly memorable song that's just as punchy as it is catchy at every moment.
3. Dancing In The Flames - The Weeknd
While this may not have been the most predictable critical smash of the week, if this thing is the biggest hit of the next few months I won't be the least bit shocked. Frankly, I love this song all over in the same way I've loved so many of Abel's singles in the past. It's triumphant synth lead and irresistible hook bring together some of the stranger flavors of Dawn FM with the intangible pop instincts of After Hours. Another strong single from one of the best artists in popular music.
2. Run It - Clipping
In almost any other week this year, Run It would have been the best new track. Clipping aren't exactly reinventing the wheel here, though it's definitely one of their more lowkey songs. The grinding distortion occasionally takes over the instrumental but for the most part, it's steady drum machine backing Daveed's relentless bars. And what can I even say about his performance. Like most Clipping tracks it's hard to decide what's more impressive, the syllable bending simile-packed bars or the mind-melting pace and flows Daveed weaves them into.
1. Eusexua - FKA Twigs
Why did I ever have any doubt. Once again after a long absence, FKA Twigs has returned with a truly stunning lead single to her forthcoming album, which already has high potential to be among the best of 2025. Much like Cellophane, Eusexua is a stunning exploration of sonic space but one that is willing to fill that space both sonically and compositionally more than its predecessor. In collaboration with Eartheater, Twigs assembles another magnetic, futuristic landscape of R&B whose synthetic exterior beats with the heart of her stunning vocals underneath. What a song.
