As summer comes to a close, the rhythms and beats of 2024’s music scene linger in the air, echoing familiar sounds of early 2000s pop, but this time with a fresh and modern twist. As temperatures escalated, so did the music, delivering a season of high energy. Whether lounging by the pool or cruising with the windows down, many will remember the summer of 2024 as a time when music reclaimed its crown, one chorus at a time.
“There’s mostly pop music this summer, the radio stuff,” Bailey Reynolds (12) said. “‘Recession pop’ they called it. It was something when the stock market crashed in the 2000s and everyone is saying we’re going back into it.”
Taking over billboard charts, some of these summer anthems found an even bigger stage on TikTok, where songs like Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso” and “Please Please Please” became viral sensations. With vibrant beats and catchy hooks, these tracks quickly became go-to sounds for many trending videos, fueling their popularity, but also their controversy. Many debates sparked as to whether the platform was helping or hurting the music scene; while many loved the energetic vibe, others felt they were overplayed and had no specific meaning.
“I think the difference between “Espresso” and “Please Please Please” is that “Espresso” was meant to just be a general pop, fun song, and “Please Please Please” was more specific to her, which I think is what makes [Sabrina Carpenter] herself in talking about her experiences,” Tilaha Hayes (12) said. “But I really stopped engaging with her stuff and I stopped seeing it as much.”
The buzz of summer music continued as Chappell Roan’s highly anticipated single, “Good Luck, Babe!” emerged and captured the attention of music fans. Her new track blended pop melodies with a distinct edge, drawing listeners with its sounds and bold lyrics. Receiving 7 million streams in its first week, the track hit Spotify’s top 10 and the Billboard Hot 100, growing her monthly listeners by more than 500%.
“Chappell Roan is a completely different sound … an 80s sound but more modern,” Ollie Hale (11) said. “I think it’s amazing. I think that she realized the vibe needs to be more upbeat and not mostly on a sadder side. With the new side, there’s a mix of sappy stuff.”
Then in early June, Charli XCX continued to push the boundaries of pop with the release of her album “BRAT.” Charli delivered a collection that blended hyperpop energy with rebellious themes, capturing the spirit of the season. However, its release did not come without its share of drama. Taylor Swift entered the picture dropping another version of her album “The Tortured Poets Department,” causing the public to question its strategic timing in overshadowing Charli’s rise to No. 1 in the UK. However, “BRAT” became a standout with its techno instrumentals, quickly debuting at No. 2 on the UK album charts and No. 3 on the Billboard 200 charts.
“Charli is bringing back electronic music and everyone is saying she’s bringing indie sleaze,” Reynolds said. “It’s upbeat and it’s not sad. I think it’s perfect and it takes you to the club.”
The music scene did not stop there – Megan Thee Stallion released her album, “MEGAN,” on June 28, 2024, adding more waves to the summer season. Accompanied by her “Hot Girl Summer Tour,” the album continued featuring her snake-themed tracks like “HISS” and “Rattle,” each showcasing her unique flow to music. As she toured across the country, these songs became a key part of the summer’s soundtracks.
“[Adaria and I] went to go see [Megan Thee Stallion’s concert],” Reynolds said. “The atmosphere was really good, all the girls were so nice and they were complimenting my outfit. Megan was up there having a lot of fun.”
GloRilla then made her mark with the release of her single “TGIF” on June 21, 2024. The track, designed to capture the energy of weekend vibes, quickly became a hit because of TikTok trends and live performances during Megan Thee Stallion’s “Hot Girl Summer Tour.” Many people agreed that her high-energy music video, “TGIF” showcased GloRilla’s ability to craft hits that resonate across different platforms.
“I like that [GloRilla] kind of experimented with beats that aren’t beat heavy,” Hayes said. “She also really tapped into her anime lover side with her album and I think that’s cool; not many people in rap do that these days.”
From viral tracks that took TikTok by storm to albums that represented many unique genres with creativity, the music of the summer hit all the right notes, creating a playlist that kept many people’s feet moving, faces smiling and spirits flying.
“Summer is such a bright, happy feel,” Hale said. “It definitely is a pattern. [The artists’] sounds feel so new but so old at the same time. I love it.”
