The 150 Best Songs of 2024 So Far
The best releases from Korean, Japanese, Chinese, and Thai artists!
Things to Know First
Because these lists have been in the works for weeks, and because they are meant to focus on the best of the first half of the year only, anything released after June was not eligible.
For the sake of variety, each artist was allowed no more than two slots on this list. However, subunit and solo songs were treated as being from separate artists. For example, TEN was eligible for up to two solo songs on this list AND up to two songs as a member of WayV.
These are NOT ranked (although I have separated the top twenty from the rest) but will be ranked on the end-of-year list!
The Top Twenty
#1: aespa, “Supernova”: An explosive electro-pop number that is both nostalgic and personalized; it utilizes an eighties sample while adding new lyrics that convey aespa’s trademark confidence and character.
#2: Bodyslam & Jeff Satur, “Scar”: A wailing rock ballad that “both agonizes and marvels over how permanent a trace of past love can remain on one’s psyche...” Read more here!
#3: COME, “LOSE”: One of those perfect pop songs for both its finished product and its individual components.
#4: D.O., “About Time”: A stunning piano ballad that ties together themes and phrases from the songs that precede it on the album; a thoughtful song in both words and sound.
#5: DPR IAN, “SAINT”: A classic example of how this remarkable artist transports listeners into a new world with immersive and free-form listening experiences.
#6: IVE, “Accendio”: With alluring and in-control vocals, a well-done blend of drums and synths, and an original title choice, “Accendio” perfectly captures IVE’s essence and appeal. Inspired by “accendium,” a term that refers to lighting a flame, IVE have coined a new term that sounds like a magical, spark-generating spell. The spell-casting theme is literal in the corresponding music video and metaphorical in terms of the song’s mystical aura and the group’s charm; “Accendio” is a classically IVE song that sums up their fictional story at the same time as it accurately frames their real image.
#7: IVE, “HEYA”: A personality-packed pop song with periodic pauses for piano notes, beat drops, and sassy interjections!
#8: Jeff Satur, “Almost over you”: The kind of acoustic ballad that can never get old and has nothing to dislike about it! Jeff Satur conveys the pain of someone post-breakup with sincerity and marvelous skill.
#9: milet, “bliss”: milet’s voice rises and falls with perfect timing; the many instruments that accompany her all know and stay in their proper places to make for a rich but not cluttered sound.
#10: milet, “Wings”: A varied ballad with spectacular high notes and helpful words of wisdom.
#11: MILLENIUM PARADE, “GOLDENWEEK”: An intoxicating instrumental and synthesized voice are the perfect soundtrack for the song’s inventive, CGI-movie-style music video.
#12: PURPLE KISS, “BITTER SWEET”: While they sing about someone who acts sweet one minute and bitter the next, PURPLE KISS fittingly go back and forth between sounding assertive and flirtatious, impressively doing so without hurting the song’s momentum.
#13: Sakurazaka46, “Hikikomorujikanhanai”: Empathetic advice-giving about stepping out of one’s comfort zone, paired with a flute sound that is bound to get stuck in listeners’ heads!
#14: Sakurazaka46, “Jigoujitoku”: A romp through an industrial-rock/electro-pop playground that suits the intense emotional wounds about which they sing.
#15: SEVENTEEN, “MAESTRO”: An astounding incorporation of seven older SEVENTEEN songs into a new and nimble anthem.
#16: Tokyo Girls’ Style, “Falling love na toki”: With an intro, instrumental interlude, and outro, “Falling love na toki” feels full and unrushed, yet it stays briskly-paced and has periodic jolts of extra energy. The sound is polished with sweet harmonies that suit the topic: cherishing today’s time together so that tomorrow can be “wrapped in smiles.” One couldn’t ask for a more pleasant delivery of the classic advice that it is better to love and lose than never love at all!
#17: TXT, “Deja Vu”: A classic example of what TXT do best: find the perfect sonic equivalent of a complex emotional state.
#18: TXT, “Miracle”: This song is about a miraculous tomorrow that “can only be seen with closed eyes,” an indirect reference to a key quote from this era’s inspiration, The Little Prince. TXT sing about finding happiness through appreciating intangibles, like curiosity and friendship, and they do so in ways replete with callbacks to their other songs. “Miracle” is a moving song that refers to the past, is about cherishing the present, and envisions a brighter tomorrow. It is a very moving and meaning-packed song that has a perfect home with a group named TOMORROW X TOGETHER, and with a group that has always simultaneously tackled topics like keeping the faith and directly confronting difficulties. “Miracle” is both a definitive song for TXT as a group and a profound, resonant song outside of their specific story, and it is the current front-runner for Song of the Year.
#19: tripleS, “Girls Never Die”: “Lalala”s and a pop instrumental make for a clever, deceptive delivery of a meaningful message.
#20: WENDY, “His Car Isn’t Yours”: A beautiful ballad with clever dual interpretations of its title.
The Rest of the List
#21: A.C.E, “Supernatural”: The kind of classic boy band song that makes those who can’t whistle along wish they could!
#22: AKB48, “Koi Tsunjatta”: Bubblegum J-pop goodness about being so over crushes; an ultimate girls’ night playlist addition!
#23: AKMU, “Answer Me”: Youthful analogies are used to admit to a crush in a novel and adorable way.
#24: AKMU, “Hero”: A sweet and innocent love song bound to provoke a smile.
#25: ATARASHII GAKKO!, “Superhuman”: One of the group’s highest-quality songs to date, with their typical raucous sound given a surf-rock tilt at the same time as their vocals become more streamlined; a tweaking of their musical formula in a way that shows both their adventurous and less out-there instincts.
#26: ATEEZ, “NOT OKAY”: A climactic single that is ATEEZ’s best Japanese release to date.
#27: Ayumu Imazu, “BANDAGE”: An uber-catchy, danceable delivery of a brutally honest message about the need to seize the day!
#28: Ayumu Imazu ft. MAX, “Obsessed”: Self-deprecating but good-spirited comments on how easily some people fall in love.
#29: BABYMONSTER, “LIKE THAT”: A whistle-starring standout B-side that allows this group to show off their vocal talent in a way they never have before.
#30: BOYNEXTDOOR, “Earth, Wind & Fire”: A fittingly frenetic approach to singing about crush-related nerves, complete with the perfect sound effects!
#31: BREIMEN, “LUCKY STRIKE”: A fearless instrumental joyride, with head-spinning rapping and drumming and surprisingly seamless saxophone accompaniment.
#32: Cha Eun-Woo, “STAY”: A song with a lasting emotional impact and a great arrangement, starting and ending with just guitars and incorporating drums later, so the song has movement and balance.
#33: CHUU, “Strawberry Rush”: A soundtrack fit for a video or computer game that uses cute lyrics and sound effects to depict CHUU as the main character!
#34: cross-dominance & eill, “All I Want”: Horns, a piano, and a choir all meaningfully contribute to this lively, clap-along-ready number.
#35: DAY6, “Get The Hell Out”: Grunge-inspired rock that disarms by painting DAY6 in a new, more rugged light.
#36: DAY6, “HAPPY”: A new-to-DAY6 mix of rock subgenres with a hopeful message about better days ahead.
#37: Diana Wang, “BAD”: Where the soul of the BAD EP lies; it lays out the main message through beautiful vocals and a lovely piano instrumental.
#38: DK ft. Punch, “Little Bird”: Clever uses of a bird metaphor describe what it’s like to be famous.
#39: DOYOUNG, “Lost In California”: A playlist addition for top-down car rides that has a breezy pop-rock style but surprisingly substantive lyrics.
#40: DUSTCELL ft. Tanaka, “Nighthawk”: A sonic roller coaster that goes down delightfully zigzagging paths!
#41: EPEX, “Youth2Youth”: A wholesome story of friendship that heightens its uplifting nature with a 20-person choir joining for the crescendo.
#42: Epik High, “ANTIHERO”: A subversive take on haters and self-made myths.
#43: Epik High, “LATE CHECKOUT”: A clever analogy is used to describe life as neither about the journey nor the destination, but something between the two that a hotel room can represent.
#44: EVNNE, “UGLY”: A great choice for a rookie group’s impressionable focus track, with strong tech-house beats mixed with R&B influences.
#45: from20, “Demon”: A pop bop with a catchy post-chorus whistle and subtle details, like a backup vocal layer towards the end, that increase the satisfaction of the listening experience.
#46: FUMON & Marz23, “I’m Willing”: As guitars and drums warily chug along, these artists sing about feeling trapped in their all-consuming thoughts and strike a chord with those who seek company in a heavy headspace.
#47: FUMON, “Nothing Matter”: An aching rock song with the warranted roughness and raw feelings.
#48: (G)I-DLE, “Doll”: A vindictive dose of melodrama with a dark and defiant tone.
#49: (G)I-DLE, “Super Lady”: A great opening number option for the group’s now-arena-sized concerts!
#50: Hikaru Utada, “Naniirodemonai Hana (A Flower of No Color)”: Thought-provoking, poetically-put commentary.
#51: HIROMITSU KITAYAMA, “THE BEAST”: An unnecessary but welcome dose of melodrama!
#52: HIROMITSU KITAYAMA, “TOTONOTTE”: An EP’s ending done right, mixing traits from all the previous songs into a colorful cornucopia!
#53: Hui, “Hmm BOP”: A mix of zaniness and pure talent!
#54: H1-KEY, “Let It Burn”: A rock and boom-bap hip-hop hybrid with both personal and universally relatable feelings.
#55: Ian Chan, “Thank You Postman”: An “acoustic guitar-driven number [with] lyrics reminiscent of an elementary school student’s love poem…” Read more here!
#56: ICHILLIN’, “BITE ME”: An attitude and equally bold beat make for a winning combination, with the added benefit of a dance-break-ready chorus!
#57: ILLIT, “Magnetic”: Connective tissue for ILLIT’s debut EP that also feels complete on its own, with every second sounding smooth yet carefully curated.
#58: ILLIT, “Midnight Fiction”: A vivid and imaginative description of the scenes of which the members’ literal and metaphorical dreams consist.
#59: imase, “Shine Out”: A song about life being “A one-shot story” and therefore worth dancing through even in periods of turmoil!
#60: imase, “Utopia”: A welcome reminder of the myriad ways beauty can be made out of broken things.
#61: iScream, “Koisuru Planet”: A retro number with a potential catch phrase that has lasting power!
#62: ITZY, “Dynamite”: A classically ITZY showcase of great group synergy and delightfully sassy delivery!
#63: IU ft. HYEIN, Joe Won Sun, & Patti Kim, “Shh..”: An enigmatic tale told through multiple narrators in a way that makes listeners feel like they’re being let in on a special secret!
#64: IU, “Love wins all”: A gorgeous, romantic ballad that fits IU’s voice like a glove.
#65: Jeremy Lee ft. Serrini, “Rise in Love”: An interesting back-and-forth, both in terms of whose perspective the lyrics take on and whose turn it is to sing.
#66: Jess Lee, “Burn (Reborn)”: A song that builds on itself, starting with the sound of a crackling fire, gradually adding more elements to the soundscape, and ramping up the intensity by the time the second chorus commences.
#67: j-hope & HUH YUNJIN of LE SSERAFIM, “i don’t know”: A trilingual song that sets an interesting tone from the outset with its opening monologue.
#68: JUD, “False Reality”: A mellower-than-expected dance song featuring breathy and unique vocals.
#69: JUNHA PARK, “The Fastest Transportation”: A shimmy-worthy and road trip-worthy gem, with jaunty guitars and choruses with which it is easy to sing along!
#70: JxD, “Last night”: A Moonbahton song with narratively rich context and voices that fully stay in character.
#71: KEN THE 390 & GO UEKI, “Blaze Your Heart”: A funky synthesizer coats the entirety of this bizarre but great rock/orchestral/rap enigma!
#72: Kenshi Yonezu, “Mainichi - Every Day-”: Lots of fun, with a “rollicking piano and bouncy beat [that] are worthy of the dancers’ relentless exuberance...” Read more here!
#73: Kik50, “Pretty Revenge”: An earworm with incredible vocal skill and range.
#74: Kimberley Chen, “Love Me More”: A dark scene-setter, complete with eerie echoes and instruments that scream alongside Kimberley!
#75: Kimberley Chen, “Say What”: The rising action that the corresponding album deserves, with powerful drums and Kimberley’s voice amplified by a choir.
#76: Kimos ft. YongYong, “Stitches”: A smooth, underrated song with cool left-to-right and right-to-left spacial qualities when listening with headphones!
#77: KISS OF LIFE, “Midas Touch”: A throwback to the sound of early-aughts girl groups, personalized with self-referential lyrics.
#78: LA POEM, “Mirror”: A song that brings “the needed passion and strength to the topic of love’s irresistible pull…” Read more here!
#79: LA POEM, “Rose”: A fluid orchestral number with a particularly note-worthy, string-led bridge.
#80: LE SSERAFIM, “EASY”: An R&B/trap hybrid in which LE SSERAFIM creatively and wisely sing about the illusion that is believing what’s worth having must have come easily.
#81: Lee Seung Gi, “Desire to fly”: A beautiful ballad about being able to chase even bigger and brighter dreams after enduring a dark, isolated period.
#82: LeeHi, “My Beloved”: LeeHi’s iconic warble gives the right home to this ode to a lover.
#83: LIL LEAGUE from EXILE TRIBE, “Lollipop”: A zany reinterpretation of “In The Hall Of The Mountain King” by Edvard Grieg!
#84: LIL LEAGUE from EXILE TRIBE, “Monster”: A xikers-esque song that starts with a spooky laugh before a great guitar instrumental takes charge.
#85: LIM KIM, “ULT”: “‘ULT’ pairs traditional Korean instruments with a bold bass, the clanking of swords, and electronic additions to leave an impact as strong as LIM KIM’s commanding voice…” Read more here!
#86: LISA, “Rockstar”: A “run-through of LISA’s remarkable resume and range, bringing attention to both the local and global aspects of her popularity…” Read more here!
#87: MAZZEL, “Counterattack”: A pop song with highlights including catchy “Mmm”s and an applause-worthy high note!
#88: MIRROR, “Rocketstars”: An addictive instrumental and voices that convey contagious enthusiasm.
#89: miwa, “GIRL CRUSH”: A personal anthem that overflows with joy and a sense of freedom.
#90: Moon Byul, “Attention Seeker”: A pop-rock jam with electronic flourishes and blistering remarks.
#91: MXFRUIT, “so good so bad”: A spunky personal best with attention-grabbing horns and attention-holding voices.
#92: Nana Mizuki, “ADRENALIZED”: A bursting-at-the-seams, electronic/pop-rock jam.
#93: NAYEON, “ABCD”: A song that compels from start to finish and lets NAYEON reveal a new side to her solo image.
#94: NAYEON ft. JULIE of KISS OF LIFE, “Magic”: One of the best K-pop B-sides of 2024 so far! A Y2K-inspired, R&B should-be radio hit featuring two artists who have been shining at their brightest lately!
#95: NCT DREAM, “BOX”: A hip-hop/pop song with well-harmonized voices and an empowering message.
#96: NCT DREAM, “UNKNOWN”: A reassuring R&B song that reframes change as something to see potential in more than reasons to worry.
#97: NewJeans, “How Sweet”: Classic pop appeal mixed with NewJeans’s trademarks, like a relatively shy delivery and oodles of subtle earworm ingredients sprinkled throughout the instrumental.
#98: Nollflower, “Come true”: A song with an instrumental arrangement that impresses for both its breadth and structure.
#99: NuNew, “Unforgettable”: Lyrics are softly and sweetly sung in the style of a romantic poem.
#100: ONEWE, “Meteor Shower”: A twisty, detailed song about love as a source of light in the darkness.
#101: ONEWE, “Shoot It Out”: A power ballad of which the intensity rises with perfect timing.
#102: ONF, “Bye My Monster”: One of ONF’s strongest songs yet, in terms of lyrics, sound, and finishing touches (stick around for a particularly top-tier high note towards the end!).
#103: Osn & Patrick Brasca, “Hold On”: Dueling feelings are conveyed via dual languages in a cohesive and appealing way.
#104: OWV, “BREMEN”: A rousing, sound-effect-heavy song with an instrumental that’s great enough on its own; the vocals are just a nice bonus!
#105: PRETZELLE, “Cry More Baby”: “Over a catchy Jersey club beat and while dripping with contempt for their exes, the group stresses their resolve to not waste emotional energy on those who fail to see their worth…” Read more here!
#106: PURPLE KISS, “Heart Attack”: A song whose foundation rests on heavenly vocal layers.
#107: P1Harmony, “Countdown To Love”: An absolute blast to nod, foot-tap, jump, and dance along to!
#108: P1Harmony, “Let Me Love You”: Funky synths and swoon-worthy vocals; what’s not to like?!
#109: Red Velvet, “Bubble”: Alluring harmonies and lyrics that conjure up storybook imagery.
#110: Red Velvet, “Night Drive”: A smooth R&B/synth-pop blend with enchanting harmonies and imagery-prompting lyricism.
#111: Rei Yasuda, “Turn the Page”: A stellar performance from a powerhouse vocalist who shares wise words about soaking in every precious moment.
#112: RIIZE, “Boom Boom Bass”: A groovy disco-pop jam with, naturally, a rad bass line, as well as the perfect tempo for a dance routine!
#113: RIIZE, “Love 119”: A new take on “Emergency Room” by Izi that speaks to this up-and-coming group’s appeal.
#114: RM, “LOST!”: An ambiguous alt-pop ode to aimless wandering, trusting that the journey will always be more fruitful than the destination.
#115: RM ft. Little Simz, “Domodachi”: A jazz-infused, agile number with clever wordplay and rad guitar licks.
#116: SAAY, “DOMINO”: “Flexing her natural ability to suddenly change pitches, she describes herself as in the path of falling dominos, while those who wish her the worst take pleasure in watching them fall. Her palpable resentment is conveyed well through the interpretive dance routine…” Read more here!
#117: SEOLA, “Let’s Talk (Loneliness)”: A smart personification of loneliness and a song that contrasts nicely with the corresponding mini-album’s focus track.
#118: SEVENTEEN, “LALALI”: A song that is very on-brand for SEVENTEEN’s daring and boisterous hip-hop unit!
#119: Sheena Ringo, “as a human”: Dreamy harp-strumming accompanies insightful reflections on the concept of karma.
#120: Sheena Ringo, “closed truth”: A jazzy, distinguishable way to address the feeling of something exciting ending too soon.
#121: Sohyang ft. YDG, “BLESSING”: Sohyang’s heavenly voice (pun intended!) conveys deeply-felt feelings and avoids growing tedious thanks to YDG’s rap intermission.
#122: Solar, “Blues”: A performance during which Solar unleashes her full vocal power in ways that, by comparison, make it seem like she holds back on the mini-album’s other tracks.
#123: Solar, “But I”: A breakup ballad that quickly converts into a fast-paced, spirited ode to independence!
#124: STU48, “Ai no Omosa”: Coming-of-age feelings described in a unique way and with a chipper instrumental.
#125: SUHO, “Moonlight”: Nostalgic rock with a timeless message about shifting one’s point-of-view.
#126: SUHO, “Wishful Thinking”: Wistful lamenting about a day that seems “tangled beyond repair,” done in a throwback rock style for which SUHO is well-suited.
#127: SUPER★DRAGON, “Breakdown Anthem”: Epic bass, rap-like singing, and dashes of tambourines make for an adventurous and memorable EP standout.
#128: SUPER★DRAGON, “Gotta Keep It Going On”: An EDM banger with some out-of-left-field choices for instruments and sound effects!
#129: TRI.BE, “Diamond”: A motivational message delivered in the Afrobeats style that this group does well.
#130: TEN, “Dangerous”: TEN impressively switches in and out of a falsetto while singing in a swoon-worthy way about a high-stakes relationship.
#131: TEN, “Nightwalker”: An engaging song for both its fictional storytelling and electrifying instrumental.
#132: TWICE, “BLOOM”: An angelic harmony arrangement makes this JEONGYEON-penned, heartfelt R&B song all the more special!
#133: TWICE, “ONE SPARK”: A drum ‘n’ bass jam right in TWICE’s classic and globally-beloved wheelhouse.
#134: UVERworld, “High Light!”: After separately introducing EDM and rock components, they blend together, a flute and saxophone are tossed in for good measure, and listeners go on a short but sweet thrill ride!
#135: Vanillare, “Save Me”: An emotionally effective song with in-your-face guitars and headbang-worthy drumming.
#136: Vicky Chen, “Guiding Light”: “With guitars and strings faint enough to not overpower Vicky Chen’s angelic voice and a repeated synth twist that keeps things interesting, ‘Guiding Light’ is as pleasant to listen to as its lyrics are important to hear...” Read more here!
#137: Violette Wautier, “DANCING ON A GRAVEYARD”: A “catchy pop song with a strong sense of purpose...” Read more here!
#138: Xdinary Heroes, “Little Things”: A pop-punk tribute to young and foolish love.
#139: Xdinary Heroes, “UNDEFINED”: An idea for words to live by is offered alongside an instrumental that is equally invigorating.
#140: yanaginagi, “Ashita no Hanashi”: A peculiar tale told through versatile layers and an intense escalation in the bridge.
#141: yanaginagi, “Inochibi”: Rapid synths match the speed of her voice as she sings about there being no time to waste before embracing “The fire of life.”
#142: YANGDONGHWA, “Blackout”: A great but all-too-short rock song that shows vast potential in YANGDONGHWA’s solo career.
#143: YANGJEONGMAN, “Spooky”: Believable and well-earned confidence gets the synth, rock, and rap concoction it deserves!
#144: YooA, “Rooftop”: A quirky twist on a bird analogy, shared over a booming 808 bass.
#145: YOOK SUNGJAE, “Without you”: A pop-rock song for fans of WOODZ and DOHANSE that conveys deeply-felt resentment towards an ex.
#146: YUL2, “Obsession”: YUL2’s inimitable voice pulls off musical magic after being led into nicely with soft piano and strings.
#147: Yves, “DIORAMA”: Yves tries her hand at electro-R&B and pulls it off with flying colors; she strikes a nuanced tone somewhere between sultriness and moodiness, making her rendition of the song not easy to copy.
#148: ZICO & JENNIE, “SPOT!”: While ZICO sounds just like himself, JENNIE shows a previously unseen side to her charisma, and they prove to vibe well together with this carefree and party-ready hit!
#149: 4s4ki, “Magic sword”: The best kind of digital-distortion-driven pop!
#150: 10-FEET, “ggsanzen”: Two minutes and thirty seconds of loop-worthy, glitchy, rocking-out-with-reckless-abandon excitement!
COMING SOON: The Best Albums of 2024 So Far! Subscribe here to not miss the reveal!
More of the year’s best new music so far:
The Best K-Pop Music Videos of 2024, No. 50 - 26
The Best K-Pop Music Videos of 2024, No. 25 - 1
For even more music recommendations, revisit the “Best of 2023” lists!
The Top 100 Albums of 2023, Part Two