The Resurgence of Capital-E Events in Music: A 2024 Retrospective
Music critics—myself included—have spent much of the past several years lamenting the decline of capital-“E” Events in music: no new superstars to crown, no more tentpole albums to unify us, and no more hits that can hold our attention for more than a day or two. However, 2024 provided a refreshing course correction for this narrative. Taylor Swift continued to dominate the charts and the culture, Charli XCX transformed into a global superstar with her track “BRAT,” and the months-long feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar produced not just a smash hit in “Not Like Us” but a pop-cultural saga whose ramifications will undoubtedly stretch into next year.
The Shift to Singles: A Personal Perspective
This year also marked a significant personal milestone for me—I welcomed a baby into my life. As a new parent, I found myself particularly grateful for one industry shift that has persisted: the predominance of singles. While there were albums that captivated me—Sabrina Carpenter’s “Short n’ Sweet” being a standout—my attention was often fractured. Thus, I consumed new music one song at a time. Here are some of my favorites from 2024.
“I Luv It” by Camila Cabello featuring Playboi Carti
Women in pop music had a historic amount of fun this year, and Camila Cabello’s latest album, “C, XOXO,” was an underappreciated highlight. The centerpiece of the record is “I LUV IT,” a strange and ecstatic track that lives somewhere in the long tail of the hyperpop wave. Many have speculated that some of Cabello’s stylistic gestures, like the frenzied chorus “I luv it, I luv it, I luv it, I luv it,” may even be indebted to Charli XCX or at least in conversation with “BRAT.” The song features a clever interpolation of Gucci Mane’s “Lemonade,” a warbly, incomprehensible guest appearance from Playboi Carti, and an abrupt beat shift that feels perfectly suited for a night at Berghain.
“Million Dollar Baby” by Tommy Richman
Sometimes songs blow up at warp speed due to industry marketing schemes, but in the case of “Million Dollar Baby,” the song’s irresistible nature speaks for itself. Richman, a twenty-four-year-old from Virginia, has been releasing music independently since 2016, but “Million Dollar Baby” made a splash for good reason. It’s a canny reimagination of syrupy Southern hip-hop, infused with the cadences and vocal inflections of R&B and soul, delivered with the quintessential blind swagger of a young white guy toeing the line between celebration and appropriation. The low, squelching funk of the beat paired with Richman’s high falsetto creates a uniquely perfect frequency that listeners are happy to hear again and again.
“Challengers” by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
Luca Guadagnino’s “Challengers,” a sports drama with comedic undertones and a sizzling love triangle, would not have achieved its tonal balance without the epic, propulsive score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. The film opens on a high-stakes tennis match, and after a quiet first minute, Reznor and Ross’s throttling, techno-informed title track kicks in, perfectly synchronized with the camerawork. This bracing introduction establishes a pairing that ultimately proves more successful than any of the film’s romances: the union of techno and tennis.
“Plutoski” by Future
Before my daughter was born in January, my husband and I promised each other we’d create a household where music was always playing. However, the reality of a baby’s nap schedule often left little room for music listening. My daughter has developed a fondness for jingles, with her favorite “song” being the two-second Netflix app startup noise. So when, at seven months, she seemed to connect with Future’s “Plutoski,” a highlight from his September release “Mixtape Pluto,” it felt like a small victory. The song embodies quintessential Future, with his mumbly, unbothered delivery over a sinister, skittering beat. My daughter responded in a way I imagine Future would admire: with a faint little bounce and a loose shake of her hands, a move just shy of proudly disinterested.
“Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar
This beef-ending smash hit emerged as an unlikely marvel: a defiantly West Coast track that turned into a national anthem, a club hit recorded by an angsty intellectual, and an angry, dense diatribe featuring an indelible hook. Produced by DJ Mustard, one of L.A.’s most influential rap producers, the beat’s finger-snapping—a West Coast signature—telegraphs regional pride and identity while making an implicit dig at Drake’s persistent style-hopping. It’s not an exaggeration to say this song changed the course of music history, and it remains a joy to listen to.
“The Tortured Poets Department” by Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift continues to be a force in the music industry, and her track “The Tortured Poets Department” exemplifies her ability to blend storytelling with catchy melodies. The song captures the essence of her lyrical prowess, weaving narratives that resonate with listeners on multiple levels. Swift’s knack for creating relatable yet profound lyrics ensures that her music remains relevant and impactful, solidifying her status as a modern-day icon.
As we navigate through 2024, it’s clear that the landscape of music is evolving. The resurgence of capital-E Events, the rise of singles, and the emergence of new talent all contribute to a vibrant and dynamic musical environment. Whether through the lens of personal experiences or broader cultural shifts, the music of this year has left an indelible mark, reminding us of the power and significance of sound in our lives.
