Cooper Hanigan '25

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

Almost nine months in, 2024 has continued to deliver in terms of music releases. From electro-pop to 70s-inspired soft rock, here are some of the best releases from this summer.

Clairo, Charm -- Singer-songwriter Claire Cottrill, better known as Clairo, is a well-established figure in the world of indie and pop music, having put out consistently great music since her mid-2010s breakout as a bedroom-pop superstar. Her first two albums, 2019’s Immunity and 2021’s Sling, showcased her immense skill as both a vocalist and songwriter, with her second album revealing considerable emotional and musical development. However, Cottrill’s music has always felt a bit rough around the edges, and she has not strayed from experimenting with her sound. Immunity was a rather straightforward indie-pop release, with electronic-influenced production from indie-darling producer Rostam Batmanglij, while Sling took Cottrill’s sound in a much more somber direction, with folky, stripped-back production from superstar producer Jack Antonoff. However, the third time’s the charm for Cottrill on her aptly-named third record; working in tandem with producer Leon Michels, Cottrill made Charm far more eclectic, groovy, and soulful than her previous releases, and the change suits Cottrill’s sound brilliantly. Charm has a sound that feels pulled straight out of a 70s soft-rock album, with wonderfully wistful instrumentation, soulful hooks, and a unique sound that stands out amidst the current musical landscape. Charm is an improvement on all fronts and establishes Cottrill as an artist who is not afraid to tweak her sound and experiment with new influences. Standout tracks include “Nomad,” “Second Nature,” and “Glory of the Snow.”

Charli xcx, Brat -- Now a well-established figure in the more experimental niches of pop and electronic music, industry veteran Charli xcx struck gold with her sixth studio album, Brat. Less an album than it was a cultural phenomenon, Brat debuted to rave reviews following its June 7 release, garnering acclaim and attention from both mainstream and niche audiences alike.

A beautifully crafted mix of pop, electronic music, and dance music, Brat is bold, in-your-face, and fearlessly unique. Alongside the album’s impressive musical impact and acclaim, Brat became the cultural moment of the summer, with everyone having their own form of a “Brat summer.” Focusing back on the music, Brat is probably Charli’s best project to date, with booming instrumentation from the likes of AG Cook, brash vocals and lyrics, and an all-around sense of confidence. With sticky hooks, a concise 41-minute runtime, and bangers throughout, Brat is a perfect microcosm of the bold, empowered, bratty aesthetic that it has come to define. Standout tracks include “Sympathy is a knife,” “360,” “B2b,” and “365.”

For an honorable mention, I would also like to give a shoutout to Magdalena Bay’s sophomore LP, Imaginal Disk, a breathtakingly beautiful and catchy synth-pop album that establishes the duo as one to watch in the future. Favorite tracks include “Killing Time,” “Death & Romance,” and “Fear, Sex.