It’s a holiday tradition for us at Bandwagon to come together and discuss our favourite drops from the year that was. But given the different dispositions and tastes of our various staff members, this year’s picks proved to be an excitingly diverse assortment. Here are the songs that soundtracked the Bandwagon team's 2024.

Picks by Hidzir Junaini (staff writer):

Kendrick Lamar - ‘Not Like Us’

To call Kendrick Lamar's beef with Drake a “feud” would be inaccurate. A feud implies a rivalry among equally matched competitors. K. Dot versus Drizzy was a prolonged, one-sided beatdown. Round after round, Lamar verbally decimated and lyrically embarrassed Drake en route a landslide victory. In the aftermath of 'meet the grahams' (already one of the most scathingly contemptuous songs in history), Lamar landed a club-friendly coup de grâce with 'Not Like Us', a vicious DJ Mustard-produced knockout blow of obscenely clever double (sometimes triple) entendres that has already entered the pantheon of legendary diss tracks alongside Nas' 'Ether' and Tupac's 'Hit 'Em Up'.

Geordie Greep - ‘Holy, Holy’

While it is sad that the black midi frontman has no plans to return to his revered experimental band, the sheer ambitious scope of his solo project is a fine consolation. Geordie Greep’s latest album The New Sound is extraordinary and there’s no better example of his audacious musicality than its lead single ‘Holy, Holy’. Blending elements of post-punk, prog, funk, and Latin jazz fusion with theatrical grandeur - this structurally peculiar yet overwhelmingly satisfying song is a freewheeling deconstruction of an insecure man’s bloated ego. From its uncanny arrangement to its delightfully acidic narrative, ‘Holy, Holy’ is a jaw-dropping achievement.

Picks by Paolo Abad (contributing writer):

aespa - ‘Supernova’

Immediately from the hook going “사건은 다가와 Ah, Oh” (Event’s imminent), we knew we had Song of the Year material in our hands in all its chrome-plated, camp-laden glory.

It has been quite the year for aespa’s Karina, Giselle, Ningning and Winter, with a straight trifecta of singles including ‘Whiplash’ as well as ‘Supernova’ and the eponymous title track from their first full-length, Armageddon. But in this collision course of extraterrestrial bodies, it’s really the extraordinary ‘Supernova’ that could withstand the cataclysm and send shockwaves that no one “can’t stop, hyperstellar.”

RIIZE - ‘Impossible’

The House of SM Entertainment has a grand tradition of… well, house music gems, including SHINee’s ‘View’ and f(x)’s ‘4 Walls.’ RIIZE’s ‘Impossible’ walks in the footsteps of these super-swung numbers and rides on its four-on-the-floor beat to take it to euphoric pop heights. While mini-album RIIZING has its share of bangers like ‘Love 119’ and primary carrier single ‘Boom Boom Bass’, this sunset-drenched heater is an anthem that shines even in the afterglow.

Yves – ‘Loop’ (feat. Lil Cherry)

Much has been said about the music of the post-LOONA Liberation era: that even as boundary-pushing the girls’ music as twelve is, in this new age, they’ve given the world some of the best and most thrilling tunes in their storied career. For Yves, one of two members who chose the solo path (with PAIX PER MIL, the label founded by esteemed producer MILLIC), ‘LOOP’ is as zeitgeisty as it can get as she tinkers with a club-forward, underground-reverent vernacular (fellow stan f5ve’s social media manager, probably: “Did someone say ‘Underground’?”). But it’s a stunning (re)debut for a dance maven like herself, a (not-quite former) idol feeling at home in the labyrinthine rhythms: “I’m lost but I like it.”

Picks by Ginny Palma (contributing writer):

Ayumu Imazu - ‘Obsessed’

For a while I thought this would be my top streamed song of the year, especially with how early in the year it dropped and latched onto me.  Extremely charming with how easy it is to groove to its equally catchy lyrics and melody. Even if you’ve never had a similar affliction befall you, this song might just be what you’d end up getting impossibly be obsessed with. 

SPYAIR - ‘Orange’

‘Orange’ is a sports anime theme song at its finest, and I love how it perfectly captures the spirit of the movie it was written for (I can’t deny that my love for Haikyuu!! also colours my love for this song) and at the same time fits where the band stands at this point in time, while of course serving as an anthem fans can apply to their own lives. The use of orange imagery in the lyrics throughout the song is consistently poetic – from the horizon that greets the sunset, to the bittersweet taste of finally experiencing a moment that you don’t want to end. Ultimately, it’s a song that gives you courage, and more importantly, the desire to keep facing another day. 

Yorushika - ‘晴る’ (Haru, Sunny)

Yorushika’s always awed with their superb instrumentation and lyricism, and this year’s ‘Sunny’ in particular left me absolutely breathless. What stands out for me is how the cheerful spring in the melody coupled with the power in suis’ voice in this sounds so resolute, but then she’s singing about a bright future with an underlying sadness somewhere – one that is never devastating, but exists like the passage of time. I appreciate how this song doesn’t deny grief but shows its place beside hope and love. It feels like a very long journey you take with yourself, and for this reason the last line being sung acapella always hits me straight in the gut.

Picks by Nash Farhan (editorial intern):

The Marías - ‘No One Noticed’

'No One Noticed' by The Marías is a poignant reflection on emotional detachment and the loneliness of modern relationships. María Zardoya's delicate, ethereal vocals perfectly capture the ache of invisibility, with lyrics like "Maybe I lost my mind, no one noticed" conveying a deep sense of exhaustion and longing. The song’s themes of feeling unseen and yearning for connection are amplified by its understated production, where a low-tempo guitar and subtle drum patterns create an atmospheric soundscape mirroring the instability of the protagonist’s emotions. With its haunting melody and introspective lyrics, 'No One Noticed' showcases The Marías' talent for blending raw emotion with a dreamy, cinematic sound, resonating with listeners navigating the complexities of love and isolation in the digital age.

The Story So Far - ‘Letterman’

'Letterman' by The Story So Far is a powerful blend of raw emotion and melodic intensity, showcasing the band's evolution while staying true to their pop-punk roots. Parker Cannon’s vulnerable lyrics delve into themes of self-doubt, regret, and longing, delivered with a sincerity that resonates deeply. Musically, the track balances driving guitars and a steady rhythm section, creating a sense of urgency that amplifies its cathartic feel. Both reflective and energetic, 'Letterman' bridges the band's earlier explosive style with a more mature sound, making it a standout that continues to connect with fans on an emotional level even though the running meme is that Parker Cannon would always stand still in his live shows with fans begging him to at least do a jump.