Ritmo 2024: my favorite songs
Music that adorned my year.
For those who don’t know, this newsletter started in 2020 with music recommendations during the pandemic (recommending songs was my way of hugging my friends from far away during the quarantine isolation). My analyses grew, branching into other realms, and I decided to write about culture and the zeitgeist while always nourishing your ears with the music I’m loving at the moment. That’s why I’ve decided to write about the 30 songs I enjoyed the most this year.
And let’s face it… music dominated the culture of 2024. Fan clubs drove the music market and even influenced many brands to return to investing in strategies involving music, art, and culture as a whole. And that’s beautiful! Seeing music so vibrant, holding a significant space in culture, and inspiring new generations to create their own identities is truly remarkable.
About the selection: I don’t believe in “best of the year” lists. That’s just clickbait nonsense. Here are the songs that set the rhythm for the year. Music beautifies our time in the same way objects create an aesthetic in our room. Grab your headphones and come with me. I hope these songs touch you in some way too.
30 Stayin here by Astrid Sonne
Astrid Sonne blurs the line between organic and electronic, creating a unique, deep and brilliant sound universe. The album becomes an introspective experience within yourself to find hope in solitude.
29 Organs by Molina & ML Bunch
ML Bunch is one of my favorite artists of this decade. She created a unique and intense sound that, in this song, combines with Molina's sonic power to create an epic song.
28 Avenida Sem Saída by Antônio Neves & Guigui
Antônio Neves is one of the multi-instrumentalists and producers I admire the most. In this song, he creates a melancholic outburst, translating the feeling of being Brazilian today.
27 One Night/All Night by Justice & Tame Impala
When I heard about this colab, my expectations were high. And they didn't live up to them. But it's impossible not to mention this song on the list. I saw them live for the first time this year and something changed inside me.
26 Blink Twice by Cecile Believe
Ever since this song came out and I need courage to do something, I've been playing it. Cecile created a confident and sexy atmosphere in this work.
25 Savage Funk by Anitta
After the reggaeton era, European DJs began to look for a new musical genre to appropriate. And they found in Brazilian funk a more authentic and innovative rhythm. Congratulations Anitta for creating something extremely relevant worldwide.
24 Lustrando Estrela by Céu
Céu's psychedelic lyrics and tropical rhythm will always have a special place in my heart. On this album, she ventured into English lyrics and nailed it.
23 Agua pa fantasmas by Nicolas Jaar
Nicolas is one of my favorite producers. Besides being handsome, he is extremely talented. This album was an artistic experiment created to support Palestinian artists and inspired by his grandmothers.
22 NO RITMO DO AMOR by Mundo Video & Leticia & Devil Gremory
Since the first time I heard this song I was grateful for being able to feel something so fresh and new. It's an inexplicable experience that you need to go through.
21 Homie by Nina Emocional
I've had the pleasure of getting to know Nina since I moved to Barcelona. What I love most about her productions is that she takes pop music seriously and creates artistic songs with it.
20 Nanai by Amaia
Cute electronic beats with angelic vocals. It's impossible not to fall in love with Amaia. Be sure to check out the visuals she created for the song.
19 SONAR POR BULERÍAS by Yerai Cortés
Yerai is one of the contemporary geniuses bringing flamenco to life in an elegant and creative way. I am completely in love with the culture that he works so hard to bring (even more) to life.
18 yes, and? by Ariana Grande
I have a love-hate relationship with Ariana. I know she's very talented, but I think it's a waste for her to release the songs she does. But with this song I just shut up and danced.
17 Alesis by Mk.gee
Mk.gee sounds like a contemporary Phil Collins. Mk.gee is not posey… but raw. That's all I can say. And I am living for it.
16 Elephant by 070 Shake
I loved how she mixed post punk with pop. I didn't like the album much, but this song deserves to be highlighted.
15 Daffodil by Jamie xx, Kelsey Lu, John Glacier & Panda Bear
Many people complained that Jamie xx became commercial, but for me he has always been extremely commercial. The difference is that he mixes interesting elements and collaborates with cool people. I loved it.
14 Road to Self (KO) by Kamasi Washington
If the title of the song is already intense, imagine the song itself. Kamasi is the master of masters and always gets it right.
13 Dance Fatal by Vermelho Wonder
Another song with a reference to post punk. Are we seeing a trend emerging? I never thought I would dance so much to a song. Impeccable production and lyrics.
12 Crescent Sun by A.G. Cook
A.G. Cook is one of the kings of the year. He produced brat and released one of the most relevant albums of 2024. The visuals are also insane. This song is the soundtrack to transcendence.
11 Celestial Hands by BADBADNOTGOOD
I'll listen to everything BADBADNOTGOOD releases. In this new work, the boys mixed jazz with several Latin rhythms, giving an unprecedented freshness to their work.
10 BDSM (BLISS, DREAMS, SOUL, MEMORIES) by Mainline Magic Orchestra
It's camp. It's kitsch. It's tacky. It's just so good! The 90s rave references and the insane live performance visuals are the perfect mix for the best party of the year.
9 Sonho Ancestral by Amaro Freitas
Mixing ancient culture with piano and jazz, Amaro created a profound and extremely delicate work. While presenting something delicate, the music is intense and takes you to a transcendental feeling.
8 Napoli Visionaria by Bassolino
I've never been to Naples, but it's this chaotic, delicious energy that I imagine in the city - and in all of Italy. This song smells like the sea mixed with Aperol Spritz. Yummy!
7 Eusexua by FKA twigs
Simply inexplicable. After getting to know rave culture, FKA embraces a new genre of electronic music in her work and, once again, delivers something innovative, profound, melancholic, but extremely beautiful. 2025 is the year of beauty.
6 Close Guapo by Paulete Lindacelva & Gabto
This was definitely the hit of the European summer. Lively, light, enjoyable, and hot. Paulete released her debut EP and made it clear she is here to stay. She blended her House Music influences with Brazilian spicy in an excellent piece of work. Happiness is indeed a concept.
5 Image by Magdalena Bay
Ok. It was a tough task to pick just one song from this album. It’s entirely perfect. I chose Image because it’s a great gateway to a musical feast. Endless layers of samples and a catchy vocal hook get you hooked on the very first bite. The visuals complement it like a creamy dessert to satisfy the listener. A perfect ten out of ten.
4 VELUDO MARROM by Liniker
Any song longer than 3 minutes is enough to impress an audience guided by algorithms. Liniker went even further: she presented not just one, but three songs longer than 7 minutes. It’s impressive to see such a complete artist manage to receive such a great and loving reception from the general public. It’s beautiful to see CAJU being praised. I hope she inspires more artists out there next year…
3 Von Dutch by Charli xcx
You were waiting for me to mention brat, huh? The pop music milky cow of the year. I loved living the brat summer, but I’m very glad it’s over. It’ll be remembered as the gay Woodstock of the 2020s. I loved that Charli was the mainstream artist who revived Electro Clash, and I hope it stays alive next year. It’s so great to live this Indie Sleaze era again. Pure hedonism.
2 Homie Don’t Shake by Fcukers
Mixing Electro Clash with Fat Boy Slim… that’s the recipe for success for the New York trio Fcukers. With more layers and playful lyrics, the band’s spirit is vibrant and delightful. This is the ultimate make-me-alive song: if you’re feeling down, hit play and get ready for your victory catwalk.
1 Y by HYUKOH(혁오) & Sunset Rollercoaster
The meeting between HYUKOH and Sunset Rollercoaster created a beautiful chemistry, taking us on a psychedelic journey through our regrets. This track is the sonic embodiment of the doubt that can eat away at us if not exorcised. The album is organic and incredibly beautiful—everything we need for this turn of the year.
You can listen to all the songs I mentioned here in this playlist. I put all of them in order (from 1 to 30). And there is more 300 others songs for you to hear and discover new voices.
Hope you all enjoy!
And happy new year!
I’m going to take some time to nourish myself with more references. But at the beginning of next year, I’ll be back so we can talk more. Thank you for following me and supporting my words. It means a lot to me.
I hope you all have a wonderful end of year. For next year… I want to keep moving forward with confidence — on the right path, in the right place, at the right time — just as I feel right now.
With love,
Dimas <3