Leading up to and during this summer, many artists released new albums and EPs that have taken over all our current playlists. From new pop star couples to catchy TikTok dances, summer trends were a big part of the music we listened to when trying to enjoy the warm weather. Popular artists ranging between Camila Cabello to Hozier, all put out fast rising albums this summer. While these artists crafted new music for audiences to listen to for days in the sun, they were also preparing for upcoming tours and concerts this fall. To fans and all music enthusiasts alike, the next list of albums can summarize your music of summer 2024, while also bringing optimistic beats for the gloomier months ahead.
Many albums this year embodied the feelings of summer, but these 5 dominated the music charts.
Charli XCX – brat
Released on June 7, brat quickly took over the charts, and all of our hearts. The saying “brat summer” was adopted by many on social media to name their electro pop vibes this summer. Even Vice President Kamala Harris hopped on the trend, using the same electric green background and font for part of her campaign. Songs including “360,” “Talk talk” and “Apple” all were some of the highlights of the album. Arguably the biggest hit of the album, “Apple,” influenced a TikTok dance craze invented by Kelley Heyer, according to The Guardian. Charli XCX has also put out multiple deluxe and extended albums that either remix, or add more to the already popular songs. Regardless of the version of brat, the genre of dance pop and club mixes had us wanting to dance away the summer nights.
Gracie Abrams – The Secret of Us
Abrams is being launched into the limelight with immense success for her second studio album. From starting out as a small artist, to opening for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, then releasing her widespread new album and to going on The Secret of Us Tour, Abrams has quickly grown in popularity. Following the release of the singles “Risk” and “Close to You,” The Secret of Us was released on June 21. Quickly after the release, “I Love You, I’m Sorry” and “us. (feat. Taylor Swift)” also became fan favorites. Abrams uses elements of an angsty summer with upbeat instrumentals and screaming at the top of your lungs lyrics, with the contrast of pop driven, hopeful love songs. Abrams’ main color palette for the album is yellow and white, mimicking a bright summer, set for listening to the album while enjoying a scoop of ice cream.
Camila Cabello – C,XOXO
Being her fourth studio album, Cabello is coming back into the music scene by storm. Having 14 tracks on the album, she incorporates a very different approach than her past music style. C,XOXO is a mix between electro rap along with solemn heartbreak ballads. She also includes quite a few collaborations with artists including Drake, Yung Miami and BLP Kosher. I LUV IT (feat. Playboi Carti), was the first single released before the album, having immense success, gaining 111 million streams on Spotify. HOT UPTOWN (feat. Drake) and HE KNOWS (feat. Lil Nas X) were also released before the album and received a strong audience. Arguably the song that took us all by surprise was B.O.A.T., a sad song of missed opportunities and broken love, that included a sample from a Pitbull song, Hotel Room Service.
Especially in June Gloom, the closing song of the album, she makes it apparent that summer is full of conflicting, sad emotions. The album encompasses the parts of summer that we don’t always look forward to; the rainy sunless days to the end of a summer fling, all of which Cabello seems to know too well.
Hozier – Unreal Unearth: Unaired
Hozier’s latest album brings back elements of his past music, but also some more experimental components that keep us on our toes. Mixing between alternative pop rock and soulful folk, Unreal Unearth: Unaired shakes up this summer’s listens. A mix between falsetto and strong belts highlight Hozier’s vocal range as an artist. The album was released on Aug. 19, following the release of his many previous albums and EP’s that built up to Unreal Unearth: Unaired, and the highlight single, “Too Sweet.” The song, “Nobody’s Soldier,” kicks off the album, using powerful beats and lyrics. It has a strong, meaningful message, being an anthem against violence. “Eat Your Young” and “Francesca” are also notable songs, being popular among fans, demonstrating alluring lyrics and Cranberry-esk instrumentals. Arguably the song of the summer, “Too Sweet” sat on the Billboard Hot #100 for Hozier’s first ever No. 1 hit. With its catchy tune and adoration especially with TikTok creators, the song was kept circulating all throughout summer. Hozier will continue to perform these songs during his tour, lasting until Nov. 2024.
Sabrina Carpenter – Short n’ Sweet
Following the mega-hit “Espresso,” Carpenter’s highly anticipated sixth studio album was graced to listeners on Aug. 23. While it dominated the tail end of summer, the leading singles of the album, “Espresso,” “Please Please Please” and “Taste,” all took the spotlight before the album’s release. Sitting at #1 on the Billboard Hot 200 albums, Carpenters’ album crosses between bedroom pop to experimental country. While some would think this would lose some of her listeners, it’s quite the opposite. Carpenter has 85 million listeners on Spotify and is still gaining more. “Bed Chem” and “Slim Pickins” are songs on the album that have also been launched to fame quickly.
She has been promoting greatly, already having performed at Coachella in the spring, releasing music videos featuring prominent celebrities and also planning to go on tour starting Sept. 23. Her album might help you reminisce about the taste of summer, remembering the sandy beaches from “Espresso” and the summer relationships from “Bed Chem” and “Juno.” She might know the latter the best, publicly announcing her relationship with actor Barry Keogan after his appearance in the “Please Please Please” music video.
Honorary Mentions:
The next 2 albums also defined our summers, but didn’t receive as much recognition as they should have.
Clairo – Charm
Charm is a complex blend of different musical instrumentals, underlying harmonies and wistful lyrics. In typical Clairo style, all tracks on the album have a buoyant feel that makes you want to move to the music and adds a lightness to the long summer nights.
The Kid Laroi – THE FIRST TIME (Deluxe Version)
Following the release of THE FIRST TIME, Laroi added 9 new songs to the album to create the deluxe version. Leaning towards rap and pop, the new additions to the album offer a different perspective of longing and hope. Listening to the added tracks are good for late nights full of contemplating this summer’s outcome.
While summer couldn’t be categorized by one genre or artist, drawing from different albums can wrap up what it felt like. Remembering the urge to dance to the beat of brat, or the need to cry along to the deep lyrics from THE FIRST TIME (Deluxe Version), music influenced us in multiple ways this past season.
With fall approaching quickly, music can be the key to helping us reminisce memories and experiences from summer 2024.
