7️⃣ the 3by7 seven songs of the year!!
What a year for music!!! I’m gonna skip the think-piece and get straight into it.
First, some honorable mentions:
7. “THank god 4 me” by ScHoolboy Q
What a triumphant return for ScHoolboy Q at the top of the year. I definitely hit more than a few gym PRs to this song, and Blue Lips not being nominated for a Grammy was a huge snub. The beat switch, menacing strings, and ScHoolboy Q’s signature animated delivery all had me coming back to this song all year long.
6. “Birds of a Feather” by Billie Eilish
Probably my pick for the most timeless and heartwarming song of the year—I think we’ll be singing this for decades to come. This song is so good we were able to collectively overlook Billie’s awful Soulja Boy cosplay… sit with that for a second.
5. “Darlin’” by Jean Dawson
I’ll always be a sadboi at heart. This soulful yet grim offering from literal 3by7 darling Jean Dawson scratches that itch for me perfectly coming into the colder seasons this year.
4. “jeans” by 2hollis
Okay, I think this technically might have released last October but I literally don’t care this is my banger of the year / concert of the year / white boy of the year. I saw 2hollis at the Warsaw in Green Point a few months ago and it was 60 non-stop minutes of sweat, moshing, and tangible hype. He produces his own music and melds together rap, trance, house, and hyperpop into what will undoubtedly be the blueprint for a new wave of gen z / alpha superstars.
3. “So American” by Olivia Rodrigo
This song kind of slipped through the radar with all the pop girlies releasing this year but idgaf I’m a Livie and this sounds like being at Coney Island in the summer with the love of your life. A fun fact my fiancée told me is that this is Olivia Rodrigo’s first love song.
2. “360” by Charli XCX
I’m going to be annoying and I say that as a lifelong Charli stan I’ve been having a brat summer for the past 12 years, but it was great to see her finally get her flowers. By the numbers, “360” is my most played song of the year. I put it on loop the second it released at midnight on Spotify.
If you haven’t yet taken the time to go back in her discography and listen to Pop 2, Charli, How I’m Feeling Now, and Number One Angel… it’s never too late. “Track 10” will change your life.
1. “Are You Looking Up” by Mk.gee
Mk.gee… I would die for you. Us Mk.geezers™ got a new album, new music videos, and a freaking SNL performance?!?!?! Throw in an iconic glow-up and some dad rock revivalism that is perfect for dudes in their 30s who still want to be cool and we’ve got the recipe for my #1 song of the year, folks. My future kids are going to be hearing this non-stop.
(Mk.gee if you’re reading this please bring Dijon out of hiding in 2025!!!)
Hope you enjoyed, and see y’all in 2025!!