In my opinion, by far the most important event of 2024 has been the resurgence of girl pop. Like many of you, I spent the majority of my summer screaming the bridge of “Good Luck, Babe!” down the freeway and trying my hardest to nail the “Apple” dance. With temperatures finally cooling down and the daunting start of senior year, my Brat Summer has unfortunately come to a close. However, the sheer amount of expert recent releases by women in pop are sure to keep me fed and full throughout this fall season.
It should come as no surprise that Sabrina Carpenter’s late August release “Short n’ Sweet” stands as my favorite right now. Usually, I find it difficult to truly hear every song on the first listen of a new album; it takes a few days for the tracks to differentiate in my brain. However, I was shocked to discover that every single song immediately nestled themselves into the corners of my mind. Carpenter is at her strongest throughout this record — her tongue-in-cheek writing style combines with bright and invigorating pop melodies in such a unique and fresh way. I mean no exaggeration when I tell you it is physically impossible for me to turn this album off. As for my favorite tracks, I would pay good money to have “Sharpest Tool” injected directly into my bloodstream. Other standouts include “Coincidence,” “Taste”and “Juno.”
Next off, Clairo’s third album “Charm,” released in July, has served me as the perfect transitional soundtrack for early autumn. Clairo’s soft vocals wrap around truly delicious lyricism, working in tandem with lovely instrumental and synth
work. The album feels like stepping out into the first crisp air of the season, curling up on the couch in fuzzy socks and sipping on a mug of spiced apple cider. I was lucky enough to snag tickets to a show in September at the Fonda, and hearing “Second Nature,” “Sexy to Someone,” and “Pier 4” live was a spiritual experience.
Finally, beabadoobee’s “This Is How Tomorrow Moves” has provided me with a number of favorite early fall tracks. As a longtime fan since 11 (wow), I was highly anticipating the release of her third studio album in early August. The record is a shining example of bea’s exploration of a cohesive indie-alternative sound and the evolution of her talent and skill as a lyricist.
The record’s sweeter ballads stand out as well as symbols of her development away from her adolescent bedroom pop roots while still keeping hold of the same raw emotion that drew me and so many other fans to her music in the first place. I simply cannot get enough of “Ever Seen,” “Beaches” and “This Is How It Went.”
Although I have no doubt that I will continue to mourn the death of my summer pop era as college app season drills me into the ground, I am eternally grateful to have these albums to turn to in my times of much-needed respite. Happy fall, and, most importantly, happy listening!
