Our second year-end list has landed: Niek’s 50 favorite singles & EPs of 2024! ICYMI, Dennis kicked things off two days ago with his list, and next week we’ll wrap things up with our favorite albums of the year.
The beauty of the short format of course is that there’s no room for filler, every track has to matter. This year’s picks hit that mark, though narrowing them down was no easy task. Honestly, there are more than a few gems I had to leave out-always a sign of a more than solid musical year. In a just world, these tracks would be blasting from radios and streaming platforms everywhere. So here’s to the bands, artists, and labels brave enough to keep fighting the algorithms, one single and EP at a time.
As always, and contrary to my favorite albums list, I’ve chosen to present these singles alphabetically. Ranking them feels besides the point—apples and oranges, small sample sizes, etc.
Dive into the list below, and check out my playlist featuring 90%+ of these tracks here.
Autocamper || Blanche/Budge
If you haven’t yet hopped aboard the Autocamper hype train, what are you waiting for? Their debut LP is coming in 2025 and is poised to be a guitar and synth pop match for the ages.
Autogramm || Diana b/w Licht Aus
Synths are dialed up to Depeche Mode and Human League levels on Diana, and the flip side features a German new wave cover that’s just as irresistible.
Big Tears || Love & Misery
“Bubblegum trannycore” is how Big Tears describe themselves, and they’re spot on. Imagine ’60s girl groups with an outsider edge—rough, raw, and absolutely unforgettable.
Billy Tibbals || Nightlife Stories
Glam power pop revivalist Billy Tibbals amps up the rock while toning down the theatrics just a notch. The nostalgic flair works magic.
Bullseye || Bullseye
Jake Barczak (of Patti) delivers lo-fi slacker pop that’s equal parts Guided By Voices and 2nd Grade. The hooks hit hard, and the songwriting is off the charts.
CB Kiddo || Running to You
Budget garage punk bangers galore from Emily Williston (Phone Jerks), who released three additional fantastic singles in 2024. Running to You is killer, and her version of Forgotten Rebels’ Tell Me You Love Me is one of my favorite covers of the year. HEY HEY HEY!
Civil Rats || Don’t Get It
Philly’s Civil Rats bring the spunk, scrappiness, and seriously catchy punk rock hooks. This EP is an absolute riot from start to finish.
CLAPPER || Feels Right
Recorded in a 30-hour studio binge, Berlin’s CLAPPER (members of Küken and Slander Tongue) delivers glammy, sleazy rock ’n’ roll that hits you like a shot of adrenaline.
CLASS || First to Finish Last b/w Just a Worm
CLASS shows why they’re one of punk’s hottest acts, contributing these razor-sharp cuts to Total Punk’s new Order of the Dirty Plates Singles Club.
Comic Sans || Ojalá fuera mi cumpleaños
Spanish emo revivalists bring mathy guitars, singalongs, and hooks for days. Bonus points for Vale por todo bueno, featuring Barcelona’s Mourn, and probably the poppiest Comic Sans have sounded yet.
Cosmit || Still Cosmit
A perfect fusion of Dirtnap and Motown vibes. I Know What I’m Like is an emotional gut-punch and one of my favorite tracks of the year. “Ooh and oh please I wanna hold on to nice things!”
The Dahlmanns || Lucky
The Dahlmanns make a glorious return with a brand new track (Lucky), and covers of Tom Petty and Fleetwood Mac.
Danny’s Favorites || Silent Movies b/w Turn My Motor On
Two perfect pop gems, with Silent Movies taking the lead and a Beach Boys-esque twist on Kirsty MacColl’s Turn My Motor On stealing the show.
Dan Webb And The Spiders || Fall Back
Dan Webb released four EPs this year, each a gem. Fall Back stands out for its return to punk rock roots, capping off a wildly productive 2024 in style.
Dave Strong || I Hate Joe King’s Roommate
Dave Strong ups the fun factor with I Wanna Know, a slice of pop-punk-meets-rock’n’roll that comes with singalong-worthy “ooooh-weeeh-ooos.”
The Drolls & Gentlemen Rogues || Split EP
Two bands, four tracks (two of which are covers), and no skips. A killer deal from two of our favorites.
The Dumpies & Night Court || SHIT SPLIT Part Duh
Nine songs crammed onto a 7” slab of wax. The Dumpies and Night Court complement each other like peanut butter and jelly on a chaotic punk sandwich.
Eye Ball || Eye Ball
Packed with raw energy, Kick You feels like discovering a lost classic from The Marked Men. Total earworm alert.
Fair Game || Ponyboy
Picture Fair Game sharing a stage with Liquid Mike, Fidlar, and Owen Adamcik, and you’ll get the idea. This EP is hooky, angsty, punchy, and showcases a ton of promise.
Friends of Cesar Romero || More Like Norman Fucking Mailer
J Waylon brought his Doomed Babe Series from 40 to 43 this year. A modest output by his standard, but all the more impressive considering some serious personal setbacks. The quality was top notch again, and this track was probably my favorite.
Gentleman Jesse || Drunk Dial #12
Gentleman Jesse’s melancholy spaghetti western vibe on Where Time Stands Still is a fine surprise, while his cover of Return of the Mack has to experienced to be believed.
Golden Shitters || Love Blows
Channeling raw, Ramones-esque energy with deliberate simplicity. Strike is an unexpected pop gem in their scrappy discography.
Hasty || e.p.
Michelle Shirelle, Danny Zajackowski, and Mikey Erg serve up ramshackle pop-punk gold, tailor-made for your ’90s Lookout! Records playlist.
Hayley and the Crushers || Unsubscribe From The Underground
With this EP, Hayley and the Crushers have dropped songs so catchy they would have made Holly & The Italians and The Go-Go’s blush, warning them to step up their game if they want to keep up.
I Before E || Criminal Record
A raw and scrappy EP with harmonies and melodies shining through like a basement-show version of Lemonheads and Big Drill Car.
It Thing || Spirit Level
It Thing pushes (post-)punk into fresh and exciting directions, with Charlotte Gigi’s powerhouse vocals cutting through no matter how loud or quiet your stereo is set.
Joyless || Friends
Joyless delivers fast, tight, and addictive songs. The Friends EP is like opening a bag of chips—once you start, you can’t stop.
Litige || 2 Degrés b/w Je Crie & Ça Reviendra
Litige nails the perfect blend of post-punk guitar riffs, caffeinated drumming, and super melodic vocals. This one’s a certified ripper.
Loose Lips || Loose Lips
Featuring members of The Prize, The Unknowns, and Chubby and the Gang, this Melbourne band serves up an old-school love affair between punk rock, power pop, and pub rock. Essential listening.
Love Banana || Love Banana
Jangly garage pop goodness from Australia’s Gold Coast, Love Banana is impossible to resist.
Love Collector || First Night / Last Night of Leather
Late ’70s punk perfection! First Night of Leather feels like a lost classic, while the rest of the EP shows off the band’s bratty, snotty charm.
Majorette || Forever Starts Tuesday
From its opening lines (“Am I lucky, or am I cursed // Things have gone from bad to worse,”), this EP is unforgettable. Soon worms its way under your skin and stays there. What a memorable track, and what a fine EP!
Mopar Stars || Burning Question
Philadelphia’s Mopar Stars were one of 2023’s standout discoveries, and I’m loving their sole release in 2024. The title track is a wave I could ride all day.
Owen Adamcik || The Owens
The first in a trilogy of power pop EPs that ultimately ended up on Power Pop Paradise. It’s a love letter to Jack Lee, Paul Collins, and Peter Case—and a masterpiece of its own.
Paint Fumes || Crime of Love b/w Try Me
You’ll be shouting along to Crime of Love in no time (“It’s a crime, a crime, a crime, a crime of love!”). On the flip side, their take on James Brown’s Try Me adds a surprising twist to the mix.
Patrol || Patrol
High-energy punk with a hard rock edge from Barcelona. Crank it up and let the neighbors complain—you won’t regret it.
The Private Eye || In The Public Eye
Mod pop punk with a sound that channels The Zeros, Protex, and The Jam while carving out its own distinct identity.
The Prize / The Unknowns || Split
Two of the best in the game teaming up? Yes, please. This split single is a masterclass in power pop and poppy garage rock.
The Putz || On And Up And Out
Palm-muted guitars, sugary harmonies, and more hooks than you’ll know what to do with. A bubblegum pop punk treat.
Reduced || Reduced
Sid Ratcliffe (of Mannequin and TV Crime) serves up punk rock that’s raw and relentless. It’s got that Our Band Could Be Your Life energy, and we’re all here for it.
Ryli || I Think I Need You Around b/w When I Fall
This Bay Area dream team (members of Yea-Ming and The Rumours, The Goods, R.E.Seraphin and Sonny and the Sunsets) popped up late in 2024 and their double A-side debut is even better than anticipated. Expect West Coast indie pop that holds the middle ground between Camera Obscura and (early) Best Coast.
Shop Talk || WCUD
Late ’70s punk and power pop collide in WCUD. The Dickies and Buzzcocks vibes are strong, and the chorus hook of the title track is pure gold.
Slack Times || Gone Things
Four tracks of jangle pop brilliance. Each one shines with warmth and charm, leaving us eager for more from this band.
The Sleeveens || UFOs/Bernadette
A killer 7” from The Sleeveens. Their garage rock cover of Bernadette is a standout, while UFOs delivers biting social commentary.
Small Yards || Small Yards
Two-thirds of Tuff Talk bring us a scrappy, infectious debut that promises great things to come.
Smug Brothers || Another Bar Behind the Night
Guided By Voices meets power pop in this six-song set. A little lo-fi, a little polished, and completely addictive.
Stephen’s Shore || Neptune
Jangle pop with a sun-soaked vibe, perfect for beach days and road trips alike.
Street Sweeper || Don’t Wait
Once you press play, there’s no turning back. This EP is a full-throttle punk rock experience you’ll feel in your bones.
Stiff Richards || GFC / EMPTY BARRELS
Four years was worth the wait. Stiff Richards return with their trademark in-your-face energy and raw power.
Teini-Pää || Mietin Minne Meet
Think Alvvays, but with a pop-punk kick. These four tracks pack a satisfying punch.
Tiikeri || Tee se itse
Every track is a contender for your favorite ’77-style pop-punk anthem of the year, but Punkkari Oon (I’m a Punk) steals the show.
Tuxedo Cats || Fake Punk
Filthy, swaggering garage rock with a glammy edge. NYC’s Tuxedo Cats are the real deal.
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