Now that I’ve taken a take a look at the brand new acts that dominated 2024, it’s time to concentrate on their established counterparts. Although my favourite group of the yr was a rookie, most of my favourite music got here from artists who debuted in years prior. As regular, the factors is constructed round these three elements:
- High quality of labor
- Amount of labor
- Affect of labor on the business
The primary standards far outweighs the subsequent two, and is totally subjective. This isn’t a countdown of essentially the most profitable or prolific acts in 2024. It is a celebration of the teams/artists that actually formed the yr for me. Rookies are ineligible, as they’ve their very own countdown.
Identical to final yr, there’s just one repeat 2023 artist on this yr’s checklist. Okay-pop strikes quick and it’s changing into fairly uncommon for artists to have consecutively wonderful years. Right here’s hoping 2025 adjustments that pattern!
HONORABLE MENTIONS
CRAVITY
EPEX
G-Dragon
ITZY
QWER
10. DAY6
In a really unusual twist, DAY6 arrive on this checklist not a lot primarily based on their 2024 materials however primarily based on a lot older songs. That they had a serious resurgence this yr, inserting each previous and new songs on the charts. it actually felt like they had been taking a well-deserved victory lap.
Final Yr: n/a
2024 Singles: Welcome To The Present, Soften Down
9. MOONBYUL
Moonbyul stunned me with a sequence of nice singles. To me, she’s essentially the most musically fascinating of the Mamamoo soloists, capable of weave between genres with ease. She actually discovered her footing with a funk-pop sound in 2024.
Final Yr: n/a
2024 Singles: Suppose About, Touchin&Movin, Is This Love?
8. NMIXX
It’s been enjoyable to look at NMIXX develop their sound over time. 2024 felt like an particularly breakout yr for them, kicking off with a powerful mini album and following it with a well-charting hit. Their work additionally showcased an growing versatility that bodes nicely for the longer term.
Final Yr: n/a
2024 Singles: Sprint, See That?
7. AESPA
Aespa actually land right here primarily based on one track. Supernova was one in all 2024’s defining hits and has cemented them as a number one power within the business. I wasn’t offered on different singles and album tracks the way in which others had been, however it’s thrilling to look at a woman group dominate to such an extent.
Final Yr: n/a
2024 Singles: Remorse Of The Instances, Supernova, Armageddon, Sizzling Mess, Whiplash
6. KISS OF LIFE
Whereas aespa dominated the woman group panorama in 2024, Kiss Of Life really feel just like the buzziest up-and-comers. They’ve a really world sound, proper on pattern and fairly addictive when the fabric is good. If anybody will assist lead the business going ahead, I’d put my cash on them.
Final Yr: n/a
2024 Singles: Midas Contact, Sticky, R.E.M, Get Loud
5. FROM20 / HELLO GLOOM
My favourite indie performers/producers scored one other robust yr. This time, Hey Gloom joins from20 on the checklist and really launched my favourite track between the 2 of them. Their music is refreshingly dance-focused and at all times of top of the range, smooth and versatile sufficient to work in any music market.
Final Yr: 7 (from20)
2024 Singles: Demon, Mamacita, Your Love, Someone, Blue
4. ZEROBASEONE
Of their second yr, ZEROBASEONE doubled down on what makes them an incredible group. Their spring album was moderately forgettable, however their late-summer Cinema Paradise really sealed the deal. Add to that plentiful OSTs and Japanese releases and also you’ve obtained a really energetic idol group with a excessive batting common.
Final Yr: n/a
2024 Singles: Yura Yura, Sweat, Really feel The Pop, Good So Dangerous
3. THE WIND
The Wind had been my rookies of 2023, although even then I suspected RIIZE would edge them out in the long term. Nonetheless, these guys proved they’re right here to stick with a wonderful suite of 2024 songs. Even with out their chief/principal vocal (and working as a five-piece for a time), they doubled down on the weather that make their music nice. They’re one of many few teams constantly delivering robust melody and brilliant, nostalgic power. I hope extra individuals uncover them within the new yr as a result of they’ve a bulletproof discography up to now.
Final Yr: n/a
2024 Singles: H! TEEN, Sirius Pt.2, Hey, My First Love
2. BOYNEXTDOOR
Typically it takes me awhile to click on with a favourite group, and I’m ashamed at BOYNEXTDOOR’s comparatively low rating on final yr’s rookies countdown. However, it’s not at all times the start that counts, proper? BOYNEXTDOOR stay one of many business’s most idiosyncratic teams, capable of buoy any materials by sheer energy of persona. I’ve retroactively gone again to adore a few of their 2023 hits, however it was their springtime mini album How? that cemented their sound for me.
Final Yr: n/a
2024 Singles: Earth, Wind & Hearth, Harmful, Good Man
1. RIIZE
Ignore the controversy (and honest sufficient should you can’t), and RIIZE delivered a completely beautiful yr of music. They had been continually energetic, churning out nice hits of various genres. Love 119 climbed its solution to the highest of the charts and finally took me with it, whereas the double punch of Unimaginable and Increase Increase Bass cemented the group as descendants of SHINee’s SMP sounds. We additionally obtained an incredible rock anthem in Combo and a catchy summertime J-pop debut. Their discography remains to be comparatively small, however it’s constantly nice. Sure, I’ve even come round to the NCT-esque Siren! I’m so excited to see the place they go from right here. Don’t preserve us ready too lengthy, SM.
Final Yr: n/a
2024 Singles: Love 119, Unimaginable, Increase Increase Bass, Fortunate, Combo
