Victoria Cox

A YEAR IN REVIEW Between Nov. and Dec. 2024, 57 respondents voted for their favorite songs, artists, and albums. Every category had multiple options, and each one faced tight competition as the artists Sabrina Carpenter, Kendrick Lamar, and Billie Eilish battled for the top spots. Students like senior Payton Bauer encourages others to check out other popular singers, if they haven’t already. “I would say [listen to Carpenter] if you’re [wanting to] feel good about yourself,” Bauer said. “Or maybe you just want something to work out or dance to. [Her music is] really fun.”

2024 was filled to the brim with hit songs, sensational artists, and radio wave phenomena that captured the eyes and ears of many, especially teenagers. Popular songs such as Charli XCX’s “360”, Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us”, and Chappell Roan’s “Good Luck Babe” dominated the charts throughout the year, and many earned both nominations and wins at awards shows such as the Grammys and the VMAs. But which songs and artists were the favorites among Mater Dei students? 

The Scarlet Scroll conducted a poll with 57 respondents, and found a variety of musical tastes and interests among the Mater Dei student population. Sabrina Carpenter was a notable victor, winning both the “favorite artist” and “favorite tour concert” categories. Carpenter released her album Short n’ Sweet in August 2024, which was preceded by her chart-topping singles “Espresso” and “Please Please Please.”

Senior Payton Bauer is a fan of Carpenter’s work, and has been listening to the artist since 2016. 

“I first started listening to her when she debuted ‘Thumbs.’” Bauer said. “My favorite songs [are] ‘Sue Me’, ‘Skins’, [and] “Looking At Me’. I love that era of her[s].” 

Carpenter has been making music since her days as an actress on Disney Channel, but has since grown her range and expanded her content considerably. Listeners like Bauer enjoy her presence and voice. 

“I like her old voice, but I like her new voice [as well], because I like her confidence,” Bauer said. “She has a lot of confidence, and it’s very fun to listen to.” 

Carpenter’s win for Mater Dei’s “favorite tour” comes just weeks after the singer kicked off her Short n’ Sweet concerts, spending three days in California this November. Bauer enjoys the engaging nature of Carpenter’s shows, and believes that her ability to draw in an audience with her captivating concerts sets her apart from other artists. 

“I think her concerts bring a lot to her popularity, because she treats them more like a performance than a lot of other top artists do,” Bauer said. “I think the style and way that she acts, because she is, first and foremost, an actress, is what really sets her apart.”

The winner for Mater Dei students’ favorite song was “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar. The rap track was released in May 2024 and has enjoyed a considerable amount of success and recognition. Junior Andreas Anest is a fan of this song and other pieces of Lamar’s work, and appreciates the narrative-like structure of his music. 

“He’s got a lot of good storytelling songs,” Anest said. “He teaches a lot of cool things about life, and when you really listen, you can find a lot of deeper meaning in his songs.”

The hit song comes just months before the surprise release of Lamar’s newest album, GNX, on Nov. 22, 2024. Though the album had no promotion, it was a quick success, becoming the singer’s fifth number one album in the United States. Anest believes that this album, and the song “Not Like Us,” showcase the rapper’s talent for the art of music. 

“Everything he releases is very interesting and has a lot of thought and effort behind it, and it comes out really good,” Anest said. 

Another winner was HIT ME HARD AND SOFT, the third studio album from singer Billie Eilish. The album was voted the favorite out of seven strong contenders, competing against the likes of Brat by Charli XCX and The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess by Chappell Roan. The collection contains acclaimed songs such as “BIRDS OF A FEATHER,” “WILDFLOWER,” and “CHIHIRO”. 

Sophomore Olivia Wills caught wind of Eilish’s album release online, ahead of its release. 

“I think I remembered seeing it on social media, like a post about it before it came out,” Wills said.  “I listened to it pretty much an hour or two after it came out.”

HIT ME HARD AND SOFT is what’s known as a bedroom pop album, part of a music subgenre characterized by a dreamy, almost fuzzy sound and introspective lyrics. Wills enjoys the relaxed tone of the album, with her favorite track being “LUNCH”. 

“Most of the songs are relatively slow and sound very similar,” Wills said. “So [the album] has a nice continuous flow.”  

The music of 2024 was vast in content, engaging to many, and only led listeners to wonder what their favorite artists will accomplish next. With the close of 2024, students can enjoy listening to the likes of Carpenter, Lamar, and Eilish, waiting for what’s in store for them in 2025.