Cover provided by Apple Music

Okay, folks—it’s my favorite time of the year! Spotify Wrapped and Apple Replay season is here, and I couldn’t be more excited. As an Apple Music user in a sea of Spotify devotees, I don’t often get to compare notes with my friends. But today, I’m thrilled to break down my favorite tracks from smaller artists that made it into my top 100 this year—and explain why I think they’re so incredible. Let’s dive in!

The Water is Fine – Chloe Ament

Being a fan of fan fiction can be both a blessing and a curse (iykyk). But crafting a whole song inspired by a Harry Potter x Hunger Games crossover fic that also slaps is a true feat. Chloe Ament and her brother deliver a duet reminiscent of Achilles Come Down by Gang of Youths. While there are two versions of this song, I’m partial to the original. The soaring bridge layered with the chorus is absolutely stunning, making it one of my top three songs this year.

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Twinkle Lights – The Sonder Bombs

The Modern Female Rockstar album is six years old, and while I first heard it in 2018, I didn’t fully appreciate Twinkle Lights and its message until now. The lyric about learning that “you’re allowed to say no” hit me hard this year. Setting boundaries—and sticking to them—is tough. This song feels like the band put a microscope on ages 14–19 and captured the essence of that struggle perfectly. Are they living in my walls, or am I just projecting?

Sweet Ohio Light – Adam Paddock

Adam Paddock’s album Sweet Ohio Light was my top album of the year for a reason—it’s masterfully crafted. The arrangements by Max Lew paired with Paddock’s haunting lyrics create something truly special. There’s not a single skip on this album, and I listened to it about 85 times (seriously). The title track, which closes the album, feels so beautifully finite. To me, 2024 will forever be the summer of Sweet Ohio Light—a season of sunshine, growth, and becoming the best version of myself.

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LABOUR (the cacophony) – Paris Paloma

I am a person of multitudes, and one of those multitudes is rage. With the state of the world, it’s easy to feel that rage bubbling over. While I’ve been blasting LABOUR since its release in 2023, the cacophony version adds an extra layer of power and grit. Featuring a chorus of women from around the globe, it’s raw, unapologetic, and undeniably an anthem for women everywhere.

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You Won’t – Origami Angel

My introduction to Origami Angel was… unconventional. I first heard one of their songs because it mentioned Dr. Pepper (shoutout to my brother for making me play it on the radio). But this summer, while spending time in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, I finally explored their discography. You Won’t stood out to me with its post-breakup vibes and its pure, pleasant sound—a reminder that sometimes, good vibes are enough.

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Chit Chat – Beach Weather

This is a song of the summer, no matter that it came out in 2016. The Chit Chat EP finally got the love it deserves this year. It’s a quintessential beach party anthem (which, now that I think about it, explains the band’s name). I included this on my unreleased Surf’s Up playlist—maybe I’ll drop it in 2025? If you’re fighting winter blues, this track is my go-to recommendation.

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Go! – Coastal Club

There’s something beautifully upbeat and romantic about this song. It reminds me of spring and fresh starts, whether that’s in relationships or embracing the season’s changes. Go! was on repeat for me in late spring and early summer as I soaked up the sunshine in my front yard. Plus, there’s an Ohio shoutout—which always warms my heart—and lyrics about going anywhere with someone you love.

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Gold and Bones – Friday Pilots Club

This song checks all the boxes: killer guitar parts, a breakdown in G#m/C#m/B/F#, a jaw-dropping solo, and an epic ending. The powerful vocals resonate deep in my chest—even my cats are audience members when I jam out on guitar. Though it’s another 2018 track on this list, it still hits just as hard today. Manifesting this now: I’ll be hearing this live in 2025, ready to rock out.

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Monica Lewinsky – UPSAHL

Clocking in at just 2 minutes and 12 seconds, UPSAHL’s Monica Lewinsky is the ultimate bad-bitch anthem. With its infectious beat and confident vibes, it makes me feel unstoppable. It’s also the perfect length—punchy and impactful, reflecting the sound UPSAHL is known for.

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Mandy Moore – 90s Kids and PHANGS

RIP 90s Kids. I miss them so much. I’m honestly surprised Adeline didn’t make it into my top 100 this year. Mandy Moore, their collab with PHANGS, feels like the male perspective of Taylor Swift’s You Belong With Me music video—starring none other than Lucas Till. It’s a fun song that I absolutely love. If there ever comes a day when it has no streams, just assume I’m dead.

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Float – HARBOUR

HARBOUR had quite a few songs in my top 100 this year, including some from my mom’s list too! I finally got to see them live this year, and hearing Float was life-changing. This song has been in my top 100 for the past three years. Honestly, listening to it isn’t enough—I need it embedded in my brain.

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Maybe I’m Alive – Lacey

It’s hard to articulate how this song makes me feel in words. I’ve rewritten this paragraph so many times trying to explain its deeper meaning. But at the end of the day, music is personal. Maybe I’m Alive reminds me that while life can feel meaningless at times, it’s full of breath and beauty if you choose to find it.

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Hate When You Party – Good Boy Daisy

I’ve been a Good Boy Daisy fan for a long time—if you know my hometown, you’ll know why (it’s for the bit). Their music slaps, though. Hate When You Party describes my situationship during my freshman year of college perfectly. With driving rock tones, this track really makes you wonder if you’re ready to let go. Spoiler: I am.

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Person in the Mirror – Naethan Apollo

“I wanna feel handsome, I wanna feel pretty”—this lyric solved my gender crisis. Thank you, Naethan Apollo, for your service.

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Killer Whales – Smallpools

I’m lucky my first introduction to this song was hearing it live from the front row at The Grog Shop. Since then, I’ve seen Smallpools live several times and even interviewed them! This song is pure joy—it makes me want to jump, dance, and scream, just because I can.

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Cruel Summer (triple j Like A Version) – G Flip

Cruel Summer by Taylor Swift was my top song last year, and it remained a song of the summer for me this year too. Enter G Flip’s sapphic rendition, complete with strings and a rock vibe. They made this classic completely their own, and it’s *chef’s kiss*.

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Crush – David Archuleta

I’m not sure if David Archuleta counts as a 'small artist,' but Crush continues to pop up in my life like a fever dream. I’ve been singing this song with my whole chest since I was nine, pretending I’m in a rom-com. It’s a slam poem, a bop, and a moment all in one.  Also, one time I saw a One Tree Hill edit of Jake and Peyton to this song and it changed my brain chemistry. 

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The River – Daisy Jones & the Six

Okay, I know this is a grey area since they’re a made-for-TV band, but with over 800K monthly listeners, I’m counting it. The River was in my top five last year and slipped down the chart, but it still bangs. It channels Fleetwood Mac vibes beautifully, with a gorgeous bridge from Daisy (Riley Keough) leading into Billy’s (Sam Claflin) outro.

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Honorable Mention: The Bottom 2 – Glorb

Okay, this isn’t technically a song—it’s an AI-generated SpongeBob rap. But it got me through countless late-night study sessions, so here it is in my top 100. I don’t know what Glorb put in this, but it’s ridiculously addictive.

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What do you think of my picks? Are any of these on your top 100 for 2024? Let me know on Instagram, Facebook, or Bluesky—I’d love to hear from you!

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