All Songs Considered

Our no. 1 songs: 2024

December 29, 2025

Key Takeaways Copied to clipboard!

  • The hosts, Stephen Thompson and Robin Hilton, are concluding their retrospective series on the best songs from the past 25 years by focusing specifically on the year 2024 in this episode of All Songs Considered, "Our no. 1 songs: 2024." 
  • The discussion highlighted several emotionally resonant songs from 2024, including "Highlands" by Middle Kids, "Modesto" by Pedro the Lion, "Girl, So Confusing" by Charli XCX (featuring Lorde), and "Plain Trees" by Omar Apollo (featuring Mustafa). 
  • The hosts expressed deep admiration for artists like David Bazan (Pedro the Lion) and Cassandra Jenkins, whose song "Petco" was praised for capturing complicated feelings through minute detail, such as contemplating pet ownership while walking through a store. 

Segments

Concluding 25-Year Retrospective
Copied to clipboard!
(00:00:16)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts confirm this episode marks the final installment in their anniversary series reviewing the best songs from the last 25 years, focusing now on 2024.
  • Summary: Stephen Thompson and Robin Hilton acknowledge reaching the end of their retrospective series celebrating the 25th anniversary of All Songs Considered. They confirm that all prior years’ selections, including 2025 picks, have already been released. This episode is dedicated entirely to finalizing the look back by covering the year 2024.
Middle Kids’ “Highlands” Pick
Copied to clipboard!
(00:00:54)
  • Key Takeaway: Stephen Thompson selected “Highlands” by the Australian band Middle Kids as a phenomenal, inspirational song from 2024 that he believes deserves wider global recognition.
  • Summary: Stephen Thompson chose “Highlands” by Middle Kids, an Australian band known for consistently releasing phenomenal music that he feels is under-embraced globally. The song features lyrics about escaping a tired hometown and finding freedom in the open. Robin Hilton admitted he did not immediately recognize the track.
Pedro the Lion’s “Modesto”
Copied to clipboard!
(00:03:33)
  • Key Takeaway: Robin Hilton chose “Modesto” by Pedro the Lion, praising David Bazan’s songwriting for beautifully capturing themes of chasing youthful idealism and dreams.
  • Summary: Robin Hilton selected “Modesto” by Pedro the Lion, noting that David Bazan has been a vital songwriter since the 90s. The song tells a simple story about coming to appreciate art and music, serving as a reminder that dreams sometimes come true in unexpected ways. The lyrics detail a moment involving a salesman, a crying customer, and the path toward an artistic career.
Pop Culture and Charli XCX
Copied to clipboard!
(00:08:55)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts noted the ubiquity of pop hits like Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso” while highlighting Charli XCX’s album Brat as crucial for understanding the modern female experience.
  • Summary: Robin Hilton mentioned avoiding playing ubiquitous hits like Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso” due to overexposure, despite liking the song. He highlighted Charli XCX’s Brat, specifically the remix of “Girl, So Confusing” featuring Lorde, as a significant 2024 cultural moment. The song is deemed crucial for anyone seeking empathy for pop stars’ experiences.
Omar Apollo and Mustafa Duet
Copied to clipboard!
(00:10:30)
  • Key Takeaway: Stephen Thompson championed Omar Apollo’s “Plain Trees” featuring Mustafa, emphasizing the lyric “Our presence made the ground glow” as a beautiful description of warm, wistful memories.
  • Summary: Stephen Thompson selected “Plain Trees” by Omar Apollo from the album God Said No, featuring Mustafa, who adds emotional depth in a later verse. The song is described as a “feelings bomb” that beautifully articulates the powerful memory of a personal or romantic connection, especially when reflecting on breakups or missed people. The chorus repeatedly emphasizes that their shared presence caused the ground to glow.
Cassandra Jenkins’ Detailed Observation
Copied to clipboard!
(00:13:42)
  • Key Takeaway: Cassandra Jenkins’ song “Petco” was highlighted for its ability to capture complex existential contemplation through hyper-specific, mundane details like observing animals in a store.
  • Summary: Robin Hilton chose “Petco” by Cassandra Jenkins, noting her skill in capturing complicated feelings through tiny details, such as staring into a lizard’s eyes. The song uses the setting of a pet store to contemplate the weighty decision of whether one is capable of caring for another living thing. The lyrics also reference domestic scenes like piling dishes and a sinking heart.
Final Thoughts and Sign-Off
Copied to clipboard!
(00:15:27)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts briefly mentioned Laura Marling’s “Patterns” and the song “Good Luck Babe” before concluding the series, confirming there will be no further yearly installments.
  • Summary: The hosts briefly mentioned Laura Marling’s “Patterns” and acknowledged that “Good Luck Babe” was a strong song from 2023 they had previously discussed. They formally ended the retrospective series, stating there would be no more yearly reviews following this 2024 installment.