The Daily – "The Year in Music" Episode Summary

Release Date: December 27, 2024

Hosted by Melissa Kirsch, deputy editor of Culture and Lifestyle at The New York Times, this episode of The Daily delves into the significant events and trends that shaped the music landscape in 2024. Joining Kirsch are esteemed pop music critics John Perez, John Caramonica, and Lindsey Zolatz, alongside host Michael Barbaro, who provide insightful analysis and diverse perspectives on the year's musical milestones.

Charli XCX's "Brat": A Cultural Phenomenon

The episode kicks off with a discussion on Charli XCX’s standout album, Brat. John Perez lauds the album as his "number one album of 2024," highlighting its "wonderful, upbeat, electronic" sound and its exploration of personal themes. He states:

[02:06] John Perez: "It was very rich in text, subtext, metatext and Internet interaction. I liked the music. I liked the attitude. I liked the whole idea of shaking up the culture."

John Caramonica adds that Brat transcended music, becoming a "culture-wide phenomenon" largely due to its savvy marketing and visually striking album cover, which he describes as "endlessly memed" and integral to its success:

[02:54] John Caramonica: "The meta commentary about the album rollout, the packaging, the marketing strategy... argue that it became bigger than the music itself."

Contrastingly, Michael Barbaro offers a critical viewpoint, questioning Charli's vocal prowess and the album's artistic impact:

[04:15] Michael Barbaro: "If you listen to them purely as art, the songs are not that effective. I never think of Charlie's voice like I think of Taylor's or Beyonce's."

This divergent opinion underscores the album's complex reception, balancing musical innovation with debates over vocal authenticity.

Chapel Roan: Rising Star with Authenticity

Next, the conversation shifts to Chapel Roan, an artist who emerged as a significant figure in 2024. John Perez emphasizes her evolution from a lower-tier artist to a beloved songwriter, attributing her success to "incredibly sophisticated visual presentation" and "direct, poetic lyrics about lived experience." He remarks:

[07:32] John Perez: "Chapel Roan is an incredibly strong, traditional songwriter. The songs are so well structured, and I think at root, they are very studied."

John Caramonica appreciates Chapel’s departure from the contemporary pop mold, noting her ability to offer a "sonic alternative" with "big, almost Broadway big melodies" that deliver "cathartic emotion":

[08:49] John Caramonica: "These are big, almost, you know, Broadway big melodies... songs that can be belted on a stage with big, cathartic emotion."

Further highlighting her impact, Michael Barbaro points out Chapel’s representation of queer themes, which resonated deeply with younger audiences:

[11:09] Michael Barbaro: "Chapel Roan is singing songs about queer love, queer lust, queer disappointment... speaking very loudly, especially for a younger generation."

Sabrina Carpenter: Proving Her Versatility

Sabrina Carpenter's trajectory in 2024 is another focal point. Initially gaining attention with her quirky hit "Espresso," Carpenter solidified her standing with the release of "Please, Please, Please," which Perez credits for dispelling notions of her being a "one-hit wonder":

[12:17] John Perez: "The way she rolled out these hits and all showcase different strengths of hers was really impressive... made her one of the year's breakout stars."

John Caramonica adds that Carpenter's strategic release of consecutive hits demonstrated her versatility and prevented her from being pigeonholed:

[12:47] John Caramonica: "She pretty much immediately puts out maybe an even better single... showing that she is no one-hit wonder."

Taylor Swift's "Tortured Poets Department": Commercial Triumph vs. Cultural Impact

Despite the prevailing successes of newer artists, Taylor Swift's Tortured Poets Department stands out as the year's top album in terms of sales and fan engagement. John Caramonica notes, however, that its cultural resonance didn't match its commercial performance:

[14:30] John Caramonica: "The songs didn't have the cultural impact of say, an espresso or a good luck babe. They weren't the songs that you heard out in the world."

Michael Barbaro underscores a shift in the music industry dynamics, suggesting that Swift's extensive existing fan base means her new releases aren't necessarily guaranteed hits:

[15:13] Michael Barbaro: "Taylor has 300 million people who care about Taylor Swift now. Does that mean that she has a hit? It does not."

Perez empathizes with Swift's challenge of innovating within her established style:

[15:56] John Perez: "She's got her own eras to compete with. Part of the letdown... was, this is familiar Taylor."

Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar: A Historic Feud

A significant narrative of 2024 was the escalating feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar. Michael Barbaro provides a comprehensive background, describing Drake's pop-oriented approach versus Kendrick's traditional, politically charged lyricism:

[18:25] Michael Barbaro: "Drake and Kendrick are generational peers... Through the Drake lens, hip hop is a font for melody... Kendrick is a moralist... art matters, that black art matters."

The rivalry culminated in a series of diss tracks, with Kendrick Lamar emerging victorious by releasing the "biggest diss record hit" in hip hop history. Perez characterizes Drake's reputation as damaged and Kendrick's elevated status as a result:

[21:35] Michael Barbaro: "Damaged Drake's stock and elevated Kendrick's stock."

John Caramonica reflects on the broader cultural implications, noting that the feud mirrored societal divisions:

[22:21] John Caramonica: "The refrain of 'you're not like us' resonates... even outside of the world of hip hop... into something more primal in our culture."

Pop Meets Country: Genre Blending Dominates 2024

A notable trend in 2024 was the crossover of pop artists into country music, exemplified by Beyoncé, Shabuzzi, and Post Malone.

Beyoncé’s "Cowboy Carter": Beyoncé’s album Cowboy Carter featured collaborations with prominent country legends like Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson. John Perez highlights the album's role in addressing racial representation in country music:

[24:53] John Perez: "Beyoncé's saying... I'm from Texas. I heard a lot of country. I can sing country. It belongs to her."

Michael Barbaro praises Beyoncé's commitment to "historically minded albums" that spotlight black contributions to American music:

[26:19] Michael Barbaro: "Beyoncé has been on this long run of making historically minded albums that restore black contribution... to the center of the discourse."

John Caramonica critiques the album's overtly thematic approach but acknowledges its significance in advocating for diversity:

[27:10] John Caramonica: "It's a record that feels very thesis-driven... a record to get behind if you feel that way."

Shabuzzi’s "A Bar Song, Tipsy": Shabuzzi’s track, which tied for the longest-running number one on the Billboard Hot 100, exemplifies the successful fusion of hip-hop and country:

[28:36] John Perez: "Shabuzzi is from the South and this is a natural sound for him... it's music."

John Caramonica notes the song's popularity despite not fully understanding its widespread appeal, drawing parallels to Lil Nas X's crossover hit:

[29:30] Michael Barbaro: "Both are effective pop songs... indicates a maturing of a generation that accepts pop music isn't simply pop."

Post Malone’s "F1 Trillion": Post Malone's venture into country music, featuring collaborations with Nashville stars like Morgan Wallen, reflects his versatility:

[32:17] John Perez: "Post Malone is a real genre chameleon. It's music... he's made a fusion of them in his head and in his production."

Michael Barbaro comments on the structural blending within the album:

[33:16] Michael Barbaro: "It's packed with guests, it's packed with hit-making producers and songwriters... everything on it is country."

The trio discusses the underlying reasons for this genre blending, emphasizing the breaking down of traditional barriers and the commercial viability of country music:

[33:32] Michael Barbaro: "Country music is big business. ... Shabuzzi got played on country radio, Post Malone went straight down the middle."

Conclusion: A Year of Diversity and Transformation in Music

2024 was marked by significant shifts in the music industry, characterized by genre blending, impactful feuds, and the rise of new voices challenging established norms. From Charli XCX's cultural impact to Chapel Roan's authentic storytelling, Sabrina Carpenter's versatile hits, Taylor Swift's commercial triumphs, and the historic Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar feud, the year underscored the dynamic and evolving nature of music. Additionally, the seamless integration of pop artists into country music highlighted a broader acceptance of genre fluidity, signaling a maturing audience and a more inclusive musical landscape.

As The Daily episode illustrates, the year's music was not just about chart-topping hits but about the conversations and cultural shifts that these artists and their work inspired.

Notable Quotes:

• [02:06] John Perez: "I liked the whole idea of shaking up the culture."
• [04:15] Michael Barbaro: "If you listen to them purely as art, the songs are not that effective."
• [07:32] John Perez: "Chapel Roan is an incredibly strong, traditional songwriter."
• [12:17] John Perez: "This made her one of the year's breakout stars."
• [18:25] Michael Barbaro: "Drake and Kendrick are generational peers."
• [22:21] John Caramonica: "The spirit of just nastiness... made that song the anthem of 2024."
• [24:53] John Perez: "Beyoncé's saying... it belongs to her."
• [28:36] John Perez: "Shabuzzi is from the South and this is a natural sound for him."

This comprehensive exploration of 2024's music scene provides listeners with a nuanced understanding of the year's most influential moments, the artists behind them, and the broader cultural implications they carry.