Tag Archives: ladiesof2024

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Song of the Day #5,837: ‘Alliigator Tears’ – Beyoncé

The Ladies of 2024
#1 – Beyoncé – Cowboy Carter

I don’t think there was any suspense over which album would end up in the top spot. Beyoncé’s latest opus has left all competition in the dust on its way to what — God willing — should be her first ever Album of the Year Grammy.

The icon has now delivered four straight albums of emotionally resonant, genre-bending work, starting with her 2013 self-titled album, then 2016’s Lemonade, 2022’s Renaissance, and now Cowboy Carter, part two of a planned trilogy. For my money, this is the best of them.

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Song of the Day #5,836: ‘These Walls’ – Dua Lipa

Continuing my countdown of 2024 notable album releases by women…

The Ladies of 2024
#2 – Dua Lipa – Radical Optimism

One thing I didn’t have on my 2024 bingo card was Dua Lipa’s third album flopping. Following the string of hits on her last release, plus Barbie‘s ‘Dance the Night,’ I figured she was about to deliver a blockbuster.

To be fair, Radical Optimism did debut at #1 in the UK, and give her the best first week sales for a British artist in several years. And her #2 placement on the Billboard 200 topped that of 2020’s Future Nostalgia, which peaked at #3.

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Song of the Day #5,835: ‘Bye’ – Ariana Grande

Continuing my countdown of 2024 notable album releases by women…

The Ladies of 2024
#3 – Ariana Grande – Eternal Sunshine

This was the first album to drop of all the ones I’m featuring, and though it has faded from the conversation, it remains one of the year’s best new releases.

Ariana Grande’s seventh album is 35 minutes of pop heaven, and maybe the breeziest album ever inspired by a divorce.

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Song of the Day #5,834: ‘Tiempo Sin Verte’ – Shakira

Continuing my countdown of 2024 notable album releases by women…

The Ladies of 2024
#4 – Shakira – Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran

A couple of weeks ago I declared that I’m not primarily a lyrics guy. Exhibit A would be my enduring affection for the Spanish-language output of Shakira.

I enjoy the Colombian singer-songwriter’s English-language work as well, but it definitely takes a back seat to the great work she has done in her native tongue.

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Song of the Day #5,833: ‘Birds of a Feather’ – Billie Eilish

Continuing my countdown of 2024 notable album releases by women…

The Ladies of 2024
#5 – Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft

At just 22 years old, Billie Eilish already has a slew of Grammys, two Oscars, and two best-selling albums. So what does one do as a follow-up to all that success?

Based on Eilish’s third album, Hit Me Hard and Soft, the answer is whatever the hell she wants.

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