Country music had another banner year in the history books. Sure, we didn't get another titanic album from Morgan Wallen to pad his hit-making stats. However, the genre thrived mostly without him. Instead, we saw a steady influx of newcomers, some of which were completely unexpected. The biggest song in the country came from Shaboozey's "A Bar Song (Tipsy)." It saw the intersection with hip-hop finally pay off in their favor.
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Additionally, country saw plenty of Zach Bryan impersonators enter the fray. Moreover, women are carving out a prominent space in Nashville after years of male dominance. Thankfully, this rush in the industry bred some incredible music too. That's what WOC is covering today, the cream of the crop, the 4 best songs of the year.
The Best Country Songs of 2024
Post Malone- "What Don't Belong To Me"
2024 saw a dizzying amount of transplants enter the transfer portal into country music. A lot of times it could play like lousy cosplay, an approximation of the aesthetic rather than an earnest interest. It would've been easy to do for Post Malone. It's half the reason why hip-hop remains so thorny with him all these years later. People can tell when you don't do something right.
Thankfully, Post learned from such an uneasy experience and has been embraced accordingly within the industry. The interest seems organic and he's incredibly well-studied too. All of this informs how great the music is, especially on "What Don't Belong to Me." He tries out his very own Keith Whitley-branded croons with an edge of drunken bar crawls in his songwriting. It's the best record on his stellar country debut F-1 Trillion.
Ella Langley & Riley Green- "You Look Like You Love Me"
It's hard enough as is to sprinkle a little bit of humor in songs, let alone make a joke the full arc of a record. Oftentimes, the punchline just doesn't land the way you would imagine. But Ella Langley and Riley Green shockingly pull off a feat by playing it as loose as the classic George Strait songs of years past. Ella essentially catcalls the male interest in the song, eyeing him up and down. Riley swoons at the idea of Langley handing him a beer and insisting they get out of the bar and into something cozier. It's all very silly, nothing as romantic as "I could use some of that." It's no wonder how it blew up in country. In a genre filled with lots of self-seriousness, a little levity goes a long way.
Lainey Wilson- "Counting Chickens"
Initially, I wasn't sure about Lainey Wilson. The talent is extremely evident, a strong voice bursting out of such a thick Southern accent. She's incredibly likable, with a winning smile and a beaming personality to match. There's a reason why Reba cosigns her as strongly as she does. Still, I wasn't always sure about her merits as a country star. She's certainly a hard worker but consequently, she would often follow the industry standard like usual. That doesn't always breed great music and it can often play a little stocky.
However, "Counting Chickens" lends credibility to her huge stardom. It's tremendously sweet, a song about being so helplessly in love that she's putting all her eggs in one basket. Counting chickens is something she'd happily do with the person she loves the most. The bridge soars, the sunburnt guitars roar and she harmonizes her croons alongside it. Lainey has the presence of a certified star in country music, a distinct voice and a keen understanding of what makes a great song swell.
Zach Bryan- "Pink Skies"
"Pink Skies" might be the quintessential Zach Bryan song. Everything that's great about the country crooner is distilled all into one record. His trademark harmonica squeals into the fiery crackle in the song's mix. The warmth in his guitars and his soft-spoken voice glow in the golden hour sunset. It all works in contrast to the starkness of grief where the family comes together to mourn the loss of a family patriarch. They weave through the sadness and the sweet memories alike, encapsulating what it truly means to lose someone. It's the best country song of the year, how great the genre can truly be when it's operating at its best?
