The Best Songs of February 2024 // New Music Friday!

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"Training Season (Extended)" // Dua Lipa

Training season's (finally) over! Dua Lipa is back with another smash hit, "Training Season", which serves as the second single for her upcoming album. She previewed it at The Grammy's this month and I was counting down the days until I would be able to listen to it again! It's been on repeat ever since! Much like "Houdini", she also released an extended cut of the song, which I absolutely love even more than the standard version. The production is absolutely incredible! I am so excited for the rest of her album!

"Deeper Well" // Kacey Musgraves

Last month I mentioned that we were long overdue for new music from Kacey and it seems like she heard my call! "Deeper Well" is the title track of her upcoming album and it feels like a return to the Golden Hour sound. It is such a beautiful and reflective song, that lets her talents shine so brightly. Her album is coming out next month already and I can't wait to hear it. 🪻

"Sanity" // Paramore & Jack Antonoff

Paramore released the demo version of "Sanity" last year a part of their reimagining of their album This Is Why and now in celebration of the album's upcoming re-release for Record Store Day, they also put out a remix of the song by Jack Antonoff. I absolutely love it and haven't been able to get enough of it. It has a darker, moodier sound than what was initially released last year as the demo version. I hope they continue to work together in the future!

"Burning Down The House" // Paramore

The first song Paramore released as a newly independent band is a cover of Talking Heads' "Burning Down The House" for the upcoming A24 tribute album for the band. The album is set to feature a variety of other great artists, which I'm sure is going to be such a such a standout release of the year. This song is so fun and Hayley embodies the song perfectly. What a great way to kick off this new chapter of their career! 

"Me Before You" // Bleachers

The final single from Bleachers before their upcoming self-titled album is released next month is titled "Me Before You". This song is so beautiful and symbolically closes the chapter on a lot of the heavy emotions present on their previous record, Take The Sadness Out Of Saturday Night. Bleachers' upcoming album is one of my most anticipated of the year and it's finally coming out so soon!

"Blue Skies" // Lana Del Rey

Whenever Lana Del Rey records a cover, she always finds a way to completely transform it and make it her own. "Blue Skies" is such a beautiful jazz song, her voice was made for this style of music. It is so stunning. This song has had many different iterations over the past hundred years, most notably by Ella Fitzgerald in 1958 and Willie Nelson in 1978.

It is produced by Jack Antonoff for the soundtrack of the Apple TV+ series called The New Look, which is made up of modern reimaginations of popular songs from the early and mid-20th century. The show portrays Christian Dior and Coco Chanel in Paris creating their competing fashion lines and navigating World War II. The entire soundtrack isn't out yet, but I included some of my favorites from what has been released so far throughout this list. Jack produced the entire soundtrack which consists of some of my favorite artists of all time and I can't wait to hear the rest of it!

"Now Is The Hour" // The 1975

"Now Is The Hour" is a beautiful, subdued ballad recorded by The 1975 for The New Look soundtrack. It is a traditional Māori song originating in New Zealand around 1913, but also gained worldwide popularity in the late 1940's by artists like Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and the Everly Brothers, among many others. Matty Healy's vocals sound so beautiful and suit this song so well. 

"White Cliffs of Dover" // Florence + The Machine

I was so floored by Florence's vocals on this song, she sounds so incredible! I love hearing the way Florence and Jack gave this song a new life and put a modern spin on the classic WWII era song.

"16 Carriages" // Beyoncé

Beyoncé is back again with two new tracks off her upcoming second installment of the Renaissance trilogy. She announced her new album and two new songs during the Superbowl this month, "16 Carriages" and "Texas Hold Em", the latter of which made music history by being the first song by a Black woman to top the country charts!

I really enjoy both songs, but out of the two, I really loved "16 Carriages". It is a beautifully told story of her life and journey thus far. Lyrically it is so moving. I'm looking forward to hearing more of the country direction she's going in with this new album, especially after the disco dance masterpiece she released in 2022. I have a feeling the eventual third part of the Renaissance trilogy is going to be possibly going in a rock direction - but regardless of my theories, I can't wait to hear more of this next record! 

"Saturn" // SZA 


SZA surprise released her latest single "Saturn", which is such an introspective look into her life. I really fell in love with her music over the past couple of months and have really enjoyed listening to this song now too!

"Love On" // Selena Gomez


Selena Gomez released a cute new single "Love On", which I hope is possibly the lead single for her upcoming album! Even though Selena doesn't release music as often anymore, when she does, it is always guaranteed to be a bop! I hope this song is followed up by a full album soon! 

"Tripped" // Victoria Justice

I haven't heard new music from Victoria Justice for years, but I was so excited to see that she released a new song called "Tripped" this month! I grew up loving her music from Victorious (still do!) and she was even one of the first concerts I've ever been to! I am hoping she finally releases her debut album soon, I've been waiting for over a decade! 

"yes, and? (remix)" // Ariana Grande & Mariah Carey

I would be remiss if I didn't include the first duet between two of the most talented living vocalists on this list. But if I'm being brutally honest, I wish they collaborated on literally any other song than "yes, and?". I really like the original version, but I was just hoping for so much more from them. The competing whistle notes at the beginning are iconic though!

"You Should Start A Cult - Live From Spotify Studios" // Niall Horan

This month Niall released a live album recorded at Spotify Studios featuring some of his biggest songs from his three solo albums. "You Should Start A Cult" was my favorite song from his last album The Show and this version only further elevates the beauty of it! 

"Your Apartment" // Wallows

For the first time in nearly two years, Wallows are back with new music! "Your Apartment" is one of their best songs yet and I am really looking forward to hear what's next for them this year!

"Forever" // Noah Kahan


Following the immense success of his 2022 album Stick Season and it's deluxe edition in 2023, Noah released the third and final version of the album featuring the complete track listing with even more new songs and remixes. I don't know where I've been all this time, but I never listened to Noah's music before until this month and I absolutely loved it. He is such a talented storyteller that exudes so much emotion through his music.  



If you're interested in reading about my favorite songs this time last year, check out my favorite songs of February 2023!

Thanks for reading! I would love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below! So much great new music was released this month and I have a feeling these lists are going to continue to grow and grow as the year goes on! Check out the best songs of January & more from my ongoing New Music Friday series.

-Melissa ♡


Photo Credit to all owners - header designed by Melissa Kacar



Related Posts:

My Favorite Albums of 2023

My Favorite Songs of 2023

Paramore This Is Why Album Review



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