December 2, 2024 • You can't always know that it's a great year for new music while it's happening, but there was a sense from the very start of 2024 that we were in for a ride.

This was such an exciting year in music, and as you can see from my list, an especially exciting year for women in music yet again. They dominated the pop, country, and rap charts, just to name a few.

The volume and variety of great art in 2024 could set your mind reeling. But don't worry: We spent the year getting overwhelmed so you don't have to. NPR's staff consumed culture in every imaginable ...