The alternative scene was booming this year. Stacked with irresistible releases, we heard Bully join forces with Militarie Gun, Green Day reunite with producer Rob Cavallo, and Knocked Loose bring their heavy collaboration with Poppy to national television. As the year winds down, though, there’s so much we haven’t heard, so we asked our readers to name the best songs of 2024. Find the top fan picks ranked below.
Read more: 10 most criminally underrated Bring Me The Horizon songs
5. Linkin Park – “The Emptiness Machine”
Earlier this year, Linkin Park returned with some new faces in tow — including vocalist Emily Armstrong of Dead Sara and drummer Colin Brittain (songwriter/producer for G Flip, Illenium, and ONE OK ROCK). The band shared the news by announcing their first album since 2017, FROM ZERO, which was previewed by the single “The Emptiness Machine.” The song took the momentum of their reunion and supercharged it, spitting out a rock anthem that adds a pop-punk flair to the band’s classic sound.
4. Pierce the Veil – “Karma Police” (Radiohead cover)
The members of Pierce the Veil were a part of the MTV generation, which means they’ve been touched by the ubiquity of Radiohead’s “Karma Police” The OK Computer song was everywhere in the late ’90s, and the band have been including the cover in their setlists since revisiting it during a session for Australia’s triple j radio station. The positive response encouraged the post-hardcore group to record an official version, and PTV largely remained faithful to the OG version, pumping up the distortion and adding more emo vocals to the mix. It’s clearly been a fan favorite since its release.
3. Black Veil Brides – “Bleeders”
Black Veil Brides have always been ultra theatrical, and their latest EP, Bleeders, stays true to that vision. Though the project is just three songs, the title track is a standout — featuring an uninhibited performance from Andy Black with chugging instrumentals and a music video inspired by the murderous barber Sweeney Todd. Ultimately, it feels like a brand-new era for Black Veil Brides — and if its hard-hitting title track is any indication, our readers have a lot to look forward to.
2. Thursday – “Application for Release From the Dream”
Though Thursday have been touring on and off since 2016, the post-hardcore legends haven’t released any new studio music since their “Past and Future Ruins”/“Paper Lung” seven-inch in 2011. That all changed in April when the band unleashed “Application For Release From the Dream” — their first new track in 13 years. “Application” is just as great as you’d expect it to be, building on the atmospheric feeling of No Devolución while mixing in their screamo influences on the feral bridge. Thursday even shared a second song, “White Bikes,” earlier this month to cap off a tremendous year.
1. Bring Me the Horizon – “Kool-Aid”
Are you surprised? Bring Me the Horizon’s POST HUMAN: NeX GEn is an eclectic mix of sounds, drawing from emo, hyperpop, and screamo as the band grimace at a cursed future of digital excess. “Kool-Aid,” however, remains one of the album’s strongest songs — according to our readers. Its heaviness taps into their Sempiternal days while looking ahead to what’s next. Complete with breakdowns, a solo from Lee Malia, and a fearless pop-metal chorus, “Kool-Aid” really sends NeX GEn over the top.