This Week: The S.O.T.S. Bracket Begins… 🍉 😎

The 2024 Song of the Summer bracket is upon us, beginning with the Rock Division! Since this is the first division we’re covering, let’s take a minute to explain the process.

Before the summer is up, we will crown winners in four genre divisions—Rock, Electronic/Dance, Hip-Hop/R&B, and Pop—before deciding on the one true Song of the Summer for 2024! We scoured the playlists and listened to scores of tracks before narrowing it down to our top 32 songs. We placed a limit on one song per artist (per division) and determined seed placement by the total number of Spotify streams.

Now without further ado, let’s choose our champion for the 2024 Song of the Summer: Rock Division!

ROCK DIVISION: ROUND ONE

(1) obsessed vs. (8) Docket

The number one seed in the Rock Division is “obsessed”, a stellar rock banger from Olivia Rodrigo, made even more impressive by the fact that it’s basically a Deluxe Edition bonus track—how did this not make the album?? It’s a paranoid anthem for all the new gfs who can’t stop thinking about their man’s ex, and a perfect song to belt out in the car on the way to the beach or barbecue. Though GUTS was a 2023 release, this batch of bonus tracks (anchored by “obsessed”) has given the album a second life for listeners in 2024.

Blondshell and Bully’s “Docket” may be an 8th seed in this bracket, with not even 2 million streams on Spotify, but if you’ve heard it you know it’s as much a Song of the Year contender as it is Song of the Summer. The collaboration from two indie darlings we didn’t know we needed, “Docket” explores the messy hook-up culture of being on tour… while also maintaining a relationship at home. The Drama! While this may technically be an upset, we are confident in “Docket” advancing to the next round.

WINNER: (8) Docket by Blondshell and Bully

(2) Nothing Matters vs. (7) Bored

The Last Dinner Party is having a huge moment in 2024, so we had to make sure they were represented in this bracket. “Nothing Matters” is the break-out hit from their debut record, and it’s no mystery why—great lyrics, lush instrumentation, and a chorus so anthemic we’re likely to be shouting it all summer.

Waxahatchee’s “Bored” is one of the more upbeat cuts from the alt-country singer’s brilliant sixth studio album, Tiger’s Blood. It’s a great addition to any indie summer playlist and Tiger’s Blood will inevitably rank highly on our year-end list, but we think “Nothing Matters” is just an absolute summer bop, and the clear winner of this match-up.

WINNER: (2) Nothing Matters by The Last Dinner Party

(3) Sexy to Someone vs. (6) Dancing in Babylon

Clairo’s low-key “Sexy to Someone” is not your typical summer jam, but it does have that addicting quality you look for in a Song of the Summer contender with its sweet melodies, spaciously acoustic production, and Clario’s signature airy vocals.

The 6th seed, a collaboration between MGMT and Christine and the Queens titled “Dancing in Babylon”, is certainly a unique challenger to Clairo, but let’s make the case. This cut from MGMT’s 2024 record is a neo-psychadelic slow burn that spends its first three minutes building an extravagant synth-ballad, before catapulting you straight to the dance floor for the final minute and a half, with the pulsing refrain—“I wanna tell everyone I know, I love you.” As unconventional as it is, it speaks to us as the sonic equivalent of a late summer sunset, and the narrow winner in this head-to-head.

WINNER: (6) Dancing in Babylon by MGMT featuring Christine and the Queens

(4) Burning Down the House vs. (5) Classical

Paramore’s cover of Talking Heads’ “Burning Down the House” may seem like a strange SOTS contender, but we can’t get enough of Haley Williams belting out David Byrne lyrics. It’s not a particularly unique arrangement of the song or anything, but it’s easily the best effort from that recent Stop Making Sense cover album.

Vampire Weekend’s “Classical” is no better than any other song off their latest LP (because the entire record is amazing), but it’s the most summer-y by virtue of its bright instrumentation, with catchy electric guitar licks riding over rollicking acoustic strums. While this one was close to call, we have to pick the song that would be more likely to get the pool party popping, so Paramore takes it over Vampire Weekend this time.

WINNER: (4) Burning Down the House by Paramore

ROCK DIVISION: SEMI-FINALS

(8) Docket vs. (2) Nothing Matters

Man, this one is tough. Two of the best indie rock songs of the year, both insanely catchy, so this literally just came down to the one we’ve been playing the most. So congratulations to Blondshell and Bully, because “Docket” is going to the final round, facing off against the winner of our next match-up…

WINNER: (8) Docket by Blondshell and Bully

(6) Dancing in Babylon vs. (4) Burning Down the House

Two great tracks with equal play in our household, but if we’re truly looking for a Song of the Summer champion from the Rock Division, we need more than just a slow burn—we’re “Burning Down the House” in the Division Finals.

WINNER: (4) Burning Down the House by Paramore

ROCK DIVISION: FINAL

(8) Docket vs. (4) Burning Down the House

We’re down to our final match: the number 4 seed—an energetic Talking Heads cover by way of Paramore, takes on the number 8 seed—an indie rock rager from two artists whose combined monthly listeners on Spotify don’t hit 1 million. Well, who doesn’t love an underdog? The winner of the Rock Division and first of four finalists in the overall 2024 Songs of the Summer competition is…

The 8th seed— “Docket” by Bombshell and Bully! 🏅

What’s Next?

Right now— you can listen to all of the Rock Division contenders, including the winner “Docket”, in the linked Spotify playlist below

Next week— we take on the Electronic/Dance Division with eight new tracks

At the end of the summer— “Docket” will compete against the winner of the Pop Division, so stay tuned!

🚨 BONUS LIST ALERT 🚨

…and that’s all folks!