Our Favorite Singles by North Texas Artists in 2024

We’re almost through with 2024, and already overwhelmed with the high-quality music Dallas artists have released this year. North Texans representing all genres have been firing on all cylinders this year, whether they’re topping charts worldwide or just beginning to make a splash here at home.

DFW has a massive music scene as well as a wide variety of artists repping us on the world stage. If your favorite artist is missing and you think they deserve to be here, you’re probably right. But a comprehensive overview of Dallas talent is quite the undertaking. It’s hard to say what makes a song stand out, and with so many songs coming from so many artists across North Texas, it is even harder to declare what local songs made the biggest impact in our music community. What we can say, though, is that these songs captured the attention and imagination of our writers for both their sonic pleasure and their strong lyrics.

In the meantime, here are some tracks by North Texas artists that we’ve had on repeat so far in 2024.

Beyonce ft. Post Malone, “LEVII’S JEANS”

It’s been a big year for Grapevine native Post Malone. Leading up to the release of his debut country album, F1 Trillion, he scored two No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100, “I Had Some Help” and as a featured artist on Taylor Swift’s “Fortnight.” But it’s his contribution to this deep cut on Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter that we haven’t been able to get out of our heads since it dropped. In a recent New York Times profile, Malone confessed that he and Beyoncé have still never met in person. Their chemistry on this track makes that hard to believe. Carly May Gravely

Kameron Ross, “Sounds Like Love”

This pop-infused country ballad from America’s Got Talent alum Ross belongs on the next playlist you make for your crush. It’s sweet, romantic and seemingly created to be played in the car while the windows are down and you’re doing the dolphin-hand movement they do in movies. “Sounds Like Love” is a fitting title if we ever heard one. CMG

Loren Kole, “Ashes”

When we named Kole one of our pop artists to watch this year, we described her music as “moody, atmospheric and dripping with lush synths and cool-girl vibes.” Her latest single lives up to that description while delivering an earworm of a chorus. If this one isn’t on your party playlist, it’s not too late to change that. CMG

Moonstone, “Figured Out”

This power pop outfit self-identifies as “sad-pop,” but when “Figured Out” comes up on your Spotify playlist, it’s hard to fight the urge to get up and dance, melancholy lyrics be damned. The guitar riff on the chorus reminds us of “In Between Days” by The Cure, another purveyor of moody bops. Moonstone has three singles out right now and we’re looking forward to whatever’s next from them. CMG

Penny Bored, “Dance in Hell”

Do you remember that fictional band Lindsey Lohan’s character in Freaky Friday was in? Penny Bored (a solo project by singer-songwriter Faith Alesia) gives that energy. It’s the kind of delightfully bratty, pop-punk throwback that makes us want to call up our high-school boyfriend and tell him he sucks for old times’ sake. “Dance in Hell” might be their best track so far. It’s nostalgic and fresh all at once, just like all good pop-punk. If whoever’s curating the soundtrack for Freakier Friday needs any help, we have a suggestion for them. CMG

Rapsody ft. Erykah Badu, “3:AM”

The queen of the Dallas music scene teamed up with North Carolina MC Rapsody for this sultry track that explores the complexities of love. The lyrics tell the story of a painful love affair, with Rapsody and Badu seamlessly trading off parts with their melodic rapping and unmistakable singing voice, respectively. No overview of music in Dallas is complete without Badu, but this gem would warrant a mention even if we didn’t know who was singing. CMG

Smiley K, “Extra”

Smiley’s entry on our list of Dallas rappers to watch said that she “has a handful of money-motivated songs such as ‘Nann,’ ‘Not a Regular’ and ‘Benjamin Franklin’ that make a great vision board soundtrack.” This year’s “Extra” takes this to the next level. It’s about 2.5 minutes long, but that’s all the time Smiley needs to convince you to get a gym membership. No, she doesn’t explicitly tell us to do that in the song. That’s just what we got out of it. What will you? CMG

St. Vincent, “Broken Man”

The artist also known as Annie Clark burst back from a four-year hiatus this year with her acclaimed (and controversial) new album, All Born Screaming. The album as a whole is worth a listen, but if you can only get around to one track, make it the dark and groovy “Broken Man.” It’s everything people want out of a St. Vincent song: thundering guitar, raw vocals and unfettered rock star sexuality. Clark’s songs may typically be about New York and Los Angeles, but we’ll never not claim her in Dallas. CMG

Valenti ft. Breakfast Santana, “It Is What It Is”

Musician, writer and producer Valenti, formerly of Dallas-based funk-rock band The Effinays, teams up with rapper Breakfast Santana for this chill, ’90s-esque hip-hop track. The music video, which features Valenti taking Breakfast Santana to a jewelry store to pick out an engagement ring for her girlfriend, is worth checking out as well. It’s pretty wholesome. CMG

Usher ft. Burna Boy, “Coming Home”

Three decades into his career, the Dallas-born R&B artist is as big as ever, thanks in part to his crowd-pleasing Super Bowl halftime show earlier this year. In the weeks following the game, you could walk down the streets of Deep Ellum and hear “Yeah” blasting out of multiple clubs at the same time. Honestly, we could’ve gotten away with putting “Yeah” on this list for that reason alone, but we chose to highlight this steamy single off his latest album instead. Not that anybody who watched that show needs reminding, but we’ll say it anyway: Usher’s still got it. CMG

Kali Flower, “I Might (Fuccgirl Szn)”

Kali says the character of the “fuccgirl” was born during a time in her life when she was acting “oblivious” amid heartache.
“I was just having fun,” Kali says. “I wasn’t really thinking of or aware of the consequences of certain actions. I leaned on a lot of vices to deal with reality, to almost create this better reality.” In the song, Kali lays down the law and plays by the rules of her own game. In this chapter, she’s not living by the expectations of any man, but plotting her world takeover with her girls by her side. Alex Gonzalez

King Clam, “69”

Their latest single, “69,” has a theme of sexual revenge, as singer Scarlet McPherson belts out in the lyrics: “Spending my time in a passionate 69/ I’m gonna forget you/ I’m gonna make it more than you/ I’m gonna make them say my name.”

“’69’ is the first song we wrote together, on the train in China,” says guitarist Skyler Chilton. “It’s inspired by taking back our power after breakups.”

“People love ’69,’ it’s very chill, very classic, soul-driven,” says McPherson. “The song means a lot to the both of us. The song that we picked and the artwork we picked of us is me and Skyler, our hands together, we’re doing a pinky promise. That’s the cover of it, and it just kind of shows us being together on this project.”

But the song also has a dark message.

“It’s about finding inspiration in revenge,” says Chilton. “Just constantly being on the scene dealing with men acting like what we have to say doesn’t matter as much.” Ryann Gordon

Ravs, “Rosey Peach”

Ravs is no stranger to setbacks. On her conscious new single, “Rosey Peach,” an instrument-driven track, she delivers thought-provoking bars, combining her deep cutting rapping with her raspy, soulful vocals.

“We tend to walk around with these like rose-colored glasses on,” Ravs says. “As humans, we get so used to our surroundings and things that are familiar to us. So sometimes we surround ourselves with people that are like us, and have similar experiences than us. And it’s awesome to be able to find those people. But to not have diverse mindsets around you, you get caught up in this idea of what reality is, because you’re not listening and talking to people with different experiences.” AG

Sabina Chamoy, “Full Moon”

On “Full Moon,” Chamoy delivers gorgeously haunting vocals over a punchy rock track rife with snappy percussion and electrifying guitar riffs. She details a period in her life during which she experienced shifts within herself and in the world around her.

“On the first of May / Happened that very day / I could tell you a million stories/ I was losing the faith / So I started to pray / In my eyes the stars were aligning / I looked around and searched the town for someplace that I could hide,” she sings on the song’s opening verse. AG

Ceci Ceci, “Malos Modales”

Much of [Ceci] Callejas’ musical and personal identity lies in her Nicaraguan roots, but she believes she’s developed in Dallas in ways she might not have been able to back home. Coming of age in a conservative country like Nicaragua, Callejas grew up thinking that being queer was “not the right thing” and was afraid to question her sexuality. Since moving to the U.S., Callejas has been able to meet other queer artists who are more open about themselves and their identities in their art and their everyday lives. By finding such a community, Callejas has found her own ways to be more open about her experiences, such as in her latest single, “Malos Modales” (“Bad Manners”).

“Now, I’m here, living within my truth, and there’s nothing to be ashamed of,” Callejas says. “I think, for me, moving to America allowed me to find myself – the true Ceci. And I don’t think that’s possible in a lot of places in the world. So, I’m very thankful.” Samantha Thornfelt

Jewels Clark, “No Body”

We caught up with Jewels at her studio in Old East Dallas, just days after she premiered her new single, “No Body,” a song born from a dark time in her life. On the song, Jewels delivers raspy, sultry vocals over a hypnotic track, detailing feelings of loneliness. Her newest single is part of an upcoming album called No, which Jewels says is about learning to establish stricter boundaries. AG

Ella Red, “I Like You Best”

Red released [the] follow-up track, “I Like You Best,” mimicking the rhythmic structure of her former single [“Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is”]. This time, the hyper-feminine hit found success online and has over two million streams.

“I’ve been getting around 20,000 streams a day since it’s been released, and it’s not showing any signs of slowing down,” she says.

Red told her Instagram following, “I wrote this song in part as a song for my significant other… but also as a way of expressing my sexuality and giving a voice to those who can’t turn their feelings into words.” Alyssa Fields

Chelsey Danielle, “Into Night”

Chelsey Danielle releases her first pop-percussion single, transforming the glory days of disco into a rich, modern electro-drama. Engineer Michael Briggs of Civil Audio tag-teamed production on the track with Rosegarden Funeral Party’s drummer Dean Adams, who helped Danielle home in on the sound she’s always wanted. To top it all off? A campy, horror film-esque music video produced by the local queen of the genre, Erin Devany at All Hallows Production. “It’s a little ode to Denton,” says Danielle, who watched her town come together to realize the vision: from the practice rooms at University of North Texas’ College of Music to an unforgettable disco night at Dan’s Silverleaf, through the eyes of a stalker of course. Poppy Xander

Sabor Puro, “Eztrellas Brillantez”

Lighting up dance floors from the streets of Oak Cliff to the State Fair of Texas since 2017, Dallas-based cumbia band Sabor Puro has finally released a delicious debut that can get people moving anywhere, at any time. “Eztrellas Brillantez” has a spaciousness and air of mystery that leads the listener on a seductive journey, a vibe achieved through well-executed production, accomplished musical performance and sultry lyrics. Produced by the band’s own Spencer Kenney and Ethan Worland, the track is full of hip-swaying swagger and lots of flavor from guitarist Felix Beto Tellez. The bass groove and assortment of perfectly placed Latin percussion, including güira, tambora and tumbadores performed by percussionist Luis Alberta Avila, lay the foundation for the tune, giving bandleader Sylvia Paolo Ortiz’s alluring vocals the spotlight. Ortiz describes the track as an “intoxicating anthem that encapsulates Dallas cumbia, a fusion of many different musical influences that each member brings to the table.” PX

Lorelei K, “The Moon”

Dawson Knowles of Lorelei K continues letting songs pass through her and into the world with the release of “The Moon.” The simple and haunting accompaniment of this track is performed by Knowles on piano as well as the virtuosic string players Leoncarlo Canlas (Polyphonic Spree, Leoncarlo) on violin and Andrew Dunlap (Captain Moon, Tulsa Symphony Orchestra) on upright bass. “I wrote the song on an impulse in a single session. It was a love letter to someone who is no longer in my life,” says Knowles, who adds that she regretted putting the song out, giving, “Somebody more power than they deserve.” The pain and melancholy are often what music is about, and the uniquely singular song has a cinematic quality that so well captures this. But it isn’t all tears, “I’m still independent, still single, and making music in Dallas,” says Knowles. Produced by Michael Briggs at Civil Audio, it pairs well with Perfume Genius, Lana Del Rey, Portishead, a glass of wine and a grieving heart. PX

Stan Fran Cisco ft. Chilldren of Indigo, “Neighborhood Narnia”

One of the best voices in Dallas, Stanley Mongaras, has combined forces with longtime Dallas favorites Chilldren of Indigo to make this psychedelic, mushroom trip of a track. Innovative sounds, a funky beat, and heavily produced vocal lines that stretch the imagination will keep this tune on repeat throughout the night. “I have put my best songs on each space of a dart board and I am currently in the process of releasing them, one single at a time, as I throw each dart and discover at random, which release is coming next,” says Mongaras. This is good news for those who love the explorative nature he brings to electronic music. Also, the drop at 4 minutes and 10 seconds: We’re going to be listening to that again. It pairs well with Gorillaz, Anderson Paak, Kid Cudi, Frank Ocean… and someone said something about fungi. PX

The Midnight Howl, “Guiding Light”

The Howl’s latest single, “Guiding Light,” came out of a dark time for lead singer Dev Wulf. What began as a soothing mantra he sang to himself in his bedroom ended up as one of the most soulful singles of the year. Ben Fisher makes a warm entrance on piano, then Wulf comes through with raw, bone-dry vocals. “Maybe I can be someone / Who can bring some hope to you / When a house doesn’t feel like home / I can bring some love to you.”

Kyle Garrison and Matthew Vasquez hold up a solid foundation on drums and organ as Andrew Supulski wails out on guitar. The gospel influence here is tangible without weighing the track down. At one point, the band was on the verge of calling it quits, but now that they’ve got things back on track there’s plenty of new music to look forward to. Sean Stroud

Curl, “*”

It’s almost unfair how Dallas’ resident alt-rock superstars Curl seem to possess endless sonic range. Each release brings a new eclectic soundscape for the band to wreak havoc in, and “*” is no exception. TJ Novak’s guitar throws out playful jabs as bassist Allison Owens and drummer Justin Hoard adopt a bouncy, segmented approach to match Gunner
J. Hardy’s volatile vocal delivery. Novak spirals into the chorus while Hoard and Owens’ syncopated approach kicks up a gear and Novak is given free rein to tear up the track, which leads to a sporadic back-and-forth between him and Hardy on guitar.

The magic behind the band’s bottomless bag of tricks could be their ever-changing creative process. Each song comes about in a different way, and everyone throws something into the mix. With more new music on the way, there’s a lot to look forward to next year from Curl. SS

Flowerbed, “leave”

To kick Halloween off right, Fort Worth’s flowerbed dropped one of their heaviest songs to date. Charlie DeBolt opens the new single with explosive drumming on a cranked-up snare while Steven Martinez’s guitar cranks out grainy, distorted riffs that are more texture than sound. Bobby Biggs’ far-out vocals are a clean contrast to the track’s heaviness.
While the band’s been busy playing shows alongside Local Ski Lodge and heavytrip, “leave” is their first release since 2023’s come and adore EP. Hopefully, this long-awaited single is just a taste of something more to come. SS

More Critics’ Picks

Preston Jones
Leon Bridges, “Peaceful Place”
Slow Joy, “Pulling Teeth”
Kacey Musgraves, “Arm’s Length”
T Bone Burnett, “(I’m Gonna Get Over This) Some Day”
Charley Crockett, “Visions of Dallas”

Eric Diep
Kali Flower, “I Might (Remix) f/ 88 Killa”
JohnniedamnD, Enchanting, Lil CJ Kasino, Boogotti Kasino, “Kasino World Order, Pt. 2”
Soufwestsean, “Moon”
Erica Banks, “On the Face”
Yella Beezy featuring Lil Wayne, “Hit”
DeeGlokk x 1BoDean, “Belt Boys”
BigXThaPlug, “The Largest”
4Batz, Lil Baby, “Roll da Dice”

Bryson “Boom” Paul
J$ph, “Imperfect Luv”
Tay Money, “Tequila”
4Batz ft. Usher, “act iv: fckin u again (18+)”
Trapboy Freddy ft. Yella Beezy, Montana 700, Kevan Got Bands, MB Pee, “Having Our Way”
Zillionaire Doe, “CBFW”
Montana 700, “Pipeline”
Latrell De’Sean, “Hanging by a Thread”

Simon Pruitt
Rosemont Kings, “Keep Moving”
A flurry of new singles from After A Night Of Unsettling Dreams
The Black Velvets, “Montreal”