Beyond the Noise

A Celebration of Hidden Gems and Global Voices

Art wasn’t just an escape in 2024 – it was our compass, offering hope and inspiring action. From the halls of the Summit of the Future to the urgent discussions at COP29, music and storytelling transformed global conversations into shared experiences. These artistic expressions united us across borders, helping us process complex emotions and reminding us that no matter how uncertain the world feels, we are in this together.

In that spirit, we present the Best Songs and Books of the Year, a collection that highlights hidden gems – both new releases and timeless classics – that resonated most with the Our Future Agenda community. Let’s celebrate the stories and sounds that shaped our year, the tracks that made us dance, and the pages that made us feel a little less alone.

8 Songs We Loved in 2024

1. The Spark – Kabin Crew

“Think you can stop what we do, I doubt it!” This track celebrates youth creativity and innovation.

2. Wildflower – Billie Eilish

Stripped to its acoustic core, Wildflower blooms as a tender exploration of love, loss, and the shadows of past relationships. Billie’s raw vocals and emotive lyrics remind us of the beauty in growth, even amidst heartbreak.

3. Name of God – Mustafa

Mustafa's poetic track explores the fragility of human existence while touching on themes of faith, loss, and resilience. With its gripping visuals and poignant lyrics, Name of God is both a lament and a call for hope in the face of adversity.

4. Tuta Gold – Mahmood

This reflective song captures a boy’s journey of resilience, using the "tuta gold" suit as a symbol of finding strength and meaning in simplicity, all set to an infectious rhythm.

5. Good Luck, Babe! – Chappell Roan

Roan’s powerful lyrics and energetic performance create an empowering anthem for moving forward with confidence and boldness.

6. Tshwala Bam – TitoM & Yuppe ft. S.N.E & EeQue

This poignant track explores themes of financial struggle, peer pressure, and the temptation of using alcohol as an escape, paired with compelling Afro beats.

7. Joy – Angelique Kidjo & Davido

This uplifting collaboration blends Kidjo’s powerful vocals with Davido’s vibrant Afrobeat style, celebrating resilience and the shared pursuit of joy despite life's adversities.

8. Fortnite – Taylor Swift & Post Malone

Fortnite's lyrics explore themes of obsession, betrayal, and longing, with the "fortnight" symbolizing a brief connection whose emotional impact endures far beyond its duration.

shallow focus photography of audio mixer

Photo by Sašo Tušar on Unsplash

Books

That Inspired Us in 2024

1. Challenger – Adam Higginbotham

This gripping account of the 1986 Challenger disaster unravels the untold stories of the astronauts and engineers behind the tragedy. Higginbotham masterfully blends meticulous research with human drama to explore ambition, hubris, and the courage to uncover the truth.

2. Creation Lake – Rachel Kushner

In this part-spy novel, part-historical treatise, Kushner tells the story of Sadie Smith, a sharp-witted undercover agent sent to infiltrate a commune of eco-activists in rural France. This captivating tale explores the intersection of history, idealism, and survival in the face of looming global crises.

3. Butter – Asako Yuzuki

This haunting Japanese bestseller follows a journalist investigating a gourmet cook convicted of seducing and murdering lonely businessmen. Through their unlikely connection, the novel explores obsession, misogyny, and the transgressive pleasures of food in modern Japan.

4. A Mouth Full of Salt – Reem Gaafar

In a small Sudanese village, the mysterious drowning of a young boy in the Nile sparks whispers of sorcery and ignites a chain of calamities. This prize-winning novel delves into the ripple effects of tragedy and the secrets hidden in tight-knit communities.

5. Lead Bigger – Anne Chow

Former AT&T Business CEO Anne Chow redefines inclusion as a dynamic leadership skill essential for innovation and growth. Drawing from her groundbreaking career, Chow offers strategies to create agile, human-centric workplaces that thrive in an interconnected world.

6. What If We Get It Right? – Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson

Through essays, poetry, and art, Dr. Johnson invites us to imagine a future transformed by bold climate action. This visionary book blends science, justice, and hope, calling readers to play their part in shaping an equitable world.

7. Victim – Andrew Boryga

In this provocative debut, Boryga tells the story of Javi, a writer who manipulates his background to gain fame in literary circles. As the lies unravel, this gripping novel explores ambition, authenticity, and the cost of identity in modern storytelling.

8. City of Laughter – Temim Fruchter

This poignant debut follows a young woman unraveling her family’s generational secrets in a quest to understand her identity. Fruchter’s lyrical storytelling paints a vivid portrait of origins, belonging, and self-discovery.