Taylor Swift and Benson Boone are at the top of Luminate’s 2024 Midyear Charts.

In the first half of 2024 in the United States, Taylor Swift’s album “The Tortured Poets Department” dominated the charts as the most popular album, while Benson Boone’s song “Beautiful Things” took the top spot as the most-streamed song by on-demand audio streams, according to data from Luminate.

Explore further insights into the midyear metrics of 2024 with Luminate’s Midyear Music Report.

“The Tortured Poets Department” by Taylor Swift also excelled as the top-selling album, with traditional album sales reaching 2.47 million units at the midyear mark. The album’s success extends across various formats including CDs, vinyl, and digital downloads, with 1.07 million, 988,000, and 395,000 units sold, respectively, in the first half of 2024.

For the purpose of clarity, equivalent album units include a combination of traditional album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA), and streaming equivalent albums (SEA). Each unit represents different metrics such as album sales, individual track sales, and streaming numbers, culminating in a holistic view of the album’s performance.

At midyear, “The Tortured Poets Department” by Taylor Swift garnered 4.66 million equivalent album units, with a breakdown of 2.47 million album sales, 2.16 million SEA units, and 23,000 TEA units. The album’s success reaffirms Swift’s position as a powerhouse in the music industry.

The top five albums at the midyear point in the U.S. include “The Tortured Poets Department” by Taylor Swift, “One Thing at a Time” by Morgan Wallen, “Stick Season” by Noah Kahan, “Cowboy Carter” by Beyoncé, and “SOS” by SZA. These albums have resonated with audiences and made a significant impact in the music scene.

Reflecting on the current landscape of music consumption, total album units have increased by 7.4% at the midyear point in 2024, showcasing a positive trend in the industry. However, changes in methodology and reporting have led to challenges in comparing year-over-year data accurately, affecting the analysis of independent retail physical sales.

On the streaming front, on-demand audio streams have grown by 8% in the U.S., with Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things” emerging as the most-streamed song in the first half of 2024. Boone’s track, along with other top-performing songs, has contributed to the diversity and richness of the music landscape.

The digital song sales have experienced an 11% decline in the first half of 2024, indicating a shift in consumer preferences towards streaming services. Despite this trend, top-selling digital songs like Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” have resonated with audiences and garnered significant sales.

As we navigate the evolving music industry, it is evident that artists like Taylor Swift, Benson Boone, and others continue to captivate listeners with their innovative sounds and compelling narratives. The midyear data from Luminate provides a glimpse into the vibrant and dynamic world of music in 2024.