Looking for some motivation to help power you through the start of another work week? We feel you, and with some stellar new pop tunes, we’ve got you covered.
These tracks from artists including Conan Gray, Glass Animals, Chappell Roan and more will get you energized to take on the week. Pop any of these gems into your personal playlists — or scroll to the end of the post for a custom playlist.
The guitar line on Omar Apollo’s “Spite” is jagged and unsettled, a simple lick that doubles back on itself and bristles above the steady rhythm. Apollo approaches his new single in a similar manner: “Spite” is smooth but never easy, as Apollo considers flawed possibilities and unhappy circumstances related to a long-distance relationship that probably should end but remains tangled up in his mind. “Every time I see you on my phonе / Hate that I still need you in my life!” he crows, his voice rising with discontent but then winding back down to a sad conclusion: “I still wanna take you on a date.”
Apollo’s professional successes, from his early singles to “Evergreen” going viral on TikTok to his best new artist Grammy nom, have largely hinged on his voice and how he deploys its impressive strength. “Spite,” which precedes an upcoming sophomore album, positions his gentle singing front and center but provides new depth, oscillating between passion and helplessness with equal parts power and restraint. The performance requires nuance — a lot of that wounded chorus is yelped out instead of crooned — and Apollo meets the moment.
Debut album Ivory demonstrated that Apollo possesses a singular set of skills, but “Spite” nicely showcases his potential evolution on its follow-up. That’s in addition, of course, to tossing another sleek jam into his discography.
Here are some more new pop songs worth checking out this week…
Conan Gray’s new album Found Heaven kicks into gear when the pop star leaps into ‘80s synth-pop without abandon, and with its immediate keyboard maximalism, darkly suave vocal take and big-haired chorus, “Fainted Love” is the best of a very strong bunch.
In addition to giving Chappell Roan another opportunity to showcase her larger-than-life personality and ruminate on complicated queer romance, “Good Luck, Babe!” gives us a hook that’s a total blast to attempt to sing in a sky-high register — show off your wildest falsetto if you dare.
The pressure of trying to follow up an all-time smash like “Heat Waves” could crush certain artists, but luckily, Glass Animals don’t attempt to replicate impossible success on “Creatures in Heaven,” instead getting back to their bread-and-butter of studious, anthemic pop-rock.
The entirety of Fabiana Palladino’s self-titled new album is painstakingly crafted pop music, and “Closer” opens the full-length with finely crafted hooks that never feel fussy; the song entrances the listener and takes them along for the rest of the often sensational ride.
After breaking through at the top of the year with the viral hit “Home,” UK duo Good Neighbours keep the sunshine rolling into spring with “Keep It Up,” a charming shout-along piano-pop number that sounds like it’s about to be on alternative radio for months on end.