State Champ Radio 10 cool new pop songs
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 RM, Charli XCX, Dora Jar and more will get you energized to take on the week. Pop any of these gems into […]
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 Mabel, Lauv, Nilüfer Yanya and more will get you energized to take on the week. Pop any of these gems into your […]
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 Alfie Templeman, Debbii Dawson, Nxdia and more will get you energized to take on the week. Pop any of these gems into […]
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 Perrie, Tinashe, Mimi Webb and more will get you energized to take on the week. Pop any of these gems into your […]
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 […]
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 Porter Robinson, Artemas, Empress Of and more will get you energized to take on the week. Pop any of these gems into […]
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 Lizzy McAlpine, jxdn, Lava La Rue and more will get you energized to take on the week. Pop any of these gems […]
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 10 tracks from artists including Rina Sawayama, Fletcher, The Knocks & Sofi Tukker 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 of all 10.
Fletcher, “Eras of Us”
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The second verse of Fletcher’s new single, “Eras of Us,” amplifies everything that comes before it. After opening with a meet-cute, the pop singer-songwriter details the rush of spontaneity (“I would fly across the country just to kiss you and be back in a day”), the inevitable letdown (“We crashed just as quick as we burned”) and the artistic point of it all (“I told every one of my friends, you won’t get a lyric again / But g–damn, here I f–kin’ am”). As she preps her next project, Fletcher utilizes this new anthem to illustrate just how much she’s been growing as a storyteller. – Jason Lipshutz
Hovvdy, “Bubba”
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Texas duo Hovvdy’s new single “Bubba” is about a brother-sister dynamic evolving from childhood into adulthood, and the intimacy of that relationship is amplified through soft keys, pillowy harmonies and some production effects that zip around the arrangement without ever spiraling out of control. It’s a collection of hushed moments, winding down into an understated finale; “Bubba” isn’t a holiday song, but works well within a season of spending more time with loved ones. – J. Lipshutz
Florrie, “Personal”
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With a new album due out next year, U.K. singer-songwriter Florrie has provided a stocking stuffer for longtime fans with “Personal,” a deeply felt account of a dissolving relationship that still finds the strength to be molded into uplifting indie-pop. “Your love, it cuts deep, but it hurts like hell,” she sings, the drums walloping as her voice echoes into silence; on a song that grasps for resolution, Florrie sounds assured in her craft and radiant in her delivery. – J. Lipshutz
Ratbag, “Rot in Love”
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“This world kinda sucks, so I made my own.” So reads the bio on Ratbag’s official Spotify page, which includes the handful of singles that have earned the new artist acclaim since arriving over the summer, as well as debut EP Why Aren’t You Laughing? “Rot in Love,” the highlight of the new project, speaks to the self-generation of that self-description, its jangly pop textures and shout-along vocals seemingly beamed in from a world that’s much more gleeful than our own. – J. Lipshutz
Sofi de la Torre, “It Weighs So Heavy”
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Innovative pop singer-songwriter Sofi de la Torre remains a must-listen anytime she returns with a new song or project, and “It Weighs So Heavy” closes out 2023 with a yearning cacophony that allows her emotion to slice through the vocal effects and fuzzed-out production. Following last year’s Cashflow & Tristesse album, let’s hope “It Weighs So Heavy” is a sign of more soulful pop coming from de la Torre in 2024. – J. Lipshutz
Kieran Ivy, “Get Out Of My House”
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The slinky, sexy bass that opens “Get Out Of My House” is so warm and inviting that it creates a perfect — and unexpected — point of contrast for what comes next. “Get out of my house,” pleads rising pop-rocker Kieran Ivy, who later delivers a fuzzed-out riff that amplifies his wailing blues. The song functions as a direct line into Ivy’s mind, revealing the kind of innermost thoughts that are usually never said out loud — but here, he gives permission to hold nothing back. — Lyndsey Havens
Brenn!, “Looking For”
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Soul-pop artist Brenn! could be headed for a major 2024. With “Looking For,” on which he shows off his impassioned, subtle rasp over swelling Americana production, the artist doubles down on a sound that prevailed throughout the year thanks to artists like Noah Kahan and Zach Bryan — yet Brenn! injects his own music with a Southern-pop sensibility that’s all his own. While he sings, “I don’t know what you’re looking for,” it seems he found all he needs to continue cutting through. — L. Havens
The Knocks & Sofi Tukker, “One on One”
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NYC dance duo The Knocks teams up with Floridian dance twosome Sofi Tukker for a funky fresh collab that skews a little closer to the former’s world, offering up a sprightly nu-disco banger that brings to mind early ‘00s Kylie Minogue. “Down baby, down baby, hey / it’s better when we wait,” commands Sophie Hawley-Weld before switching to Portuguese mid-song to complete the come-on. – Joe Lynch
Day Wave, “As You Are”
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Day Wave – the brainchild of Jackson Phillips – taps into his melancholic side with “As You Are.” The indie rock track is driven by somber guitar riffs and pensive lyrics to match, as he desperately attempts to hold on to the past ideal of a relationship (“My life, is speeding after you / And I want to slow it down) in spite of all signs pointing to dissolution (“You’re so calm, the way you talk around me / Is making us collapse”). – Starr Bowenbank
Rina Sawayama, “Flavour of the Month”
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After the rollout of Sawayama’s 2022 release Hold the Girl – which spawned not one but two social-media friendly tracks (“This Hell” and “Frankenstein”) – the Japanese-British singer-songwriter expanded the set as an end-of-year gift with two new tracks. “Flavour of the Month” holds onto the sickly sweet hooks of the LP while adding a 2000s twist by incorporating a crowd-pleasing treat (ice cream) and likening it to how she can no longer please her lover, much to her dismay. – S. Bowenbank
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 10 tracks from artists including Empress Of, Delilah Montagu, Ally Brooke and Dinah Jane 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 of all 10.
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See latest videos, charts and news
Empress Of, “Femenine”
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This snappy single from Empress Of is a dance-pop treat on which she sings of knowing exactly what she wants — and refuses to settle for anything less. Delivered entirely in Spanish, Empress Of’s confidence-dripping delivery is complimented by a bass-heavy, sultry beat. If “Femenine” is setting the tone for what’s to come, then this next era is sure to be Empress Of’s most unwavering yet. – Lyndsey Havens
Lyn Lapid, “July”
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Rising pop artist Lyn Lapid pulled an unusual, though clever move with her latest single, “July.” On the airy track, she fitting recalls a summer romance — at a time when many in the states are approaching the dead of winter. As a result, a song so new feels so familiar, which is also credited to lyrics that allude to being 17, drinking out of solo cups and spilling secrets — essentially a starter pack for a teen approaching the next phase of their life, not yet knowing what they will soon be missing. – L.H.
Delilah Montagu, “Coffee”
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L.A. based singer songwriter Delilah Montagu has been releasing music since 2019, but her profile has grown drastically in the past year thanks in large part to dance phenom Fred Again… and his track “Delilah (Pull Me Out Of This),” on which Montagu features. “Coffee” shows a softer side in comparison, with the artist building upon her own harmonies and looped drum beat, resulting in a gorgeous and intimate track about the simple side of love, like — as the title suggests — bringing a partner coffee. – L.H.
Ally Brooke & Dinah Jane, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”
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The holiday season has brought a delightful mini-Fifth Harmony reunion: Ally Brooke and Dinah Jane have linked back up a few years after their 5H days for a soothing rendition of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” The accompanying music video finds the longtime friends goofing around in festive pajamas, while also showcasing the soulful vocals that has helped their group’s tunes endure. – Jason Lipshutz
Tiny Deaths, “Take the Bullet”
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Singer-songwriter Claire de Lune has established herself as an NBA columnist, as well as spent time in an early 2010s group named The Chalice that also featured Lizzo; as Tiny Deaths, however, she flaunts a singular skill set, often operating over lilting pop arrangements. “Take the Bullet,” from new album Spirit of the Staircase, contains a percussive drive in addition to the ethereal production, as de Lune allows the instrumentation to stomp forward around her words. – J.L.
Mercury, “Woolgathering”
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“I’m overthinking / Just because I’m not used to being alone,” Maddie Kerr wails on “Woolgathering,” a gargantuan indie-rock meditation on still feeling unsettled when everything is going your way. Nashville band Mercury pull out all the stops to give their new track some extra heft, and while Kerr’s voice matches the guitar avalanche, the subtle glitches in the production play into the theme of something amiss, and highlight the song. – J.L.
Nailah Hunter, “Strange Delights”
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Need a pop song that celebrates the wonders of nature while also sounding like it was recorded outdoors? Nailah Hunter’s “Strange Delights” buzzes, caws and crows through the haze of its piano arrangement, with the Los Angeles-based multi-instrumentalist deploying her words sparingly; Hunter treats the song like a pastiche of sights and sounds meant to be remembered, and revels in the natural beauty. – J.L.
Ducks Ltd., “Hollowed Out”
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In the music video for the excellent new single “Hollowed Out,” Ducks Ltd. singer-songwriter Tom McGreevy sings the effervescent hook straight at the camera with stone-faced earnestness, as if presenting his latest findings from the indie-pop lab. That chorus is going to provoke plenty of tour-date bounce-alongs in the near future, and Toronto duo’s upcoming album Harm’s Way should be considered one of the most anticipated of 2024 if the rest can match this level. – J.L.
Kaytranada feat. Rochelle Jordan, “Lover/Friend”
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Wrapping up a highly successful 2023 with a double single, Kaytranada unveiled “Lover/Friend” with Rochelle Jordan and “Stuntin” with Channel Tres last week — and while “Stuntin” has its charm, the former track glows with an intoxicating rhythmic-pop urgency. Jordan exhales every syllable like she can’t wait to blurt out her passion, while Kaytranada bestows her with effortless dance-floor style, particularly on that finger-snapping breakdown. – J.L.
Middle Kids, “Bend”
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Middle Kids’ “Bend” starts out innocently enough, with the Sydney trio’s Hannah Joy confessing, “I am one bend away from a break” — but then the production erupts, her voice soars skyward, and the pressure that Joy is singing about becomes literal. The rest of “Bend” is can’t-turn-away catharsis, and Middle Kids end up with an anthem for anyone who’s at the end of their rope. – J.L.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/25glNEGqyQ4K8CsqHYRMEg?si=a51236fa2bcc40d8
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 10 tracks from artists including Lauran Hibberd, Ariana and the Rose, Shygirl 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 of all 10.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Shygirl feat. Cosha, “Thicc”
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“Thicc” thumps, ceaselessly and irresistibly, in the way that all great club music pulses through your veins; British producer Shygirl has experimented with dance’s pressure points throughout her career, but her new single featuring Cosha delivers a straight hit to the listener’s pleasure center. The track should be a staple of crowded dance floors in the coming months, as well as an immediate pick-me-up in your headphones after a long day. – Jason Lipshutz
Biig Piig, “Watch Me”
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“It’s a song to feel yourself unapologetically and to strut to,” Biig Piig explains in a press release for new single “Watch Me.” “Telling the world, ‘I am that bitch, watch me.’” While the Irish artist showcases that confidence in her commanding vocals on the track, “Watch Me” adopts an industrial whirr that turns hypnotic in its back half, particularly as the drums kick back in to emphasize the darkly lit, alluring production. – J. Lipshutz
Lauran Hibberd, “Mary”
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UK pop artist Lauran Hibberd has bulldozed her way back into our lives with three minutes of undeniable sunshine: “Mary,” a pop-punk anthem of the highest degree, swivels through hooks and blurted-out double-date details with aplomb, and Hibberd tosses out plenty of charisma along the way. Can the Warped Tour return solely for “Mary” to serve as its authoritative new soundtrack? – J. Lipshutz
gglum, “Easy Fun”
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Having recently signed to Secretly Canadian, gglum’s first few singles present a bold new vision of indie-pop, mixing guitar fuzz, sweetened hooks, classic emo flourishes and drum-n-bass undertones. “Easy Fun” takes a few listens to wrap its arms around you, but the attention to detail sets the track apart, with each moment containing carefully considered pieces of instrumentation moving in conjunction with each other. – J. Lipshutz
Ryder Beer, “Can’t Take It”
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Ryder Beer, the younger brother of Madison, makes an attention-grabbing studio debut with “Can’t Take It,” an emotionally charged slice of synth-pop that demonstrates his gentle voice and ability to attack spaces of silence within complex production. The highlight comes at the very end, as the track concludes with the dangling question, “Where do we go?”; Beer will provide an answer soon following this strong start. – J. Lipshutz
Crawlers, “Call It Love”
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British rock band Crawlers took off in 2021 thanks to their viral hit “Come Over,” and the British rock band has sustained momentum since; as it gears up for the February release of its debut album, The Mess We Seem To Make, second single “Call It Love” proves why. The aching alt-rock song sounds like how it feels to be the last pair on the dance floor — a sign of time well spent, and also of a bittersweet impending end. – Lyndsey Havens
Lloyiso, “I Hate That I Care”
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The latest from rising soul-pop artist Lloyiso is reminiscent of the 2010s amped-up electro-pop hits à la Disclosure’s “Latch” — and much like that song’s vocalist Sam Smith, Lloyiso possesses the same passion and soul that makes his vocal delivery all the more convincing, especially on lines like, “Don’t care if I lose / I’ll fight for you.” Just one listen is all it takes to believe him. – L.H.
Frost Children, “Marigold”
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Frost Children’s 2022 LP Spiral was a genre-hopping affair touching on electro-pop, hyperpop and bratty emo, but the sibling duo’s 2023 album Hearth Room is as soft and inviting as the furry pups on its album cover. Accessible doesn’t mean predictable, though, and songs like “Marigold” demonstrate that you can balance sweet harmonics with compelling sonic flourishes, creating sturdy indie-pop delights that deserve repeat listens. – Joe Lynch
Ariana and the Rose, “Cosmic Lover”
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As staccato, arpeggiated synths a la “I Feel Love” dance around the speaker channels, Ariana and the Rose urges you to “f—k the noise, come on boy” and hit the interstellar dance floor on “Cosmic Lover.” The video arrives with a remix from Initial Talk that transports you back to NYC’s famed Danceteria circa 1983 – a time-travel loop we’re happy to get lost in. “The music video, remixes and tour feel like a perfect way to close out this [Lonely Hearts Club] album, I cannot wait to be singing these songs with everyone at the shows,” says Ariana. – J. Lynch
Evanescence, “Breathe No More”
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Twenty years has passed since Evanescence released its 2003 debut, Fallen, and now a few vault tracks have been given their chance to shine amid the record’s 20th anniversary re-release. The newly remastered version of “Breathe No More” is one of them — originally relegated to a B-side, the piano-driven track channels the greatness of the tragic yet touching ballads “My Immortal” and “Hello,” allowing Amy Lee’s crystal-clear vocals to delicately soar over twinkling keys. Whereas the prior two tracks found Lee grappling with painful memories and death from a child’s point of view, “Breathe” is a hard look in the mirror following a toxic relationship, as Lee wonders if she likes the person she has become. – Starr Bowenbank
