Looking for some motivation to help power you through a short (although, c’mon, still long) work week? We feel you, and with some stellar new pop tunes, we’ve got you covered.
These 10 tracks from artists like Sigrid, JoJo, Griff and Yola 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.
Sigrid, “Mirror”
Ready for a disco-tinged, summertime dose of self-love? Norwegian pop star Sigrid is happy to provide: on “Mirror,” the first taste of her next album, the pop hook mastermind delivers another indelible chorus, strings fluttering around her voice as she gathers up the shards of her confidence and declares, “I love who I see, looking at me, in the mirror!”
Griff, “One Foot in Front of The Other”
After Griff earned the Rising Star trophy at the Brit Awards and performed her top-notch single “Black Hole” at the ceremony, the singer-songwriter has quickly come back with a song that documents her quick ascent and the dizziness such a transformation can cause. “One Foot in Front of The Other” demonstrates Griff’s understanding of how to turn vulnerabilities into arena-ready anthems; bonus points for the Auto-tune straight out of the Pop 2 playbook.
Justice Carradine, “Okay”
Justice Carradine’s “Okay” is a song about a fragile moment: in a press release, the singer-songwriter says that he was at a personal “breaking point” when it was written, struggling with his mental health and a tough time at home. Yet Carradine’s vocal performance on the new track glistens with a warmth and sturdiness, his tone bouncing off the plucked guitar strings and eventually floating into a croon.
MØ, “Live To Survive”
A half-decade after “Lean On” conquered the world, MØ is still offering deliciously original pop moments that make you snap to attention. On the Danish star’s new single “Live To Survive,” that moment arrives at the 40-second mark, when the beat kicks in, the chorus takes off, and the ‘80s-indebted synth-pop track fulfills the promise of its opening verse.
JoJo, “Creature of Habit”
There’s no doubt that when JoJo belts out a sustained high note, it’s going to take your breath away — which is precisely what happens at the two-minute mark of this moody pop waltz. What is up for debate, however, is whether the aforementioned “creature” could be… a Black Swan?
Vincint feat. Parson James and Qveen Herby, “Kill My Heart”
Just in time for Pride Month comes this house throwdown about queer heartbreak and resilience from vocal dynamos Vincint and Parson James, which showcases their abilities to preside over the dance floor without sacrificing any emotional authenticity. And the Qveen Herby verse is fire, too.
oddCouple feat. Elijah Blake and Melanie Faye, “Who I Gotta Be”
Chicago R&B/hip-hop auteur oddCouple, crooner Elijah Blake and guitar ace Melanie Faye team up for this mesmerizing sonic palette of gentle funk, featuring a slow grooving beat and reflective, yearning vocals. “Who I Gotta Be” is perfectly suited for a hazy summer afternoon under the sun.
Yola, “Stand For Myself”
Powerhouse vocalist Yola is gearing up to release her highly anticipated second album, Stand For Myself, out July 30 on Dan Auerbach’s Easy Eye Sound. This week, its rattling title track arrives complete with a fuzzed-out electric guitar that supports the Grammy-nominated singer’s warm rasp — until both build into an eruption of sound and emotion.
Sofi Tukker with Amadou & Mariam, “Mon Cheri”
The pairing of these two duos — New York-based dance act Sofi Tukker and Mali-based icons Amadou & Mariam — for non-profit Red Hot, which has fought against HIV/AIDS for 30 years, results in a globally influenced techno track. Performed in Portuguese, Bambara and French, the roller-coaster-like production is united by a slinky bass line that manages to hold on even through the most intense of drops halfway through.
Kylie Morgan, “I Only Date Cowboys”
Rising country artist Kylie Morgan has recently logged studio time with Shane McAnally and Ben Johnson, both of whom produced her latest single, “I Only Date Cowboys,” off her upcoming EP, Love, Kylie. The rock-rooted country song’s hook does bear some similarity to “That Don’t Impress Me Much,” but more importantly, it helps Morgan solidify her place as one to watch.
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