Looking for some motivation to get you through the start of another work week? We feel you, and with stellar new pop tracks, we’ve got you covered.
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These 10 tracks from artists such as Gracie Abrams, GAYLE, Cat Burns and Gryffin will give you energy to face the week. Add any of these gems to your personal playlists – or scroll to the end of the post for a personalized playlist of all 10.
Gracie Abrams, “Hard”
Gracie Abrams takes a deep breath on “Difficult,” literally: most of her lines about balancing her adult vulnerabilities are preceded by gasping inhalations, as if swallowing her worries. The effect is a performance steeped in fragile humanity, and perhaps Abrams’ most touching and comprehensive single to date. –Jason Lipshutz
GAYLE, “Snow Angels”
Climbing to the roof, jumping on pool tables, forgoing sleep and leaning into fleeting feelings – GAYLE’s latest is about the glorious messiness of youth and contains the kind of detailed writing that elevates “Snow Angels” above- above similar young and reckless anthems. Plus, GAYLE, responsible for one of the biggest hits of the year with “abcdefu,” seems to relish the risks taken. – J. Lipshutz
Fever Ray, “What They Call Us”
The Knife created some of the most singular and vital electronic music of the 2000s, so what a joy that Fever Ray’s mastermind, Karin Dreijer, has reunited with her brother and former bandmate, Olof Dreijer, for the haunting, kinetic new track. “What They Call Us. The song is bristling with a tension that never quite boils over, but I hope that just means “What They Call Us” is the first hit of a new Fever Ray era. – J Lipshutz
Gryffin feat. Tinashe, “Outrageous”
Tinashe thrives as both a solo artist and a collaborator — especially on the dance floor, as past team-ups with Snakehips, ZHU and Kaytranada have proven — and she’s commissioning “Scandalous,” the neon-tinged new workout. of Gryffin. Part of Tinashe’s edge on songs like “Scandalous” is her ability to mesmerize during quieter moments, like the second verse here, as well as in the fast hook motion. – J. Lipshutz
Sawyer, “Error”
Indie-pop duo Sawyer know how to take a universal truth — like, “it might be wrong, but it feels good” — and sprinkle the narrative with clever similes that poke fun at such times (e.g., even the visual is “sponsored by: the feeling right before you kiss an ex.”) And while it’s easy to hear a song like “Mistake” performed by a band like MUNA, the duo’s songwriting style is what sets it apart. – Lyndsey Havens
Cat Burns, “People Pleasing”
22-year-old rising pop artist Cat Burns is on a hot streak: after collaborating with Sam Smith and before joining Ed Sheeran on tour next year, she recently released a two-pack. Feel-good single “People Pleaser” is a self-awareness anthem that dissects the not-so-good habit of pleasing others, while highlighting the positives that can come from taking care of those around you. . – LH
Mergui, “Paradise”
Mergui, an Israeli pop star who is starting to make international waves with a series of English-language singles, has just released his Dark side of the rainbow PE. Latest single ‘Paradise’ is a heartfelt, hurtful meditation on saying goodbye in the midst of a romance you’re not close to ending – but with its effortlessly silky vocals, it’s ultimately an uplifting ode. to resilience. –Joe Lynch
Seán Barna, “Everyone is a queen on Halloween”
Rising singer-songwriter Seán Barna, who recently joined the Kill Rock Stars list, celebrates Halloween’s role as a queer Christmas in “Everyone’s a Queen on Halloween.” With incisive lyrics, dark new wave energy and its most immediate chorus yet, this gripping gem is sure to become an annual queer indie anthem. – J. Lynch
Cody・Lee (李) feat. SIKK-O – “DANCE 風呂a!”
CodyLee – a Tokyo-based five-piece band consisting of members Hibiki Takahashi, Reno Ozaki, Rikiki, Kei Nishishima and Teru Hara – captured global attention in 2021 with the release of “I Love You (我愛你)”, which showed their penchant for funky guitar riffs and infectious melodies. And now, with the release of “DANCE風呂a!”, the quintet continues to build on their upbeat sound, expanding outward for a lighter groove that’s subtly reminiscent of the urban pop era and the sentimental J-drama soundtracks. –Starr Bowenbank
Citizen Queen – “Breaking Up”
Citizen Queen has been laying the groundwork for a possible girl group resurgence for some time now, but new track ‘Break Up’ sees its members – Kaedi Dalle, Cora Isabel, Nina Nelson and Kaylah Sharve – cement their place. in the eventual return of the era. The sizzling, R&B-infused track focuses on the end of a relationship with a disengaged partner, but they don’t lament the loss: Like the queens they are, they savor the new times while putting their vocal agility to the test. ‘ordeal – the girls’ a capella roots shine in the harmonies, with Kaedi as the anchor and Cora stepping back from beatboxing to dazzle with her stunning tone. – SB