Let’s face it – modern commercial pop music has spent the last few years trapped in an endless loop of boring safety, recycling the same glossy formulas until the edges start to completely blur. Whilst the genre often gets a bad rep, there’s still a good deal of pop music being made that deserves your attention. In this round-up review, we’ll jump straight into the world of underground pop, exploring the fearless artists proving that catchy hooks and experimentation can (and perhaps should) co-exist.
Review by Jane Howkins. Photo of Shelita
Mark Emsley – Satellite Heart
First up we have Bedford-based artist Mark Emsley and his new single release, Satellite Heart. It’s actually more of a pop-rock song if we’re being specific, but I also reckon it’s catchy enough to fit in with the other songs on this list. Produced alongside Karl Morey, the track perfectly bridges the gap between classic 90s alt-rock grit and a more contemporary, stadium-sized pop-rock sound, giving the listener the best of both worlds. The chorus of Satellite Heart is an immediate earworm too, as it’s clearly built to be played loud and engineered with the kind of soaring, anthemic resonance that lingers, long after the final chord fades away.
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Shelita – Open To You
Los Angeles-based artist Shelita returns with her unique new single Open To You. It’s a smooth, atmospheric pop-r&b track that treats vulnerability not as a weakness, but instead as an act of profound courage, keeping the emotional scale of the song intensely personal throughout. Shelita has a really distinctive vocal style that actually reminds me a little of Bjork at times, anchoring the music well against the fluid groove the bassline provides. This song is a true masterclass in emotional honesty, delivering both style and substance in one cool package. If you like your pop-r&b with a little more maturity, Open To You could be right up your street!
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IamSnap – Last Round
Next up we have Last Round – it’s largely a hip-hop song, but the chorus is extremely poppy, provided by vocalist Lydia Caesar. Australian artist IamSnap has created something really catchy here, and the mix between rapping on the verses and the soulful singing on the choruses works exceedingly well, adding variety throughout the tune. Last Round offers a gritty and honest approach to survival, framing life as a relentless endurance test that you have to get back up from to conquer. I found myself really admiring IamSnap’s lyrical content here, as he’s successfully managed to turn the hook into a triumphant anthem of resilience that we can all learn a great deal from.
Social media: Spotify, Instagram
Hardy White – Alabama Girrl
The curiously titled Alabama Girrl is a new single from Hardy White, a Minnesota-based singer-songwriter who blends pop, rock, soul, r&b, country and hip-hop into one almighty package. The track sees Hardy bringing a bold new perspective to the culture of the Southern United States, combining an infectious mix of country storytelling, rock and roll energy and smooth r&b swagger. Alabama Girrl is really catchy and will get stuck in your head straight away, but the guitar licks, rhythm section and vocal delivery also add a real sense of attitude to the song too. As it stands, Alabama Girrl is a groove-heavy anthem about stepping into your own power with new boots and a fresh start, providing a positive message for the listener.
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Pop Sensibilities – playlist by York Calling | Spotify