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 Maisie Peters, Alec Benjamin, Yard Act, Baby Queen 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.
Samira, “Toxic”
Pop newcomer Samira has spent the year releasing a string of increasingly promising singles, and “Toxic” bests them all by imbuing its entire runtime with a sense of danger, as the stormy percussion and the lyrical warning signs suggest trouble lies ahead with her bad-boy subject. “Toxic” doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel, but provides Samira with a new high-water mark. — JASON LIPSHUTZ
Yaeger, “Jaguar”
Love Swedish pop? Dig into the latest confection from Yaeger, the impressive singer-songwriter who recently hopped on the latest album from fellow Swedes Icona Pop, and whose new single carries a similar sensation of Tove Lo’s best tracks. “Jaguar” feasts upon a killer synth riff (borrowed from downtempo electronic greats Boards of Canada), not backgrounding that hook too much as Yaeger’s voice drifts between vulnerability and ferocity. — J. Lipshutz
Kanii feat. Trippie Redd, “Sins (Let Me In)” Remix
After dropping “Sins (Let Me In)” last month, Kanii has tapped Trippie Redd to flesh out its bleary-eyed, melodic bounce, and the remix is a match made in heaven. Trippie’s croon grounds the track in the middle of Kanii’s vocal flourishes, gripping the skittering beats until his voice fades out — but “Sins (Let Me In)” still has another minute of evaporating emotion before the curtain closes. — J. Lipshutz
CIL, “Bloodsucker”
Plenty of pop artists try to stand out each and every week with dramatic vocal showcases, but CIL possesses the skill and confidence to pull it off. New single “Bloodsucker” is a snappy kiss-off with some muted strings, a quick guitar solo and a ghostly texture, but the instrumentation takes a backseat to her melismas, belts and snarling soul throughout the track. If you haven’t been following CIL yet, “Bloodsucker” will command your attention. — J. Lipshutz
Yard Act, “Dream Job”
Yard Act’s 2022 debut The Overload demonstrated a modern understanding of classic post-punk, but the previews of 2024 sophomore LP Where’s My Utopia? suggest that the British rock group is ready to burst forward with new ideas. “Dream Job” funnels their talkier tendencies into a crowd-approved groove, with the band shimmying over the dance track with undeniable fervor and untamed personality. — J. Lipshutz
The Voidz, “Flexorcist”
While The Strokes’ music often soars with live instrumentation — a hallmark of the group’s early garage rock revivalist sound, thanks to early releases Is This It and Room on Fire — Julian Casablancas’ side project, The Voidz, trades the crunchy guitar riffs and heavy drum beats for ’80s excess in new single, “Flexorcist.” The indulgent, nearly six-minute single sees the singer’s vocals sitting under a blanket of upbeat synths and keytar accompaniment as he casts an eye roll at a know-it-all (“What — you’re an expert?/ You read about it somewhere?,””It’s always something with you”) on the chorus. Talking Heads-inspired drum beats carry the song through its fade-out. — Starr Bowenbank
Wilderado feat. Matt Berninger, “In Between”
In September, indie-folk band Wilderado released its first single of 2023 with “In Between.” Now, the band has tapped The National’s Matt Berninger for a cozy acoustic take on life’s in betweens. And while the lyrics seem to tell a sliver of a larger story, Berninger’s signature low range adds depth to the open-ended narrative — resulting in an engaging “choose your own adventure” listen. — LYNDSEY HAVENS
Alec Benjamin, “Different Kind of Beautiful”
Pop singer-songwriter Alec Benjamin has returned with the creeping and complimentary “Different Kind of Beautiful.” Produced by duo Stargate, the single is the first taste of a new album coming next year. The moodier, Weeknd-inspired beat and elongated ending notes are evidence of what’s to come, with Benjamin confirming in a statement: “The song represents the start of a whole new chapter.” — L.H.
Maisie Peters, “You’re Just a Boy (And I’m Kinda the Man)”
Hailing from Maisie Peters’ seasonally appropriate new album The Good Witch, “You’re Just a Boy (And I’m Kinda the Man)” is a strummy, energetic tune that’s as much of a profession of love as it is a savage dunk on a romantic man-child. The influence of Taylor Swift looms large on this signee to Ed Sheeran’s Gingerman Records, but Peters’ deceptively sweet voice and sly humor gives it a distinct flavor. — JOE LYNCH
Baby Queen, “I Can’t Get My Shit Together”
A perfect anthem for a frustrated Monday morning, “I Can’t Get My Shit Together” finds Baby Queen bellowing her frustrations in a staccato chant over a playful blast of synth-y indie-pop. The South Africa-born, London-based singer might not feel like it, but when it comes to crafting sub-three-minute bursts of pop pleasure, her s–t is very much together. — J. Lynch
