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.
Empress Of, “Femenine”
Lyn Lapid, “July”
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”
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”
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”
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”
“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”
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”
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”
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”
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.
