Looking for some motivation to power through the start of another work week? We're feeling you and with some amazing new pop songs, we've got you covered.
These tracks from artists like RM, Charli XCX, Dora Jar and more will give you energy to see you through the week. Transfer any of these gems to your personal playlists — or scroll to the bottom of the post for a custom playlist.
Most Beautiful Pop Song of the Week: Remi Wolf, “Toro”
In March, Remi Wolf previewed her sophomore album, Big Ideas, with “Cinderella,” a single that wore its bold instrumentation as a badge of honor. Funk guitar, jazzy synths, big-band horns and whistle blasts are layered with a nostalgic '70s flare from Wolf and co-producer Solomonphonic, resulting in a likeable track with plenty of swirling parts. “Cinderella” allowed the personality that made Wolf a fast-rising pop star to emerge, but also matched his lyrical theme of constant motion with a tireless arrangement.
Instead, “Toro” – one of two consecutive tracks from Big Ideas released last week, along with “Alone in Miami” — synthesizes the brash charm of “Cinderella,” but centers its pop melodies more firmly, letting Wolf fully shine while avoiding production buildup. An ode to sex in a hotel room, “Toro” immediately throws in frothy lyrical details (“Dancing around and spilling wine, you look good / In my hotel robe,” he sings) and leans into a nu-disco beam, applying the funk from “Cinderella” to lyrics that sneak up front and a chorus that revs up.
And for her part, Wolf is a force of nature on the dance floor, proudly declaring her lust and spinning around any bullfighter simile with ease. if you still had any doubts that Wolf had the chops to score a major pop hit, the explosion of the second verse on “Toro” should quickly put them to rest. Big Ideas arrives on July 12, and if this new single is any indication, Wolf's sophomore album could be one of the defining pop projects of the summer.
Here are some new pop songs worth checking out this week…
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RM, “Come Back to Me”
A radio edit of RM's new single has been released, but “Come Back to Me” wins its six-and-a-half-minute running time by offering an evolving form of vulnerability: after beginning as an acoustic hiss, the song moves upward to a gorgeous crescendo and RM handles development like a pro.
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Lou Cala, “Who Will Go”
Congolese-Canadian singer-songwriter Lu Kala showed promise on earlier singles “Pretty Girl Era” and “Hotter Now,” but on “Who's Gonna,” she's paired with a nasty bass riff that matches her confidence, as well as a hook that it could very well soundtrack a luxurious TikTok trend.
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Charli XCX, “360”
Amidst a surprise performance in Brooklyn, a star-studded music video and the continued release of the upcoming album Brat is what might be Charli XCX's most triumphant club in years: “360” is slippery yet magnetic, updating her brilliant bounce Pop 2 era for a wider audience.
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Dora Jar, “She Loves Me”
“This song is an ode to the girl I'd like to be,” says alt-pop artist Dora Jar in a press release for “She Loves Me,” which communicates aspiration through a delightful pop-rock carousel . each section of the song spirals elliptically around her melismas until they all collapse.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/lists/remi-wolf-toro-cool-new-pop-songs/