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POP BOPS OF THE WEEK

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At the tail end of January, we’re checking out this week’s Pop BOPS – moving through shadowy synth pop, joyful collaboration, socially conscious pop, indie warmth, and late-night dream pop drift. Five bangers you need is it? Well, here you go.

abendlicht – ‘Abnormal Ending‘

abendlicht crafts synth pop that feels beautifully nocturnal, emotionally heavy, and just really magnetic

Abnormal Ending leans fully into atmosphere. Dark synth textures and melancholic melodies unfold slowly, balancing emotional weight with restraint. It’s immersive without being overwhelming, the kind of track that quietly pulls you in and refuses to let go.

Based in Stockholm, abendlicht is a new synth-pop project drawing from classic darkwave and electronic pop influences while keeping things intimate and modern. This debut feels confident in its pacing and mood, signalling a project that understands tension, space, and emotional nuance. More of this please!

The Alphabet Rockers, Doctor Noize & Vivian Fang Liu – “Diversity”

The Alphabet Rockers bring joy, purpose, and clarity into pop music without ever losing its sense of fun

Diversity is bright, welcoming pop with a sense of real intention behind it. The song celebrates empathy and inclusion through melody and collaboration, letting warmth and playfulness lead rather than instruction or slogan.

Bringing together artists from the West Coast, Midwest, and East Coast of the US, this collaboration feels genuinely communal. Genuinely nice to feature some pop that is just trying to make things better in the world. Each voice adds its own texture, creating a song that feels designed to be shared, whether in classrooms, homes, or anywhere people are learning how to listen better. Great tune.

Chris Oledude – “Rainbow Soul”

Chris Oledude writes pop music with conviction, heart, and a sense of real-world urgency

Rainbow Soul moves with an easy groove, weaving messages of unity and social justice into a song that feels hopeful rather than heavy-handed. It feels like a family affair, with everyone getting involved vocally, and the song only benefits as a result. The balance between rhythm and message is carefully judged, letting the song breathe while still saying something meaningful.

Based in New York, Chris Oledude brings decades of songwriting, activism, and lived experience into his music. Drawing from pop, funk, and soul traditions, his work carries a timeless quality, connecting past movements with present-day urgency. I’d love to see this live.

Shelita – “Sailors”

“Shelita has a rare ability to make emotional pop feel both expansive and deeply personal.”

Leaning into indie pop, ”Sailors’ is a gentle, cinematic meditation on choosing love again and again, even when things feel uncertain. The song flows naturally, emotionally open without leaning into excess, allowing vulnerability to sit comfortably at its centre. Bjork-like production flourishes make this one a real standout.

Raised in Seattle and now working internationally, Shelita blends pop with global influences and a strong sense of place. Her songwriting feels adventurous yet grounded, with a voice that carries warmth, control, and quiet confidence. This continues the growing promise we’ve seen from Shelita with her singles last year. Excited to hear more.

Us and I – “What’s There to Dream”

Us and I create dream pop that feels weightless, reflective, and quietly profound

What’s There to Dream drifts between doubt and dreaming, wrapped in soft synths and hazy textures. This is definitely the best dream pop we’ve heard this year; and the track invites stillness, encouraging listeners to sit with uncertainty rather than resolve it too quickly.

Now based in Düsseldorf, Us and I are a duo originally from India, crafting dream pop rooted in introspection and atmosphere. Their music lives in the space between night and neon, melancholy and comfort, making this a quietly absorbing listen. I hope there’s more of this on the way.

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THIS WEEK’S ROCK BOPS

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Easing into the end of January, this week’s Rock BOPS leans into emotional weight, big choruses, and songs that don’t shy away from saying the hard things out loud. From cathartic pop-rock confessionals to high-energy indie grit and full-throttle American rock, these four tracks all hit in different ways, but they share that same urgency. We love them all.

Jay Putty – “Echoes”

Jay Putty writes with a rare emotional clarity, pairing raw vulnerability with cinematic pop-rock dynamics that feel both intimate and expansive

Jay Putty takes this week’s Pop Rock BOP of the Week with “Echoes”, a sweeping, emotionally charged track that sits right at the intersection of intimacy and scale. Quiet, reflective moments give way to towering choruses, capturing the feeling of thoughts looping endlessly in your head after a relationship ends.

There’s a real sense of restraint here, the song holds back just long enough to make the release hit harder. “Echoes” feels made for late-night reflection. It’s all headphones on, volume up, when you need a song to sit with the weight rather than rush past it. Great tune.

wsemsz – “Midnight Fire”

wsemsz creates immersive rock music that pulls you inward, introspective, emotionally rich, and quietly powerful in its restraint

“Midnight Fire” shows wsemsz leaning into atmosphere as much as impact. Built through a deeply personal, almost solitary process, the track feels really immersive and inward-looking, blending rock textures with emotional vulnerability.

It’s the kind of song that rewards close listening, subtle shifts, layered emotion, and a sense of tension that really sits with you but never quite resolves. “Midnight Fire” doesn’t chase volume for the sake of it, instead it simmers, drawing you deeper with every listen. Another banger, it’s great.

Patience Please – Madelaine

Patience Please channel indie beauty and romantic reflection into a sharp, indie classic

Patience Please earn Indie Rock BOP of the Week with a track that balances polish and a stunning, lazy indie in all the right ways. Beautiful guitars, a slightly sunday afternoon rhythm, but also emotionally charged vocals give the song a real sense of movement. It’s a stunner.

There’s an immediacy here that makes you want to hear it loud, preferably surrounded by people. It’s confident, forward-moving indie rock that knows exactly what it’s doing without losing that restless edge. More of this please, guys.

Aranda – “You Don’t Want to Know”

Aranda deliver rock with real weight and conviction, blending grit, vulnerability, and powerhouse energy into something bold and uncompromising

Taking things back up a notch, Aranda bring the heavy energy this week with “You Don’t Want to Know”, a rock track that doesn’t pull its punches. Fueled by craft and an incredible production – alongside powerhouse vocals, the song dives straight into emotional turmoil and confrontation, wearing its honesty proudly.

There’s something classic about this track, but it never feels dated. It’s loud, direct, and built to hit hard, the kind of rock song that thrives on big stages and bigger emotions. Rock is kicking the year off in style, with songs like this.

Want to hear more? Check out our playlists with more fantastic artists:

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TODAY’S POP BOPS // CELESTE MARIE WILSON

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This edition of Pop BOPS leans great, honest pop music, the kind you just don’t want to miss.

Celeste Marie Wilson – Ever Wanted

Ever Wanted captures that dizzy moment when a crush tips into something real, all nerves, hope, and barely contained excitement. Celeste Marie Wilson leans fully into the rush of young love here, wrapping romantic uncertainty in bright pop hooks and a glossy, late night shimmer.

The track moves with a light, buoyant energy, blending pop sparkle with a touch of rock edge, the kind of song that feels made for car windows down and repeat listens. There is a sweetness to it, but it never feels naïve. Instead, it understands how vulnerable it is to admit what you want, and how brave it can feel to finally say it out loud.

Celeste’s vocal performance is the real anchor. She shifts effortlessly between softness and confidence, letting the emotion build naturally rather than forcing it. When the chorus hits, it feels earned, like a release of everything the song has been holding back.

Ever Wanted is pop storytelling done right. It is playful, heartfelt, and full of movement, the kind of track that reminds you how powerful simple, honest feelings can be when paired with a great melody. A feel good pop bop with real emotional weight behind the shine.

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TODAY’S ELECTRONIC BOPS // BSP

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This edition of Electronic BOPS leans into music that blurs senses and softens edges, where emotion moves through circuitry and colour.

BSP – MIRROR

BSP kicks off 2026 with an stunningly beautiful, immersive electronic banger

MIRROR finds BSP operating in her element, fusing electronic textures with emotional clarity. Built in collaboration with producer FREQUENCY33, the track moves with a steady, immersive pulse, drawing you inward rather than pushing outward. It feels considered and spacious, giving each element room to glow.

There is a tactile quality to the production, shaped by BSP’s synesthetic approach to music making. Sound behaves like colour here, layering softly, shifting tone, and creating a sense of depth that rewards close listening. Vocally it’s genuinely stunning, leaning on almost bjork-like tones at times, and always a sense of being guided through the electronic framework.

MIRROR works best when allowed to unfold slowly. It is not chasing peaks or drops, but mood and movement. The result is a track that feels reflective and transportive, electronic music designed to be felt as much as heard, and a strong signal of what is still to come from BSP’s upcoming EP. WE love it.

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TODAY’S ALT POP BOPS // LIZ NASH & CAZZJEZTER

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This edition of Alt Pop BOPS leans into intimacy and detail, songs that feel personal without shrinking in ambition. These are tracks built on story, atmosphere, and small moments that linger longer than expected.

Liz Nash – Little Box House

Liz Nash turns everyday moments into something magical, ‘Little Box House’ feels warm, grounded, and gently unforgettable

Liz Nash has a gift for making songs feel lived-in, and Little Box House is no exception. Rooted in reflection and place, the track explores ideas of home, belonging, and the small rituals that shape our sense of self. There is a calm groove and confidence to the way the song unfolds, and we love it.

Musically, it sits in that sweet spot between folk-leaning pop and narrative songwriting, with a softness that draws you closer rather than pushing for attention. Nash’s voice carries a natural warmth, making the song feel conversational and sincere, like a thought shared rather than a statement announced.

Little Box House is the kind of track that grows with each listen. Subtle, thoughtful, and emotionally steady, it reminds us that alt pop can groove along nicely to leave a lasting impression. We love it.

Cazzjezter – Woman I Don’t Know Yet

Cazzjezter delivers a song you just have to add to your playlists, delivering late-night honesty in a song that feels stripped back, brave, and human

Cazzjezter’s track arrives with a sense of quiet intention. Written and recorded in solitude, the song leans into emotional clarity, resisting polish in favour of truth. It’s so laid back, groovy and we genuinely love this. The restrained production give the lyrics space to breathe, letting the weight of the words land without distraction.

There’s a real wavy groove at the core of the song, shaped by themes of belief, responsibility, and self-awareness. Rather than preaching or posturing, Cazzjezter invites the listener into a personal moment, one that feels private but strangely relatable.

This is alt pop at its most understated and sincere. A track that trusts its simplicity and finds strength in restraint, leaving room for listeners to bring their own meaning into the space it creates.

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TODAY’S PUNK ROCK BOPS // INDOOR FRIENDS

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This edition of Punk Rock BOPS leans into growth, friction, and the uncomfortable moments that push bands forward. Loud emotions, honest intent, and songs that feel like they are being figured out in real time.

Indoor Friends – Where I’m Going

Indoor Friends turn uncertainty into momentum, Where I’m Going feels raw, energetic, and quietly fearless

Where I’m Going captures a band in motion. It is a song about self discovery, about choosing discomfort over standing still, and that tension runs straight through the track. As Indoor Friends’ first release as a trio, it marks a clear shift in both sound and intent.

Rooted in punk but flexible enough to pull from power pop and more melodic spaces, the song is genuinely great. It balances urgency with reflection, feels immediate and just polished enough to be a big pop rock banger. There really is some really fantastic songwriting on show.

Overall, there is an emotional openness here that gives the track weight beyond its punchy runtime. Where I’m Going does not pretend to have the answers, but it commits fully to the movement forward, and that makes it land. We really, really love this.

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TODAY’S INDIE ROCK BOPS // ADAM WEDD & KER

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This edition of Indie Rock BOPS leans into songs that feel built from persistence, personality, and real graft. These are tracks that sit comfortably between classic influences and modern indie instincts, driven by songwriting first and polish second. Honest, melodic, and quietly confident.

Adam Wedd – Figure It Out

Adam Wedd turns everyday uncertainty into something uplifting and immediate, Figure It Out feels open-hearted, melodic, and full of forward motion

London-based artist Adam Wedd writes indie rock that wears its influences lightly but confidently. Figure It Out leans into clean guitars, bright melodies, and a sense of restless optimism that feels rooted in the genre’s best traditions without sounding nostalgic.

This is real indie banger territory with a chorus to match. It definitely feels lived-in rather than overworked, driven by Wedd’s multi-instrumental touch and an instinct for hooks that land without forcing the moment. The song captures that familiar space between doubt and momentum, where things are not solved yet, but movement matters more than certainty.

Direct, engaging, and quietly reassuring, Figure It Out feels like a step forward rather than a statement piece, and that is exactly its strength.

Ker – Wondering on Giants

Ker captures scale and intimacy at the same time, Wondering on Giants feels thoughtful, grounded, and quietly expansive

Ker’s Wondering on Giants approaches indie rock from a more reflective angle, shaped by landscape, memory, and patience. Inspired by hill walking in Scotland and time spent absorbing older songwriting traditions, the track resists grand gestures in favour of steady emotional weight.

Built around carefully considered guitars and a sense of space, the song allows its ideas to unfold slowly. We love the unique vocal delivery, and there’s a rhodes solo midway through the track which we love. It feels measured, letting melody and lyric do the heavy lifting without rushing the listener toward a conclusion.

Rooted in a semi-nostalgic sensibility while still feeling present, Wondering on Giants works as both an introduction and a statement of intent. It is indie rock that values texture, reflection, and the long view.

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TODAY’S INDIE FOLK BOPS // JESSI ROBERTSON

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This edition of Indie Folk BOPS leans into the emotional margins, where storytelling gets strange, tender, and quietly powerful. This is folk music that looks inward, asks difficult questions, and still finds warmth in the dark.

Jessi Robertson – Shadow War: Singularity

Jessi Robertson turns vulnerability into something fierce and luminous, Shadow War: Singularity feels brave, searching, and really, really human

Jessi Robertson has always written from the edge, and Shadow War: Singularity sharpens that instinct even further. Inspired by ideas of othering, fear, and empathy, the track feels both intimate and expansive, folding myth and modern anxiety into a song that hums with tension and possibility.

Collaborating with Aaron Berg, Robertson opens the song into new emotional territory, letting space, restraint, and subtle shifts do as much work as the lyrics themselves. Her voice moves effortlessly, and it’s a brilliant vocal performance, shifting between softness and resolve.

Rooted in indie folk but unafraid of darker textures, this track sits somewhere between confession and confrontation. It is thoughtful, unsettling in places, and quietly reassuring in others. Jessi Robertson reminds us that folk music can still be a place for transformation, where difficult feelings are not smoothed over, but held with care and honesty.

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TODAY’S ACOUSTIC BOPS // MARTIN HOWARD

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This edition of Acoustic BOPS slows everything right down. Built around touch, tone, and space, this is a piece that invites you to listen closely, breathe a little deeper, and let the details do the talking.

Martin Howard – Selene

Martin Howard captures something quietly beautiful here, an acoustic piece that glows with warmth, patience, and real emotional clarity

Inspired by a moonscape painted by his wife, this latest solo guitar piece from Martin Howard feels intimate and carefully observed. Played on a fifty year old classical guitar, the track leans into warm nylon tones and a crystalline clarity that never feels showy or overworked.

Howard’s background in classical guitar is clear, but the song never feels rigid. Instead, it gently bridges classical technique with folk and contemporary influences, creating something that feels accessible and deeply human. Every note has space to resonate, allowing the melody to unfold naturally rather than rush toward a destination.

There is a calm confidence in this track. It fills a rare space in the acoustic world, offering original nylon guitar music that feels thoughtful, inviting, and emotionally open. Martin Howard proves that sometimes the most powerful statements are made with restraint, care, and a beautifully played guitar.

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TODAY’S HIP HOP BOPS // WAKEEN DEAD

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This edition of Hip Hop BOPS shines a light on raw honesty and lived experience. One Way is a deeply personal track that blends poetry, faith, and resilience into a reflective hip hop moment that feels grounded, sincere, and quietly powerful.

Wakeen Dead – One Way

Wakeen Dead turns pain into purpose on One Way, a hip hop track that feels truthful, hopeful, and emotionally disarming

On One Way, Wakeen Dead invites listeners into his story without filters or bravado. The track is built around raw lyricism and stripped-back production, allowing the weight of his words to land fully. There is an unmistakable sense of conviction here, not just in what he says, but in how calmly and clearly he says it.

Recorded at home while still early in his production journey, One Way carries a sincerity that polished studio gloss could never replicate. Wakeen’s delivery feels reflective rather than preachy, shaped by personal experiences with addiction, homelessness, and mental health struggles, and guided by a message of faith and perseverance.

This is hip hop as testimony. One Way does not chase trends or volume, instead choosing emotional clarity and meaning. Wakeen Dead proves that sometimes the most impactful songs are the ones that speak quietly, honestly, and straight from the heart.

Listen to One Way on Spotify

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