Selena Gomez – Single Soon

Selena Gomez is back in her carefree era, and she’s ready to have you dancing in the club, bedroom, and on the street with the infectious “Single Soon”. Transporting us to the 2010’s, this track serves you pure euphoria and sassiness in just under three minutes. The pulsating pop beat has a dark and brooding element to it which is then contrasted by her slick vocals. While the song might not have any drastic production quirks, the chorus is undoubtably catchy and will be immediately stuck in your head after the very first listen. 

Lyrically she explores the idea of knowing she’s about to break-up with someone who isn’t treating her right. So she fantasises over the ways she could break up with him, and how distraught he will be when she unveils the cards. “I’m pickin’ out this dress,Tryin’ on these shoes. Cause I’ll be single soon, I’ll be single soon. I know he’ll be a mess when I break the news. But I’ll be single soon,I’ll be single soon” she sings during the chorus. Having pop Selena back is very exciting, and I’m ready to see where she’ll go in this new era. 

Catie Turner – Someone That I’m Afraid Of

Catie Turner has already released one honest, heartbreaking, and completely relatable EP this year, and she’s ready to do it again with the announcement that she’s releasing “Comedy & Tragedy: Act 2” on October 27. Lead single “Someone That I’m Afraid Of” hears Catie flipping the script and reflecting on a version of herself she wishes she could be. Fantasising on being a little meaner, divisive and genuinely just standing up for herself more, the track doesn’t hold back. With a punchy guitar and drum led production, she taps into the more experimental side of her artistry that she explored on Act 1, and it makes for an unforgettable moment. 

And the dramatic song delivers some brilliant lyrical moments with a few favourites here;

– “Daydreaming, I wanna be a supervillain. But it’s all in my head cause it’s not who I am”

– “Gonna flip the routine. Trade in my kindness for kerosene”

– “It’s survival of the fittest. Be a bitch or become finger food for the narcissists”

Miley Cyrus – Used To Be Young

As America heads into the final weeks of summer, Miley Cyrus has dropped another new song to continue the “Endless Summer Vacation” era. “Used To Be Young” is a poignant and ultimately vulnerable ballad that hears her reflecting on her past and celebrating the wild moments and crazy behaviour that has brought her to where she is now. “I know I used to be crazy. I know I used to be fun. You say I used to be wild. I say I used to be young” she honestly sings during the powerful chorus. Instead of being embarrassed of her past, she embraces it as what has helped her become the woman she is now and it feels really empowering. 

The piano ballad is driven by a similar production to “The Climb” that hears her gradually building into this soaring and beautiful moment. The accompanying music video is a tear-jerking visual that sees her intensely staring into the camera and delivering pure emotion. Similar to Gwen Stefani’s “Used To Love You” video, you will find yourself immediately feeling all the emotions with her, even if you aren’t in the same headspace that she might be in. 

Omar Apollo – Ice Slippin

Omar Apollo has opened a new chapter by announcing that his new EP “Live For Me” will be released on October 6. Accompanying the announcement is the vulnerable “Ice Slippin” which beautifully reflects on coming out to his family, and needing to take a moment to drive away for some clarity and to escape the emotional chaos, but finding himself in the middle of an ice storm. The true story and recount of that night is tender, and an important one for listeners to immerse themselves within. “And you thought what you said would be for the best, but instead, you broke me down” he emotionally sings, on top of the vivd description of the surroundings, “Driving ’round in the snow, ice on the glass. Heat didn’t work, couldn’t see nothing. Ice slippin’, swear to God, could’ve hit the brakes, steering wheel locked, almost said “fuck it””.

The haunting piano led production has elements that reminds me of Kanye West’s “Runaway”, and then it builds with RNB influenced beats and drums to give the song some varied perspective. The four minute track is a compelling listen that gives fans an insight into one of his most vulnerable moments. 

The Snuts – Dreams 

Following their recent whirlwind Australian tour, Scottish indie rock band The Snuts have dropped another infectiously woven track that will live rent-free in your head. After teasing “Dreams” in their live show, the studio version of the track manages to deliver the same level of energy and carefree embodiment. Packed with a singalong ready chorus that unsurprisingly already goes off in their set, you will be ready to scream along with them and bop around the mosh pit. Capturing the youthful essence of being dumbstruck that you ended up with someone you didn’t think would be in your league or see your two worlds colliding, there is an earnest emotion embodied. “Never in my wildest dreams, would you be all mine. Like it’s meant to bе” lead vocalist Jack Cochrane sings. “Dreams” is another brilliant anthem for their growing discography. 

YUNGBLUD – Hated 

TW: Sexual assault 

YUNGBLUD has delivered one of the most important songs of the week with the brutally honest and vulnerable “Hated”. Opening up about some very real trauma in his life, he unpack truths that he’s held back from telling in the past, from being molested by a doctor at seven years old, to struggling with dealing with fame, and complications with his family. “Let’s talk about the day when you were seven years old. The doctor took your little dick out, put it straight down his throat. You never said a word to anybody. No one was told” he honestly sings.The raw song is contrasted by an angsty pop-punk production that brings a cathartic and anthemic approach to it. It’s a very heavy listen and will take two listens to truly digest it all. I do recommended being in a headspace where you can properly process it, as it is a lot, but it is also very important. 

Iggy Azalea – Money Come 

Iggy Azalea wants to remind you that she is still indeed THAT girl. “Money Come” is the lead single from her upcoming fourth studio album and her first collaboration with producer Tricky Stewart, and it sees her in full liberation mode. The song feels like quintessential Iggy Azalea with its brazen lyrical approach, and her signature vocal delivery giving us that Iggy flow. Exploring sexual empowerment and dominance, the carefree song delivers some great one-liners and sexual innuendos that are just too perfect. “Come, baby, come, baby, money make me come” she sings during the chorus. It’s an anthemic song that becomes even more iconic with the accompanying music video which is pure queen behaviour. 

PJ Frantz – Waves

If you’re a fan of Lauv, LANY or Jeremy Zucker, then PJ Frantz is on track to become your new favourite artist. Following the breakout success of previous singles “downbad” and “leave this party”, the Californian based singer, songwriter and producer has dropped his new single “Waves” from his forthcoming debut EP. The track is a soothing indie-pop moment that contrasts smooth beats with vocoder layered harmonies. Exploring the intoxicating feeling of falling for someone he describes the word vomiting and nervous energy that follows. “I’m too love drunk, and I’m feeling just a bit too fucked up, and I said a little bit too much when I said I like your waves on me” he honestly sings. “Waves” is a really impressive indie-pop song that cements PJ Frantz as someone you definitely need to keep an eye on.