Chris Lanzon feat. Harmony – Angel Litany 

Breakout Australian indie-pop favourite Chris Lanzon has returned with the first taste of new music following the release of his 2023 EP “Dark Side”. Opening this new chapter with the poignant “Angel Litany” with former Girlpool member Harmony, he cinematically sets the scene with soothing harmonies and beautiful production. Opening with the strumming of an acoustic guitar and soft keys, his warm vocals immediately hit you in the chest, with Harmony’s vocals intertwining in the background. Slowly building with the addition of strings and layered harmonies, their back-and-forth vocal delivery has you swaying along with full captivation. As the song reaches the 2 minute mark there is an emotional release with drums taking the song to a further level of elevation. It’s a moment that is made for his live show as there is a raw tenderness to the rest of the song that makes that exact moment feel like pure joy. 

Written with Harmony while Chris was overseas, the song explores the bittersweet feeling of unconditional love. Opening with the lyric “Your mouth’s so pretty, it’s all I think about”, he provides multiple special moments throughout the song including another standout in, “And it’s all figured out. In the stars, in the ground”. Chris has always been an incredible lyricist and he has this natural ability to have you emotively feel everything deeply along with him. And this song provides a moment of joy along with its beautiful production that hints at an exciting elevation with his forthcoming project. 

Dua Lipa – Illusion

Ahead of the release of her third studio album “Radical Optimism” on May 3, UK superstar Dua Lipa has dropped her third single, and it’s a bonafide BANGER. “Illusion” hears her returning to a 80’s synth-pop soundscape reminiscent of “Future Nostalgia” for 3 minutes of pure pop bliss. The verses have this naturally slick vocal delivery that sends a pulsating punch through your whole body. It then steers into this glittery chorus that is a disco-pop dream that will have you wanting to get sweaty on a dance floor immediately. 

Dua is a relatable queen on this track from the immediate opening line with her singing “I been known to miss a red flag”, and she keeps dropping little truths throughout the song like “I already know your type, think you playin’ your cards right”, and “I still like dancin’ with the lessons I already learned”.  This feels like the big pop smash we were all waiting for, and she has delivered above and beyond. This is going to be a song stuck on repeat for a long time to come. 

Sabrina Carpenter – Espresso

Coachella 2024 weekend 1 had some pretty iconic moments, but one of the biggest buzz worthy sets came from the new pop queen herself, Sabrina Carpenter. Following a massive stint opening for Taylor Swift, she dropped a brand new single ahead of the big festival set and it might just become one of the biggest songs of the year. “Espresso” is a pop hit. It has it written all over. From the playful lyrics, to the infectious melodies and the slick production, she will have you immediately asking for more. Wirth every listen it continues to further grow on you with its earworm hook feeling like it will never escape your head, and rightfully so. There are so many brilliant lyrical moments in the song, so here are some of my favourites;

Almost Monday – is it too late?

American indie-rock trio Almost Monday truly know how to get a sun-soaked hook stuck in your head so naturally, and their newest single “is it too late?” is no different. Beginning with a slightly grungy guitar riff and big gang vocals, they immediately take you to the sunset slot at a music festival. The energy is electric and has this carefree feeling that pulsates throughout. But when you dive into the lyrics you hear an aching of realising you let someone go that you actually still want in your life. “I’m in a headspace, and it’s all wrong. Is it too late?” Lead vocalist Dawson Daugherty sings. It’s a song that you can already imagine fitting so well in their live show, and hopefully following their run of shows around SXSW Sydney, they will find their way back down under soon.

Perrie – Forget About Us

It’s time for another Little Mix member to share their debut solo single, and you better be ready for some nostalgic pure pop vibes from Perrie. “Forget About Us” channels early to mid 2000’s for an up-tempo pop ballad that serves you vocals, imagery and drama. Opening with her immediately recognisable soulful vocals accompanied with an acoustic guitar and keys, she builds up a big pop production that feels like a song that Kelly Clarkson would’ve released in her “Stronger” era, and this is a giant compliment. With a Ed Sheeran co-write on it, this song feels like an unstoppable hit for her. And it’s heralded by a lyric that captures the nostalgic feeling so brilliantly; “I don’t want you ever to forget about us in thе front seat, listenin’ to songs that made you think about mе”. 

Heleina Zara – Boundaries

Over the last year Heleina Zara’s live resume has got packed out with some massive names in pop including Peach PRC, Gretta Ray, Hemlocke Springs, Wallice, Carla Wehbe, and Jack Gray. Impressing audiences with her own infectiously-laden pop, she’s taken to the stages on all these tours with a mix of unreleased and released material, and won over a growing fanbase. One unreleased song that always stood out as a future pop-anthem that is going to overtake all of your main character playlists is “Boundaries”, and now along with the release of her debut EP “Autopilot” it finally can be. The track is heralded by the infectious hook that hears her singing the steps that outlines how to not overstep her boundaries, and honestly, we all need to take notes to set up our own. It has a serious tone to it, but also intertwines a playfulness that entices the listener in. It’s a very smart pop song that you will become addicted to. 

CXLOE – Shapeshifter 

CXLOE’s debut album “Shiny New Thing” is finally being released on May 17, and so far she’s delivered a mix of vulnerability and pop bangers with lead singles “Till The Wheels Fall Off”, “Cheating On Myself”, “Chloe Enough” and “No Service”. Now she’s sharing a bouncy new track ahead of the album release that will get you even more excited to hear what else is to come. “Shapeshifter” is a bold 2 and a half minute listen that will immediately get you moving to its pulsating DIY production. She proclaims “I’m a, I’m a, I’m a shapeshifter. If you blink then you might miss her” as she describes the feeling of keeping your cards close to your chest as a defence mechanism. It’s a punchy and short track that captures your attention and will immediately become a favourite in her live set.