Looking for some Monday motivation to help power you through the start of another week? We’re right there with you, and with some stellar new pop tunes, we’ve got you covered.
These 10 tracks from artists like Kelly Rowland, Glass Animals and Yumi Zouma 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.
Smallpools feat. Morgxn, “Slowdown”
Indie rock trio Smallpools have unveiled another gem, this time with fellow West Coaster Morgxn providing vocals on a track that burrows beneath its bass line before popping back up with a shout-along chorus. “Slowdown” would work on the dance floor, as well as in a car commercial with slow-motion images that let you enjoy a majestic view.
Jens, “In or Out”
You gotta love an immaculate pre-chorus: on Norwegian pop artist Jens’ latest track, he leads up to the crucial question that comprises the hook — “Are you in or are you out?” — with a series of knottier queries, as if building up the nerve to ask about his deepest concern. It’s a magical little device in a song that will make your shoulders shimmy to the sound of Jens’ anxieties.
Kelly Rowland, “Coffee”
As a vocalist, writer and all-around recording artist, Kelly Rowland remains woefully underrated; in a just world, Destiny’s Child would have produced more than one superstar, and Rowland would have released a full-length more recently than 2013. Here’s hoping that “Coffee,” a pop-leaning morning-sex jam with a crackling beat to match every innuendo, is the start of a long-overdue new era.
Molly Hammar, “Alone”
With her new single, Swedish singer-songwriter Molly Hammar has captured the way in which simmering rage at a romantic partner can boil into a scream. “Alone” tosses turn-offs about “drama” and “baggage” at Hammar’s subject in the verse before exploding into a cathartic chorus: “You look for happiness in somebody else / That’s why you’ll always be alone.”
Tiesto feat. Becky Hill, “Nothing Really Matters”
While dance superstar Tiesto has worked with his fair share of A-listers, it’s quite a gift to have British pop mainstay Becky Hill provide her exquisite vocals to his latest house anthems. Like so many of Hill’s best singles, “Nothing Really Matters” is breathless, finding its pace quickly and offering its live-like-there’s-no-tomorrow message over sparkling piano chords.
Glass Animals, “Young And Beautiful”
Glass Animals’ Dave Bayley has been sharing covers with fans from his home studio while in quarantine, and his take on Lana Del Rey’s “Young And Beautiful” is simply masterful. Anyone else feeling inspired to do a Great Gatsby rewatch?
Declan McKenna, “The Key To Life On Earth”
Ahead of his new album Zeroes, English singer-songwriter Declan McKenna has been churning out one jam after another. “The Key To Life On Earth” might remind you a little bit of The Kooks at their best, and don’t miss the video — actor Alex Lawther (Netflix’s The End Of The F***Ing World) stars as Declan’s (evil) twin.
Lil Halima, “Glue”
Rising Norwegian-Kenyan singer Lil Halima is just starting to gather heat in the U.S., but she’s been making delicious, offbeat pop since 2018. “Glue my body to yours, you would glue your body to mine,” she sings here. Indeed, this jam is best served by spreading on sourdough toast and enjoying with your quarantine buddy.
Duke Dumont, Say Lou Lou, “Nightcrawler”
Britain’s Duke Dumont linked with Australia & Sweden’s Say Lou Lou for a bop about the type of woman you’ll never forget, taken from Dumont’s excellent debut (!) album Duality.
Yumi Zouma, “Cool For A Second”
Heart-hurting nostalgia in the best possible way. This one’s courtesy of New Zealand alt-poppers Yumi Zouma, led by the cool-as-a-cucumber Christie Simpson. “Whatever I can do, you go treat me indifferent/ A flicker of appeal, wouldn’t kill you to give in/ Another little dream falls at my feet,” she sings with impeccable cadence.
