Here is the playlist link!

• Colorado, US
• FFO: Beach House, Kate Bush
• It’s dark, it’s hazy, it’s groovy, and it’s ethereal. Let’s Make a Mistake Tonight is the second single from indie pop duo Tennis’ sixth album, and it’s giving Running Up That Hill à la 2023. For best results, listen late at night while driving on the highway, as is referenced repeatedly in the lyrics: “Let's cruise in the vesper night / Concrete in the headlights.”

• Germany
• FFO: Tiësto, Brooke Candy
• I have no recollection of discovering this song, it simply appeared in my library one day, and it bangs so I haven’t questioned it. ICH BIN DIE BITCH (“I’m The Bitch”) is a club-ready techno track with a super catchy chorus, which, despite speaking no German, I’ve pretty much memorized at this point.

• Finland
• FFO: Vengaboys, ABBA
• I had dabbled in Eurovision over the years, but I had never fully gotten into it. That is, until I saw Käärijä’s performance of Cha Cha Cha at Finland’s national selection and I became encapsulated. The strange combination of EDM, metal, and rap. The manic, dead-eyed dancers. The energy, the stage presence, the ridiculousness of it all–I was immediately obsessed. Cha Cha Cha is a boatload of fun–and yes, Käärijä was robbed!

• Turkey
• FFO: Charli XCX, Ava Max
• Maybe this is self-incrimination for having the brain of a toddler, but damn do I love a song with counting! “I got two, three lovers in my life / Four, five fellas on my mind” INJI sings in THE ONE’s refrain. This song is a standout from LFG, her debut EP. Like the rest of the project, THE ONE is a bouncy, cheeky, and lighthearted pop track that shows off INJI’s coy songwriting and nonchalant but enticing voice.

• England, UK
• FFO: Charli XCX, Danny L Harle
• Many drag queens are active in the music industry, but few are as acclaimed as Jodie Harsh. She has many accolades, including production credits on Charli XCX’s Vroom Vroom EP. After listening to her chaotic single Hectic, this shouldn’t be too surprising. The bumping house beat and heavy use of autotune are reminiscent of Charli and make this song a blast. See also: Jodie Harsh’s music video for her rendition of In My House by the Mary Jane Girls, featuring over 50 drag queens from the UK.

• Georgia, US
• FFO: Tame Impala, Unknown Mortal Orchestra
• This had to have been one of the most unexpected releases of 2023. Trap artist Lil Yachty (featured on 2016 smash hit Broccoli by DRAM) caught us off guard with his psychedelic rock album, Let’s Start Here. drive ME crazy! is a highlight–it’s upbeat and super groovy, and featured artist Diana Gordan’s voice really makes the song shine.

• Japan
• FFO: Hikaru Utada, Róisín Murphy
• RHYME SO is the musical duo of Australian musician RHYME and legendary Japanese producer Shinichi Osawa (stage name: Mondo Grosso). They worked with English pop legend Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Scottish producer Wuh Oh on their cover of Malcolm McLaren’s 1989 single, Deep in Vogue, which is stacked with samples and references from legendary documentary Paris Is Burning. Have I mentioned that the song is legendary? The fresh take on this classic has lush and atmospheric production, rich saxophone riffs, and crisp vocals from RHYME and Ellis-Bextor. See also: RHYME SO’s severely iconic and campy music video for Fashion Blogger.

• New York, US
• FFO: Clairo, boygenius
• From her second album, Honey, indie pop artist Samia stated that the title track is about “being drunk all the time and being around people that were in […] toxic relationships,” but you certainly wouldn’t get that from the upbeat and chipper instrumentals. Honey is primarily driven by acoustic guitar strums that you’d hear sitting around a campfire. These allusions continue into the song’s final chorus, where a chanting ensemble brings the song to its hypnotic end: “It's all honey, honey / It's all honey.”

• England, UK
• FFO: Tove Lo, Jessie Ware
• SG Lewis’ AudioLust & HigherLove was my most-listened to album of 2023, in large part due to Another Life. I still remember hitting play on the album right at midnight of its release date, hearing Another Life’s instrumental break for the first time, and absolutely transcending to the swelling of the synths and violins. This is deep house at its finest.

• Norway
• FFO: Sigrid, Dagny
• If it’s pop music coming from a girl from the Scandinavian peninsula, you know it’s gonna be good, and Anna of the North is no exception. On Swirl, the Norwegian songstress goes full dream pop. Everything about this song is blissful and carefree. From the hazy vocals to the soft drum beats, this encapsulating song genuinely does feel like a swirl.

• Colombia
• FFO: Kacey Musgraves, Bob Marley
• Colombian singer-songwriter Juan Pablo Vega teamed up with Mexico’s Ximena Sariñana for the soft and wistful single Tenemos que hablar (“We Have To Talk”). The song is a conversation between two lovers who are essentially mourning their relationship. Gentle guitar strums flow throughout the track and the soulful singing of Vega and Sariñana make Tenemos que hablar a pleasant listen, if not a sad one.

• Missouri, US
• FFO: PC Music, SOPHIE
• Written from the perspective of a fugitive on the run from the FBI, The Most Wanted Person in the United States has got to be one of the most relatable songs of 2023! It has a jarring array of samples: 80’s dancehall’s Sleng Teng riddim, the iconic “I’m supposed to run, right?” quote from Scary Movie, a looping Looney Tunes-esque boing sound effect, and much more. 100 gecs have captured the essence of pure chaos in a single song.

• California, US
• FFO: KAYTRANADA, NEIL FRANCES
• Barney Bones has been a songwriter for quite some time, but the focus he’s been putting towards his solo work is relatively new. In the past, he has collaborated with Giveon, Gus Dapperton, and Channel Tres, the last of whom is featured on his debut EP, ESCAPISM. Fashion Week is a funky house track with great rapping from both Channel Tres and Bones himself. Channel Tres’ signature sexy voice adds a lot of character to the song and makes it extra memorable. See also: Jungle (feat. Channel Tres) - I’ve Been In Love.

• Utah, US
• Slayyyter, Shygirl
• Madge is the enigmatic pop project of Cat Leavy. They were raised by a Mormon family, and something went right along the way, because by 2020, they were collaborating with Russian protest and performance collective Pussy Riot. Madge’s music usually falls into the hyperpop, punk, or rave genres. But on bbq, they’re giving a sound that’s much more relaxed–hypnotic, even. The chorus is especially catchy, as they glide seamlessly between Russian and English: “Я не знаю don't know you.”

• New York, US
• FFO: Azealia Banks, Bree Runway
• OG MarlynMonROLLUP has been active in both the Brooklyn drill and New York house scenes for years, but Vox was her first song to garner widespread attention. Initially less than a minute long, Marlyn later dropped an extended version. And I will say that she sounds similar to Azealia Banks (like, do not let Azealia hear this, otherwise Marlyn is getting hexed), but even so, Marlyn certainly has her own signature flair. She’s been ahead of the curve, and I’m excited to see where she goes in 2024.

• France
• FFO: Jamiroquai, Purple Disco Machine
• This is song is a hell of a lot of fun. The lyrics are just a chorus of chants being directed at a DJ, but it totally works. I Like The Music (That You Play) is a mix of jazz, disco, funk, and house and it absolutely demands to be danced to.

• California, US
• FFO: Kim Petras, SOPHIE
• Chase Icon’s hilarious lyricism never disappoints. I’m hard-pressed to pick a favorite bar from Club Cooter, but it’s between “Old slow ass bitch on an iPhone 4 / On an air mattress tweeting out, ‘stop being poor’” and “Real cunt I could even rock a terf bang / Rich trade lined up like a chain gang.” Icon is giving me party girl/y2k pop princess/bad bitch, and I’m here for all of it. See also: SoCal Girl.

• Texas, US
• FFO: Sheryl Crow, Shania Twain
• Last year was a big one for regional Mexican music. Grupo Frontera (“Border Group”) had been gaining traction, but they shot to new heights with the release of their Bad Bunny collaboration, un x100to (un porciento, or “one percent”). The breezy, summery song displays the beauty of norteño music with the use of traditional instruments like the bajo quinto and accordion. Bad Bunny fits in perfectly with the six-piece ensemble, showing off his seemingly endless musical versatility. Side note: I know I’m putting a song with 800 million streams on a list of underrated music, but Popheads has been sleeping!

• Ireland
• FFO: Two Door Cinema Club, Arctic Monkeys
• Irish indie pop duo 49th & Main could have easily fit in among the indie big hitters of the early 2010’s: Two Door Cinema Club, Vampire Weekend, Passion Pit, Arctic Monkeys, etc. Their sound is very upbeat and lighthearted, especially so on Crash and Burn. It’s overflowing with brass instruments and has a summery feel to it. I hear it playing on a clear, sunny day during an extravagant yacht party in the Mediterranean.

• England, UK
• FFO: AlunaGeorge, Cashmere Cat
• Snakehips has been releasing quality electronic singles since what feels like the beginning of time, and they finally released their debut album last year. never worry is a cohesive album that is stacked with great features from Tinashe, Tkay Maidza, Lucky Daye, Daya, and more. On the extremely groovy Deal With It, Kilo Kish’s voice sounds silky smooth as she sings–rather bluntly–about being a bad bitch up in the club: “And if you don't like it, huh / Then deal with it.”

• Georgia, US
• FFO: Maggie Rogers, Florence + the Machine
• Cheerleader by Liza Anne has has queer anthem potential. The punchy, bawdy, and infectious chorus is hard not to sing along to: “So cute and you don't even know it / You're walking that talk and I love it, I love it.” Cheerleader sounds like it could have been a B-side from The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess by Chappell Roan. It’s like the older, punk sister of HOT TO GO! Why have one sapphic song about cheerleading when you can have two?

• Thailand & Tennessee, US
• FFO: MIKA, Remi Wolf
• This collaborating is quite an eclectic mix of artists. You have MOTLEY FLOWER, an up-and-coming pop act from Thailand, and Cherub, the electronic indie duo responsible for the timeless classic Doses & Mimosas. Additionally, featured artist Gothic Tropic is the music project of Cecilia Della Peruti, the daughter of a Polish opera singer and an Italian composer. All different kinds of influences comes together for Seasons Change, and the result is a saccharine and cheeky love song that’s undeniably catchy.

• New Hampshire, US
• FFO: Ryn Weaver, Sleigh Bells
• Revenge Wife is the solo project of brat pop pioneer Liz Nistico of HOLYCHILD. Her single Fantasy Girl is so severely Popheads-coded: it’s ABBA-inspired Italo disco with brash and fun vocals. Heavy on the electric guitar with some dramatic strings thrown in for good measure, the instrumentals and overall song production are just exquisite.

• Canada
• FFO: Brandi Carlile, Hozier
• Americana singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Allison Russell’s second album, The Returner, is all about embracing the present. The title track is overflowing with soul and catharsis: Russell’s vocals are stunning and the use of each instrument feels intentional. The relaxed percussion and wistful strings are beautiful, and the clarinet that comes in after the first chorus is a wonderful little detail. Side note: I want to mention Sage by Imani Coppola–I became obsessed with this song a few years ago and had yet to find anything that hit like it until I heard The Returner, so check it out!

• North Carolina, US
• FFO: pre-Golden Hour Kacey Musgraves, Kelsea Ballerini
• Smoke Too Soon by Carter Faith is so reminiscent of early Kacey, especially the lyrical wit. Faith opens the song: “He walked out, no two week notice / Didn't even notice he was gone / Who's gonna gas up my Ford Focus / Who the hell's gonna mow my lawn.” It’s classic country pop and a ball to listen to.

• Nigeria
• FFO: Tkay Maidza, Rihanna
• This song is dripping in pure funk. The trifecta of Kah-Lo’s smooth voice, the bouncy bass guitar, and the groovy wobble bass synth create a pared-down yet rich sound. While the production on GD Woman is simple, it’s very effective. Kah-Lo’s colorful Nigerian accent and effortless flow transmit her charisma in a way few other artists can do through song alone. Pain/Pleasure was one of my favorite albums of 2023, and I highly recommend giving it a listen.

• England, UK
• FFO: Flume, Jamie xx
• 2023 marked ten years since Settle, the debut album English electronic duo Disclosure. Four studio albums later, they’re still crafting quality house music on Alchemy. The second track, Looking For Love, stands out with its heavy bass drum. The strong beat, excess of synths, and distorted vocals all contribute to the song’s atmospheric feel.

• France
• FFO: Shygirl, Arca
• Now this song has a HOOK. French producer COUCOU CHLOE’s repetitions of “But I don't, but I don't” were stuck in my head for days after I first heard this. Her music has been described as “deconstructed club music” and I couldn’t agree more. With Chloe’s warped, deadpan chanting and the slick beat, DRIFT is perfect for dancing in a dark nightclub.

• Texas, US
• FFO: PC Music, Bjork
• Assigning a genre to Texas’ Cowgirl Clue is difficult, but I’m going to settle for the broad label of alt-pop. Her second album, Rodeo Star, mixes grunge, punk, techno, electronic, and even country into a project that still remains cohesive. The third track, Trust Fall, has a lot going on sonically. The brash guitar playing has a nostalgic feel to it, and you can really get a sense of Cowgirl Clue’s DIY, bedroom pop origins. See also: Rodeo Star’s lead single, Trailblaze ☆.

• Washington, US
• FFO: Katy Perry, Carly Rae Jepsen
• Bonnie McKee has a history as an accomplished songwriter. Alongside Katy Perry, she co-wrote Teenage Dream, California Gurls, and Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.). She has also written for Britney Spears, Kesha, Cher, Christina Aguilera, and more. McKee’s songwriting skills are out in full force on Hot City, a blissful synthpop bop that attests to her industry repute.

• Sweden
• FFO: Slayyyter, Charli XCX
• BDSM pop pioneer COBRAH is back with her SUCCUBUS EP, and her flow is undeniable on gritty club banger MANIC. The song has a bit of ebb and flow to it–there are two brief choruses, during which the beat lies in wait as the focus is on COBRAH’s voice. But once the full instrumentals are back for the verses and outro, MANIC is all the more hard-hitting.

• England, UK
• FFO: Daft Punk, lofi beats to study to
• DJ Sabrina The Teenage DJ creates nostalgia in music form. Destiny is a four-hour-long album that is more meant to be listened to as background music, rather than something that requires your attention. Think lofi hip hop beats to study to, but y2k. Sabrina layers sample after sample over electronica beats, leaving you awash with nostalgia.

• Brazil
• FFO: Bjork, Prince
• Brazil’s Ana Frango Elétrico is a multi-hyphenate extraordinaire: singer, songwriter, instrumentalist, producer, poet, and the list continues. The influences on their third studio album, Me Chama De Gato Que Eu Sou Sua (“Call Me A Cat And I’m Yours,” roughly), are as eclectic as the singer themself. There’s elements of bossa nova, funk, rock, and disco, to name a few. On the lead single, Electric Fish, all of these genres are present, and more–the infectious melodies and whimsical layers of sound make for a, dare I say… electrifying experience.

• Pennsylvania, US
• FFO: PC Music, Sega Bodega
• Some of you may know LSDXOXO for his reimagination of Alice on Lady Gaga’s Chromatica remix album. The Philadelphia-born, Berlin-based producer released the Delusions of Grandeur EP in 2023, which featured the super sexy house anthem J’adore (“I Adore”). Of the track, LSDXOXO said “J’adore’ is a step further into my exploration and appreciation of electroclash.”

• North Carolina, US
• FFO: Remi Wolf, Grimes
• In September, up and coming alt-pop artist hemlocke springs released her debut EP, going…going…GONE! Per Pitchfork, her “lyrics make her sound like a cursed Victorian ghost, doomed to live in heartbreak for all of eternity.” As for her sound, it’s very 80's-inspired and nostalgic, and eknee1 is giving Steven Universe on psychedelics. Her unique voice fits her kitschy music well, and I just know she can do a nasty Toad impression!

• England, UK
• FFO: Soccer Mommy, Wet Leg
• English psychedelic rock band TTRRUUCES released this summery single from their second album, JJUUIICES. The gentle guitar strums and filtered vocals send me to a hazy, relaxed afternoon on the beach. Cherry Cola’s melody is very enjoyable and memorable, and I especially love the outro–the switch from Spanish to English followed by the whiny scat singing brings the song to a fun end.

• Georgia, US
• FFO: Flo Milli, Bree Runway
• Jersey speaks to Baby Tate’s versatility as an artist, reminding us that she’s more than just a rapper. This song is a club banger about heartbreak that describes Baby Tate crying in a New Jersey nightclub. As is her right! As Megan Thee Stallion reminds us, bad bitches have bad days too.

• England, UK
• FFO: Dua Lipa, The Blessed Madonna
• 2023 was the year that, at last, we got solo albums from all three members of English indie band the xx. Romy’s debut, Mid Air, is chock-full of dance pop bops, including She’s On My Mind. The disco-inspired number is defined by a giddy keyboard melody that will fill you with euphoria and make you want to dance.

• Missouri, US
• FFO: Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift
• One thing about me is that I will recommend Chappell Roan to anything with a pulse. Fortunately, she’s given me plenty to work with in her debut album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess (my personal AOTY). Since I can’t list all 14 songs, I’ve selected Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl, the ultimate sapphic bop. The spoken word intro is immediately iconic, and the way she BELTS that chorus? I clutched my pearls. Pop perfection. Roan truly has something special–her songwriting abilities, her ear for melodies, and her bright personality all make her such a star.

• Scotland, UK
• FFO: PinkPantheress, Daft Punk
• Off of Scottish producer Sam Gellaitry’s EP UNDER THE ILLUSION, ALONE is a euphoric and lush song. It comprises layer after layer of distorted vocals, dreamy synths, ethereal guitar riffs, and a vibrant bassline. It seems as though Sam Gellaitry can do no wrong–everything he produces turns to gold. If you need more proof, look to his collaborations with PinkPantheress: Picture in my mind and Blue.

• Georgia, US
• FFO: Bree Runway, cupcakKe
• Depending on what parts of the internet you frequent, it’s very likely that you know this song by sound, if not by name. Aliyah’s Interlude’s viral hit IT GIRL is a cunty pop-house anthem about–you guessed it–being an it girl. If this song comes on while you’re walking somewhere, you legally have the right to shove everyone out of your way and into oncoming traffic!

• New York, US
• FFO: Troye Sivan, Tove Lo
• In the last few years, there have been many up-and-coming queer pop singer-songwriters, including Tom Aspaul, Michael Medrano, Vardaan Arora, and Bronze Avery. Among them is Mike Taviera, who dropped his Bloom All Night EP in 2023. Taveira said that the title track was written as a “dark and ironic dialogue” between the singer and his eating disorder. Despite the somber subject matter, the song itself is upbeat with frantic drumming and intense orchestrals. Truly dark pop excellence!

• Canada
• FFO: Turn Off The Lights era Kim Petras, Lady Gaga
• Allie X is giving us 80’s slasher synth-pop excellence on Black Eye. Right from the opening four synths, which sound like they could be out of a horror movie soundtrack, you immediately know what you’re getting here. It’s dark, intense, and great for being chased by a serial ax murderer.

• Switzerland
• FFO: Rina Sawayama, Amber Mark
• Last year, Swiss-Tamil singer-songwriter Priya Ragu released her debut album, Santhosam, which is the Tamil word for happiness. Prior to this in 2020, she broke the mold of music industry ageism by debuting at age 34 with her single Good Love 2.0. Ragu has an eclectic take on pop music, which is highlighted in One Way Ticket. It’s upbeat, danceable, groovy, and an all-around good time.

• South Korea
• FFO: PinkPantheress, Magdalena Bay
• Bedroom pop duo Coco & Clair Clair’s deluxe version of their 2022 album, Sexy, saw each track reimagined with remixes from the likes of George Daniel of The 1975 (Charli XCX’s fiancé), Empress Of, and of course, Chaeyoung of Korean girl group TWICE. Pop Star was already an excellent song, but Chaeyoung takes it into a completely new direction on her remix, and it slaps! The song maintains the original DIY-esque synths, but adds a pounding house beat that is just top-notch. Plus, Chaeyoung’s eats her verse up. All in all, a very enjoyable listen.

• Chile & Spain
• FFO: Magdalena Bay, EASYFUN
• Last year, Chile’s Javiera Mena and Spain’s Depresión Sonora (“Sound Depression”) did what I guess could be called a cover exchange. Depresión Sonora released his version of Cámara lenta (“Slow Motion”), which Mena dropped back in 2006, while Mena released her rendition of Depresión Sonora’s Ya no hay verano (“There’s No More Summer”). Originally, Ya no hay verano is an elegy to the summer of 2020, mourning all the fun we missed out on due to the pandemic. Mena’s fast-paced, 8-bit interpretation is chaotic, nostalgic, and fun, and while her take seems contrary to the original lyrics, it works well.

• South Africa
• FFO: Lily Allen, Billie Eilish
• Every year, there are one or two artists I stumble upon that I become completely obsessed with. In 2022 it was Chappell Roan, and 2023 was Baby Queen. The South African artist released her debut album, Quarter Life Crisis, in which she navigates the trials and tribulations of being in your early 20’s. A definite highlight, i can’t get my shit together is a relatable, punchy pop song with an earworm of a refrain and a hard-hitting chorus.

• Canada
• FFO: Stevie Nicks, Lorde
• Goldie Boutilier’s Emerald Year EP contains elements of rock, dark pop, and alternative country. Through just six songs, it offers a dramatic retelling of Boutilier’s resilience throughout her experience with the underside of the music industry. In what she describes as the “crescendo” of the EP, Penthouse in The Sky stands out for its haunting array of dark instrumentals. Halfway through, Boutilier’s voice goes silent, and the song seemingly comes to a close. But then begins the bold, two-minute-long outro that feels like it would play in a movie as the hero loses their final battle, tumbling into an abyss.

• Australia
• FFO: EMOTION era Carly Rae Jepsen, Magdalena Bay
• Australia’s Holiday Sidewinder (that’s her legal name, fun fact) has been involved in the entertainment industry since childhood. However, it wasn’t until 2019 that she released her debut solo album. Sidewinder has a consistent history of releasing high-quality indie pop music, and Ripe is some of her best work. This jubilant single is a display of just how good pure pop can be.

• Virginia, US
• FFO: Silk Sonic, Funk Wav Bounces era Calvin Harris
• I will be seeing Pharrell Williams in court for releasing this chill, summery single in December. I could see myself cruising with the windows down on a hot July night to the serenades of Swae Lee and Rauw Alejandro, but alas. Regardless, both artists always deliver on their features, so it’s no surprise that their voices sound great together. They play off one another wonderfully and Pharrell’s production is of course superb.

godspeed #comeondontdomelikethisautotune 🐜 -4