We're all gonna die but pop is forever
✌️😗
Hey, y’all. Happy Thursday!
What a concept.
I truly hope that I find you well, wherever/however you’re reading this.
The news and social media are heavy right now — I understand wanting to turn your phone off for a few hours, and I actually very much encourage that.
I’m writing to you today from a Starbucks — pause for liberal gasp — where pop music reigns supreme.
A lot has been happening in our world, and many turn to music to escape. Especially pop music. And to be quite honest, it’s a good time for pop right now.
Even though we’re mortal and inevitably will all die, we are graced with pop music to play on full blast during this lifetime — which will live on forever. I’m looking forward to being in the spirit realm eventually, watching troubled teens in 2444 discover Pop 2.
Energy goes where intention flows, and, today, that energy is with the Pop Gods.
🪐🪐🪐🪐🪐🪐🪐🪐
Without further fluff, here are some of my must and should-streams.
1. ‘Head on Fire’ by Sigrid & Griff
This collaboration between Sigrid, Norway’s queen of pop, and Griff, an English-born pop girl born in 2001, is the epitome of pop perfection to me. I’ve been stanning Sigrid since 2017’s “Don’t Kill My Vibe” — I remember showing friends, acquaintances, people I’ve never met the music video for it whenever I got the chance. Lol <3
Almost 5 years later, Sigrid is still serving slay and raising the pop bar. The silent pauses in the chorus and that perfect Scandanavian synth — chef’s kiss🧑🍳💋
Recommended listening: walking on the treadmill at a 10+ elevation
2. ‘Baby’ by Charli XCX
‘Baby’ is the fourth single from Charli’s upcoming fifth studio album, and I would argue that it’s her strongest single from this era so far. Not to sound too TikToky but this song is giving.
It’s giving 2000s string instruments, it’s giving funky guitar, it’s giving fun and sexy lyrics, it’s just giving everything.
The “I’ma make you my, I’ma make you my” parts could have tetered on the side of lazy and repetitive — which is a risk Charli often takes — but no, I think it’s actually genius and could land her a spot on the Billboard charts. It feels as iconic to me as “ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa” from Michael Jackson’s ‘Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin.’
Above any other single so far, this mindless perfect pop song could be the single that sticks and validates her whole sell-out era.
3. ‘Happier Than Ever’ by Billie
It’s not new, but it is objectively the best album of 2021 — rivaled only by Solar Power, of course. 😉
I keep going back to this album every few weeks since it came out and it keeps growing on me. The lyrics are beautiful, the sound is cohesive and fresh, it’s great.
With zero skips, it’s timeless and I can’t wait to see her win all the Grammys. This is your sign to listen to it, if for some reason you haven’t already. And Solar Power, too, duh.
4. ‘What, Me Worry?’ by Portugal. The Man
This single gives me Song of the Summer energy and is 100% a must-stream. Not much else to say. Get on it.
5. ‘Nail Tech’ by Jack Harlow
While more on the rap/hip-hop side of pop, this song will probably chart. I like what Jack Harlow is doing, his energy is refreshing. Worth a stream for sure, even if you’re not a rap girly.
6. ‘AMAZING’ by Rex Orange County
Watch this 4-minute 20-second music video for chill, good vibes — you can thank me later. It’s really cute.
7. ‘The Dream’ by Alt-J
I listened to this album for the first time while on a Fr*ntier flight to Vegas, high as heck from some “fast-acting” edibles, and, girl, was it transcendental. This is more of a should-stream than a must-stream, but either way, I hope it lands with you.
If Alt-J isn’t really your jush, check out these highlight songs:
8. ‘Slut Pop’ by Kim Petras
Upon first listen, this 15-minute EP was met with pentecostal Holy Slut energy in the gay group chat. It’s dumb, it’s fun, but it’s a cheap knock-off of Cupcakke.
Having 5 skips on a 7 track EP isn’t necessarily slay. But it’s a fine album to have on when you don’t really care what to listen to.
It’s weird to me that she (re: her label?) released this project after two very good 2021 singles: Future Starts Now and Coconuts. It feels like her label is blindly throwing darts at the mainstream audience, praying for a viral TikTok sound.
Ultimately, though, it’s not a must-stream or even a should stream, but if you want to check it out, listen to the songs Throat Goat and Slut Pop.
🌛🌛🌛🌛🌛🌛🌛🌛
Thanks for getting this far in the email! If you enjoyed it, I’d love to hear from you! If you have some differing thoughts, I’d REALLY love to hear from you — I want this to be as two-sided as possible.
Xoxo 👋🏻