Best New Pop Music of the Week

This week in pop, Charli XCX dropped her “Guess” remix featuring Billie Eilish and celebrated her 32nd birthday with Lorde after they collaborated on the remix of “Girl, So Confusing.” Brat summer continues to thrive. Additionally, Maren Morris teamed up with former Uproxx cover stars Muna for a bisexual anthem, while Suki Waterhouse fueled anticipation for her upcoming album Memoir Of A Sparklemuffin.

Charli XCX proved that Brat summer has no expiration date by releasing a “Guess” remix featuring Billie Eilish. In the Aidan Zamiri-directed video, Charli is seen dancing at a house party DJed by The Dare, who co-produced the song with Finneas. Billie Eilish makes a dramatic entrance, crashing through a wall with a bulldozer full of panties. Amidst the raining underwear, Eilish delivers her verse and chorus with ease and confidence.

Suki Waterhouse’s “Blackout Drunk,” a single from her upcoming 18-track double album Memoir Of A Sparklemuffin, highlights her realization that she deserves better than her unfaithful partner. “Sweet dreams can’t sleep it off / Wait till I wake you up / ‘Cause I can hardly wait to tell you all the sh*tty things that you’ve done,” she sings, capturing the essence of her forthcoming release, set to drop on September 13.

Maren Morris’ five-track EP, Intermission, encapsulates the transformations she’s endured over the past year, including her divorce. The track “Push Me Over,” co-written with Muna’s Naomi McPherson, delivers a sultry vibe as Morris explores her “bi-panic.” “Sittin’ on the fence / Feels good between my legs / The more that you come closer / Want you to push me over,” she sings, showcasing her newfound strength and confidence.

Mimi Webb’s “Erase You,” co-produced by Alexander 23 and Ryan Tedder, has been a hit during her live performances. “It’s such a perfect song for the summer. Carefree and fun, just like the music video!” Webb stated. The upbeat track empowers listeners with its exuberant soundscape and uninhibited lyrics.

Kacey Musgraves adds seven songs to her March album with the release of Deeper Well: Deeper Into The Well. The track “Superbloom,” featuring Leon Bridges, is a heartfelt song about finding solace in another person amid chaos. It’s a fitting addition to your “Help Me Feel Sane” playlist as the election approaches and the world continues to unravel.

Jessie Murph and Teddy Swims take us back to the early 2000s with their “Dirty” video, directed by Erik Rojas. Murph’s vocals are softer and more soulful than the video’s playful premise, creating an intriguing contrast. Teddy Swims joins midway, defending himself with his mesmerizing voice. Despite their fraught relationship, their voices harmonize beautifully, underscoring the song’s emotional complexity.

FLO, the R&B group that won the 2023 BRITs Rising Star award, continues to soar with their harmonious, uptempo “lover girl anthem” “Check.” Renée, Jorja, and Stella, each thriving in their relationships, showcase their chemistry as a group in this captivating track.

Khalid’s “Heatstroke” is a standout track from his third studio album, Sincere. The accompanying video depicts a world on fire, capturing the song’s passionate essence. “Heatstroke” reflects Khalid’s re-energized creative spirit. With his familiar melodic, silky cadence, he sings, “Even if we’re fakin’, even if we’re fakin’ / Thinkin’ maybe we can save us / Maybe we can save this.” This album marks a departure from catering to industry expectations.

New York collective Michelle, comprised of Sofia D’Angelo, Julian Kaufman, Charlie Kilgore, Layla Ku, Emma Lee, and Jamee Lockard, release “Mentos And Coke,” a song about a love so intense it resembles the explosive reaction of its namesake. “You and I like Mentos and Coke / Stable if you like when we explode,” they sing. This track is a promising preview of their forthcoming album, Songs About You Specifically, due out on September 27.

Bazzi’s “Anything,” made with Kevin White and Roark Bailey, captures a spontaneous and ethereal vibe. “I honestly don’t know what this song is or what genre it is. Like most things I make, I am just following where the feelings are taking me,” he shared. The song finds Bazzi promising, “You could have the world ’cause it’s all for you / Anything you want.” It hints at the possibility of a new album, his first since 2022.