Pop music is generally criticized for lacking substance or emotional depth. Like all genres, pop has seen many incarnations and trends over the years, and what was once considered “popular music” has recently developed and branched into something new. The artists that are starting to climb the charts are still making crowd-pleasing music, as they've always done, but it's all becoming a little more interesting.
This current, rising generation of pop artists are creating a sprawling landscape of dynamic expressions within the classic pop format. Pop has a less definable sound today than in its past lives, and that’s what makes it so great. With the rise of platforms like YouTube, Spotify, and SoundCloud, the path to popularity is no longer solely dependent on radio and MTV. Instead of pop being it's cordoned-off own thing, pop is starting to sound a little more like everything else we listen to.
The current pop scene is just bubbling below the surface, in possible preparation for an all-out blowout à la the Golden Age of 2000’s pop. Stars like Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and Justin Timberlake were breakthrough artists for the genre, defining the sound of a generation. With all the new sounds constantly at our fingertips, we rounded up some of the most promising voices in pop right now who might do the same thing for a new kind of listener. Here are the 10 pop artists you shouldn't be sleeping on.
Dua Lipa
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Dua Lipa is an English-born singer who’s been dominating on an international level during this summer’s festival circuit. Lipa released her debut, self-titled album this past June and its contagiously danceable sound allowed her to break into the charts with singles like “Be the One” and “New Rules.” Lipa is among the female artists at the forefront of revitalizing the pop scene; she’s bringing soul, sass and substance to the table and her authenticity will surely make her a long-lasting staple of the feel-good set.
Charli XCX
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Beginning her career performing at warehouse raves in London, Charli XCX has been around far longer than her breakthrough 2014 and 2015 hits “I Love It” and “Fancy,” respectively. The number one angel released her debut True Romance in 2013, still a surprisingly mature first full-length project. The next year saw her sophomore release, Sucker, and with it Charli’s laissez-faire party girl persona was born. Party anthem “Break the Rules” and radio mega-hit “Boom Clap” vaulted her into the spotlight and paved the way for her future projects and collaborations with major dance artists.
After a painstaking musical hiatus, Charli blessed us in March of 2017 with her long-awaited return. Number 1 Angel was released as an EP, but was really the best pop album of the year so far, elegantly experimental and a pure sugar rush from start to finish. Charli’s ingenuity is vastly ambitious and it’s safe to say that she’s hit her stride within her personal style of glitzy but real pop. Oh, and standalone single "Boys," is low-key the video of the year.
Tove Lo
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Many of us can attribute our introduction to this Swedish singer-songwriter to a Hippie Sabotage remix of her single “Habits (Stay High)" from 2014. Reaching the top 3 slot on Billboard’s Hot 100 list, “Habits” was one of the many raw, confessional songs on her debut, Queen of the Clouds.
Tove Lo is unabashedly true to herself, and uses her music—most notably on 2016’s Lady Wood—to broadcast her message of feminism. The messages on Lady Wood are both blunt; she doesn’t shy away from the “controversial” outlooks that may alienate more conservative-leaning listeners. This cool girl knows how to live her truth within her music, and her keen knack for creating catchy, meaningful pop will always guarantee her a place in our library.
Banks
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Though Jillian Banks continually crosses the ambiguous borders of pop and experimental electronic music, her most recent album The Altar is sonically in line with the mainstays of the genre. The follow-up to Banks’ debut album Goddess, it's a swirling dreamscape of heartache, internal struggle, and, ultimately, the growth of her personal self-worth. Also notable to Banks’ success is her stage presence in a live arena. The dramatic theatrics of flashing lights and fog set the mood for live shows where she performs some truly wild choreography flanked by two veiled dancers. It is truly a spectacle to behold.
Halsey
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22-year-old Ashley Frangipane burst onto the music scene seemingly from nowhere in 2014 with her moody, mysterious Room 93 EP. Better known by her stage name, an anagram of her first name, Halsey gained the attention of curious music fans online during the golden era of Tumblr. Fans of the English indie rock band The 1975 were quickly put on to Halsey’s music when rumors circulated that she was dating the band’s lead singer Matt Healy.
For better or worse, this was the spark that ignited the flame of Halsey’s cult following. Three years later, Halsey is selling out arena tours and performing internationally in front of massive festival crowds. The media (and Twitter stans) have been far from kind to the young artist, often twisting her words in interviews and holding her to the most rigid standards of PC culture. Whether such alarming amounts of vitriol are grounded in creating controversy or are the product of a long-standing attitude that disliking Halsey is “the cool thing to do," Halsey has routinely asserted her stance of being an ally and voice of inclusivity.
Her latest release, Hopeless Fountain Kingdom harkens back to a bygone era of pop, but brings originality and a badass quality that is often sorely lacking within the genre.
MØ
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This Danish singer-songwriter specializes in feel-good electro-pop, and has earned a spot on this list for her infectious energy and DGAF attitude.
Most still associate MØ with her 2015 collaboration with Major Lazer and DJ Snake (“Lean On”), but her influence on the dance pop scene is felt beyond her biggest mainstream radio hit. Her debut project No Mythologies to Follow is a glittering disco ball of bops. Anthemic hits like “Pilgrim” and “Maiden” give you a taste of the her spunky side, without ever dipping into gimmicky territory. Mø has sustained a respectable following in the indie sphere of dance pop, but her ability to produce breakout hits is undeniable. Do yourself a favor and give her a spin next time you find yourself ready to queue up that go-to dance hits playlist.
Nao
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Genre-bending British singer-songwriter Nao immediately captured our attention with her dreamy sweet sound and mesmerizing vocals. Her sound is self-described as “wonky funk,” yet it is strong on the signature pop elements, as well as R&B and soul.
Her 2016 record For All We Know has all the substance and emotion of an R&B album with the energized, electronic sound of a superior pop album. Think Solange meets Sam Smith meets Disclosure.
Maggie Rogers
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Maggie Rogers gained online buzz in 2016 when she pushed Pharrell Williams to tears with her song “Alaska” during an NYU class (where she was a student). The moment was recorded, and went viral in short order. Her affinity for folk and electronic music, as well as the childhood influence of artists like Erykah Badu and Lauryn Hill is clearly underscored in her own musical output. She also cites legendary songwriters such as Patti Smith, Bjork, and Carrie Brownstein among her musical inspirations.
Rogers’ strong songwriting shines on simple, poignant tracks like “Dog Years” and “Better” off of her Capitol Records-backed EP Now That the Light is Fading. Her music feels like familiar folk sentimentality, but it's packaged within intriguing and unique pop musicality.—heavy on euphoric hooks and danceable electronic elements. If she continues at this pace, Rogers is poised to become a breakout star.
Billie Eilish
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This artist is commanding attention solely off the outstanding strength of her debut project, Don’t Smile at Me. At only 15-years-old (YEP, FIFTEEN), Billie Eilish has produced a fully-formed body of work that contains all the complexities of coming into one’s own, and the feelings that come along with navigating unknown territory. Songs like “idontwannabeyouanymore” are whisper-sung in an airy falsetto, while others like “COPYCAT” have a grittier, lusty rasp emphasizing a venomous tone.
Eilish flaunts her musical flexibility and experiments sonically in a way that seems fitting for the scope of material she covers on the EP. It isn’t every day that a new artist comes along with this much potential, but Eilish warrants a respectable amount of gushing, based entirely on the purely electric the charm of her music is.
Anna of the North
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You may recognize this name from her feature on Tyler the Creator’s most recent (and great) album, Flower Boy, where she sang alongside Frank Ocean on “911/Mr. Lonely” as well as his single “Boredom.” Anna of the North announced her debut project Lovers this past May and has subsequently releases a handful of her own singles.
Her soft, electro-pop has been popular among electronic artists for remixing purposes, but her original material deserves its standalone respect. Anna of the North has a charming lightness and an inherent knack for making pop music that’s just plain good.
