And just like that, it’s the end of another month! I’m excited to share these songs with you. I always am, but this month’s feel like they trump last month’s.

I’m writing this whilst feeling quite yucky, to be honest (a triple infection – yay!), so as is often the case when I’m rundown, I’m feeling particularly grateful for music.

Thanks as always for visiting – hopefully you find it interesting and maybe you’ll even discover something new!

The Essential 5

Doechii – Denial is a River 

A sharp, funky and brilliantly chaotic track where Doechii plays both therapist and patient, delivering clever, witty lyrics over a slick beat.

Rihanna – Friend of Mine 

Rihanna surprises with a ravey, distorted, euphoric track from a kids’ film that’s far from commercial but totally addictive.

Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild

A countrypop-disco hybrid with witty, sassy lyrics and Jack Antonoff’s signature production – one of Sabrina’s best yet.

David Archuleta – Can I Call You

A smooth, sensual synthy R&B moment where David aches for a distant lover with dreamy, chill vibes.

Shura and Helado Negro – If You Don’t Believe In Love

A soft, spiritual alt-pop gem about holding onto love, full of organic instrumentation and dreamy harmonies.

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The Long List

Doechii – Denial is a River 
#AltRap #WittyLyrics #AltHipHop

It took me a while to figure out how I felt about this. I kinda loved it from the offset, but the extreme breathing techniques at the end made it border on ludicrous. I’ve concluded that I LOVE this, though, and it’s been absolutely rinsed throughout June. Everything from the slick beat and keyboard smash hits to Doechii’s flow is perfect. My favourite thing about this track, though, is how witty and clever the lyrics are. On ‘Denial is a River’, Doechii takes on her therapist alter ego, with Doechii herself narrating the chaotic and problematic events of her life from the past few years. It’s sharp, humorous, and irresistibly funky.

Rihanna – Friend of Mine 
#ExperimentalPop #RaveVibes #SmurfsMovie

I’m still laughing at the fact that everyone awaited Rihanna’s return to music with bated breath, only for her to return with a song from a kids’ film (Smurfs) – and one where she sings three looped lines so heavily distorted, you can barely tell it’s her. This won’t be for everyone, but I love it. A track about meeting someone new who awakens a familiar feeling, almost like déjà vu, it’s quite ravey with thumping mechanical Jungle beats, processed vocals drenched in autotune, and hazy, euphoric vibes with glitchy production. It’s unlikely to win an Ivor Novello for songwriting and might not be Ri-Ri at her most commercial, but to me, this is Rihanna at her most daring and underground. Loooovvee this!

Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild
#CountrypopDisco #SassyLyrics #JackAntonoffMagic

If I’m honest, it’s quite hard to be a Sabrina fan when, as an artist, she’s so over-saturated and absolutely EVERYWHERE. Still, I’m elated she’s back with more music, and this is another absolute winner in her discography. ‘Manchild’ feels part Dixie Chicks, part Dolly Parton, and part ABBA – a perfect blend of Countrypop and Disco. It showcases Sabrina’s trademark witty, dry songwriting with clever wordplay, poking fun at an ex, alongside sweet vocals and sultry spoken lines. You can hear Jack Antonoff’s fingerprints all over this – from the 80s electro stabs in the verses to the quirky syncopation in the pre-chorus and outro. One of her best, and I’m so glad Country is creeping back into the mainstream! 

David Archuleta – Can I Call You
#DreamyRnB #SynthpopVibes #GayPop

Newly out and proud, 2008 American Idol runner-up David Archuleta follows up the divine, Sabrina Carpenter-influenced ‘Crème Brûlée’ with this smooth, sensual R&B number with hints of synthpop. Over dreamy synths, a pulsating bassline and programmed beats, David pines for a distant lover. It’s chill, groovy, and slickly produced. Gorgeous, this – and perfect Pop.

Shura and Helado Negro – If You Don’t Believe In Love
#AltPopSoul #Spiritual #indiepop

My favourite alt-pop singer Shura has returned with her beautiful new album I Got Too Sad For My Friends. This is my standout track, a collaboration with American folk/experimental artist Helado Negro. It’s a soft, almost spiritual track about keeping faith in love, even if it may not last, with hints of Indie and Soul. It’s organic, with understated acoustic guitars, live drums, brass flourishes, and heavenly, dreamy harmonies. Just gorgeous.

Lola Young – One Thing
#AltPop  #unapologeticpop  #JazzyGroove

A flirty, brash, and unapologetic alt-pop track which doesn’t even attempt to hide that it’s about… well, one thing – yep, sex. This has divided fans and critics, especially following the success of ‘Messy’, but I love it. With its jazzy, almost reggae-like syncopated rhythms, bouncy energy, and bubbling synthesisers, it’s bold, fun, and ridiculously catchy. 

The Aces – Sleepy Eyes
#AltPopCrush #CatchingFeelings  #IndiePop

I’ve fallen in love with American alt-pop group The Aces. This track, from their 2021 album Under My Influence, is about the spark of a new relationship and not being able to deny those growing feelings. Slickly produced with a bouncy beat, funky guitars, twinkly synths and a massive chorus. Can’t get enough of this! 

Sissal – Hallucination 
#EDMBanger #EurovisionGem #TranceEuphoria 

I discovered this after watching Sissal represent Denmark at Eurovision. An expertly crafted EDM banger with echoes of Loreen and the intensity of a David Guetta/Sia track. It’s dreamy, euphoric, trance-leaning and, honestly, deserved FAR better in the contest. Possibly one of my favourite tracks of 2025 so far.

PinkPantheress – Stars
#GaragePop #NostalgiaFlip #CatchyAF

PinkPantheress samples Just Jack’s 2007 indie classic ‘Stars in Their Eyes’ in this electropop-garage hybrid. It’s irresistibly catchy, fresh, and playful, with her usual sweet vocals layered over thumping beats and glitchy textures. Pure fun. 

Tom Aspaul – 70s Angels 
#70sInspired #DreamPop #SummerGlow 

Tom Aspaul’s latest album Cabin Fever marks a shift from his previous Eurodance and disco influences, opting for a more organic, Sweden-inspired sound. This track is dreamy, wistful, and a love letter to 70s female icons like Barbra Streisand, Carole King, and Olivia Newton-John. Think hazy harmonies, breezy guitars, and a laidback groove – it radiates late summer vibes. Gorgeous.

Kylie Minogue – Put Yourself In My Place 
#TripHopPop #UnderratedKylie #PopPrincess

I saw Kylie live in London a few weeks ago and she was INCREDIBLE. It made me revisit this underrated gem from 1994 that she rarely performs live. A dreamy pop ballad with trip-hop undertones, heavy beats, and a belting chorus, it’s about the pain of not moving on. Sensual, emotional, powerful – and reportedly one of Kylie’s personal favourites.

Louise – Manifesting 
#DiscoPop #ConfidenceGlow #LouiseReturns 

Louise’s latest album Confessions is brilliant, and this is the standout. A funky disco-pop track with breezy confidence, funky basslines and empowering lyrics about manifesting love through self-assurance. Perfect Pop.

Barry Can’t Swim & O’Flynn – Kimpton
#ElectronicaDream #MoodyBeats #DreamyVibes

A stunning piece of electronica with a driving beat, eerie chord progressions and glimmering synth lines reminiscent of Eric Prydz’s ‘Pjanoo’. Dreamy, moody, and perfect for a golden hour drive. 

Tom Aspaul – Not My Place 
#GayPop #LushInstrumentation #Organic   

Another gem from Cabin Fever, this one blends warm acoustic guitars, live drums, sparkling orchestration and lush harmonies. It’s a slightly cheeky track about hooking up at a friend’s place – the perfect mix of naughty and sweet.

Leon Thomas – I Do 
#ModernSoul #NostalgicVibe #FrankOceanFeels 

I’ve been a fan of Leon Thomas since ‘Mutt’ went viral. This short, dreamy track feels like a 70s R&B classic – despite being completely original. With vocals reminiscent of Frank Ocean, it’s a gorgeous slice of modern soul.

Sycco – Jump (For My Love) – triple j Like A Version
#80sCover #PointerSisters #electropop

Australian singer Sycco covers this 80s electropop classic (also famously remade by Girls Aloud). It’s a tasteful cover, loyal to the original but with extra flare, fierce and live percussion and occasional flutters of autotune which adds depth and fun. A solid cover.

Miley Cyrus – More To Lose 
#VisualAlbum #CinematicBallad #EmotionalMiley

A beautiful ballad from Miley’s excellent visual album Something Beautiful. Her raspy vocals pair perfectly with shimmering instrumentation and delicate piano, building into a cinematic, full-bodied arrangement with distorted brass and emotive lyrics. Stunning.

Charli XCX – Party 4 U
#HyperpopQueen #TikTokResurgence #CharliXCX

This dreamy hyperpop number was buried on Charli’s 2020 album How I’m Feeling Now before blowing up on TikTok in early 2025. It’s full of autotune, echoey synths, and trap-style beats. A little repetitive, but still lovely. 

CYRIL & James Blunt – Tears Dry On Their Own
#TropicalHouse #SummerChill #UnexpectedCollab

James Blunt is (bizarrely?) a perfect fit for this chilled tropical house track. His distinctive vocals float over relaxed guitars and laidback beats – summer in a song. 

Blossoms – The Honeymoon
#IndieAnthem #BritishPop #BlossomsMagic

British indie-pop band Blossoms shine on this passionate, quintessentially British number. With moody guitars and anthemic choruses, it’s everything that’s great about them in a track.

The Aces – Aren’t You
#DancePop #00sNostalgia #BonusTrackMagic 

I adore this! A bonus track for their second album, Under My Influence, it’s an uptempo dancepop track about one person losing their feelings in a relationship. I can’t quite put my finger on it but this feels incredibly nostlagic for me and reminds me of a lot of the Pop that was around when I was growing up in the early 00’s – think S Club 7, Kylie etc. Anyway, I just adore the melody in the chorus, the slick production, gorgeous harmonies and almost house-like beats. SO GOOD!