It’s often difficult to parse the good from the bad in popular music. Streaming services make it nearly impossible to sift through the thousands of songs released on any given day. That’s why, here at Charted, we round up some of the latest hottest tracks. You’ll likely recognize a few names here and there, and other times, you might stumble upon your next obsession. Don’t worry, we’ll only serve you the cream of the crop – pop and R&B earworms so good that you’ll completely upend your weekly listening habits.
Here are 6 fresh songs to add to your playlist:
“Pretty Ugly” – Zara Larsson
Zara Larsson‘s “Pretty Ugly” immediately calls to Britney Spears and Iggy Azalea‘s “Pretty Girls.” The made-for-summer track feels eerily similar, from its thumb-biting spirit to even the chorus breakdown. That’s not to say Larsson doesn’t leave her mark – she most certainly does. It might not burn up the radio, but it sure will consume diehard fans’ summer rotation.
“If Karma Doesn’t Get You (I Will)” – Lauren Spencer Smith
Lauren Spencer Smith burns the world to the ground with her new rock-soaked song. “If Karma Doesn’t Get You (I Will)” is a fiery revenge anthem that sees Smith pouring gasoline behind her and lighting a match, setting an ex’s world ablaze. “You’ll be down on your knees / You better start praying,” she hisses. The melody slithers right into the eardrums, and you won’t soon forget it – that’s for sure.
“Lovesick” – Teddi Gold
“Lovesick” takes the listener hundreds of miles south to the tropics, where stretches of white sand beaches are blinding and the breeze is cool. Teddi Gold goes for super chill, something she rarely does. Her typical vibe is hard-hitting bangers. “Lovesick” is still a banger, but it’s far more low-key. Gold goes for mood and shady, as though she’s staging her very own tropical weather. It’s perfect for lounging by the pool, too!
“What Was That” – Lorde
“I wear smoke like a wedding veil,” Lorde whispers in between synth layers. It’s been a few years, but the pop tunesmith finally makes her long-awaited comeback. The groove dips on the chorus for something off-kilter, as the production swells into blurry hazes. Lorde’s voice still pierces through the neon, yet there’s something unconventional and experimental about the pop track. You can’t put it into words, but you know it when you hear it.
“Mystical Magical” – Benson Boone
Benson Boone does what he does best. He pours on the sex over an R&B-reflective track that puffs up in purple clouds. “All you do is push me out… but I like it anyways,” he sings. The push and pull of an on-again, off-again romance is confusion and tangles the senses, yet Boone just can’t get enough. It’s starstruck and rose-colored – feeling, well, mystical and magical. It takes you for a rocket ride, and you’ll never feel your feet again.
“Down to Be Wrong” – HAIM
Percussion drives “Down to Be Wrong,” HAIM‘s latest album primer. Musically, it’s rhythm-based with flecks of guitar and keyboard and little else. The trio’s voices are melodic enough to keep you tuned into their story. “Oh, I bet you wish it could be easy / But it’s not this time,” they sing, a lyrically venomous moment that pokes the tongue. More ’90s indie rock than most of their work, it’s a hypnotizing moment that teases their penmanship has only grown with time.
Photo via Single Cover Art
Comments