we’ve got brighton urgency, london confidence and a little cloud rap introspection in this week’s pop picks. these are the zingers we’re talking about this week.
vibe killer – messy eater
“messy eater turns anxious mind-spirals into the best kind of colourful, hook-driven pop”
vibe killer, opening with a phone ring before dropping into a laidback 90s hip hop groove, quickly opens out into a huge, singalong chorus. 808 beats and stacked harmonies push it into the bright, genre-blurring territory, that we absolutely love from messy eater.
the york-based musician had a great year last year, and this one continues the rollout of his forthcoming comfort food ep with a track that balances playful melodies and candid lyricism. drawing on his flair for blending styles, this single calls out intrusive thoughts while making whole thing an absolute joy to listen to. can’t wait for more.
thank u for making this messy eater 💖
give it to me – bottara
“bottara leans into bold, playful pop with total self-possession”
give it to me, built around slick rhythmic bounce and a confident vocal vibe, lands with a directness that feels effortless. it’s got a lovely polished production and groove that gives the track a really fun flirtatious pulse.
bottara, a london-based artist, reconnects with producer 2 points to mark a shift into a more self-assured chapter. inspired by late-night honesty and emotional clarity, this release captures desire on her own terms and signals a freer, more expressive direction. great stuff.
thank u for making this bottara 💖
best ones – check mirrors
“check mirrors deliver a brilliant indie pop statement driven by bass and drums”
best ones, stripped back to a wonderfully produced combo of live drums, bass guitar and synth, moves with a driving rhythm section and dark, meditative undertone. the minimal setup gives the track a tight, focused intensity that really cuts through, in a fantastic way.
check mirrors, the brighton duo of tim woodbridge and darren lewarne, place bass at the centre of their sound rather than leaning on guitars. as their debut single, this release introduces an exciting indie pop approach that we are really, really keen to hear more of. great
thank u for making this check mirrors 💖
bringmeback – 13illy
“13illy blends impressively melodic cloud rap and reflective pop to great effect”
bringmeback, built on a nostalgic synth lead and clean 808s, floats between ambient textures and punchy trap drums. smooth, layered vocals keep the emotion in your mind, while almost boards of canada-style synths surround the mood.
13illy, an independent canadian artist, leans into modern melodic cloud rap while exploring heartbreak and ambition from a personal perspective. this single marks the start of a focused new run, expanding both his sound and scope. it’s great.
thank u for making this 13illy 💖
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