we’re all about the polished pop picks today, and if that alliteration wasn’t quite enough, you’re definitely going to be swayed by the comeback statements, intimate late-night moods and sheer quality. let’s get stuck in ✨
clumsy girl – kelsie kimberlin
kelsie kimberlin delivers a vibrant and uplifting synth pop banger full of resilience and heart
clumsy girl bursts forward with glossy production and a clean, radio-ready finish, blending bright synth layers with a confident synth bass rhythm. the track leans into an immediate sense of lift, with a hook that’s a real earworm and also has just a tiny hint of french 70s lounge poppers ‘Air’.
friend of the blog kelsie kimberlin uses this release as a return to her core pop sound, centering themes of self-acceptance and perseverance. shaped across multiple studios and collaborators, it reflects both personal strength and a wider message of hope in difficult circumstances. it’s our fave track from kelsie yet, and we’re hoping for more this year.
thank u for making this kelsie kimberlin ✨
love is for you – patti zlaket
patti zlaket returns with a wonderfully warm, heartfelt pop sound that should be all over the radio
love is for you flows with a smooth, groove-led arrangement, pairing soft piano lines with rich instrumentation that gives the track the best kind of timeless feel. is it an 80s classic? a 90s banger? a 2000s bop? it kinda has a bit of them all, in all the best ways, and this honestly should be all over Radio 2. pairing up with robbie wyckoff was a great idea, the boy/girl vocal is definitely a standout.
friend of the blog patti zlaket steps back into the spotlight with a renewed sense of purpose, using this release to reflect on love from a place of growth and understanding. it marks a significant chapter in her comeback, shaped by both personal history and a reawakened creative drive. we love it.
thank u for making this patti zlaket ✨
glass – frank joshua
frank joshua crafts a shimmering and introspective pop soundscape filled with a wonderful cosmic depth
glass unfolds through layered vocals and shimmering guitar textures, building a genuinely hypnotic atmosphere that has a wonderful sense of dreamlike repetition. it’s carefully paced and restrained in an way that really works, giving a sense of each element settling into a reflective, late-night mood. almost like gorrilaz if they had got into sci-fi novels instead of comics.
frank joshua, based in london, uses this track to explore themes of identity and fragility, marking a key step into his upcoming album era. the release blends cinematic production with personal introspection, offering a more contemplative side of pop. it’s quirky and fantastic, more of this please frank.
thank u for making this frank joshua ✨
let us in – the shrubs
the shrubs fuse tape-driven upbeat energy with a brilliant indie pop banger
let us in is right in on upbeat, retro-leaning sound with wonderfully textured production. there’s all the tape-driven warmth you can ask for and when paired with lovely synth flourishes and fantastic 60s-esque vocal, there’s such a distinct character here. best of all? the song is actually great. which is handy, since that’s what we’re all here for.
the shrubs, a houston-based duo, use this release to explore social perception and human behaviour, wrapping heavier ideas in an accessible pop-leaning style. it continues their experimental approach to recording while keeping melody at the forefront. i really love this, and will be following their year closely.
thank u for making this the shrubs ✨
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