today’s pop picks move through bilingual confidence, dark cinematic electronics, intimate family reflection and self-produced queer longing. these four tracks turn personal moments into bold, immersive pop worlds.
gold – eva pagán
eva pagán turns queer confidence into a stunning, sharp and bilingual electropop banger
gold is an upbeat electropop track with punchy synths, a bright groove and subtle r&b and latin undertones. produced like a dream, it’s a compelling mix, also moving between english and spanish. the song feels playful and in control, built around the thrill of seeing through someone’s game before they get the chance to play it. we’ve been there, eva, and i love how the track captures the vibe in style. and the synth arp in the chorus? damn, amazing.
eva pagán is a puerto rican-german artist based in los angeles, formerly known as eva westphal, now fully stepping into a bolder sound and identity. excitingly, it’s self-produced (big fan), written by eva, and mixed and mastered by women, this release continues her spanglish, queer pop storytelling with real clarity. arriving during pride month, it doesn’t just feel confident and high-energy, it’s also very, very good. more of this please eva.
thank u for making this eva pagán ✨
cursed – aurealis
aurealis turns inner fear into a beautifully dark and cinematic electronic pop beauty
cursed is a shadowy electronic pop track built around haunting production, layered vocals and a melodic hook that feels tense and all the right kinds of immersive. the song captures the feeling of being trapped in doubt, where every dream seems doomed before it can begin, but the sound still reaches for something alive underneath. it’s the chorus that really reaches you though, and it’s a fantastic hook that’ll definitely stay with you.
aurealis uses this release to bring darkness inward, into the mirror, the shadow and the voice that tries to take control. written by aurealis, with final production and visuals created using ai-assisted tools as part of a human-led process, the single also connects closely with its music video. i love the world we’re entering into here, and the surreal imagery and psychological tension, turns that hopelessness into a vivid pop world. a brilliant single.
thank u for making this aurealis 🪞
i’ll see you soon – 23 fields
23 fields turn that feeling of family distance into the best blend of tender, heartfelt pop storytelling
i’ll see you soon is a deeply personal pop track built around emotional honesty, gentle reflection and the kind of regret many people carry but rarely actually vocalise. the song looks at the promises we make to family, especially the ones time does not always allow us to keep. we’ve been there, and as a result, this one really hits hard. musically, it’s indie pop/rock with a gritty vocal, produced well, but it’s really the message that gets you here.
23 fields write from the perspective of someone feeling guilt about not visiting elderly parents as often as they should. the release balances tenderness and vulnerability, speaking to missed calls, postponed journeys and the assumption that there will always be another chance. not only is it a reminder to reach out while the moment is still there, it’s also a reminder to check out 23 fields because this single is great.
thank u for making this 23 fields 🕊️
she’s the pope – jay saint james
jay saint james turns fierce resilience into a beautifully vivid, character-led pop story
she’s the pope, is a bright, instinctive pop track built around vivid storytelling, electric guitar colour and the feeling of a full band serving up the arrangement in the room. the song has a wonderful human energy, turning one unforgettable character into a sharp portrait of strength, humour and hard-earned tenderness. the craft at the heart of the song here is fantastic, and i love jay’s vocal; it’s the real highlight for me.
jay saint james is an artist from ayr, scotland, writing, singing and playing all instrumentation from his home studio, with martha mcbain co-producing, engineering and adding the electric guitar part that carries the track. inspired by a real woman who stayed fiercely herself through hard times, the release celebrates loyalty, survival and truth without chasing any fixed formula. we could all use a bit of that these days, and ‘she’s the pope’ has a great message, but it’s an even better song.
thank u for making this jay saint james 🕊️
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