today’s pop picks turn up the neon: an 80s new wave anthem about breaking free, a festival-ready edm banger from an unlikely source, a bedroom hyperpop sick day gone viral-worthy, and a dreamy chillwave drift into a new album. four tracks that all sound like they know exactly who they’re for.
not me – bailey bomar
bailey bomar makes breaking free from small town expectations into a pop triumph
not me is a cinematic alt-pop anthem built on shimmering synths and driving guitars, all wrapped up in that unmistakable 80s new wave sheen. it’s about choosing your own path instead of the one everyone expects, and there’s real conviction in how bomar delivers it. nothing here feels tentative at all. mike macdermid’s production is polished without losing any of the emotional bite, and it’s pop that’s beautifully melodic. and the chorus? it really soars. the kind that’s built to be shouted along to.
bailey bomar is a springfield, missouri based alt-pop artist who’s also a wife, mother and registered nurse, and that lived-in honesty comes through in every line of not me. she bridges the gap between modern alt-pop and timeless influences like blondie and the cars, and this one’s aimed at listeners chasing something bigger than the life they were expected to live. we know the feeling bailey. it’s a brilliant single, and i’d love to hear more from bomar this year.
thank u for making this bailey bomar 🌆
sick day – peachy trent
peachy trent turns calling in sick from work into the best diy pop this summer
sick day is loose, bedroom-produced hyperpop with a genuinely infectious energy running through it. the kind of track that sounds like it was made purely for fun, and it works all the better for it. imperial’s beat gives it a solid foundation, and trent’s personality carries the rest. really, it’s effortlessly listenable without trying too hard to impress. and i love the hyperpop diy charm here too, nothing feels overworked. it’s kinda impossible not to smile through it.
peachy trent is a perth based bedroom artist who found their sound through freestyle sessions over youtube beats, which explains why sick day feels so unforced. the whole premise, turning a sick day at home into a song, captures that same playful, organic spirit. it’s easy-listening in the best sense, low stakes and genuinely fun. we’ll be watching peachy trent closely.
thank u for making this peachy trent 🛌
outlands – disco dreams
disco dreams blends dancefloor energy and chillwave introspection into a cinematic synthwave banger
outlands drifts between chillwave textures and genuinely danceable electronic pop, all nostalgic synths and immersive, dreamlike production. it’s the first single off a second album that’s clearly been worked on with real care, a year and a half of refining shows in how confident this sounds. the mood shifts between introspective and dancefloor ready without ever feeling disjointed. the sound world is right up our street, and for me, it’s the synth work that really stands out here.
disco dreams fell for electronic music young, pulling from psychedelic melodies across genres to build a pop-focused electronica sound all their own. outlands leans into that blend of nostalgic texture and modern production, aiming for something honest and emotional rather than just danceable. it’s a solid first taste of where the new album’s headed. if the album’s half as good as this, we’re gonna love it. super eager to hear more from this artist.
thank u for making this disco dreams 🪩
seasoning – amanda holley
amanda holley layers a stunning vocal range into a genuinely grammy-considered soul moment
seasoning moves through soaring modulations and melodic rap with real confidence. holley’s five octave vocal range doing exactly what you’d expect from someone who’s been performing since she was seven. the harmonies are lush without crowding the mix, and there’s a sultriness to the delivery that never tips into excess. the new music video gives the whole thing a proper cinematic frame too. but despite all the vocal chops, it’s the tune that really is the standout here. i love the dark production flourishes, and the chorus really pops.
amanda holley is a newark born, new york city based singer who was raised by a cellist mother and a songwriting father who wrote for sarah vaughan, so music was never really optional for her. seasoning has already picked up first round grammy ballot consideration for best r&b performance and best r&b song, alongside credits that include carnegie hall and coachella. it’s a brilliant single. watch this artist closely.
thank u for making this amanda holley 🎙️
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