The Bias List is a K-pop blog that also covers a fair amount of J-pop. But along with most music fans, I enjoy tracks from all around the world. So, I thought I’d start a monthly round-up of some of the non-K-pop songs that have caught my ear. No ratings — just highlights!
*Going forward, J-pop songs will no longer be included as part of this feature. Instead, they’ll have their own feature every weekend… starting tomorrow!
February 2022 Edition // March 2022 Edition // April 2022 Edition // May 2022 Edition // June 2022 Edition // July 2022 Edition // August 2022 Edition // September 2022 Edition // October 2022 Edition // November 2022 Edition // January 2023 Edition
Drew Sycamore – In The Club
Drew’s new album Superfaith just came out and I highly recommend it if you like upbeat dance pop. In The Club goes from great to fantastic as that blazing electric guitar outro takes hold.
Ellie Goulding – Like A Saviour
She’s three for three! I like this one more that Let It Die but less than Easy Lover. It’s a great chorus fueled by anthemic energy.
Jake Shears – Too Much Music
Scissor Sisters’ frontman is finally back as a soloist with the first taste of his upcoming album. Too Much Music is fantastic disco funk that takes advantage of his trademark falsetto.
KEiiNO – Alt Du Kan Se
Mystical and magical, the beguiling KEiiNO never misses. Alt Du Kan Se builds toward such a majestic and theatrical sound.
Latto – Lottery (ft. Lu Kala)
It’s the follow-up to Big Energy we all deserved! Lottery’s featherlight disco beat feels like a no brainer and instant smash.
Neea River – All The Way
I swear, Finland has an unlimited supply of immense, synth-fueled choruses. This is brilliant.
Oliver Heldens – Oops (ft. Karen Harding)
Is that a Britney Spears interpolation I hear? Either way, I think this is the strongest straight-up dance track released during the past month.
Pink – Trustfall
Easily my favorite single from her in years, Trustfall embraces a Carly Rae Jepsen/Robyn early-10’s electro chug. Album track Runaway is also very, very good.
Sophie Ellis-Bextor – Breaking The Circle
I’m really smitten with this song’s chorus. I love the melody and the big rock-meets-dance sound of the production. It’s so galvanizing.
Theoz – Mer Av Dig
I haven’t been sold on most of the Melodifestivalen songs so far this year, but just like in 2022 Theoz has gone and delivered the strongest one. Mer Av Dig is “pop” with a capital “P” — explosive energy culminating in a whopper of a chorus.
Tove Lo – Borderline
Rumor has it this was originally written for Dua Lipa’s Future Nostalgia album, which should give you a hint how great it is. This is one of Tove’s strongest singles yet. That melody is flawless.
Tyla – Been Thinking
This is the one! I haven’t been this intoxicated by a groove in years. Been Thinking has me frantically googling “afro house” because I can’t get enough. I’m obsessed with how consistently the song builds. A SOTY candidate, for sure.
Vincint – Romance
Vincint has such a commanding presence on a track and that charisma is perfectly paired with Romance’s beat-heavy production.
Zara Larsson – Can’t Tame Her
Yep, it’s another 80’s synthwave inspired track. This one gets everything right, from the chugging synths to the sinfully catchy chorus.