The Bias List is a K-pop blog that also covers a fair amount of J-pop. But just like 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!
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Alesso x Becky Hill – Surrender
A super solid trance banger.
Arwin – Spaceboy
This is even better than his Melodifestivalen entry! Hard-hitting, early-2010’s electro pop with a massive chorus.
Bess & Käärijä – Kaistaa
Bess and Käärijä have both been collecting duet partner like crazy lately. Here, they finally come together for a banging dance track from Bess’s new album.
Betty Who – Run!
The vocal mixing drives me crazy but otherwise this is a shot of anthemic 80’s pop with big stabs of guitar.
Bingo Players – Take It Slow
This has such an old-school house sound.
Chrissy Chlapecka – Cherry Do You Love Me
Chrissy takes a rock detour to brilliant effect. This one explodes.
DE’WAYNE – Biological
Jangly indie rock with a satisfying pop sheen.
Donkeyboy – Galileo
Donkeyboy are back as catchy and melodic as ever.
Ed Sheeran – Azizam
I’ve been no big fan of Sheeran’s music in the past, but this shift in sound is very welcome. Azizam is almost too catchy.
Eino – Haamuja
Yet another new Finnish artist to keep our eyes on.
Frankmusik x Shirobon – Imposter Syndrome
When my playlists moved almost exclusively to K-pop/J-pop in 2016, I lost track of many of my early-2010’s pop favorites. It’s fun playing catch-up now. It turns out Frankmusik has been churning out quality dance music non-stop and this new collaboration is a mega-successful electro banger.
Gorgon City – Run It Back (ft. Caroline Byrne)
I love dance music that feels like summer.
Grant Knoche – Talk
This song moves him even further into the dancefloor.
Gustaph – The Feeling
Gustaph finally released his album late last month. Every song is a winner, but this euphoric club banger demands your attention. The chorus just glistens.
Jessica Winter – All I Ever Really Wanted
I adore the contrast between the rugged instrumental and sweet, airy vocals. I can’t wait for her album. This song reminds me of Xenomania’s mid-2000’s productions.
Jonas Brothers – Love Me To Heaven
I want to resist Jonas Brothers’ music, but they keep churning out 80’s stadium-rock hits like this.
The Knocks & Dragonette – Dreams
The Knocks and Dragonette have been churning out a string of retro synthpop hits. This might just be my favorite yet. It’s so optimistic sounding. I love a spoken-word verse in a song like this.
LEXXE – Oh Mary
LEXXE released a killer EP recently and it seems to have flown way under the radar. This song is absolutely MASSIVE and deserves everyone’s attention, but the whole EP is magic.
Marina – Cuntissimo
I’m fully back on board the Marina train with this one. It’s so silly and catchy and campy.
Miley Cyrus – End Of The World
Sweet, ABBA-esque melodies collide with a euphoric instrumental to craft a sentimental highlight. This is miles better than Flowers.
Neea River – Volcano
This isn’t a patch on her excellent Nightmares from earlier this year, but it’s another super-solid dance-pop banger to add to her unimpeachable list of highlights.
Nova May – STARBOUNCE
Nova May is mining “recession pop” sounds for all they’re worth and this might be her most convincing hit yet.
Punchbag – I’m Not Your Punchbag
This new duo has my full attention with their thrashing, bombastic pop/rock sound.
Say Now – Can’t Keep A Beat
This actually sounds a lot like K-pop, yet it’s got more energy than most girl group songs this year.
Sleigh Bells – This Summer
Sleigh Bells’ new album is fantastic and this is probably my favorite song. Pummeling guitar riffs match anthemic melodies and a bittersweet sentiment to craft a real classic.
Sophie Ellis-Bextor – Relentless Love
She’s in her disco bag with this one.
Tom Aspaul – That Girl
This song really snuck up on me. It perfectly captures a specific hazy 80’s soft rock/dance sound with a brilliant chorus and even better guitar solo. I’m excited to hear his album.