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!
February 2022 // March 2022 // April 2022 // May 2022 // June 2022 // July 2022 // August 2022 // September 2022 // October 2022 // November 2022 // January 2023 // February 2023 // March 2023 // April 2023 // May 2023 // June 2023 // July 2023 // August 2023 // September 2023 // October 2023 // November 2023 // January 2024 // February 2024 // March 2024 // April 2024 // May 2024 // June 2024 // July 2024 // August 2024 // September 2024 // October 2024 // November 2024 // December 2024 // January 2025 // February 2025 // March 2025 // April 2025 // May 2025 // June 2025 Pt1 Pt2 Pt3 // July 2025 // August 2025 // September 2025 // October 2025 // November 2025 // December 2025 // January 2026 // February 2026 // March 2026 // April 2026
Check out my 9+ rated songs for 2026 by following this new Spotify playlist! (and check out prior years too, if you’re interested)
Adam Lambert – Eat U Alive
Sounds so much like Gaga’s Disease.
Basic Element – Fireworks (ft. Ray Slijngaard & Maria Mathea)
Prepare for club euphoria with this one. I love Basic Element and I’m so glad they’re back!
Becky Hill – Hands On Me
Short but sweet (and banging) dance music.
Benjamin – Badabim (My Kind Of Terapiaa)
God, he’s just so good at this! Freaking catchy as hell.
Bess – Kuudes aisti
Reliably great Finnish synthpop.
Chrissy Chlapecka – Purple Moon
She never really misses. I like the 80s funk influence on this.
Dagny – Closet Disco Queen
This is such a shift in sound for her. Very clubby.
DeathbyRomy – Body Horror
Huge electro rock with a fantastic chorus.
Debbii Dawson – Where Have All The Good Men Gone?
She just nails this ornate ABBA-esque pop sound.
Demi Lovato – Love Controller
Doesn’t this sound like Gaga? It’s one of her best songs, for sure.
Edvin Törnblom – Enkelbiljett Till Himlen
I’m obsessed with the bombastic schlager theatre happening here. It’s comedy taken seriously and boasts some of the year’s biggest and best melodies.
Ellen Benediktson – Only Lovers
Great new EP from Ellen. All killer, no filler.
Ericka Jane – Lige Så Ligeglad
Slowly builds into something quite spectacular.
Erika Vikman – Adam & Steve
I’m posting this because I adore her but I’m actually disappointed in this song. I wish it was performed in Finnish because the lyrics are so lame and gimmicky.
Fangoria – Bailo
Their entire album is worth checking out, but I keep coming back to this extremely catchy dance track. It reminds me of the Macarena, but in a very complimentary way.
Grete Paia – Armastus On Pime
Hard hitting dance!
Honey Revenge – Run Your Mouth
Such a nostalgic sound.
House Of Serpents – Black Rose
Big, chugging synthrock.
Kesha – Origami!
Definitely NSFW but my god this slams! The chorus has such a huge sound.
Kyra Machida – Want Your Body
Solid Britney-esque pop.
Madeon – Fire Away (ft. Slayyyter)
I love this kind of gritty, rock-tinged dance.
Madonna – Bring Your Love (with Sabrina Carpenter)
It’s not doing much for me, but I appreciate hearing new Madonna regardless.
Martin Rolinski & Tess Merkel – Let There Be Love
This pairing of BWO and Alcazar is a fever dream for me. Nostalgia engines firing on all cylinders!
MUNA – Eastside Girls
Their new album is so good! Big anthemic pop melodies with fantastic 80s-inspired production.
Neea River – Shoulder
Another banger. What else can I say?
nightlife – U Know
Everyone’s aping the early-2000s Neptunes sound but this group goes straight for N.E.R.D! Their blend of heavy rock guitar and soul feels genuinely unique in today’s landscape.
Olya Polyakova – Магнітні бурі (Magnetic Storms)
Really like the retro sounds of this. It actually reminds me of a Ukrainian T-ara song (I know how strange that sounds, but trust me).
Oner – Car Goes Fast
I haven’t checked in with this C-pop group in awhile but their new album is very good. I love this anthemic synthwave track and its Bigbang-esque mv.
PNAU – Nirvana (ft. Earthgang & sadMONTH)
I’m absolutely taken with this track’s huge sound. The chanted choir acts as such a great contrast to the heavier rapped verses.
Ralph – Girls Together
This chorus is so euphoric. I love how the melody dips and dives in unexpected directions.
Santos Bravos – Velocidade
I’m very sold on Santos Bravos and this song has been lodged in my playlist since they started promoting in in April. Why no MV?
Souvenir – Stranger To Myself
MASSIVE synthpop from one of my favorite producers of the moment. Love it!
Tuure Boelius – Ikuisesti 25
Anthemic Finnish pop with lots of fun references to global hits.
Valencia Grace – Voodoo
She remains incredibly kooky in a fun way. This is very Kate Bush.
wavvyboi – Wanderlust
A mini rock opera from this exciting up-and-comer.