It’s a four-day week, but that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily an easy one – which is exactly why we’re here on a Tuesday with 10 Cool Pop Songs to help you get through this post-Labor Day work week.
From FINNEAS waxing nostalgic to Little Mix flaunting their attitude to Rosalia and Tokischa’s ferocious team-up, we have more than enough bops to get you energized to take on the week. Pop any of these gems into your personal playlists — or scroll to the end of the post for a custom playlist of all 10.
FINNEAS, “The 90s”
“Sometimes I think about the 90s, I know everyone romanticized it / but you can sign me up, for a world without the Internet,” croons a world-weary FINNEAS on “The 90s” from his upcoming debut album, Optimist. The slow, sparse, Auto-Tune’d build-up has shades of Bon Iver, but FINNEAS takes it out of the Wisconsin backwoods and into the stratosphere on the explosive electronic finale. – Joe Lynch
Jhay Cortez and Anuel AA, “Ley Seca”
This vibey, sensual reggaeton jam boasts three of Puerto Rico’s finest currently heating up the scene: Anuel AA, Jhay Cortez and producer Tainy; Cortez recently told Billboard that while “Anuel and I are from the same town,” the scope of this one is “global – it’s a shout-out to women.” – Lynch
Little Mix, “Love (Sweet Love)”
The U.K. girl group (now a trio) tells us they’re feeling selfish on new single “Love (Sweet Love),” but we have to respectfully disagree – they’re doling out precisely the kind of punchy, soulful pop stompers that fans have come to crave from Little Mix. – Lynch
Kirby, “Coconut Oil”
Memphis singer-songwriter Kirby is flexing on the effortlessly cool, vivacious funk of “Coconut Oil,” which brings to mind the Janelle Monae’s inventive genre pastiches and glides by at an all-too-quick two-minute runtime. – Lynch
Popcaan, “Live Some Life”
A reliable purveyor of feel-good dancehall vibes, Popcaan returns with the sparse, midtempo slice-of-life track “Live Some Life,” which arrives as part of a collaboration between his own Unruly Entertainment and the fashion brand Daily Paper. – Lynch
Rosalia and Tokischa, “Linda”
Rosalia has been on a collaboration streak lately, from Billie Eilish to Travis Scott and more. Her latest team-up, “Linda,” is a high-energy, thumping track with Dominican artist Tokischa. The two bring out the fire in one another as they swap flamenco-inspired verses throughout this two-and-a-half minute song that never lets up. – Lyndsey Havens
Little Simz and Obongjayar, “Point and Kill”
One of the most anticipated releases of 2021, Little Simz’s Sometimes I Might Be Introvert, arrived Friday and didn’t disappoint. “Point and Kill” in particular stands out for its driving and ominous riff, which creeps along without ever becoming too much of a focal point as Simz and London-based Nigerian artist Obongjayar deliver velvety smooth vocals that later lead into a warmly welcomed horn breakdown. – Havens
Sofi Tukker and John Summit, “Sun Came Up”
Dance duo Sofi Tukker tapped Chicago house artist John Summit for their latest breezy banger. The mid-tempo dance tracks starts off airy — like a crisp, cool dawn — before the bass kicks into high gear. The song is a product of quarantine; as the duo said in a release, “We were dreaming about the sun coming up… It’s about being together, in darkness and sunshine.” – Havens
Fred again.., “Billie (Loving Arms)”
Since producing for everyone from Stormzy to Headie One, the London-based artist and producer Fred again.. is gearing up to release his second album later this year. He’s previewed the project with an upbeat and carefree track, “Billie (Loving Arms),” which turns a sample of Billie Ray Martin’s Dance Club Songs No. 1 “Your Loving Arms” (released in 1994) into a 2021-styled hit. – Havens
Baby Queen, “Narcissist”
Baby Queen’s debut mixtape, The Yearbook, arrived last week and with it came standout track “Narcissist,” on which the London-based singer holds nothing back as she speak-sings each lyrical punch. It’s the way in which she delivers each line with such subtlety and sweetness, though, that makes it easy to forget just how savage the track really is. – Havens
