With Drake featured on another chart-crushing single this week, it’s hard to see (or hear) anything else. “MIA” is already everywhere — playing from cars with open windows, neighbors’ house parties, my own headphones. It’s catchy as hell, and Bad Bunny really does have the golden touch this year. (“I Like It” is one of the best tracks off Cardi‘s album, and “Mayores” with Becky G is infectious.)
It’s important to tip the hat and acknowledge how fun “MIA” is, but there are some really excellent other pop releases this week that shouldn’t be overlooked. Little Mix is back and ready to conquer US charts with “Woman Like Me.” Camila Cabello‘s orchestral arrangement of “Consequences” is gorgeous, and Astrid S and ALMA released some new singles this week.
Every Monday, Uproxx will round out the very best pop releases from the week before. Drake is on here, but give the rest a listen, too.
Shawn Mendes, Feat. teddy<3, “Under Pressure”
“Under Pressure” is one of Shawn Mendes‘ favorite songs, and you can hear his and Teddy Geiger’s appreciation for the original in their cover. Over the course of three albums, Mendes has quickly become one of the best young male vocalists in pop right now. He sings Freddie Mercury’s part, and he hits every note. The key change toward the end of the song is transcendent, and Mendes and Geiger’s voices sound beautiful together. Mendes and Geiger recorded the song for the Bohemian Rhapsody soundtrack, and proceeds of the song’s sales go toward helping the fight against HIV/AIDS. It’s a lovely tribute to the two legends who sang the original. Mercury and Bowie would be proud.
Camila Cabello, “Consequences – Orchestra”
“Consequences” was already a great song. One of the highlights off Camila Cabello’s debut album, “Consequences” is a standout when she performs it live. Cabello’s orchestral version of “Consequences,” released after her AMA performance, amplifies the dramatic, soul-crushing heartbreak of the song. The album version was simple and showed off Cabello’s voice, but she shines even brighter behind a gorgeous string section.
Astrid S, “Emotion”
“Did you forget that I’ve got a thing called emotion?” Norwegian pop singer Astrid S is back with her first new single of 2018, an ambitious and melodically complex anthem. “Emotion” has claps, whistles, synths, and band drums — it’s busy, but Astrid’s angelic voice grounds the song.
Sia, “I’m Still Here”
Sia is the queen of determined, epic anthems. “Electric Heart” and “Chandelier” were songs about women who persevered through everything, climbed through the mud to yell their victory. The heroine of “I’m Still Here” almost didn’t make it — “Oh the past, it haunted me / Oh the past, it wanted me dead / Oh the past tormented me” — but she’s still here.
Little Mix, Feat. Nicki Minaj, “Woman Like Me”
A pop diva in her own right, Nicki Minaj loves rapping alongside other pop divas. Nicki has accompanied Ariana Grande on some of her biggest hits — “Bang Bang,” a club hit that was one of Ari’s first big hits, the inescapable “Side To Side,” the very underrated “The Light Is Coming.” Little Mix is the UK’s hottest girl group, but they’re in need of a big US breakout. Minaj’s verse is tight, and Little Mix’s harmonies are killer. If there’s any justice in this world, “Woman Like Me” will be everywhere.
Bad Bunny, Feat. Drake, “MIA”
On a scale from one to Justin Bieber, Drake honestly sounds pretty comfortable rapping in Spanish. Drake and Bad Bunny trade verses effortlessly over a catchy beat, building to an earworm chorus. I know this one could technically count as hip-hop, but the chorus is melodic and Drake sings more than raps in the song. It’s also already playing on pop radio, seamlessly fitting between “In My Feelings” and a Maroon 5 song.
Maggie Rogers, “Light On”
“Light On” soars. Maggie Rogers‘ voice lends a hymnal quality to everything she sings, and it colors the danceable, synth-y instrumentals of “Light On” with an extra dose of transcendence. The song is about the rush of feeling that comes with a huge life change. Rogers became incredibly famous incredibly fast — Rogers was just a music student until she played “Alaska” for Pharrell. Maybe that’s not relatable to everyone listening to the song, but “Light On” sounds like those moments where life comes a little too fast. It’s a reminder to lean on the people you love, hold on to each other, and dance it all out.
ALMA, “Cowboy”
Mitski isn’t the only cowboy. Finnish pop star ALMA released a mixtape earlier this year, but she’s gunning for more recognition and bigger star power. She’s already well on her way — ALMA has collabed with Charli XCX and Tove Lo, and “Cowboy” is produced by BloodPop, who worked on Justin Bieber’s Purpose and Lady Gaga’s Joanne. “Cowboy” is a confidence anthem. ALMA has been through the fire, but she’s okay. The lyrics are great, like a poppier, high-heeled, patent leather version of Mitski’s cowboy ideal. “Thick skin, dark mind and a broken heart / But it doesn’t really hit so hard / Anymore.”
