New Songs Sunday: Lizzo, Coldplay, Selena Gomez & more

We get some high-profile new tracks, such as Lizzo, Latto, Trina, and Phoebe Bridgers. We also look at two remixes. Some of the new tracks are children of the hyper pop sound, such as Deaton Chris Anthony and Slayyyter. While other pop tracks are soft and romantic (Alfie Templeman and ATO).

1. Lizzo – About Damn Time

The Houston-based musician revisits the 80s disco-inspired music of her 2019 hit, “Juice”, with the new dance track, “About Damn Time”. Her latest track once again sticks to the usual themes of Lizzo: empowerment, getting over a bad breakup, a new makeover, re-entering the dating scene, or just throwing it back with your friends at the club. It’s a wonderful track choice for dancing at clubs and parties. And we get Lizzo’s impressive flute-playing in the bridge!

2. Belle And Sebastian – Young And Stupid

The Glasgow-based band revisit the topic of growing old, reminiscing over past youth, and the long road from childhood to the adulthood of the band members. Stuart Murdoch references how some members of the group now have kids (like Stuart), while others have dogs (Sarah Martin). It’s an upbeat pop song with a faster tempo than their usual songs. It’s lovely, sweet and innocent.

3. Trina – Clap (feat. Latto)

Florida-based rapper Trina collaborates with Latto for a Southern-inspired hip hop track. The topic here is usual for mainstream rap music: sex, money, confidence, luxury and flexing on your enemies. The bars by Trina are straight fire and bold, although we wished to have heard more from Latto.

4. Pussy Riot – HATEF*** (feat. Slayyyter)

With their third single from the upcoming project, Pussy Riot have made it clear that they will not be exploring the punk sound this time. We must get used to their Tove Lo-penned, pop sound. Thankfully, “Hatef***” is more promising than their previous two singles had been. Nadya Tolokonnikova’s lyrics are utterly brutal as she sings about people she abhors, while referencing abortion, bleeding. Hyper pop figure Slayyyter makes a memorable feature as well, raising the song to a higher level of badassery. The chorus has a tasty hyperpop flavour. It’s actually a catchy, rave-y, track with dubstep furnishings.

5. Mallrat – Surprise Me (feat. Azealia Banks)

Twenty-three year old Australian musician, Mallrat, gives us a pop song with her tremendous voice as expected. The real surprise, though, is the featuring artist: rapper Azealia Banks. Blacklisted for years for her controversial tweets and feuds with other celebrities, Banks is back with her unforgettable, hilarious and hard hitting verses, referencing everything from Louis CK to Nicole Kidman’s plastic surgery. There can be some tonal jarring, as we go from Mallrat’s understated performance to Azealia’s fierce energy and potty mouth lyrics. It takes time to get used to, but it’s admirably ambitious and a lot of fun to listen to.

6. Phoebe Bridgers – Sidelines

Last year, Pasadena-based artist Phoebe Bridgers swept the indie rock scene with her sensational album, ‘Punisher’. Now, Bridgers is back with a piano-based pop song. The musician’s lyrical expertise is on full display here. Bridgers sings about not having fear of anything anymore, neither the fear of growing old, of dying, or of going broke. She is in that new stage of life where she is stronger, thanks to a new person she met who has given her a rebirth of sorts. The lines are iconic already and will for sure be endlessly quoted by her adoring fans. “Sidelines” is incredibly poignant and worth listening to, even for non-fans.

7. ATARASHII GAKKO – Woo! Go!

Arguably better than the entire ‘Snacktime’ EP from last year, this new track by ATARASHII GAKKO is produced by Japanese artist yonkey. The beat is infectious and we get that signature sound of the girl group where it sounds like they are singing two or three different songs which are stitched together. And somehow, the girls make it work absolutely well.

8. Alfie Templeman – Colour Me Blue

Alfie Templeman sure knows how to make a dreamy, lovestruck pop song which has that spring-summer flavour. “Colour Me Blue” is nostalgic, romantic, hopeful and youthful, with a gorgeous soundscape and puppy love lyricism.

9. Deaton Chris Anthony – iScream (feat. Beabadoobee)

A new-ish sound for Beabadoobee, away from her soft, dreamy rock sound, this is a welcome song. The pop song has distorted beats and guitar, and the singing by Deaton is quirky and angsty as he sings “I’m right. You’re wrong”. Bea’s usual songwriting returns here as she pines for her boyfriend and dreams of a forever after. She wonders, “what’s wrong with me”, and “why not me”. But it’s lighthearted, and mushy, like an AG Cook or 100 Gecs song (hyper pop enthusiasts understand).

10. Queen Millz – Real One

Queen Millz, a young rapper from Leicester, raps to a drill beat with verses that declare her expectations from a relationship, her preferences and her standards. The lyrics will remind one of Shaybo and Stefflon Don. The chorus is catchy and vibey.

11. Coldplay, Selena Gomez – Let Somebody Go (Ofenbach Remix)

Ofenbach, a French electronic duo, remix Coldplay and Selena Gomez’s pop hit, “Let Somebody Go”. The new version retains the original song’s warmth and goodness, but the duo makes it a dance track. The heart-ripping lyrics are what carried the original song, and they carry this one too.

12. ATO, Flohio – No Caroline Remix

The remix to ATO’s “no caroline”, the remix has Flohio hop on the track. The production/remix here is messier and louder but retains that cuteness of the original version. It’s a stellar rap remix.

Check out the “New Songs Sunday” playlist on Spotify

Also read | What are ‘binaural beats’ and do they affect our brain?