Swift has been through a lot since Midnight hit the shelves in 2022—and we’re not just talking about her record-breaking The Eras Tour. The singer’s romantic relationship often served as the main source of inspiration for her music, and Tortured Poets continues this trend, but not in a way you’d think.

This is Swift’s first album of new material since her six-year relationship with Joe Alwyn came to an end, and many expected their breakup would be the main subject of this album. Instead of simply throwing Alwyn under the bus, Swift decided to explore many stages of heartbreak on this record, reserving her vindictive quips for a short-term fling with Matty Healy and giving her some of her edgiest lyrics since Reputation.

Tortured Poets is at its strongest when Swift is ready to bare her emotions and get vulnerable, instead of resorting to pettiness. “So Long, London” is the case in point, and it’s one of her most emotional and raw breakup anthems since her magnum opus “All Too Well”.

Her vulnerability doesn’t shine as strongly on the rest of the album, but Reputation fans will appreciate the vengeful tone and audacious nature of some of the album’s buzziest songs, such as “But Daddy I Love Him”, “The Tortured Poets Department”, and especially “The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived”. She also found two pretty great collaborators in Post Malone (“Fortnight”) and Florence Welch (“Florida!!!”).

Swift’s storytelling skills remain as strong as ever on The Tortured Poets Department, but this collection of songs doesn’t feel as cohesive as some of her recent albums. Its synth-pop sound feels repetitive at times, making us wonder if Swift’s collaboration with producer Jack Antonoff has run its course – especially when we compare it with Aaron Dessner’s work on the album’s second volume The Anthology.

The Tortured Poets Department is a solid synth-pop record that bridges the gap between Swift’s several eras. It gives us a moment of boldness, audacity, and vulnerability that continue the singer’s legacy as one of the best storytellers of her generation, but it also feels like a pit stop until the next great thing.

The post Taylor Swift Gets Vulnerable & Vindictive on “The Tortured Poets Department” appeared first on Hot Pop Today.

Beyoncé made it clear that Cowboy Carter isn’t a country album, but a “Beyoncé album” when she first announced its title, and she doubled down on this statement from the very first track. “American Requiem” infuses the album with gospel vibes, and sees Queen B addressing claims she doesn’t belong on the country scene.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Beyoncé (@beyonce)

Her cover of The Beatles’ “Blackbird” continued exploring the overlooked impact of African-American artists on this genre, and it saw her joining forces with several Black female country stars. Despite its brilliance, her version of “Jolene” is the album’s best cover and one of the signature tracks, shedding a new, defiant light on the Dolly Parton classic we all know and love.

Parton also joined Cowboy Carter as one of Beyoncé’s A-list collaborators on the track “Tyrant” – and she wasn’t the only one! She also brought Willie Nelson, Post Malone, Linda Martell, and Shaboozey on board, but duet “II Most Wanted” ft. Miley Cyrus is definitely the album’s most brilliant collaboration.

Beyoncé shines as brightly all on her own, and previously released solo singles “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages” carry us through the first half of the album. “Bodyguard”, “Ya Ya”, and “Riverdance” are also worth listening to on repeat, while “Amen” brings things full circle, in a gospel-inspired fashion of the album’s opener. “American Requiem”.

When Beyoncé first revealed the tracklist of Cowboy Carter, the long list of titles left everyone puzzled, but it turned out all 27 of them were actual songs. Some of them are intros and snippets, and not every single one will have a long-term impact, but they all work in the grand scheme of things, serving as worthy building blocks in Cowboy Carter’s legacy.

Cowboy Carter is a true genre-defying masterpiece that perfectly blends the country sound with pop, R&B, soul, and rock, reminding us there’s nothing Beyoncé can’t do. It’s proof that she’s still capable of reinviting herself after almost three decades, and it breathes a new life into a genre where she once felt out of place.

The post Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” is a Masterful Love Letter to Country’s Roots appeared first on Hot Pop Today.

It’s impossible to talk about Eternal Sunshine without reflecting on the drama behind it. Grande’s latest LP was written in the wake of her divorce and she described it as “kind of a concept album ’cause it’s all different heightened pieces of the same story, of the same experience.”

Like the film that inspired its title, the 2004 sci-fi rom-com Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Grande’s new album explores the lengths we go to in an attempt to let go after a failed relationship. It’s a vulnerable record that also manages to find moments of joy in all the mess of having your heart broken and letting go.

Grande welcomed us into the world of Eternal Sunshine with the lead single “Yes, And?”, and the fact it’s not even close to being its strongest song says a lot about the album’s quality. She shows signs of pettiness on this track, but this isn’t a running theme, and she manages to dig deeper as the songs go by.

Eternal Sunshine won’t give us any bops in the vein of “7 Rings” and “Thank U, Next”, but that’s not stopping it from being a no-skips record. Even its weakest songs are a part of the bigger picture, and Grande shines her brightest when she’s embracing her R&B roots, on such songs as “Bye” and “The Boy is Mine”, or giving us synth-bop vibes with “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)”.

The album’s final song, “Ordinary Things” is a perfect closer because it sees Grande’s grandmother sharing some wisdom about relationships, “Never go to bed without kissin’ goodnight. That’s the worst thing to do, don’t ever, ever do that. And if you can’t, and if you don’t feel comfortable doing it, you’re in the wrong place, get out.”

Grande doesn’t use her full vocal capabilities on Eternal Sunshine, and it’s been a while since she had, but this album isn’t weaker for it. It might not be her best or most radio-friendly record, but it shows signs of maturity, compassion, and grace and it’s a perfect reminder that there’s always sunshine after the rain.

The post Ariana Grande Shines as Bright as Ever on Mature New Album “Eternal Sunshine” appeared first on Hot Pop Today.

Rodrigo made her SNL debut in 2021 when she was riding on the coattails of her debut album Soar. The 20-year-old singer repeatedly said that its follow-up Guts was written with a tour in mind, and judging by her SNL performance—epic things will happen once she finally hits the road.

Rodrigo kicked off her performance with the stripped-down version of the chart-topping single “Vampire”. She set behind a piano in a dazzling silver dress for a powerful rendition of this soaring ballad, and let her vocals shine with no background singers or other instruments to support her.

Just when we thought her second performance couldn’t possibly be any better, Rodrigo delivered a masterclass in female rage with the theatrical rendition of “All-American B—h”. From dramatically stabbing a cake and smearing it all over her face to chaotically dancing on a dinner table, she did a great job capturing the edgy energy of this pop-punk anthem and made us fall in love with it all over again.

The post Olivia Rodrigo Delivers True Tour De Force With Her “SNL” Performance appeared first on Hot Pop Today.

Nicki Minaj kicked off a new era for female rappers when she dropped Pink Friday in 2010 and gave us such smash hits as “Super Bass” and “Your Love”. This album propelled Minaj to worldwide fame and served as the jumping-off point for the rest of her career.

She decided to revisit the world she created with Pink Friday over a decade later, and kicked off her journey with the chart-topping hit “Super Freaky Girl”. It’s definitely one of the album’s strongest suits, but it will take quite a while to get there when you’re listening to the album in full.

With 22 tracks clocking at 70 minutes, Pink Friday 2 really has no business being that long. Minaj kept her Barbz waiting for this sequel long enough, and they’ll appreciate every song and every beat, but casual listeners will wish she wrapped things up earlier, especially since she saved some of the best tracks for the second half, including “Pink Friday Girls”, “Super Freaky Girl”, and “Last Time I Saw You”.

The album’s second biggest problem is Minaj’s heavy reliance on samples, which strip Pink Friday 2 of the originality of its predecessors. From Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” to Billie Eilish’s “When the Party’s Over”, this record contains so many samples that it’s hard to tell where they end and Minaj’s verses begin.

Despite all its flaws, Pink Friday 2 proves that Minaj is still one of the best rappers in the game, and her verses are as sharp as ever. This sequel may not push boundaries like its original, but it’s a worthy successor to Pink Friday, and it will certainly please her hardcore fans.

The post Does Nicki Minaj’s “Pink Friday 2” Live Up to the Original? appeared first on Hot Pop Today.

McRae rose to prominence during her time on So You Think You Can Dance and has been hailed as the next main pop girl and triple threat following the release of her viral hit “Greedy”. This song did a great job setting the stage for her sophomore album Think Later, followed by the catchy breakup anthem “Exes” as its second single.

McRae described Think Later as an album about “the all-too-relatable feelings of falling in love and embracing the raw emotions that you experience as a result of leading with your intuition and heart”—and it shows. Relationship drama, breakups, and unrequited love are some of the most common themes explored on this album, and McRee rarely strays from them.

Despite exploring all-familiar themes and giving us a number of songs that will fade away after the first listen, Think Later still does a great job showcasing McRee’s talent. The first half is the album’s strong suit, and she knocks it out of the park with the trifecta of “Cut My Hair”, “Greedy”, and “Run for the Hills” at the very start.

The second half is less memorable, and the album’s ballads feel like fillers, which is quite disappointing when you consider that she broke into the scene with the gut-wrenching “You Broke Me First”. McRae herself said herself that “sad girl bit got a little boring”, so it’s not a shocker to see her leave this era behind.

Think Later sees the young singer fully embrace her new sound and confidently walk into the next stage of her career. She’s certainly not breaking any new ground with her sophomore effort, but we’ll still have fun watching her dance her way to the top.

The post Tate McRae’s “Think Later” is a Solid Pop Album That Doesn’t Break New Ground appeared first on Hot Pop Today.

Like many Gen-Z artists these days, Victoria Beverly Walker aka PinkPantheress used the social media platform TikTok to get her music out there. Several of her songs eventually went viral, and “Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2” became a global phenomenon after the American rapper Ice Spice hopped on the remix.

This song is featured as the last track on Heaven Knows, but you won’t have to wait until the last moment for this album to really pop. PinkPantheress will grab your attention with the very first riffs of the opening track “Another Life” ft. Rema and she’ll never let it go.

“Nice to Meet You” ft. Central Cee was released as the album’s fourth single, but Heaven Knows features several songs that prove PinkPantheress can deliver an amazing song all on her own. From the playful “Mosquito” to the reflective “Capable of Love”, this album offers several tracks that perfectly capture the singer’s dreamy musical style.

Heaven Knows cements PinkPantheress’ status as the queen of Y2K nostalgia, drawing clear inspiration from the R&B and pop music from this era. This has always been both her biggest weakness and strength—her music feels like a mixture of dated and contemporary sound, making it difficult to seem groundbreaking.

This doesn’t take away from the fact that but Heaven Knows is a pretty strong debut album from one of R&B’s biggest rising stars. She stays true to her signature sound while taking her music in new directions and diving into the depths of her emotions in the most joyous way possible.

The post PinkPantheress Makes Worthy Debut With Y2K-Tinged “Heaven Knows” appeared first on Hot Pop Today.

1989 was the turning point of Swift’s career and its re-recording was always going to be a slam dunk. This record gave us some of the singer’s biggest hits, from “Shake It Off” and “Blank Space” to “Bad Blood” and “Wildest Dreams”, and went down in history as one of the defining pop albums of the 2010s after winning Album of the Year at the Grammys.

All these songs shine brighter than ever on the re-recorded version of 1989, along with many beloved fan favorites, such as “Style”, “New Romantics”, and “Out of the Woods”. It’s always a joy to watch Swift taking back her power, but 1989 might be her most exhilarating re-recording yet—and we owe it all to five brilliant re-recordings.

Swift chose the tongue-in-cheek bop “S-ut!” as the album’s lead single. It perfectly captures the frustration she was experiencing in the face of constant headlines about her private life that filled the tabloids during the 2010s.

“S-ut!” is a great addition to 1989, but it’s definitely not its strongest “from the vault” track on the album. “Say Not Go” will knock you off your feet with its catchy vibe and heartfelt message, while “Is It Over Now?” sees Swift putting her songwriting abilities on full display and it’s already a huge streaming hit.

1989 (Taylor’s Version) is the re-recording all of Swift’s fans have been waiting for since she decided to take control of her master recordings – and it was worth the wait. The singer’s biggest hits sound better than ever, and “from the vault” tracks are so good it’s hard to believe she’s been sitting on them for a full decade.

The post “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” Cements the Legacy of Taylor Swift’s Signature Album appeared first on Hot Pop Today.

It’s been a while since The Stones have given us an album we’d enjoy listening to on repeat, but Hackney Diamonds proves they’ve still got it. From the very first track “Angry”, which they teased with a viral music video starring Euphoria’s Sydney Sweeney, it’s pretty clear they mean business – and it turns out that the best is yet to come.

Over the course of the next 11 tracks, your attention will never weaver, as Hackney Diamonds takes you back to the band’s glory days. Producer Andrew Watt deserves a lot of credit for bringing the best out of the band that’s been around for decades and could’ve easily lost their shine if it wasn’t for his bold direction.

From “Whole Wide World” and “Bite My Head Off” to “Mess It Up” and “Driving Me Too Hard”, Hackney Diamonds has no-miss tracks, but The Stones saved the best for last. The album’s spectacular gospel-inspired anthem “Sweet Sounds of Heaven” featuring Lady Gaga and Stevie Wonder clocks at seven minutes, but never feels too long and delivers a powerful closing before the acoustic cover of “Rolling Stone Blues” draws the curtain on Hackney Diamonds.

Hackney Diamonds could’ve easily been a novelty record by another washed-up classic rock band trying to sell more concert tickets, but it’s anything but. The Rolling Stones are definitely back, and this album cements their legacy as all-time greats while keeping their sound fresh.

The post The Rolling Stones Make an Epic Comeback With “Hackney Diamonds” appeared first on Hot Pop Today.

When Sivan initially teased his new album, he explained its title refers to his desire to give us something—a kiss on a dancefloor, a date turned into a weekend, a crush, a winter, a summer. He also explained it captures heartbreak, freedom, community, sisterhood, and friendship, and these themes bleed through on pretty much every track on this record.

It’s been five years since Sivan’s last studio album Bloom, but he kept experimenting with dance-pop sound with the critically acclaimed EP In a Dream. Just like all of his previous releases, Something to Give Each Other offers a perfect balance of catchy bops and reflective slower tunes, and at 33 minutes and 10 songs, it never feels like any of them are fillers.

Sivan knocked it out of the park with the lead single “Rush”, one of his most radio-friendly solo songs to date, which will most likely go down in history as the defining queer anthem of 2023. He continued his exploration of dance-pop with “Got Me Started”, while also offering u taste of pop perfection with such songs as “One of Your Girls” and “What’s the Time Where You Are?”.

Sivan did a great job setting the stage for Something to Give Each Other with the first two singles, and though the rest of the record may lack their bite, that doesn’t take away from its quality. Joy and pain come together in perfect harmony on Something to Give Each Other, creating a cohesive album that serves as a worthy addition to the singer’s top-notch discography.

The post Troye Sivan’s “Something to Give Each Other” is a True Gift to Dance-Pop Fans appeared first on Hot Pop Today.

Swift has been through a lot since Midnight hit the shelves in 2022—and we’re not just talking about her record-breaking The Eras Tour. The singer’s romantic relationship often served as the main source of inspiration for her music, and Tortured Poets continues this trend, but not in a way you’d think.

This is Swift’s first album of new material since her six-year relationship with Joe Alwyn came to an end, and many expected their breakup would be the main subject of this album. Instead of simply throwing Alwyn under the bus, Swift decided to explore many stages of heartbreak on this record, reserving her vindictive quips for a short-term fling with Matty Healy and giving her some of her edgiest lyrics since Reputation.

Tortured Poets is at its strongest when Swift is ready to bare her emotions and get vulnerable, instead of resorting to pettiness. “So Long, London” is the case in point, and it’s one of her most emotional and raw breakup anthems since her magnum opus “All Too Well”.

Her vulnerability doesn’t shine as strongly on the rest of the album, but Reputation fans will appreciate the vengeful tone and audacious nature of some of the album’s buzziest songs, such as “But Daddy I Love Him”, “The Tortured Poets Department”, and especially “The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived”. She also found two pretty great collaborators in Post Malone (“Fortnight”) and Florence Welch (“Florida!!!”).

Swift’s storytelling skills remain as strong as ever on The Tortured Poets Department, but this collection of songs doesn’t feel as cohesive as some of her recent albums. Its synth-pop sound feels repetitive at times, making us wonder if Swift’s collaboration with producer Jack Antonoff has run its course – especially when we compare it with Aaron Dessner’s work on the album’s second volume The Anthology.

The Tortured Poets Department is a solid synth-pop record that bridges the gap between Swift’s several eras. It gives us a moment of boldness, audacity, and vulnerability that continue the singer’s legacy as one of the best storytellers of her generation, but it also feels like a pit stop until the next great thing.

The post Taylor Swift Gets Vulnerable & Vindictive on “The Tortured Poets Department” appeared first on Hot Pop Today.

Beyoncé made it clear that Cowboy Carter isn’t a country album, but a “Beyoncé album” when she first announced its title, and she doubled down on this statement from the very first track. “American Requiem” infuses the album with gospel vibes, and sees Queen B addressing claims she doesn’t belong on the country scene.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Beyoncé (@beyonce)

Her cover of The Beatles’ “Blackbird” continued exploring the overlooked impact of African-American artists on this genre, and it saw her joining forces with several Black female country stars. Despite its brilliance, her version of “Jolene” is the album’s best cover and one of the signature tracks, shedding a new, defiant light on the Dolly Parton classic we all know and love.

Parton also joined Cowboy Carter as one of Beyoncé’s A-list collaborators on the track “Tyrant” – and she wasn’t the only one! She also brought Willie Nelson, Post Malone, Linda Martell, and Shaboozey on board, but duet “II Most Wanted” ft. Miley Cyrus is definitely the album’s most brilliant collaboration.

Beyoncé shines as brightly all on her own, and previously released solo singles “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages” carry us through the first half of the album. “Bodyguard”, “Ya Ya”, and “Riverdance” are also worth listening to on repeat, while “Amen” brings things full circle, in a gospel-inspired fashion of the album’s opener. “American Requiem”.

When Beyoncé first revealed the tracklist of Cowboy Carter, the long list of titles left everyone puzzled, but it turned out all 27 of them were actual songs. Some of them are intros and snippets, and not every single one will have a long-term impact, but they all work in the grand scheme of things, serving as worthy building blocks in Cowboy Carter’s legacy.

Cowboy Carter is a true genre-defying masterpiece that perfectly blends the country sound with pop, R&B, soul, and rock, reminding us there’s nothing Beyoncé can’t do. It’s proof that she’s still capable of reinviting herself after almost three decades, and it breathes a new life into a genre where she once felt out of place.

The post Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” is a Masterful Love Letter to Country’s Roots appeared first on Hot Pop Today.

It’s impossible to talk about Eternal Sunshine without reflecting on the drama behind it. Grande’s latest LP was written in the wake of her divorce and she described it as “kind of a concept album ’cause it’s all different heightened pieces of the same story, of the same experience.”

Like the film that inspired its title, the 2004 sci-fi rom-com Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Grande’s new album explores the lengths we go to in an attempt to let go after a failed relationship. It’s a vulnerable record that also manages to find moments of joy in all the mess of having your heart broken and letting go.

Grande welcomed us into the world of Eternal Sunshine with the lead single “Yes, And?”, and the fact it’s not even close to being its strongest song says a lot about the album’s quality. She shows signs of pettiness on this track, but this isn’t a running theme, and she manages to dig deeper as the songs go by.

Eternal Sunshine won’t give us any bops in the vein of “7 Rings” and “Thank U, Next”, but that’s not stopping it from being a no-skips record. Even its weakest songs are a part of the bigger picture, and Grande shines her brightest when she’s embracing her R&B roots, on such songs as “Bye” and “The Boy is Mine”, or giving us synth-bop vibes with “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)”.

The album’s final song, “Ordinary Things” is a perfect closer because it sees Grande’s grandmother sharing some wisdom about relationships, “Never go to bed without kissin’ goodnight. That’s the worst thing to do, don’t ever, ever do that. And if you can’t, and if you don’t feel comfortable doing it, you’re in the wrong place, get out.”

Grande doesn’t use her full vocal capabilities on Eternal Sunshine, and it’s been a while since she had, but this album isn’t weaker for it. It might not be her best or most radio-friendly record, but it shows signs of maturity, compassion, and grace and it’s a perfect reminder that there’s always sunshine after the rain.

The post Ariana Grande Shines as Bright as Ever on Mature New Album “Eternal Sunshine” appeared first on Hot Pop Today.

Rodrigo made her SNL debut in 2021 when she was riding on the coattails of her debut album Soar. The 20-year-old singer repeatedly said that its follow-up Guts was written with a tour in mind, and judging by her SNL performance—epic things will happen once she finally hits the road.

Rodrigo kicked off her performance with the stripped-down version of the chart-topping single “Vampire”. She set behind a piano in a dazzling silver dress for a powerful rendition of this soaring ballad, and let her vocals shine with no background singers or other instruments to support her.

Just when we thought her second performance couldn’t possibly be any better, Rodrigo delivered a masterclass in female rage with the theatrical rendition of “All-American B—h”. From dramatically stabbing a cake and smearing it all over her face to chaotically dancing on a dinner table, she did a great job capturing the edgy energy of this pop-punk anthem and made us fall in love with it all over again.

The post Olivia Rodrigo Delivers True Tour De Force With Her “SNL” Performance appeared first on Hot Pop Today.

Nicki Minaj kicked off a new era for female rappers when she dropped Pink Friday in 2010 and gave us such smash hits as “Super Bass” and “Your Love”. This album propelled Minaj to worldwide fame and served as the jumping-off point for the rest of her career.

She decided to revisit the world she created with Pink Friday over a decade later, and kicked off her journey with the chart-topping hit “Super Freaky Girl”. It’s definitely one of the album’s strongest suits, but it will take quite a while to get there when you’re listening to the album in full.

With 22 tracks clocking at 70 minutes, Pink Friday 2 really has no business being that long. Minaj kept her Barbz waiting for this sequel long enough, and they’ll appreciate every song and every beat, but casual listeners will wish she wrapped things up earlier, especially since she saved some of the best tracks for the second half, including “Pink Friday Girls”, “Super Freaky Girl”, and “Last Time I Saw You”.

The album’s second biggest problem is Minaj’s heavy reliance on samples, which strip Pink Friday 2 of the originality of its predecessors. From Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” to Billie Eilish’s “When the Party’s Over”, this record contains so many samples that it’s hard to tell where they end and Minaj’s verses begin.

Despite all its flaws, Pink Friday 2 proves that Minaj is still one of the best rappers in the game, and her verses are as sharp as ever. This sequel may not push boundaries like its original, but it’s a worthy successor to Pink Friday, and it will certainly please her hardcore fans.

The post Does Nicki Minaj’s “Pink Friday 2” Live Up to the Original? appeared first on Hot Pop Today.

McRae rose to prominence during her time on So You Think You Can Dance and has been hailed as the next main pop girl and triple threat following the release of her viral hit “Greedy”. This song did a great job setting the stage for her sophomore album Think Later, followed by the catchy breakup anthem “Exes” as its second single.

McRae described Think Later as an album about “the all-too-relatable feelings of falling in love and embracing the raw emotions that you experience as a result of leading with your intuition and heart”—and it shows. Relationship drama, breakups, and unrequited love are some of the most common themes explored on this album, and McRee rarely strays from them.

Despite exploring all-familiar themes and giving us a number of songs that will fade away after the first listen, Think Later still does a great job showcasing McRee’s talent. The first half is the album’s strong suit, and she knocks it out of the park with the trifecta of “Cut My Hair”, “Greedy”, and “Run for the Hills” at the very start.

The second half is less memorable, and the album’s ballads feel like fillers, which is quite disappointing when you consider that she broke into the scene with the gut-wrenching “You Broke Me First”. McRae herself said herself that “sad girl bit got a little boring”, so it’s not a shocker to see her leave this era behind.

Think Later sees the young singer fully embrace her new sound and confidently walk into the next stage of her career. She’s certainly not breaking any new ground with her sophomore effort, but we’ll still have fun watching her dance her way to the top.

The post Tate McRae’s “Think Later” is a Solid Pop Album That Doesn’t Break New Ground appeared first on Hot Pop Today.

Like many Gen-Z artists these days, Victoria Beverly Walker aka PinkPantheress used the social media platform TikTok to get her music out there. Several of her songs eventually went viral, and “Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2” became a global phenomenon after the American rapper Ice Spice hopped on the remix.

This song is featured as the last track on Heaven Knows, but you won’t have to wait until the last moment for this album to really pop. PinkPantheress will grab your attention with the very first riffs of the opening track “Another Life” ft. Rema and she’ll never let it go.

“Nice to Meet You” ft. Central Cee was released as the album’s fourth single, but Heaven Knows features several songs that prove PinkPantheress can deliver an amazing song all on her own. From the playful “Mosquito” to the reflective “Capable of Love”, this album offers several tracks that perfectly capture the singer’s dreamy musical style.

Heaven Knows cements PinkPantheress’ status as the queen of Y2K nostalgia, drawing clear inspiration from the R&B and pop music from this era. This has always been both her biggest weakness and strength—her music feels like a mixture of dated and contemporary sound, making it difficult to seem groundbreaking.

This doesn’t take away from the fact that but Heaven Knows is a pretty strong debut album from one of R&B’s biggest rising stars. She stays true to her signature sound while taking her music in new directions and diving into the depths of her emotions in the most joyous way possible.

The post PinkPantheress Makes Worthy Debut With Y2K-Tinged “Heaven Knows” appeared first on Hot Pop Today.

1989 was the turning point of Swift’s career and its re-recording was always going to be a slam dunk. This record gave us some of the singer’s biggest hits, from “Shake It Off” and “Blank Space” to “Bad Blood” and “Wildest Dreams”, and went down in history as one of the defining pop albums of the 2010s after winning Album of the Year at the Grammys.

All these songs shine brighter than ever on the re-recorded version of 1989, along with many beloved fan favorites, such as “Style”, “New Romantics”, and “Out of the Woods”. It’s always a joy to watch Swift taking back her power, but 1989 might be her most exhilarating re-recording yet—and we owe it all to five brilliant re-recordings.

Swift chose the tongue-in-cheek bop “S-ut!” as the album’s lead single. It perfectly captures the frustration she was experiencing in the face of constant headlines about her private life that filled the tabloids during the 2010s.

“S-ut!” is a great addition to 1989, but it’s definitely not its strongest “from the vault” track on the album. “Say Not Go” will knock you off your feet with its catchy vibe and heartfelt message, while “Is It Over Now?” sees Swift putting her songwriting abilities on full display and it’s already a huge streaming hit.

1989 (Taylor’s Version) is the re-recording all of Swift’s fans have been waiting for since she decided to take control of her master recordings – and it was worth the wait. The singer’s biggest hits sound better than ever, and “from the vault” tracks are so good it’s hard to believe she’s been sitting on them for a full decade.

The post “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” Cements the Legacy of Taylor Swift’s Signature Album appeared first on Hot Pop Today.

It’s been a while since The Stones have given us an album we’d enjoy listening to on repeat, but Hackney Diamonds proves they’ve still got it. From the very first track “Angry”, which they teased with a viral music video starring Euphoria’s Sydney Sweeney, it’s pretty clear they mean business – and it turns out that the best is yet to come.

Over the course of the next 11 tracks, your attention will never weaver, as Hackney Diamonds takes you back to the band’s glory days. Producer Andrew Watt deserves a lot of credit for bringing the best out of the band that’s been around for decades and could’ve easily lost their shine if it wasn’t for his bold direction.

From “Whole Wide World” and “Bite My Head Off” to “Mess It Up” and “Driving Me Too Hard”, Hackney Diamonds has no-miss tracks, but The Stones saved the best for last. The album’s spectacular gospel-inspired anthem “Sweet Sounds of Heaven” featuring Lady Gaga and Stevie Wonder clocks at seven minutes, but never feels too long and delivers a powerful closing before the acoustic cover of “Rolling Stone Blues” draws the curtain on Hackney Diamonds.

Hackney Diamonds could’ve easily been a novelty record by another washed-up classic rock band trying to sell more concert tickets, but it’s anything but. The Rolling Stones are definitely back, and this album cements their legacy as all-time greats while keeping their sound fresh.

The post The Rolling Stones Make an Epic Comeback With “Hackney Diamonds” appeared first on Hot Pop Today.

When Sivan initially teased his new album, he explained its title refers to his desire to give us something—a kiss on a dancefloor, a date turned into a weekend, a crush, a winter, a summer. He also explained it captures heartbreak, freedom, community, sisterhood, and friendship, and these themes bleed through on pretty much every track on this record.

It’s been five years since Sivan’s last studio album Bloom, but he kept experimenting with dance-pop sound with the critically acclaimed EP In a Dream. Just like all of his previous releases, Something to Give Each Other offers a perfect balance of catchy bops and reflective slower tunes, and at 33 minutes and 10 songs, it never feels like any of them are fillers.

Sivan knocked it out of the park with the lead single “Rush”, one of his most radio-friendly solo songs to date, which will most likely go down in history as the defining queer anthem of 2023. He continued his exploration of dance-pop with “Got Me Started”, while also offering u taste of pop perfection with such songs as “One of Your Girls” and “What’s the Time Where You Are?”.

Sivan did a great job setting the stage for Something to Give Each Other with the first two singles, and though the rest of the record may lack their bite, that doesn’t take away from its quality. Joy and pain come together in perfect harmony on Something to Give Each Other, creating a cohesive album that serves as a worthy addition to the singer’s top-notch discography.

The post Troye Sivan’s “Something to Give Each Other” is a True Gift to Dance-Pop Fans appeared first on Hot Pop Today.