Looking for some Monday motivation to help power you through the start of another week? We’re right there with you, and with some stellar new pop tunes, we’ve got you covered.
These 10 tracks from artists like Sufjan Stevens, Alaina Castillo, Partner and more will 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.
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See latest videos, charts and news
Partner, “Hello and Welcome”
Canadian duo Partner is back, baby! If you’re unfamiliar with the DIY genius of Josée Caron and Lucy Niles, dive into their 2017 tracks “Everybody Knows” and “Comfort Zone,” and then peep the rocking “Hello And Welcome,” which is accompanied by a zany animated video. The duo is working on their sophomore album, which will follow up their debut In Search Of Lost Time.
Will Ferrell & My Marianne, “Husavik (My Hometown) [Cahill Remix] – From the Netflix Film Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga“
If you haven’t jumped on the Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga hype train yet, there’s still time. (It has everything: An international singing competition! Iceland! Rachel McAdams!) And if you’ve already devoured the Netflix movie’s soundtrack, this new Cahill remix of the film’s Billboard-charting song “Husavik” is a delightful dessert course.
Sufjan Stevens, “Video Game”
Ahead of his album The Ascension (Sept. 25), Sufjan Stevens is easing us into chillier weather with the atmospheric, synthy “Video Game.” On the sprawling track, Stevens insists that your worth shouldn’t be based on others’ approval. As the indie-folk great says in a release, “It’s unfortunate that we live in a society where the value of people is quantified by likes, followers, listeners and views…So many people are seeking attention for the wrong reasons. I think we should all be doing our best work without looking for accolades or seeking reward.”
Giant Rooks, “Misinterpretations”
German indie rockers Giant Rooks have been around for a few years now, but on recent releases — like the piano-heavy “Misinterpretations,” which has Arcade Fire/Wallows/Young the Giant vibes — they fully come into their own.
Cheat Codes, Dvbbs, Wiz Khalifa, Princess Rosie, “No Time”
Just a fun summertime jam from Cheat Codes and a merry band of collaborators: Wiz Khalifa, Canadian dance duo Dvbbs, and Cheat Codes member Kevin Ford as his alias Princess Rosie. It’s a catchy escape for these tough times.
Alaina Castillo, “Tonight”
Anti-party party anthems are nothing new — who doesn’t love a good sing-along dedicated to the wonders of leaving a gathering and heading home in peace? — but Alaina Castillo’s “Tonight” is packed with delicious turns-of-phrase (“Neon lights on the ceiling / Lonely vibes for the healing,” she sings on the chorus) and vibrant personality (she hilariously argues herself out of a rap breakdown during the bridge).
Lauren Sanderson, “Frustrated”
In the music video for Lauren Sanderson’s “Frustrated,” she and her romantic partner drive aimlessly at nighttime, surrounded by neon signs and cigarettes; the visual is the perfect mood-setter for the killer new track, on which the promising singer-songwriter flips off expectations and rides a disobedient hook into a glowing guitar lick.
Deryk, “One Star”
New Zealand singer-songwriter Deryk has followed up debut single “Call You Out” with a stuttering, piano-driven indie-pop track constructed around the cutting line “You should have a one star rating.” It’s darkly lit mood music for those upset at their ex, or their Uber driver.
Helena Deland, “Someone New”
Helena Deland’s “Someone New,” which will serve as the title track of her next album, starts off quietly enough, with the Montreal singer-songwriter emoting over barely any accompaniment… but then the production keeps growing, her meditations of romantic validation slipping over a finger-picked guitar, until the song swells into an affecting indie-rock centerpiece.
0171, “Change Nothing”
0171 continues to topple expectations, as “Change Nothing” juxtaposes the duo’s vocal approaches into a conversation and supplies them with a whirring collection of beats. The result is riveting, and not quite like anything the pair has released before.