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Tag: Indie-pop

  • The 25 Best Pop Songs Of 2025: Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Dean, & More!

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    2025 was truly the best year in pop music we’ve had in a while! It seems like artists are simply locking back into what makes a true pop song and mastering that art. Narrowing this list down to simply 25 songs was quite the challenge, but we think this list is the best of the best throughout all facets of pop music! From Olivia Dean and Chappell Roan to Greyson Chance and so many more, let’s jump in!

    Taylor Swift – ‘The Fate of Ophelia’

    There is no way to talk about the great pop resurgence of 2025 without highlighting The Life of a Showgirl by Taylor Swift. For us, the entire album is full of examples of a true-to-form pop song, but we had to choose to highlight ‘The Fate of Ophelia’ due to it being inescapable since its release. This song is pure ear candy, and will get stuck in your head for hours even after just hearing a few seconds.

    Olivia Dean – ‘Man I Need’

    Olivia Dean is taking the pop music world by storm with ‘Man I Need,’ and to us that makes perfect sense. In anyone else’s discography, ‘Man I Need’ would be an easy career highlight, and yet, it’s one of many songs on Olivia’s most recent album, The Art of Loving, that blew us away upon the first listen and could have easily taken this spot.

    Sabrina Carpenter – ‘House Tour’

    Man’s Best Friend is stacked top to bottom with pop gold, but after listening back through the album, ‘House Tour’ had to be our choice! Everything from that infectious chorus to the “my house is on pretty girl avenue” line made this one of those songs that will soundtrack nights out for us through the foreseeable future.

    Jonas Brothers – ‘Love Me To Heaven’

    The Jonas Brothers have been experts at the pop music game since Nick first uttered the words ‘red dress’ back in 2008, so it’s no surprise to us that they are only getting better and better 17 years later. Their newest record, Greetings From Your Hometown, had an obvious stand-out to us the first time we listened, and that was ‘Love Me To Heaven.’

    Audrey Hobert – ‘Phoebe’

    Who’s The Clown? by Audrey Hobert was truly on an endless loop here at THP! Upon first listen, it was automatically clear that we were witnessing the artistic birth of someone who had a crystal clear understanding of how to bring themselves through in the music, be specific while staying relatable, and develop a sound that was particularly hers. We could have easily put any song from the album here, but ‘Phoebe’ is a forever favorite of ours!

    Greyson Chance – ‘Waiting Outside The Lines ‘25’

    No, we are not trying to transport you back to 2011, but there is so much beauty in taking a certified nostalgia-packed hit and reimagining it with years of life lived and heightened vocal ability to back it up. We can’t help but have a permanent smile on our face listening to this track and diving into Greyson’s current catalog (which everyone should do themselves the favor of doing)!

    Jensen McRae – ‘Novelty’

    If you asked us what album impacted us the most this year, one of the easiest answers would be I Don’t Know How But They Found Me! Anyone who has dived into Jensen’s discography knows what a savant she is. Her relationship to her pen is one of one, and this album may be the best example of that in her discography so far. ‘Novelty’ is the song that immediately jumps out at us as a must-listen.

    Lady Gaga – ‘How Bad Do U Want Me’

    Lady Gaga is synonymous with pop music at this point. She has always had the skill on lock, and in many ways, has influenced so much of what the modern genre looks like. MAYHEM was a true return to form for Lady Gaga, and showed that her knowledge and talent with the pop music world has never faltered. ‘How Bad Do U Want Me’ is an instant smash and is still on repeat.

    5 Seconds of Summer – ‘NOT OK’

    We will forever preach our love for 5 Seconds of Summer and how they get better with every release! (If you didn’t know, this band is literally why THP exists!) EVERYONE’S A STAR came out just over a month ago and is the band’s most ambitious, larger-than-life project yet. But of course, every element was nailed perfectly. Each of the guys has so many standout moments, but there are even more moments when it is so clear why they continue to make music together: everything flows seamlessly.

    Sadie Jean – ‘She’s Dating My Boyfriend’

    Sadie Jean is the exact singer-songwriter your playlist is in need of, and we had to highlight a track off her debut album, Early Twenties Torture! Every song on this record feels like Sadie had a insider’s look at our deepest thoughts and struggles, was able to turn them poetic, and then put them to music. That skill of relatability is rare. ‘She’s Dating My Boyfriend’ is our favorite example of that peek inside our minds.

    Laufey – ‘Lover Girl’

    Laufey has seamlessly blended the worlds of pop and jazz music and made a fusion that leaves us regularly at a loss for words. A Matter of Time is Laufey’s most recent album. And upon our first listen, it was clear that this is a generational album, one of those records where anyone who gives it a chance will fall in love with it. ‘Lover Girl’ is our favorite song off the record, so we had to highlight it!

    Amber Mark – ‘Let Me Love You’

    Amber Mark is the pop star you’ve been looking to add to your playlists! If you’re a fan of artists like Sabrina Carpenter and Olivia Dean, Amber’s album, Pretty Idea, and specifically our favorite track, ‘Let Me Love You,’ is going to be right up your alley! We are predicting that 2026 is going to be a huge year for Amber! And with music of this quality, it makes complete sense!

    Justin Bieber – ‘Yukon’

    ‘Yukon’ was one of our most-streamed songs of the year; it’s that serious to us! SWAG, for us, felt like Justin coming back into his own, making the music that feels true to form. With ‘Yukon,’ that infectious chorus we’ve come to know and love from Justin Bieber is the shining star, which definitely adds to why we are constantly playing this track on a loop.

    Lydia Night – ‘The Bomb’

    You may know Lydia Night from her time with the band The Regrettes, but trust us when we say she has turned into a full-blown solo pop star. Lydia released her debut album, Parody of Pleasure, back in August, and all thirteen songs are expertly crafted! ‘The Bomb’ has been a standout since we first dove into this album. The song is playful and reminiscent of early 2000s pop.

    Role Model – ‘Sally, When The Wine Runs Out’

    Obviously, ‘Sally, When The Wine Runs Out’ has taken the world by storm this year, so there was no way we weren’t going to give Role Model his flowers. We haven’t heard a chorus quite as infectious as ‘Sally, When The Wine Runs Out’ in quite a long time. It’s impossible not be in an instant good mood when it hits.

    Myles Smith – ‘Stay (If You Wanna Dance)’

    If you were as obsessed with Myles Smith’s ‘Stargazing’ as we were, then ‘Stay (If You Wanna Dance)’ is the perfect addition to your playlists! Myles is someone who you continue to find new things about his artistry to dig into with each listen.

    Zara Larsson is a pop star in the truest sense of the word. Her entire album, Midnight Sun, is a pop masterclass, in which she’s the only person equipped to teach. When we first heard the title track ‘Midnight Sun,’ we knew that this was a whole new ball game in terms of pop music, and that we would take every opportunity to praise what Zara is doing with her artistry.

    HAIM – ‘Relationships’

    This song is pure ear candy and truly a discography highlight from one of our favorite trios! The chorus has serotonin woven into every line and lyric. And it makes us want to be out at night in the city with friends, dancing to every word. Their most recent album, i quit, is chock-full of tracks where you will see these themes.

    Conan Gray – ‘Vodka Cranberry’

    Conan Gray was born to make the exact music he’s making right now. He releases such infectious pop tracks with lyrics that both feel true to self for Conan and still connect deeply with his audience. ‘Vodka Cranberry’ blew up this year, and to us, it only makes perfect sense. This is a solidified hit.

    Tate McRae – ‘Sports Car’

    If you didn’t know, Tate McRae is a name that we have been screaming from the rooftops since we got to interview her years ago (which you can read here!). Tate blends musicality with dance seamlessly to draw people into who she is as a musician. ‘Sports Car’ and its visual components showcase exactly why Tate has quickly become a household name.

    Avery Cochrane – ‘Shapeshifting On A Saturday Night’

    Hailing from Seattle, Avery Cohrane is bound to be the name you can’t escape this next year in pop music! This year, she released her track, ‘Shapeshifting on a Saturday Night,’ and blew us away with the established pop sound she was crafting. If you’re a fan of artists like Chappell Roan or Olivia Rodrigo, we think you will love Avery!

    Addison Rae – ‘Headphones On’

    It’s no secret that Addison Rae has had a massive year. From the success of ‘Diet Pepsi’ and her tour to her debut album, Addison, everything about her career so far has been the beginning of a pop star who will be talked about and celebrated for years to come. For Addison, pop is a true work of performance art, following in the footsteps of the likes of Britney Spears. ‘Headphones On’ off her debut album summarizes everything we love most about Addison as an artist.

    Reneé Rapp – ‘I Think I Like You Better When You’re Gone’

    We yell the chorus to ‘I Think I Like You Better When You’re Gone’ at truly astronomical levels. Everything about this track resonates with us. Something that Reneé Rapp never fails to do is draw the listener in and weave her story in a way that feels relatable to others. On top of the lyrical content of the song, Reneé’s vocals are otherworldly here.

    Demi Lovato – ‘Joshua Tree’

    The 2025 version of Demi Lovato is the only artist who could craft an album like It’s Not That Deep. This record is a amalgamation of someone who has gone through it all. Someone who has experienced hardships and heartache and is in the complete opposite space now. And a lot of it is backtracked with songs you want to be in the club dancing to. That’s the duality of pop and of Demi, and it’s beautiful. To us, ‘Joshua Tree’ best represents the album as a whole.

    Chappell Roan – ‘The Subway’

    Ending our best 2025 pop songs with one that is still inescapable like ‘The Subway’ only felt right. Chappell Roan is a once-in-a-lifetime artist. She creates with such intention and really takes her time with each project, which comes through in the music. ‘The Subway’ will be looked at years from now as one of the great songs of the decade.

    Check out more of our end of year coverage here!

    We would love to hear from you! What is your favorite pop song of 2025? Is it something off the new Taylor Swift album? Maybe a Conan Gray song? Or an Olivia Dean song? Let us know by commenting below or by tweeting @TheHoneyPOP! We are also on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok!

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    Hailey Hastings

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  • Exclusive Interview: Em Beihold Talks All Things ‘Hot Goblin,’  ‘Brutus,’ And More!

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    Em Beihold has been a mainstay on our playlists ever since her song ‘Numb Little Bug’ came out, so it is no surprise that her artistry is displayed in her newest song ‘Hot Goblin.’ We were lucky enough to chat with Em about ‘Hot Goblin,’ the thematic through lines of her recent music, ‘Numb Little Bug,’ and so much more!

    Stream ‘Hot Goblin’ here!

    Hi Em! Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us! To start us off, how would you describe your music to someone who is tuning in for the first time? 
    Hello hello! Thanks for having me! I like to describe my music as quirky piano pop that talks about difficult things with a certain degree of levity. I’ve also been described as a popified Regina Spektor, and I really like that description. 

    ‘Hot Goblin’ is your latest track! The lyric video felt like stepping into a fairy tale book. When crafting this track, was the inspiration immediately tied to that aesthetic?
    Not really! When I was writing the song, I was initially thinking more along the lines of the experience of being a woman and how fickle our relationship with confidence can be. The fairytale stuff came after and felt obvious once the concept was solidified. 

    Something that immediately drew us to ‘Hot Goblin’ was the vulnerability hidden within this musically upbeat pop track, the understanding of insecurities, but the ability to still find confidence in that. What do writing sessions look like for a song that presents vulnerability in this way?
    I think my co-writers Nick Lopez, Jason Suwito, and I had a lot of fun figuring out what the term “hot goblin” means. As a girl who definitely feels the pressure to constantly present as put-together, fashionable, hot, etc. (especially from social media), it felt freeing to put a name to the feeling of embracing your insecurities and messy parts while still loving yourself completely and not feeling less than. 
    I also wanted the song to be about that feeling on top of the world one day and at the bottom the next, so ‘Hot Goblin’ became a way to give language to that cycle. Nick has been a close friend since we wrote ‘Numb Little Bug’ together, and Jason came into my life during a rough patch in my career, so there was already a lot of trust in the room. After we laughed about the phrase “hot goblin,” which I brought into the session (kind of as a joke), they both got it and locked in immediately. That balance of humor and honesty made the writing process really special. I write my favorite songs when I’m laughing.

    ‘Brutus’ is another recent release of yours! This track features some of our favorite visuals from you yet! Where did the creative vision for this video come from? And what was that on-set experience like?
     I was really inspired by the movie Amadeus, which my mom showed me when I was going through an intense, unforgiving period of depression, where I couldn’t stop comparing myself to other female artists who were creatively unblocked and more successful than me. I related to the character of Salieri and thought it would be fun to bring that rivalry with Mozart as a vignette alongside a few others to tell the story of what I was feeling. The on-set experience is one I will never forget because it was a day full of fun and laughter with friends, which felt SO full circle after a year of essentially crying every day and hating being in my skin. I was so happy to be me and felt so proud of the art that came out of such a hard time. I also checked off two big goals of mine, which were: one, working with my co-director, Ethan Frank, whom I’ve been a huge fan of for years, and two, fencing in a music video since I was a competitive fencer for many years.

    With both ‘Hot Goblin’ and ‘Brutus,’ the themes around the visuals are locked into days of old, with fairy tales and gladiator times. Is there an intentional through line there? 
    You know what; accidentally yes. It wasn’t intentional, but I think the whole album has puzzle-pieced itself together more than I planned for. It’s whimsical, it has hints of classical music, and instruments like the harpsichord! There’s definitely some fun “historical” stuff in there. 

    Egg in the Backseat came out three years ago! Is there a song on that record that, for you, has just gotten better with time?
    I would say ‘Goo,’ because my fans have really taken to that one at my live shows. It’s kind of a sleeper, dare I say!

    We, of course, have to briefly touch on ‘Numb Little Bug!’ Now that you are three years separated from the release of the track, how has your relationship to this song changed as time has gone on? 
    Oh my gosh! I wrote that song about my unfortunate experience with antidepressants, and now (after lots of trial and error), I’ve found one that has absolutely changed my life. It’s a cool marker of where I was then, and how much I’ve grown. I will always appreciate the response to that song and how much it changed my life.

    Once again, thank you so much for chatting with us! Before we let you go, what can fans look forward to as we close out 2025?
    My debut album is coming out very soon in 2026! It’s the proudest I’ve ever been of anything I’ve made. It’s about my journey through depression, experiencing complete loss of self, and how I have come out on the other side to be the happiest and most me I have ever been. It’s fun and pop and silly, and I’m ready for 2025 to be done so I can finally share this new music with my fans!

    Check out more of our exclusive interviews here!

    We would love to hear from you! What do you think of our interview with Em Beihold? Let us know by commenting below or by tweeting @TheHoneyPOP! We are also on Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram!

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT EM BEIHOLD:
    INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER

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    Hailey Hastings

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  • Exclusive Interview: Benjamin Steer Talks All Things Figuring It Out, And More!

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    If you’re looking for which artist is going to be the talk of the town before too long, look no further than Benjamin Steer! Benjamin Steer has just released his EP Figuring It Out, which showed us, clear as day, that we were looking at an artist who is going to have a long and prosperous career! We were lucky enough to chat with Benjamin all about the EP and so much more!

    Stream Figuring It Out here!

    Hello Benjamin! Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us! To start us off, how would you describe your music to someone who is tuning in for the first time?
    It’s a pleasure, thank you! I would say my music is sort of a soundtrack to confusion in your 20s, a soundtrack to love, to heartbreak, and to figuring things out. I’d like to think it’s pretty cinematic but has some energy in it too!

    Figuring It Out is your debut EP! What feelings accumulate as you get ready to put your first collection of songs out?
    It is weird. I always feel a bit of anxiety before release days, but then as soon as the project is out, the anxiety disappears. I don’t hold emotional attachment to the songs once they are out. It then becomes a case of how many people can get their ears on it. But certainly, I am really proud of these songs. I feel like it sort of marks the end of my first chapter in the music world. I feel like each song serves a different purpose; the whole thing feels pretty dynamic.

    You described this record as “a hopeless romantic’s dream and downfall.” What is one lyric throughout the project that best represents the dream aspect, and on the other hand, what lyric would you say best represents the downfall?
    I think the dreamer line is definitely the chorus of ‘No One Wants To Die Alone,’ “Live Big Love Fast and not Die Alone.” It is sort of the payoff line in a song that lyrically is frustrated in many senses, and encapsulates the sort of desire of the EP. There are many downfall lines in the EP, so I’ll give you three: ‘Oh Darling,’ “Many nights I try to find you in other eyes… Am I blind to all that makes you you?” ’5%,’ “It’s the 5% that is in the spotlight and the 95 that hides behind my eyes – So I’ll keep it out of mind and out of sight.” ‘Sweat Off Our History,’ “I’ll thread the needle between who I am and what you want from me.” I think all of these lines sort of summarize the pressure that you have to appear complete and confident and put together… But in reality, you are still figuring things out – trying to find a purpose. And you often hide these insecurities and fears in actions and facades that are not favorable to yourself – just to appease others or numb yourself to vulnerability.

    As we are writing this, the EP is officially out! What has the reaction to the record been like over the last few days? How are you feeling post-release? 
    Honestly, I think it went as well as I had hoped. I think these things take a journey themselves when they are out. I think hopefully it has legs to continue to connect with people and make an impact. People have been so supportive and kind, and I feel very unworthy. I always say this, and it is very cliche, but I am just a dude who writes about life and love in his bedroom, so it’s surreal that it is connecting so well!

    When you released ‘No One Wants To Die Alone’ last year, did you already know this track was going to be everyone’s first taste of this EP? Or was it added in as the creation of the EP went forward?
    No Idea. ‘NOWTDA’ always felt special. It was the first song that I wrote, and I was like, if this doesn’t become the biggest song, then I am not sure what will. It felt so right and felt so me. The EP was certainly not a manufactured Idea. It was sort of the collection of the best things I had written in the last 8 months, and it all felt rather cohesive. I think if I were to sit down with the intention of writing an ep, and with a certain goal and message, it would have almost felt like I wasn’t being authentic. That being said, ‘No One Wants To Die Alone’ was probably the first song I wrote out of the ones that made it on to the EP, so maybe in some way it did guide the sonic and messaging of the rest!

    Hailing six songs, half of the record was previously released, and half of the songs were saved for release day. How do you go about deciding which songs you want to hold onto and let fans discover all at once?
    I think there is a feeling that you get when you have a single, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that the non-single tracks are missing something. I feel like putting out a bigger body of work allows you to release songs that may never come out as a single, but you still want people to hear them. I think ‘Sweat off our History’ is a good example; this would never be a single, but that does not mean that it isn’t good. So I am glad I had the opportunity to release it.

    We want to go back a bit and talk about ‘Muted Colors,’ This track changed a lot for you! When you look back, what does your relationship with that song look like now vs two years ago when it was released?
    I think ‘Muted Colors’ was the unexpectedly perfect first song to put out. It served its purpose in the time that it was written for me personally, but also to show an audience the type of music and messaging I wanted to pursue. I look back positively on it now for sure. It was the first stepping stone in a long journey to cross the river, and I’m so grateful that I could have even had the chance to start or embark on that journey. I think it worked because I was just honest, it was one of the first songs I had ever written and I did not really have a reference point as to what was ok and what was not. I think I do naturally cringe a little bit looking back to it now because I think my style and tone have changed a bit, but it certainly was a fantastic first step!

    Once again, thank you so much for chatting with us! Before we let you go, is there anything coming up that fans can look forward to? Any live shows?
    Hopefully got a lot of exciting stuff coming up! Going to hopefully do another London headline before the end of the year, and then a bit more of a fuller tour in early 2026! I’m also really excited to open for Arthur Hill on his UK tour in September!

    Check out more of our exclusive interviews here!

    We would love to hear from you! What is your favorite song from Benjamin Steer’s EP, Figuring It Out? Let us know by commenting below or by tweeting @TheHoneyPOP! We are also on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok!

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BENJAMIN STEER:
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    Hailey Hastings

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  • Grentperez Turned London’s O2 Kentish Town Forum Into His Own Cozy Bar For One Night Only

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    It’s a Saturday night in London, and the pubs are full of people spilling out onto the streets over laughter, clutching their half-full pints, unwinding after a long week. But on September 20th, the real buzz was not on the high street. Instead, it was at the iconic O2 Kentish Town Forum, where the queue for Grentperez’ headline show snaked around corners for miles. It’s the kind of line that makes passersby stop and ask, “Who’s playing tonight?” For one night only, the legendary stage once shared with icons like David Bowie and Bon Jovi was rebranded into Grant’s very own bar and Grill for his Backflips In A Restaurant Tour. And lucky for us, we had a table reserved and are here to share all the highlights from the unforgettable night.

    Julie Clemessy Courtesy of French Press PR

    A Band That Felt Like Family

    Grentperez may be a solo act, but onstage, nothing about the performance felt solo. The connection between him and his band was electric, the kind of easy banter that makes you feel like you’re eavesdropping on best friends hanging out. His bassist, drummer, and even the on-stage sommelier who served ‘Cherry Wine’ all played their part in creating a story that unfolded live before our eyes. At times, Japanese pop culture references were incorporated, microphones were shared, and home videos were created. The immersive and collective atmosphere is an experience you’ll only get surrounded by fans watching your favorite artist live.

    Fans As Part of the Show

    Halfway through the night, we started to wonder what the empty candle-lit table was doing on stage. Sure, it added to the ambiance, but the two unused chairs had us questioning the plot. Of course, this was reserved for two lucky fans who were brought onstage and seated comfortably. If this is not a dream for any fan, we don’t know what is!

    Serenaded by Grentperez while the entire Forum looked on, the moment was half pub sing-along, half rom-com. It was the kind of interaction that makes you forget you’re in a 2,300-capacity venue and convinces you instead that you’re in a neighborhood spot where everyone knows your name. It was truly such a unique experience and way to spotlight the fans.

    The Perfect Setlist

    The setlist for Grentperez’s Backflips In A Restaurant Tour, was crafted like the perfect cocktail, equal parts high-energy classics and mellow, heart-tugging ballads. From our spot in the crowd, we loved watching fans with wide eyes enjoy their night. Some were slow dancing with their lovers to tracks like ‘Everest’ while friends jammed out with rolled-up tour posters in their hands, doing the air guitar to ‘Headspace.’ It felt really memorable as we watched a room full of fans who cared more about being present than capturing it on their phones.

    Julie Clemessy Courtesy of French Press PR

    From start to finish, the night felt less like a traditional gig and more like an invitation into Grant’s own cozy candle-lit bar. A place where music, community, and warmth took over. While the soundtrack was Grentpereez’ insane live vocals (seriously, his voice is so versatile!) With every joke, every note, and every ‘Cherry Wine’ toast, he reminded us that the magic of live music isn’t just about the artist, but the atmosphere they build and the people they share it with. For one night in Kentish Town, Grentperez made London feel a little smaller, a little warmer, and a lot more like home.

    Did you catch Grentperez on his Backflips In A Restaurant Tour? Let us know what you loved in the comments or tweet us at @thehoneypop or find us across Facebook and Instagram.

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT GRENTPEREZ:
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    Joanna Rose

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  • Like a Paletero, Cuco Delivers the Cool, Refreshing, Sweet Stuff

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    For the rising artist Cuco, life lately has been sweet and something to devour. Maybe because it was still 90 degrees nearing October in Houston, just days ahead of his show Saturday on the lawn at White Oak Music Hall, it got us thinking about paletas, the popular Mexican frozen treats. We asked Cuco if his music was a paleta, which flavor might it be?

    “Limón, man, limón,” he said with a chuckle. “That’s it. It’s classic, it’s always reliable. Timeless.”

    Anyone following Cuco’s journey might agree. His bilingual blend of sounds might be simplified as indie pop, but the 27 year-old California singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist has created something limón-like by wheeling Chicano soul into the TikTok era. Check out the dreamy, creamy stuff he’s delivering on Ridin’, his latest album of bedroom pop songs, and you might want to call him “El Paletero.”

    “I’ve always kind of leaned into the romantic music and I’ve been kind of a fan of soul music growing up. I think part of being a fan of the music is if you end up making it you have a good ear to know what makes a good song,” he said. “Making a soul record, I kind of knew what I wanted it to sound like, what makes a good soul record but what makes my music my music and finding that middle ground.

    “I feel like, when it comes to music, I can be a little like a polyglot. I feel like I’m pretty good at capturing all the different textures and essence, even like the small little discrepancies in every genre.”

    Cuco’s journey started the way many music success stories do in this day and age, with a social media following that blossomed thanks to his hustle. Like a popsicle vendor, he kept coming around, with new flavors for fans to savor. But he said the trek hasn’t always been smooth. Like many music success stories in this day and age, he’s also had to overcome some challenges.

    “It’s a blessing, bro. I feel lucky to be doing all this. It’s one of those things you never imagine, that it becomes your life growing up and then suddenly you’re on the road playing for a couple thousand people a night. It’s insane. It’s incredible.

    “When I first started I kind of dealt with a lot of substance abuse issues, before I ever did the artist thing, and then getting into touring it’s even easier to fall into that kind of stuff, especially when you’re on the road day by day, you kind of need that social lubricant sometimes just to keep yourself going every single day. You feel like that’s kind of the solution, then you end up falling in these spirals, you go through a lot of mental stuff.


    “After the pandemic, I did three years of sobriety and got into a lot better coping mechanisms, getting into more athletic activities and whatnot. Being on the road is fun, it’s been a completely different experience. Now, if a have a little beer or maybe something after the show, it’s entirely to unwind, but I’m not dealing with the same issues anymore. I have really great people around me that make it enjoyable.

    “All those challenges, I feel like I overcame them. It’s not to say that there’s not going to be more challenges that might arise in the future but I think I’m in a good headspace that I’ll be able to handle things pretty well because, I don’t know, I made it this far.”

    That honest answer is reflective of Cuco’s music. Even though it started in virtual ways, listeners found something real and genuine in tracks like “Lover Is a Day” and “Lo Que Siento,” two breakthrough hits. They’ve wanted to bask in something true so Cuco has taken the music on tour. Houston’s show at White Oak is one of 30 dates the artist is making this fall and shows culminate later this year with Guadalajara and Mexico City dates before a Europe jaunt early in 2026.

    “I actually enjoy touring, I love it. I’m a routine person so I also do miss being home and having my routine,” he said. “Once I get in the flow of being on tour, I’m really in it and I’m super happy to be playing all the shows, it being exactly what it is, which is a blessing.

    “I’ve played Guadalajara and Mexico City, so we’re super familiar with what the crowd’s like and what the vibe’s like. It’s going to be great. There’s a different intensity because I don’t frequent Mexico so much when it comes to touring, like I do in the States, which is yearly. (Mexican audiences) are very quick to be ready and anticipate everything that’s coming and welcome the whole project with open arms.”

    click to enlarge

    Cuco has a large and growing Texas fan base

    Photo by Rene Casamalhuapa

    Cuco said Texas also is no slouch when it comes to followers. A healthy dose of his 6 million monthly Spotify listeners hail from here, as witnessed by him being a featured artist on the lawn at White Oak Music Hall.

    “One of our biggest followings that we have is in Texas. It’s still growing,” he added. “I like seeing, every time we go, familiar faces and new faces, where we’re able to play a bigger venue, where we’re able to sell something out. It’s already huge, I’m grateful for it, but obviously I’m ambitious so I’m hoping we can keep expanding the market out there.”

    Refreshing and cool, but steeped in the classics. It’s a winning recipe. Since Cuco has just released an extended version of Ridin’, his third studio album, with six additional tracks for fans, it got us wondering whether there were some covers he’d ever want to include in an extended version of the extended version of Ridin.’

    “Like songs that inspire me?” he asked. “You know, it’s funny you mentioned Malo because I have been listening to ‘Suavecito’ like a lot. I love that song super heavy. I really like ‘She Don’t Ever Lose Her Groove,’ by Latimore. ‘Always and Forever,’ Heatwave, I mean that song was just always on repeat all the time. ‘If I Should Die Tonight,’ by Marvin Gaye. Crazy, crazy replay value. ‘Can We Pretend,’ by Bill Withers.

    “I deep dive super heavy. I’m chronically on YouTube, chronically on platforms just to find music,” Cuco said. Not just finding it but now delivering it, rollin’ (or Ridin’) from this place to that to deliver the cool, refreshing stuff.

    Cuco’s Ridin’ Tour hits Houston Saturday, September 27 at the lawn at White Oak Music Hall, 2915 N. Main. Doors at 7 p.m. for this outdoors, standing room only show. $54.40.

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    Jesse Sendejas Jr.

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  • G Flip drops new album ‘Dream Ride’ ahead of Phoenix tour stop

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    G Flip’s latest album starts with one thing: speed. Georgia Flipo, the Australian singer, songwriter, drummer and more, had just three months between tours to complete their third studio album, “Dream Ride.”…

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    Andrew Dirst

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  • Caroline Romano’s First Ever Headline Show In Los Angeles Blew Us Away!

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    Two years ago, we were first introduced to Caroline Romano and we have been fans ever since. From opening for bands like Grayscale and The Foxies, Caroline is making sure we know she’s ready to hit the main stages!

    In 2022, she released her debut album, Oddities and Prodigies, which skyrocketed her into success and landed her in the spot she is in today: having her first headline show in Los Angeles!

    The Moroccan Lounge in Los Angeles is one of our favorite places to see a show. It’s a small venue which allows a show to be intimate and more special than large stadium venues. This night in particular, we all got to mingle with Caroline before she hit the stage in her stunning outfit, we might add.

    Jay Flores for The Honey POP

    She opened the night with ‘Tell Her I Said Hi,’ one of her singles that we first heard when we saw her on tour with Grayscale last spring. The lyrics make our hearts ache, but with an upbeat, fiery beat like this one, we can’t just stand still!

    ‘Body Bag,‘ ‘Doesn’t Matter,’ and Caroline’s newest single, ‘Muse,’ also made the cut on the setlist, all of which have been some of our favorite songs of hers.

    In our latest interview with Caroline, she was disappointed that she had to cut some of her favorite songs from the setlist to fit into an opening slot on a tour, but the fun thing about headlining is she didn’t have to do that! ‘St. George’ and ‘Guts’ made it back to the setlist, really giving Caroline that full-circle moment.

    Our favorite part of the night, even though it causes all the bittersweetness in the world, was finding out that Caroline was closing her night off with ‘Girl in a China Shop’ and ‘This House.’ Like many of her songs earlier in the set, we first heard these songs live last Spring, and hearing them again for the first time in over a year made the night all the more memorable.

    And of course, the night wouldn’t have been complete without an amazing opening act: Michele Lu.

    The USC alum and singer-songwriter is a veteran of playing at The Moroccan Lounge. Having opened for other artists such as Don Toliver, she was no stranger to hyping up a crowd and having songs that keep an audience captivated.

    Jay Flores for The Honey POP

    She performed her newest single, ‘Shotgun‘ and kept us hooked with her slowed down, angelic cover of the Cure’s ‘Friday I’m In Love.’ She told a story of the first time she ever played her cover of this song to a crowd of 20,000 people. Safe to say, it and she were a hit! She also sang ‘Dull Red’ which she announced was the leading single of her upcoming EP, Dull Red. We will be sat and ready for its release.

    Even though it was a Thursday night in LA, both Caroline and Michele blew us away with their show. Two women with amazing vocals, poetic songs, and hard-hitting lyrics deserve to share the stage more, and we hope to catch them on their headlining tours one day!

    View the full gallery from the show below!

    Where do you want to see Caroline Romano perform next? Let us know in the comments, on Facebook, Instagram, or by tweeting us @thehoneypop!

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CAROLINE ROMANO:
    INSTAGRAM | SPOTIFY | WEBSITE | TWITTER

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MICHELE LU:
    INSTAGRAM | SPOTIFY | WEBSITE | TIKTOK

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    Jay Flores

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  • Leddra Chapman Is Telling Truths In Her Latest Album

    Leddra Chapman Is Telling Truths In Her Latest Album

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    If you haven’t heard of Leddra Chapman, you can bet one of your faves definitely has. Much like our girl Chappell Roan, Leddra could be considered “your favorite artist’s favorite artist.” For example, her debut album, Telling Tales (2009) was highlighted as one of Ed Sheeran‘s favorite albums of the year in an interview and she even guest vocaled on some of his work, including the album +, which we love dearly. Do you now see why we’re so hyped to talk about her third studio album, Telling Truths?

    As the name suggests, Telling Truths is a super honest and vulnerable album which features 11 tracks of heartfelt lyrics that make you want to scream along during a long drive by yourself to get your feelings in order. Yeah, we may or may not have done that already 👀. But either way, we totally recommend doing that whenever you’re feeling overwhelmed.

    Telling Truths album artwork | Image Source: Kartel Music Group

    We could sit here and talk for hours about each of the 11 songs on Telling Truths, but we won’t. We want to give you the highlight reel and let you find out the rest for yourself when you listen to the full album and tell us your thoughts on it afterward. But just know this: you are going to relate to at least one of the songs. Each of them looks at a different aspect of human existence in such a beautifully poetic way that just speaks to our hearts.

    We couldn’t start with any song other than ‘What If I,’ one of the lead singles and the first track of the album. The song starts slow and with lyrics full of insecurities, like “What if I fall?” and “What if I hurt myself?” but then it builds up to a more confident “What if I make it on my own? What if I prove myself and everybody wrong?,” turning it into a confidence boost anthem for anyone who needs a pick me up.

    On to one of our personal favorites, the “don’t mess with me” song of Telling Truths, ‘Type Of Monster.’ This song is a little heavier on the instrumentals and Leddra’s vocals match it perfectly (as usual). In the lyrics, Leddra Chapman gives us some insight into how her family made her the person she is today, and in the chorus, she calls out the “snake in sheep’s clothing” directly by asking “don’t you know who you’re dealing with?” And boy did Ledda answer it beautifully. As we’ve said, one of our faves from the album.

    Lastly, we have to highlight ‘Inside Out.’ If you asked us to describe this song in a single word, it would be “healing.” In this super upbeat pop song, Leddra Chapman uses her powerful yet angelic voice to tell us about a fire that’s being reignited in her and how good it is to feel alive again. Special shout out to the lyrics “Been lost for ages, finding myself again and it feels like my heart is beating inside out.”

    If you’re curious to see what else awaits you in Leddra Chapman’s Telling Truths, be sure to check out the full album here.

    And if you’ve fallen in love with Leddra Chapman’s music like we did and you live in the UK, you’re in luck because our girl has just started a UK headline run this month. The first show happened on October 10 in Camberley, at the Login Lounge, but you can catch her at any of the dates below:

    • 27 Oct – London, OMEARA (Album Launch)
    • 29 Oct – Nottingham, The Bodega
    • 30 Oct – Sheffield, The Greystones
    • 16 Nov – Milton Keynes, The Stables

    What do you think of Leddra Chapman’s Telling Truths? Let us know your thoughts by tweeting us at @thehoneypop or chatting with us on Facebook and Instagram!

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT LEDDRA CHAPMAN:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | SPOTIFY | TWITTER | YOUTUBE

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    Anna Bastos

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  • Gateway Girl’s New Single Got Us Feeling ‘Delusional’

    Gateway Girl’s New Single Got Us Feeling ‘Delusional’

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    If there’s one thing we here at The Honey Pop love it’s passionate multi-talented artists. And Gateway Girl definitely falls into that category. This Sussex native is a singer, songwriter, producer, illustrator and instrumentalist we’ve totally fallen in love with at first listen.

    Therefore, it should come as no surprise that we’re today to talk about her latest single: ‘Delusional.’ After years of self-releasing her music, Gateway Girl is now officially releasing her debut single via Riot Noise Recordings, and we couldn’t be happier to hear it. ‘Delusional’ is a perfect choice for this because it showcases so many of her talents: it’s got amazing story-telling lyrics, it’s got powerful vocals and it’s got that indie pop vibe we love. It’s truly a perfect song.

    Cover for ‘Delusional’ | Image Credit: Gateway Girl

    Also, remember we mentioned Gateway Girl is not only a musician but also an illustrator? That’s right! Our girl also became known for her talent in art and animation, both of which she put to use to create the persona of Gateway Girl and to come up with some truly awesome art covers and NFTs.

    Want to know another thing that drew us to Gateway Girl? Her openness when it comes to talking about neurodiversity and how it affects her life and her work. She said herself that as an artist with ADD, she finds large crowds a challenge, and over time she’s found different ways to engage with her audience. For example, she has gathered quite the community on Web3, which she considers to be a fairer and more inclusive platform for artists that provided her with the opportunity to connect with her audience in ways that wouldn’t be possible otherwise.

    Long story short, we’re crazy about ‘Delusional’ and cannot wait to see what comes next from Gateway Girl. If you want to understand why we love this song so much, you can check it out here and listen to it.

    What did you think of Gateway Girl’s ‘Delusional?’ Tell us all about your thoughts on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, you know we love to chat with you!

    Want more music news? We got you!

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT GATEWAY GIRL:
    APPLE MUSIC | INSTAGRAM | SPOTIFY | TIKTOK | TWITTER | WEBSITE

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    Anna Bastos

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  • Exclusive Interview: Amy Shark Is Here To Indulge Your Sunday Sadness

    Exclusive Interview: Amy Shark Is Here To Indulge Your Sunday Sadness

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    The rumors are true, we haven’t stopped listening to Amy Shark’s new album Sunday Sadness since our first listen-through. From songs like ‘Can I Shower At Yours,’ to ‘I’m Sorry,’ we are simply hooked. We were lucky enough to chat with Amy Shark about the in’s and out’s of this record, as well as her time coaching The Voice, her past work, and more! Let’s jump in!

    Listen to Sunday Sadness here!

    Hi Amy! Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with us! To start us off, if someone was diving into your music for the first time, how would you describe your sound? 
    I think I would describe it as honest, gritty, indie pop.

    ‘My Only Friend’ has just come out! What can you tell us about working with Tom DeLonge and how that partnership came about?
    The whole blink collaboration was never a part of the plan. They just happen to be my favourite band but I never in a million years did I think that I would be able to do a song with even one of them let alone all of them. Tom was the hardest to lockdown just because he’s so busy with other commitments, movies, aliens, etc but after I sent him the song he made it very easy. He loved the verse I wrote and he tracked his vocals in San Diego and sent them over to me. I worked on it with my producer and the rest is history. It’s one of the coolest songs I have in my entire catalog.

    Upon listening to ‘My Only Friend’ we thought back to a track you released last month ‘Two Friends,’ to us, it seemed like ‘My Only Friend’ was ‘Two Friends’ softer counterpart, is there an intentional string between the two? 
    I feel like I have unintentionally written an album about two friends haha. Every song can kinda hold hands with the next. It’s kinda cool.

    As we are writing these questions Sunday Sadness comes out in twenty days, how are you feeling? What are the emotions leading up to your first album release since 2021?
    I’m quietly confident, but I’m still a little nervous. I really want people to love it as much as I do. But then again, it is my third album so by this time I really know what my fans love. They’re going to love this album and hopefully, it’s good enough to grab more Amy Shark fans along the way.

    When talking about Sunday Sadness you said that this record was specifically written on Sundays, what do you think it is about Sundays that allows you to create so freely? And when did you realize that a creative pattern was forming? 
    There was one specific Sunday where I was finishing a song, it was the last song on the album ‘Our Time Together.’ It’s a pretty emotional song full of memories. I think that’s when I realized that Sundays have always been the emotional day that I can’t escape. Even when I try and work on a Sunday by finishing songs the songs end up emotional. 

    We were lucky enough to be able to listen to Sunday Sadness a bit early to prep for this interview, and it’s incredible. What really struck us is the range of emotions that the listener is taken through with these tracks, it really feels like getting an inside look at your diary. With that range in mind, are there two lyrics on the record that you think perfectly represent two opposite ends of the emotional spectrum? 
    Yeah, totally! I’m so glad you picked that up. I love the very opening line to the record in ‘Slide Down The Wall’,“ doesn’t matter what I do. I always get emotional with you”. But then you hear the line “tell everyone you’re dead to me” in the song ‘Gone’ and I love how this album feels like a series of mini-movies! So many ups and downs but a lot of love throughout.

    For us, eleven tracks is such a sweet spot for an album, but we know that the number of songs that could have been on the record was probably a much higher number, was there a song that you wrote during the process of making Sunday Sadness, but that didn’t make the album that you hope still sees the light of day in some capacity? 
    Yes, this always happens to me. It’s very sad. But it’s like sport. Only the strongest get picked for the team, unfortunately. But it doesn’t mean I don’t care about those on the bench.

    We know that crafting an album takes a village, and there are so many thank you’s that could be said to the people involved, but something that is often hard for people to do is to pat themselves on the back. What is something that you accomplished during the process of crafting Sunday Sadness that you are proud of yourself for? 
    I explored every single avenue for every single song on this record. I wasn’t lazy. I worked really hard to make sure every song could stand strong on its own. Even if I had to heavily compromise or lose a guitar riff that I was attached to. I did everything I could to make this album as strong as I believe it is. I’m proud of that.

    We have to take a minute to ask about Australian Idol, was there a piece of advice that you were able to give a constant on that show that you wish someone would have given you when you were starting out? 
    Music isn’t a sport, no one can tap you on the shoulder and tell you to retire because you’re not strong enough or fast enough. You can keep making art all day every day for the rest of your life! There’s no age to making music. So just because it’s a ‘no’ today. Just get up and get after it again tomorrow.

    Once again, thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us! Before we let you go, what is the rest of 2024 shaping up to look like for you once the record is out? 
    I plan on promoting this album to every part of the world!

    Check out more of our exclusive interviews here!

    We would love to hear from you! What is your favorite song off of the new Amy Shark album Sunday Sadness? Let us know by commenting down below or by tweeting us @TheHoneyPOP! We are also on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok!

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT AMY SHARK:
    INSTAGRAM | TWITTER

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    Hailey Hastings

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  • Waterparks (the band, not the … never mind) play Orlando’s House of Blues later this month

    Waterparks (the band, not the … never mind) play Orlando’s House of Blues later this month

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    click to enlarge

    Courtesy photo

    Waterparks are back in Orlando this month

    Orlando has its fair share of waterparks, but there was one missing … Waterparks (the band) is coming to House of Blues.

    The pop-punk group behind “I Miss Having Sex but At Least I Don’t Wanna Die Anymore” and “Turbulent” will be making a stop to visit the City Beautiful on their tour on Tuesday, March 26.

    Leading the group is frontman Awsten Knight, supported by drummer Otto Wood and lead guitarist Geoff Wigington. The group has been making music and building a solid base for 12 years, including a fervent fanbase in Orlando that filled Park Ave CDs to the brim during a meet-and-greet and in-store performance following the release of their record “Greatest Hits.”

    At House of Blues, the band is set to perform songs from their past five albums and maybe a cover or two. Waterparks’ concerts are known for being high-energy with crowd-surfing and mosh pits — let’s see if this Disney Springs venue lets that happen.

    Loveless, an alternative rock duo from Los Angeles, and Pollyanna, an Australian indie rock band, will open the show.

    Doors open at 6 p.m. and ticket prices range from $35 to $85.


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    Alexandra Sullivan

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