ONTD Original™ The best pop songs you've never heard - January 2024
Happy 2024 everyone! 🎉 Are we enjoying it already being April? (It'll be July by next week.) In the past, I've done a yearly series where I gather all of my favorite not-so-well-known pop songs and share them with the class, but why wait twelve months at a time? There's so much great music out there that 10 songs a year just isn't cutting it. So, let's make it 120 songs a year and do it monthly, shall we? Here's some of the best pop music of January 2024 that you've (probably) never heard.
'people are the enemy' - aldrch (2.8k views)
I'm pretty sure I heard this song on MySpace 20 years ago... trying not to have an internal crisis about indie sleaze making a comeback. But at least new artists like aldrch are doing it well. Sam Richman's passion for music began at just 6 years old, taking classical violin lessons and playing in youth orchestras. His musical inspirations are bands like 100 gecs, Bon Iver, Joyce Manor, and The Garden. Check out aldrch's new EP would you like to go out?. You won't be sorry!
'Jesus Christ In a Mini Skirt' - Meg Smith (4.5k views)
Saxophone solo alert! 🎷✨ Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Meg Smith started writing songs when she was just 12 years old. Her biggest musical influences are pop royalty Miley Cyrus, The Jonas Brothers, Taylor Swift, and Hillary Duff, and describes her sound as like watching an early 00s rom com. Her latest release Jesus Christ In a Mini Skirt is her best song yet, and if you like a pop-rock sound with a Disney Original Movie soundtrack flare, she's the pop star for you.
'I'm in Love' - Jelani Aryeh (21k views)
22-year-old Black/Filipino singer and songwriter from San Diego, Jelani Aryeh, seamlessly blends indie rock, R&B, hip-hop, pop and experimental sounds. Leaping from high school football star to all star musician, Jelani turned to the internet to find like-minded musical individuals. Inspired by bands like Odd Future and Brockhampton, Jelani makes alt-pop music that takes you right back to the 2000's. His new album The Sweater Club will be released this June, so start listening now!
'SHADES ON' - daine (28k views)
Honing in on the emulsifying musical sounds of Gen Z, Filipino-Australian hyper-pop artist daine blends emo, hardcore, and trap. Inspired by the early 2000's and the hardcore/metal scene of Melbourne, daine's latest single SHADES ON features rap royalty Kreayshawn. (Yes, enough time has passed that Kreayshawn and big sunglasses are cool again.) Check out daine's other tracks like CUT MY HEART OUT and BITE BACK if you need a new obsession.
'The Thrill Of It' - Pixey (31k views)
Inspired by rock royalty like Queen, Kate Bush, Björk, and George Harrison, Pixey grew up in Lancashire before moving to Liverpool for school. She decided to pursue music after being hospitalized due to a near-fatal viral illness. Promising herself to live life without regret, Pixey started learning to record and produce as soon as she recovered. Her latest single The Thrill Of It is a 90s influenced pop-dance track is her first ever completely self-produced song.
'Apartment A' - Isaac Dunbar (57k views)
Italian and Liberian pop artist Isaac Dunbar first started making music when he was just nine years old. Inspired by Lady Gaga and Madeon, Dunbar learned synths and music theory through YouTube tutorials and reproduced songs from Artpop. Signed by RCA records after releasing his debut EP Balloons Don't Float Here, he's been making a name for himself ever since. His new single Apartment A is a major pop evolution for Isaac, and feel free to check out another fan favorite Makeup Drawer.
'If I Don't Laugh I'll Cry' - L Devine (83k views)
English singer and songwriter L Devine signed to Warner Bros Records in 2017, but has since left the label to pursue music as an independent artist. Inspired by the Clash and the Sex Pistols, she formed her first band, the Safety Pinz, when she was seven years old. Devine has now found her signature sound and has released her first independent album Digital Heartifacts this past February. Check out her other works like Die On The Dancefloor and Naked Alone.
'More Than My Mind' - ELIO (92k views)
Protégée of Charli XCX, Charlotte Grace Victoria Lee (ELIO) began writing songs after moving from Swansea to Toronto when she was nine. She first tried her hand at making shoegaze in high school, but switched to pure pop while at college. She released her first full length album ELIO'S INFERNO in 2022 and her latest single More Than My Mind is highly addicting. Check out other tracks like Vitamins and SUPERIMPOSE to get a good fix.
'Night In' - Brittney Spencer (140k views)
Featured on Beyoncé's song BLACK BIIRD from COWBOY CARTER, Baltimore native and country artist Brittney Spencer was first musically inspired from singing in church. Influenced by artists like The Chicks, Ray Charles, and Jazmine Sullivan, she learned to play guitar and took vocal lessons during her teen years. Brittney began singing background vocals for R&B and gospel artists, and moved to Nashville to pursue country music full time.
'DARLING DRIVE' - METTE & Sam Gellaitry (243k views)
American dancer, actress and singer Mette Towley was born in Minnesota and raised in Maryland. She was introduced to dance at age five at Baltimore School for the Arts, and graduated from the College of Liberal Arts with a degree in dance. METTE rose to fame after being featured in N.E.R.D. and Rihanna's 2017 Lemon music video, and has released her own music ever since. Check out her other works like VAN GOGH and CHOCOLATE CITY. You won't be disappointed!
Well, this was my January 2024, what about you? Are these songs new to you, or have you been obsessed for a while? Share your own favs and stay tuned for February 2024. Byeeee! 👋
Series: 2022 | 2023 | 01.24 | 02.24 | 03.24 | 04.24 | 05.24 | 06.24 | 07.24 | 08.24 | 🎃 | 09.24 | 10.24
Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20
'people are the enemy' - aldrch (2.8k views)
Click to viewI'm pretty sure I heard this song on MySpace 20 years ago... trying not to have an internal crisis about indie sleaze making a comeback. But at least new artists like aldrch are doing it well. Sam Richman's passion for music began at just 6 years old, taking classical violin lessons and playing in youth orchestras. His musical inspirations are bands like 100 gecs, Bon Iver, Joyce Manor, and The Garden. Check out aldrch's new EP would you like to go out?. You won't be sorry!
'Jesus Christ In a Mini Skirt' - Meg Smith (4.5k views)
Saxophone solo alert! 🎷✨ Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Meg Smith started writing songs when she was just 12 years old. Her biggest musical influences are pop royalty Miley Cyrus, The Jonas Brothers, Taylor Swift, and Hillary Duff, and describes her sound as like watching an early 00s rom com. Her latest release Jesus Christ In a Mini Skirt is her best song yet, and if you like a pop-rock sound with a Disney Original Movie soundtrack flare, she's the pop star for you.
'I'm in Love' - Jelani Aryeh (21k views)
22-year-old Black/Filipino singer and songwriter from San Diego, Jelani Aryeh, seamlessly blends indie rock, R&B, hip-hop, pop and experimental sounds. Leaping from high school football star to all star musician, Jelani turned to the internet to find like-minded musical individuals. Inspired by bands like Odd Future and Brockhampton, Jelani makes alt-pop music that takes you right back to the 2000's. His new album The Sweater Club will be released this June, so start listening now!
'SHADES ON' - daine (28k views)
Honing in on the emulsifying musical sounds of Gen Z, Filipino-Australian hyper-pop artist daine blends emo, hardcore, and trap. Inspired by the early 2000's and the hardcore/metal scene of Melbourne, daine's latest single SHADES ON features rap royalty Kreayshawn. (Yes, enough time has passed that Kreayshawn and big sunglasses are cool again.) Check out daine's other tracks like CUT MY HEART OUT and BITE BACK if you need a new obsession.
'The Thrill Of It' - Pixey (31k views)
Inspired by rock royalty like Queen, Kate Bush, Björk, and George Harrison, Pixey grew up in Lancashire before moving to Liverpool for school. She decided to pursue music after being hospitalized due to a near-fatal viral illness. Promising herself to live life without regret, Pixey started learning to record and produce as soon as she recovered. Her latest single The Thrill Of It is a 90s influenced pop-dance track is her first ever completely self-produced song.
'Apartment A' - Isaac Dunbar (57k views)
Italian and Liberian pop artist Isaac Dunbar first started making music when he was just nine years old. Inspired by Lady Gaga and Madeon, Dunbar learned synths and music theory through YouTube tutorials and reproduced songs from Artpop. Signed by RCA records after releasing his debut EP Balloons Don't Float Here, he's been making a name for himself ever since. His new single Apartment A is a major pop evolution for Isaac, and feel free to check out another fan favorite Makeup Drawer.
'If I Don't Laugh I'll Cry' - L Devine (83k views)
English singer and songwriter L Devine signed to Warner Bros Records in 2017, but has since left the label to pursue music as an independent artist. Inspired by the Clash and the Sex Pistols, she formed her first band, the Safety Pinz, when she was seven years old. Devine has now found her signature sound and has released her first independent album Digital Heartifacts this past February. Check out her other works like Die On The Dancefloor and Naked Alone.
'More Than My Mind' - ELIO (92k views)
Protégée of Charli XCX, Charlotte Grace Victoria Lee (ELIO) began writing songs after moving from Swansea to Toronto when she was nine. She first tried her hand at making shoegaze in high school, but switched to pure pop while at college. She released her first full length album ELIO'S INFERNO in 2022 and her latest single More Than My Mind is highly addicting. Check out other tracks like Vitamins and SUPERIMPOSE to get a good fix.
'Night In' - Brittney Spencer (140k views)
Featured on Beyoncé's song BLACK BIIRD from COWBOY CARTER, Baltimore native and country artist Brittney Spencer was first musically inspired from singing in church. Influenced by artists like The Chicks, Ray Charles, and Jazmine Sullivan, she learned to play guitar and took vocal lessons during her teen years. Brittney began singing background vocals for R&B and gospel artists, and moved to Nashville to pursue country music full time.
'DARLING DRIVE' - METTE & Sam Gellaitry (243k views)
American dancer, actress and singer Mette Towley was born in Minnesota and raised in Maryland. She was introduced to dance at age five at Baltimore School for the Arts, and graduated from the College of Liberal Arts with a degree in dance. METTE rose to fame after being featured in N.E.R.D. and Rihanna's 2017 Lemon music video, and has released her own music ever since. Check out her other works like VAN GOGH and CHOCOLATE CITY. You won't be disappointed!
Well, this was my January 2024, what about you? Are these songs new to you, or have you been obsessed for a while? Share your own favs and stay tuned for February 2024. Byeeee! 👋
Series: 2022 | 2023 | 01.24 | 02.24 | 03.24 | 04.24 | 05.24 | 06.24 | 07.24 | 08.24 | 🎃 | 09.24 | 10.24
Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20