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Last updated on October 8, 2025, updated twice a month. |
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 1 . Tate McRae - Just Keep Watching"Just Keep Watching" surfaces from the creative residue of Tate McRae’s "Think Later" and "So Close to What" sessions, where it initially failed to find a home. Reworked for the Apple Original film "F1 The Movie," the track gains a second wind in a universe of engines, obsession, and adrenaline. McRae, whose Billboard Hot 100 No.1 duet with Morgan Wallen disrupted genre lines, here pivots to something more insistent, lingering, and arguably cinematic. The music video is directed by Bardia Zeinali >> More by the same : Website
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 2 . Tate Mcrae - GreedyTate McRae's "Greedy," released in September 2023, showcases a bold and self-assured version of the Canadian singer, exploring themes of empowerment and confidence. Produced by Jasper Harris and Ryan Tedder, the song rides a catchy beat aimed at highlighting McRae's dance prowess. The video, choreographed by Sean Bankhead, captures her moving effortlessly on an ice rink, blending humor and defiance, while lyrics reflect her resolve against shallow advances. The music video is directed by Aerin Moreno Featured on the album Think Later
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 3 . Faouzia - MinefieldsFaouzia and John Legend's "Minefields," a ballad released in October 2020, is a powerful vocal duet depicting the struggles of separated lovers navigating emotional obstacles. Produced by Johnny Goldstein, the song's emotional gravity is intensified by piano contributions from Charlie Puth, merging Legend's baritone with Faouzia's vocal strength. Filmed at California's Bonelli Park, the video highlights their harmonized yearning amidst dramatic landscapes. A remix by Ofenbach adds a distinct electro-pop dimension. The music video is directed by Kyle Cogan
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 4 . Sub Urban - Uh Oh! (w/ Benee)Released in February 2023, "UH OH!" by Sub Urban and BENEE presents a dynamic electronic soundscape with lyrics addressing betrayal and confrontation in relationships. The dark yet playful tone of the track, defined by Sub Urban's production, aligns with the storyline of unearthing deceit in a relationship teetering on the edge. BENEE's unique vocal tone enhances the tension in this alternative pop composition. The music video is directed by Andrew Donoho Featured on the album Hive
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 5 . Elley Duhé - Middle Of The NightElley Duhé's "MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT," which debuted in January 2020, gained traction through its viral resurgence on TikTok in 2021. Drawing on Isaac Albéniz's "Asturias (Leyenda)," the song weaves a classic melody into a modern pop context. Lyrics depict a longing for intimacy, offering an emotional journey intensified by a contemporary production from Andrew Wells. The music video is directed by Loris Russier
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 6 . The Chainsmokers - Takeaway (w/ Lennon Stella)The Chainsmokers, Illenium, and Lennon Stella's "Takeaway," released in July 2019, combines future bass with a pop aesthetic, capturing romantic uncertainty. The video, filmed at the Vessel in Hudson Yards, complements the song's themes of emotional hesitancy with visually stunning stairway structures, mirroring the emotional climb and descent of fleeting connections. The music video is directed by Jeremiah Davis Featured on the album World War Joy
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 7 . Gracie Abrams - I Love You, I'M SorryGracie Abrams' October 2024 release, "I Love You, I'm Sorry," from her second studio album, captures nostalgia, guilt, and longing for reconciliation. The introspective track's lyrics evoke vivid memories of past relationships, accompanied by a humorous yet self-reflective music video. The music video is directed by The Secret of Us Featured on the album The Secret of Us
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 8 . Tate Mcrae - ExesIn November 2023, Tate McRae's "Exes" explores complex emotions tied to past relationships through an ironic lens. The song's pop soundscape is matched by a video set in a dilapidated rodeo arena, where McRae, choreographed by Sean Bankhead, dances her way through lingering memories. Through her reflective lyrics, she humorously recounts keeping mementos of past partners. The music video is directed by Aerin Moreno Featured on the album Think Later
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 9 . Sub Urban - Freak (w/ Rei Ami)Sub Urban and REI AMI's "Freak" (March 2020) blends alternative pop and electro-pop, exploring themes of social misfit and individuality. Propelled by TikTok's viral spread, the song has resonated with audiences who feel disconnected from conventional norms. The track paints a world where unique, darkly-themed narratives bring comfort to the outcast. The music video is directed by Andrew Donoho Featured on the album Thrill Seeker (ep)
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 10 . Lizzy Mcalpine - CeilingsLizzy McAlpine's "Ceilings" (April 2022) portrays a dream-like memory of a past romance. The folk-pop ballad has resonated widely, especially on TikTok, where its themes of nostalgia and longing led to creative recreations. McAlpine's voice, backed by soft instrumentation, amplifies the introspective reflection on a relationship left only as an idealized memory. The music video is directed by Gus Black Featured on the album Five Seconds Flat
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 11 . Lauren Spencer Smith - FlowersLauren Spencer Smith's "Flowers" (April 2022) is a reflective ballad on moving past a toxic relationship, marked by a soft piano and produced by Cian Ducrot. The lyrics capture her realization of self-worth, symbolized by receiving flowers in a healthy relationship after only seeing them as apologies in her past. The music video is directed by Val Vega Featured on the album Mirror
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 12 . Gracie Abrams - RiskIn May 2024, Gracie Abrams' "Risk" explores the emotional depth of falling for someone unknown, produced by Aaron Dessner. This pop track unpacks themes of vulnerability, with lyrics that underscore the excitement and anxiety that come with new love. Dessner's subtle instrumentation frames Abrams' introspective journey, highlighting the tension between desire and caution. The music video is directed by Audrey Hobert Featured on the album The Secret of Us
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 13 . Gayle - abcdefu"abcdefu" tears through the niceties of post-breakup etiquette with unfiltered resentment wrapped in a deceptively buoyant melody. Gayle, alongside Sarah Davis and Dave Pittenger, constructs a litany of grievances set to Pete Nappi's crisp production, turning heartache into pointed defiance. Reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, the track earns multi-platinum status and spawns remixes that tweak its venom—"angrier," "nicer," and "chill"—for varied shades of exasperation. The music video amplifies this irreverence, following Gayle and friends in a gleeful display of rebellion, an extension of the song's cathartic frustration. The music video is directed by Jimmy Fisco, Gayle
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 14 . Jp Saxe, Julia Michaels - If the World Was Ending"If the World Was Ending" brings JP Saxe and Julia Michaels together in a melancholic duet contemplating love, regret, and hypothetical reunion amid catastrophe. Produced by FINNEAS, the track gains unexpected resonance during the COVID-19 pandemic, mirroring global unease. Its music video keeps the pair apart, amplifying the song's restrained emotional charge. A charity version featuring multiple artists follows in April 2020. The track secures a Grammy nomination for Song of the Year. The music video is directed by Jason Lester
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 15 . Ashnikko - DaisyAshnikko's "Daisy," released in July 2020, personifies an avenging heroine who leaves daisy flowers as a signature. The video, part of a campaign with Beats by Dre, features color-specific scenes in line with Powerbeats Pro colors, allowing fans to partake in a TikTok challenge that creatively integrates their interpretation of Ashnikko's alter-ego. The music video is directed by Charlotte Rutherford Featured on the album Demidevil (mixtape)
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 16 . Em Beihold - Brutus“Brutus,” released in July 2025, sees Em Beihold turning historical betrayal into personal metaphor. The lyrics spiral through envy and self-doubt, with Brutus standing in for the anxious urge to measure oneself against others. In the music video, Beihold channels a fencer and a politician, staging duels of ambition that echo the song’s theme of internal conflict. Born Emily Mahin Beihold in Los Angeles in 1999, she trained in classical and jazz music, and fenced her way to NCAA All-American status in 2019 while at UC San Diego. Her debut EP *Infrared* arrived in 2017, followed by 2021’s “Groundhog Day,” sending her to Republic Records and Moon Projects. That deal led to “Numb Little Bug,” certified platinum in 2022, and her second EP, *Egg in the Backseat*, later that same year. Across her work, she balances introspection with a wink, making neuroses sound unusually well-arranged. The music video is directed by Em Beihold & Ethan Frank >> More by the same : Website
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 17 . Zolita - Somebody I Fucked OnceZolita's "Somebody I F*cked Once," released in May 2021, explores the blurred lines between physical attraction and potential emotional attachment. The video, set in a high school cheerleading backdrop, narrates a same-sex romance and received positive attention for its genuine LGBTQ+ representation. The music video is directed by Shannon Beveridge
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 18 . David Guetta, Kim Petras - When We Were Young [The Logical Song]David Guetta and Kim Petras' November 2023 track "When We Were Young" reimagines Supertramp's 1979 "The Logical Song" as a lively electro-pop anthem. Guetta's EDM signature underpins Petras' nostalgic reminiscences in the video, where neon cityscapes contrast with childhood memories. Seth Hills' remix in early 2024 further adds to its upbeat electronic feel. The music video is directed by Hannah Lux Davis
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 19 . Royal, The Serpent - Wasteland [From Arcane Season 2]Camila Cabello releases "Shameless" on September 5, 2019, sharing the spotlight with "Liar" as part of her second album, Romance. Across three and a half minutes, she trades subtle for loud, letting go of caution in lyrics like “screaming my lungs out for ya.” Co-written by an ensemble including Jon Bellion, Ali Tamposi, Andrew Watt, and the Monsters and the Strangerz, it’s anything but solitary work. Watt and Monsters handle the production, one handling fire, the others fuel. "Shameless" leans into raw confession, spurred at least partly by Cabello’s evolving dynamic with Shawn Mendes, something she nods to without decorating. The video, directed by Henry Scholfield, favors flame, religious icons, and glass-breaking moments over narrative comfort. In 2023, TikTok dusts it off for its bridge and sped-up edits, because apparently, emotional urgency loves a second act. The song charts internationally, possibly boosted by listeners who also believe wanting someone counts as cardio. The music video is directed by Henry Scholfield
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 20 . Noah Cyrus - JulyReleased on July 31, 2019, through Records and Columbia Records, "July" by Noah Cyrus offers a stripped-back acoustic arrangement that accentuates her plaintive vocal performance. Written with PJ Harding, the lyrics navigate the weight of emotional entanglements and self-doubt within a toxic relationship. A remix featuring Grammy-nominated artist Leon Bridges arrived on November 8, 2019, broadening its appeal. It charted on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 85, and later achieved RIAA Platinum certification in the United States. The music video presents a minimalist aesthetic, framing Cyrus against tranquil outdoor scenery that mirrors the song's introspective mood. The music video is directed by James Pereira, Raymond Jafelice, and Andrew Young
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ABOUT ALT ZAlt Z: DefinitionDrawing from an eclectic mix of genres, including lo-fi and alt-pop, Alt Z distinguishes itself through a unique fusion of indie or alternative pop, electronic, and alternative R&B. Its roots lie in online communities, particularly on platforms like SoundCloud and TikTok, making it a genuinely global phenomenon. This genre sets itself apart with its emotional versatility, weaving together introspection, melancholy, euphoria, and escapism. It resonates strongly with a generation navigating the complexities of modern life, bridging personal and collective experiences. Alt Z encompasses subgenres like hyperpop, bedroom pop, and indie electronic. Hyperpop stands out with exaggerated productions, distorted melodies, and often fast tempos. Bedroom pop, in contrast, is more intimate, often self-produced, with softer melodies and introspective themes, while indie electronic incorporates synthwave and chillwave elements, crafting an immersive atmosphere. Alt Z: Music & WordsAlt Z music is marked by catchy yet often non-linear melodies that play with tempo shifts and blend acoustic instruments—guitars, pianos—with electronic ones, such as synthesizers, drum machines, and samplers. Production is a central element in this genre, where producers use techniques like reverb, vocoders, and filters to craft an immersive and slightly surreal atmosphere, capturing both raw emotions and the energy of youth. Key producers in the Alt Z realm include Danny L Harle, known for his hyperpop collaborations; A.G. Cook, an influential producer and founder of PC Music; Clairo, who represents the subtleties of bedroom pop; and Ryan Tedder, recognized for his work with OneRepublic. Alt Z lyrics often lean toward introspection, addressing themes like mental health, digital relationships, and the quest for identity. The lyrics tend to be minimalist yet profound, capturing the anxieties and aspirations of today’s youth. Alt Z’s language is direct and accessible, often drawing inspiration from social media and internet culture.
Alt Z: Associated FashionAlt Z also has a significant influence on fashion, with brands embracing an eclectic, colorful, and often unisex style. This aesthetic reflects the genre’s diversity and flexibility, linked with brands like:
Alt Z: Relevant Media & Key Record LabelsNumerous media outlets focus on promoting and exploring Alt Z’s music and visual scene. Among others:
Key labels producing artists within the Alt Z genre are: |
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