Last updated on January 8, 2026, updated twice a month.
Alt Z is an emerging musical genre that has gained momentum in the early 2020s, aligning itself with “Generation Z” — a young, digitally native, and globally interconnected audience.
The genre stands out for its stylistic fluidity and its capacity to blend pop sensibilities with unconventional sounds and structures.
The list below ranks 20 recently released Alt Z songs in descending order of engagement over the last 30 days.
1 . Tate McRae - Just Keep WatchingDetails 
  “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. Genres : alt z,pop The music video is directed by Bardia Zeinali
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2 . Tate Mcrae - GreedyDetails
 Tate 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. Genres : Pop,alt z, pop The music video is directed by Aerin Moreno Featured on the album Think Later
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3 . Faouzia - MinefieldsDetails
 Faouzia 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. Genres : Pop, R&B, Hip Hop,alt z, canadian pop, neo soul, pop, pop soul, urban contemporary The music video is directed by Kyle Cogan
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4 . Sub Urban - Uh Oh! (w/ Benee)Details
 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. Genres : Pop,modern indie pop, alt z, nz pop The music video is directed by Andrew Donoho Featured on the album Hive
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5 . Elley Duhé - Middle Of The NightDetails
 Elley 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. Genres : Pop,alt z The music video is directed by Loris Russier
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6 . The Chainsmokers - Takeaway (w/ Lennon Stella)Details
 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. Genres : Pop, Electronic,pop, edm, melodic dubstep, pop dance, alt z, canadian pop, uk pop 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 SorryDetails
 Gracie 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. Genres : Pop,alt z 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 - ExesDetails
 In 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. Genres : Pop,alt z, pop 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)Details
 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. Genres : Pop,modern indie pop, alt z The music video is directed by Andrew Donoho Featured on the album Thrill Seeker (ep)
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10 . Lauren Spencer Smith - FlowersDetails
 Lauren 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. Genres : Pop,alt z, gen z singer-songwriter, singer-songwriter pop The music video is directed by Val Vega Featured on the album Mirror
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11 . Lizzy Mcalpine - CeilingsDetails
 Lizzy 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. Genres : Pop, Folk/Acoustic,alt z, boston folk, indie pop, singer-songwriter pop The music video is directed by Gus Black Featured on the album Five Seconds Flat
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12 . Faouzia - UnethicalDetails
 Released in August 2025, “Faouzia – Unethical” presents Faouzia lending her powerful vocals to a track produced by Arthur Besna. It seamlessly blends pop, R&B, and soul influences under the FAOUZIA MUSIC label. Faouzia, a Moroccan-Canadian artist, has previously won the International Songwriting Competition. Her collaborations include high-profile artists like David Guetta and John Legend. The singer’s past works feature EPs such as “Stripped” and “Citizens.” Genres : alt z, canadian pop The music video is directed by Andrew Hebert
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13 . Gayle - abcdefuDetails
 “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. Genres : Pop,alt z, modern alternative pop The music video is directed by Jimmy Fisco, Gayle
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14 . Tate McRae - Nobody's GirlDetails
 “Nobody’s Girl” flips solitude into preference, not punishment. Produced by Emile Haynie, it plays like a low-key diary entry with pop packaging. Tate McRae slides from tour-induced emotional fatigue—“My heart was like an open sore / Saw, like, twenty healers when I was on tour”—into something sturdier. By the chorus, she’s shrugged off sentimental clingers: “I am nobody’s girl, I love it so much. It’s exactly what I wanted.” It’s independence, minus the fireworks, set to an anthemic but introspective beat. Genres : alt z, Pop, dance-pop, Synthpop The music video is directed by Thibaut Grevet |
15 . Poppy, Poppy, Amy Lee & Courtney LaPlante - End Of YouDetails
 “End Of You” throws together Poppy, Amy Lee, and Courtney LaPlante in a 2025 team-up that plays like a darker, metal-edged response to “Lady Marmalade.” Produced by Jordan Fish, the track balances alternative metal with dark pop, slipping between haunted melodies and guttural outbursts. Amy Lee floats over the verses, Poppy brings the screams, and LaPlante tears through with pure force—all in under four minutes. The lyrics linger on emotional wreckage and survival, stylishly introspective without trying too hard to be cryptic or universal. Every element is polished but not sterile, structured to let the friction between each voice do most of the talking. Genres : alt z The music video is directed by Jensen Noen
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16 . Gracie Abrams - RiskDetails
 In 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. Genres : Hip Hop,alt z The music video is directed by Audrey Hobert Featured on the album The Secret of Us
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17 . Ashnikko - DaisyDetails
 Ashnikko‘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. Genres : Pop,alt z, escape room The music video is directed by Charlotte Rutherford Featured on the album Demidevil (mixtape)
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18 . Zolita - Somebody I Fucked OnceDetails
 Zolita‘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. Genres : Pop,alt z The music video is directed by Shannon Beveridge
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19 . Jp Saxe, Julia Michaels - If the World Was EndingDetails
 “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. Genres : Pop, R&B,alt z, canadian contemporary r&b, singer-songwriter pop, pop The music video is directed by Jason Lester
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20 . Royal, The Serpent - Wasteland [From Arcane Season 2]Details
 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. Genres : Pop,alt z, indie electropop, modern alternative pop The music video is directed by Henry Scholfield
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21.55% / 0.77%
Modest disclaimer: These rankings combine data from our platform with external streaming metrics to highlight what’s resonating right now.
We don’t claim to be exhaustive, so it’s possible you won’t find a title you expected to see on this list. Sorry about that — these things happen.
Our aim with these rankings is not to provide a definitive measure but to offer a snapshot of trends that resonate with audiences today.
On ALT Z, Tate McRae’s “Just Keep Watching” stays at No. 1, with “Greedy” at No. 2. The upper chart remains stable, including Faouzia’s “Minefields” and Sub Urban’s “Uh Oh!” featuring Benee. Lauren Spencer Smith’s “Flowers” and Lizzy McAlpine’s “Ceilings” continue to rise. McRae adds a third Top 15 entry with “Nobody’s Girl,” while “Wasteland [From Arcane Season 2]” holds the lower ranks.