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Last updated on May 24, 2025, updated twice a month. |
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 1 . 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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 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 . 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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 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 . 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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 6 . 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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 7 . 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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 8 . 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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 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 . 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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 11 . Royal, The Serpent - Wasteland [From Arcane Season 2]“Crazy Story” marks King Von’s debut, a raw narrative cast in gritty realism where a simple setup—a robbery gone sideways—weaves into something far messier. Told entirely from a first-person perspective, it traces the chain reaction triggered by a friend’s plan, blending cold logic, impulsive choices, and quick retribution. Released in 2018 via Only the Family and Empire, it spawns two sequels, all featured on "Grandson, Vol. 1." The song appears on "Only The Family Involved Vol. 2" and peaks at number 81 on the Billboard Hot 100. King Von, born Dayvon Daquan Bennett in Chicago, pivots to music after prison in 2018, using storytelling not as ornament but as infrastructure. Royal & The Serpent's "Wasteland" is a haunting track featured in the second season of the popular animated series "Arcane," based on the League of Legends universe. The song was released on November 23, 2024, coinciding with the premiere of Arcane's final act. "Wasteland" showcases Royal & The Serpent's signature blend of alternative pop and rock, with emotive vocals and introspective lyrics that reflect the themes of isolation and perseverance present in the show. The track gained significant attention due to its inclusion in Arcane, which has a massive global fanbase. Royal & The Serpent, the stage name of Ryan Santiago, has been making waves in the music industry since her breakout single "Overwhelmed" in 2020. Born on May 25, 1994, in New Jersey, Santiago moved to Los Angeles at 18 to pursue her music career. She signed with Atlantic Records and has since released multiple EPs, including "get a grip" (2020), "searching for nirvana" (2021), and "IF I DIED WOULD ANYONE CARE" (2022). artist.***********************
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 12 . 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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 13 . 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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 14 . 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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 15 . J-Hope - Arsonj-hope's "Arson," released in July 2022, reflects his inner turmoil and ambition in a post-apocalyptic setting. The video's fiery imagery and heavy hip-hop beats underscore his exploration of fame's demands, as he debates whether to continue fueling his ambition or find peace. The music video is directed by Lee Suho Featured on the album Jack In The Box
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 16 . 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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 17 . 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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 18 . Melanie Martinez - DeathMelanie Martinez's "DEATH" (March 2023) marks her evolution from her Cry Baby persona, diving into dark pop themes of rebirth and personal transformation. The video visualizes her symbolic resurrection as a fairy-like figure, emerging from a grave to face existential challenges, while the song's haunting soundscape mirrors her creative metamorphosis. The music video is directed by Melanie Martinez Featured on the album Portals
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 19 . King Princess - Fantastic [From Arcane Season 2]Released in September 2019, "Self Control" by YoungBoy Never Broke Again opens his twelfth mixtape, "AI YoungBoy 2," with reflections marked by grief, restraint, and the pull of past vices. Produced by DJ Swift, CashMoneyAP, and Drum Dummie, the track drapes melancholic melodies over a 155 BPM tempo in F# Minor, while YoungBoy toggles between rapping and singing his haunted observations. The music video stages his release from East Baton Rouge Parish Prison, complete with family embraces, emotional recalibrations, and a girlfriend waiting just past the gates. Born Kentrell DeSean Gaulden, the Baton Rouge artist threads personal trials with lyrical candor, even as legal turbulence continues to shadow his prolific output. Peaking at number 50 on the Billboard Hot 100, the track goes double platinum, a quiet nod to its resonance without the chest-beating often seen in its genre peers. King Princess - Fantastic [From Arcane Season 2]"Fantastic" is a song by American singer-songwriter King Princess, released on November 23, 2024, as part of the soundtrack for the second season of the hit animated TV show Arcane. The track serves as the theme song for the lesbian romance between main characters Vi and Caitlyn in the series. King Princess, whose real name is Mikaela Mullaney Straus, is known for her indie pop style and LGBTQ+ advocacy. Born on December 19, 1998, in Brooklyn, New York, she grew up in a musical environment, learning multiple instruments in her father's recording studio. King Princess gained prominence with her debut single "1950" in 2018, which was certified platinum by the RIAA. She released her debut album "Cheap Queen" in 2019 to critical acclaim. In 2022, King Princess released her second album "Hold On Baby" and embarked on a North American tour. King Princess identifies as lesbian and genderqueer, often discussing her identity in interviews and on social media platforms.***********************
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 20 . 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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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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