Most Famous 2020s Alt Z from the Last 60 Days, updated on Jan 8,2025
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 1 . 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. Genres : Pop,alt z, pop The music video is directed by Aerin Moreno Featured on the album Think Later
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 2 . 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. 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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 3 . 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. 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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 4 . 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. Genres : Pop,alt z The music video is directed by Loris Russier
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 5 . Sam Smith - Unholy (w/ Kim Petras)Sam Smith and Kim Petras' 2022 single, "Unholy," steps away from Smith's usual ballad style, delving into provocative electropop. Its storyline centers on infidelity, with a man in a "Body Shop" symbolizing moral transgression. The video, set in a cabaret, features cameos from Violet Chachki and Gottmik, and its viral TikTok success bolstered its reach. Synth-heavy production, layered with hyperpop and choral elements, amplifies the song's daring themes. Genres : Pop,pop, uk pop, alt z, dance pop, transpop The music video is directed by Floria Sigismondi Featured on the album Gloria
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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. 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 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. 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 - 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. 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)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 . 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. 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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 11 . 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. Genres : Pop, Electronic,big room, dance pop, edm, pop, pop dance, alt z, transpop The music video is directed by Hannah Lux Davis
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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. 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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 13 . 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. Genres : Pop,alt z, escape room The music video is directed by Charlotte Rutherford Featured on the album Demidevil (mixtape)
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 14 . Alan Walker & Daya - Heart Over MindAlan Walker and Daya's "Heart Over Mind," from November 2023, captures an EDM-pop fusion that explores the clash between emotions and reason in romantic entanglements. Walker's EDM production is balanced with Daya's emotive vocals, creating a soundscape that mirrors the internal struggle between passion and caution. Genres : Pop, Electronic,electro house, alt z, pop The music video is directed by Mads Neset Featured on the album Walkerworld
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 15 . 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. 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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 16 . 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. Genres : Pop,alt z, electropop, pop The music video is directed by Melanie Martinez Featured on the album Portals
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 17 . Melanie Martinez - Tunnel Vision"Tunnel Vision," a 2023 single by Melanie Martinez, stands as an assertive confrontation against objectification and emotional self-destruction. Set within her surreal "Portals" universe, the track balances dark, atmospheric pop with haunting, determined vocals. The production by CJ Baran and One Love amplifies the tension, offering a sonic backdrop that teeters between fragility and defiance. Released under Atlantic Records, its themes circle heartbreak, obsession, and agency, unearthing raw spectrums of vulnerability. The accompanying music video, with its surreal visuals, translates these emotional currents into otherworldly metaphors, blending isolation and empowerment. Martinez's lyrical narrative—crafted alongside Jeremy Dussolliet and Tim Sommers—roots itself in introspection, yet sharpens into universal resonance. The song is a testament to her ability to wade into emotional depths without surrendering to overwrought sentimentality, securing her place in alternative pop's shifting landscape. If anything, "Tunnel Vision" reminds us that catharsis can be uncomfortable, a mirror many aren't ready to face. Genres : Pop,alt z, electropop, pop The music video is directed by Melanie Martinez Featured on the album PORTALS
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 18 . 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. Genres : Pop,alt z The music video is directed by Lee Suho Featured on the album Jack In The Box
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 19 . 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. Genres : Pop,alt z The music video is directed by Shannon Beveridge
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 20 . Ashe - Till Forever Falls Apart"Till Forever Falls Apart" waltzes into the vast California desert with Ashe and Finneas ballroom dancing under Sam Bennett's directorial lens. Produced by Finneas and Leroy Clampitt, the track pairs vintage swing-inspired aesthetics with modern pop-ballad sensibilities. The song's theme centers on the fragility and resilience of love, celebrating meaningful connections, even in the face of impermanence. Co-written by its performers alongside Clampitt, its intricate layers reflect a polished collaboration without veering into saccharine excess. It earns a cultural nod with its Ginger Rogers-inspired visuals, blending nostalgia into Ashe's contemporary narrative arc. The subdued choreography contrasts sharply with its sweeping emotional declarations—a deliberate tension that deepens the listening experience. Sparse but resonant instrumentation envelops the recurring acknowledgment that every "forever" has its limits. While its success includes chart appearances and certifications on both sides of the Atlantic, more striking is its quiet introspection dressed as grandeur. The Jimmy Kimmel Live performance showcases its theatricality without overshadowing its emotional intimacy, echoing the song's ethos of stripped honesty. Genres : Pop,alt z, la indie, pop, pov: indie The music video is directed by Sam Bennet
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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: |
ADJACENT GENRES
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8.94% / 1.31%
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