Month: May 2023

Chloe Bailey is enjoying a much-deserved tropical vacation.

The “Pray It Away” singer took to Instagram on Monday (May 22) to share a fun video montage of her recent trip, where she dances around in a gold fringe bikini, does cartwheels in the grass, swims in the ocean, eats delicious meals, goes on hikes, surfs, takes outdoor showers and generally enjoys herself. “baby finally went on vacation.. having my eat pray love moment,” she captioned the post.

Her sister, The Little Mermaid star Halle Bailey, supported her sibling in the comments section, writing, “So beautiful!!!”

The vacation comes after a busy year for the 24-year-old singer, who is fresh off the release of her solo album, In Pieces, and went on tour in support of the project last month. “In Pieces is for the ones who behind closed doors are breaking and don’t know how much more they can take,” she previously wrote of the album. “In Pieces is for the ones who hold the people up around them while barely holding themselves. In Pieces is for the people who continue to get stabbed in the back, heart broken by the ones they thought they could trust, but STILL that doesn’t change their heart and how they love. In Pieces is for the ones like me, who wear their outer shell so well that you’d have no idea what they’re going through.”

See Chloe’s vacation post below.

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Looking for some motivation to help power you through the start of another work week? We feel you, and with some stellar new pop tunes, we’ve got you covered.

These 10 tracks from artists including Kylie Minogue, Conan Gray, Chappell Roan, (G)I-DLE and more will get you energized to take on the week. Pop any of these gems into your personal playlists — or scroll to the end of the post for a custom playlist of all 10.

Kylie Minogue, “Padam Padam”

Kylie Minogue released one of the most exhilarating dance-pop records of the pandemic (Disco) in 2020; now that the World Health Organization has officially declared the global health emergency over COVID-19 over, it’s only fitting that we’re getting a new LP from the dance-pop legend that we can actually go out and throw down to. The first taste of Tension, “Padam Padam,” is a sultry my-place-or-yours club banger named after the sound of a pumping heart. – Joe Lynch

(G)I-DLE, “Queencard”

If (G)I-DLE’s first I Feel track, “Allergy,” saw the K-pop idols lamenting on their perceived flaws and the harm that social media can do to one’s self-esteem, its B-side, “Queencard,” shows that the girls know how to bounce back and turn their confidence up to 100 at the drop of a hat. On the track, the girls assert their hotness, comparing their beauty to the likes of Kim Kardashian and Ariana Grande, and their delivery dares you to disagree. – Starr Bowenbank

The Dare, “Sex”

With the pandemic firmly behind society, indie sleaze is once again finding a time to thrive. And The Dare (the project of former substitute school teacher Harrison Patrick Smith) is at the forefront of the resurgence, creating raunchy, tongue-in-cheek dancefloor ready tracks that will have you working up a sweat. New release “Sex” captures the spirit of the era and isn’t shy: “Sex, I want to call your mom, and tell her you’re the bomb/ I might even see if she’s into it.” – S. Bowenbank

Conan Gray, “Never Ending Song”

Confessional pop star Conan Gray’s latest is a refreshingly retro, Technicolored hit. There’s an intriguing element of high drama to “Never Ending Song” — thanks in large part to the artist experimenting in his lower register — as if it was tailor-made for stadiums. Reminiscent of a late 2000s rock hit like “Human” by The Killers, but with some ‘80s oomph, this track is the perfect way for Conan to command attention for whatever is to come. — Lyndsey Havens

Chappell Roan, “Red Wine Supernova”

Though rising pop singer-songwriter Chappell Roan has yet to release a full-length project, she has already established a clear brand of anthemic cheeky alt-pop songs, from breakout track “Casual” to her latest, “Red Wine Supernova.” As she sings of a “playboy” who puts “her canine teeth in the side of my neck,” the artist chronicles the sensation of getting swept up in the sheer thought of someone new — and unapologetically enjoying every second. — L. Havens

Hannah Jadagu, “Lose”

Hannah Jadagu is a 20-year-old NYU student — and by the sound of her debut album Aperture (out on Sub Pop), she will graduate as an indie-pop star. On “Lose,” the last single to arrive before her album dropped, she sings, “Couldn’t believe it was you / I’ve waited for some time / And now that it’s us two / Am I gonna lose myself and mind?” As she delicately poses these questions over a soothing rock riff, the production blossoms, matching her fluttering emotions. — L. Havens

Far Caspian, “Own”

Plenty of sad indie-pop songs feature the same slow-chug tempo and mournful guitar-and-drums interplay as “Own,” the new track from U.K.-based singer-songwriter Joel Johnston’s project Far Caspian. Yet Johnston’s voice, presented here as a swirl of feelings informed by Elliott Smith’s delivery, distinguishes “Own,” and makes the listener want to wrap themselves in its warmth again after it ends. – Jason Lipshutz

Chris Farren, “Cosmic Leash”

For Chris Farren, a well-respected songwriter straddling the indie and pop-punk worlds, “Cosmic Leash” represents a potential game-changer: the first single from upcoming album Doom Singer is big and brash in the best ways, oscillating between blaring noise and a full-throated melody that begs to be screamed in large-capacity venues. If the rest of Doom Singer sounds as world-conquering as “Cosmic Leash,” Farren will get there. – J. Lipshutz

Anohni & The Johnsons, “It Must Change”

Anohni’s 2016 album Hopelessness presented an urgent view of a troubling reality, addressing political and environmental disaster with electronic tumult; “It Must Change,” the opening glimpse of Anohni’s first full-length since, is another call to action, but adopts the tender sheen of soul music to inspire listeners. Anohni’s voice remains spectacularly expressive — and credited with The Johnsons for the first time in over a decade, her tone sounds as triumphant as ever. – J. Lipshutz

Revenge Wife, “Fantasy Girl”

Revenge Wife mastermind Liz Nistico has described her new single as “my most ABBA song,” and indeed, “Fantasy Girl” sparkles as a Scandinavia-inspired workout, all glittery synth lines and drum thwacks that make you want to increase your heart rate. In the middle of it all is Nistico, her voice doubled and ready to explode; the former Holychild member has always had a knack for straight-ahead pop structure and is once again on point. – J. Lipshutz

A medley of sounds erupts as soon as the doors of the Spotify studio swing open. All at once, trumpets climb up and down scales, guitars are tuned before being fervidly strummed, and a tololoche player’s fingers dance across the strings of an upright bass like tiny bolts of lightning, making it impossible to look away. All the while, the group of men responsible crack jokes in Spanish, an air of excitement swirling through the dimly-lit room before the Spotify RADAR shoot kicks off. 

At the center of this eclectic flurry of instruments lives regional Mexican music. At the center of today’s regional Mexican music, lives Peso Pluma. 

For many, the 23-year-old phenom appeared de la nada. “Ella Baila Sola,” Eslabon Armado’s smash hit with Peso Pluma, was as explosive a collaboration in the Spanish-language music space as the Hot 100-topping “Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2” was for the English market. Like drill princess Ice Spice, Peso Pluma became the de facto face of a movement overnight, much to his own surprise. 

“I knew this was gonna happen, but I didn’t know at what level and what speed,” he says today. “I knew I was gonna do good in Mexico and the Spanish-speaking countries, but this went worldwide [so fast]. I’m thankful for that.”

For his early fans, Peso Pluma has been creating earworm collaborative anthems for a handful of years, through early hits like “El Belicón” alongside Raúl Vega  – which went viral on social media and brought in 10 million views on YouTube in a single month – and projects including his debut set, Ah y Qué?

To date, “Ella Baila Sola” has secured a number of firsts, most notably becoming the first regional Mexican song to reach the top 10 of the Hot 100 chart — peaking at No. 5 – and the first to top Billboard‘s Streaming Songs chart in its 10-year history.

Peso Pluma and Eslabon Armado also broke a number of Spotify records, becoming the all-time most-streamed música mexicana track in one day globally and the most streamed Latin track in the U.S in one single day last month. 

“Música mexicana is no longer regional – it’s global,” says Spotify head of U.S. Latin artist partnerships Eddie Santiago, noting the genre’s growth of 431% over the last five years. “It’s been incredible supporting Peso Pluma’s meteoric rise, and look forward to this next phase of his career.”

The Spotify RADAR program – dedicated to spotlighting and supporting emerging artists at all stages of their development – has provided a platform for artists across the globe, including The Kid LAROI, Zach Bryan, Doechii, Quevedo, PinkPatheress, and over 500 others since its start in in 2020. 

While the effect of “Ella Baila Sola” has led to unprecedented global attention on the regional Mexican space, it’s important to note that the regional Mexican genre isn’t exactly a genre. Encompassing an array of unmistakably Mexican styles of music, including norteño, corridos, banda, rancheras, mariachi and more, regional Mexican serves as an overarching umbrella term for a set of genres that had never before been afforded nuance on a mainstream level. 

Growing up on artists like Ariel Camacho, Peso Pluma, born Hassan Laija, developed his love for música mexicana as a kid spending his early years growing up in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. Later, the influence of hip-hop and reggaeton also found their way into the songs he’d write. Today, he painstakingly stitches together 19th century Mexican sounds with modern genres, bringing both to the Spotify stage ahead of his upcoming debut album, and a single that he’s been teasing on social media. 

After his performance, Peso Pluma sat down to talk with Billboard about what the Spotify look means to him, his recent wins on U.S. platforms, his Doble P Tour and his hopes for the future.

What does it mean to you to be selected as Spotify’s RADAR artist?

It’s pretty big to me because I’m the first Mexican artist to do this. I’m so proud and very thankful. It’s big for the country, the genre and the industry in general. We’re doing pretty good and we’re going to keep working to share our music. 

Have you had fans from countries that surprise you?

I have a lot of fans all over the world, but the most surprising was one time I was shopping and a Chinese family came [up to me]. I never thought they’d listen to corridos in China.

What are the genres that have influenced you?

When I was a teenager, I listened to a lot of hip-hop, rap, and reggaetón. Rap culture just got into me, and I think I’m picking a little bit from every genre in the corridos I do and that’s why people like it, because it has a lot of different cultures in it. Reggaetón is the most iconic genre in my life. Since I was a kid, I liked it a lot. Daddy Yankee, Don Omar, Tego Calderon.

I like Bad Bunny a lot, I listen to him all day, every day. I listen to my friend Natanael Cano, 21 Savage, Shoreline Mafia. Feid, Anuel, Karol G. I listen to everything.

What’s a genre you like that people might be surprised you listen to?

Reggae. I like Bob Marley. 

You recently played Coachella, how did that come about?

I got invited by Becky G — shoutout to Becky. She’s been too kind to me in my career, and done a lot for me. And she knows she has a friend [in me]. They got in touch like a week before, I was so excited and pretty shocked. It was so good, [the crowd] accepted us. People did scream a lot, it was a surprise for them. 

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced along your path so far?

The biggest thing I’m dealing with right now is not being with my family. Being on tour non-stop. That’s what people don’t see. They think I’m a working machine, but I’m not. But it’s part of what I like to do — it’s part of my character. 

How do you deal with those moments?

When I feel like that, I just talk to my mom and my family and that keeps me motivated. They’re pretty proud of me and thankful. 

You also did Jimmy Fallon recently, how was that?

It was awesome for me and my whole group. It was a new thing for us because it was our first time on TV and it was Jimmy Fallon. I think it went well, everyone watched it and wanted to see me perform, and I’m just thankful for Jimmy for inviting me to the show. 

You recently broke a record along with Eslabon Armado, becoming the first regional Mexican song to top Billboard’s streaming songs chart. 

That’s pretty amazing. But that doesn’t mean anything, because tomorrow I could be gone. We don’t know. I’m just gonna keep working to get where I wanna get. There’s a long way to go. 

You’ve had a lot of big collaborative moments — what’s the role of collaborations in your journey?

Collaborations have been so important in my career. I’m just thankful to too many artists who have been supporting my project, ideas and thinking and what we have to do for the genre. My album is coming too and I have a lot of solo songs coming, and that’s what people want to hear, so that’s what I’m giving them on this album. 

You’re heading out on tour soon, but so much has changed since your tickets went on sale. Are you looking for bigger venues?

Yes. Everything changed and I’m looking forward to what’s gonna happen. And my team is looking for venues. I’m sure I’m gonna do good if I do small or big venues. The tour sold out the first day, like 95 percent [of tickets] in two hours. We’re pretty excited. 

Looking ahead, what’s something you hope to accomplish in your career?

I just wanna go to the Grammys and win something, you know? There’s too many things I wanna accomplish. I want to have my album be welcomed by the people, I want it to have the same streams as singles do. I’m showing another part of la doble p to people.

I know this is far in advance, but as someone who grew up between Texas and Mexico, where do you see yourself settling down when it’s all said and done?

I don’t know. I mean, Peter Parker is from NYC and I’m in L.A. right now. Guadalajara will always be my home. That’s where my family is, and Sinaloa too. But I feel pretty good here in L.A. And if life says, “Go to Miami in a year,” I’ll go to Miami.