Here at Swell Tone, we love a good pop song.
Whether it is a sing-a-long chorus that hits just right or the perfectly articulated bounce of synth, sometimes a well-written pop song is all we crave. We wanted to find a home for all of our favorite pure pop hits. Thus, Pop Up was born. Every month, we bring you the songs that won’t stop spinning around our minds and making our hips shimmy. Enjoy round 7!
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Two People – “Dream Steppin'”
The best way to describe the latest track from this Melbourne band is late-night inner turmoil tethered to a string of synths. It’s both a big and modest tune that creates a mania through steady repetition and incrementally increasing intensity. Drenched in darkness, the too cool, glossy melody will get entrenched in the corners of any listener’s mind.
Listen to more Two People here.
ÄTNA – “Come to Me”
Where does this song come from and where does it go? The fervor of this melody ignites upon the entry of the staccato voices used to enliven the flavor of this song’s rhythm. Crisp and controlled in every aspect, the frenzy of this tune is continually fever-inducing but never overwhelming. It’s the kind of artful song that’s instantly intoxicating. We hope this German pair comes stateside so we can live inside this dream of a song live.
Listen to more ÄTNA here.
Caroline Polachek – “Ocean of Tears”
Pang is a truly incredible album, all of which deserves to be highlighted. But when we think of big pop tunes, this one really stands out. A colorful, soaring, sonic rmieagination of the pain inherent in a long distance relationship, the song’s confidence lies as much in the sputtering textures as it does in Polacheck’s high-flying vocals. It’s a spectral pop dream that is waiting to find its way into listeners’ brains forever.
Listen to more Caroline Polachek here.
HONEYMOAN – “Still Here”
Who could resist a pop song energetically charged on overdrive, static, and sparkling synth? Not us! This charmer has a timeless feel with a bit of grit. It has such a perfect balance of soft, distant echoes with an upfront vocal delivery and big guitar tones. Like a rainbow of above the mist of this song’s guitars, this immediately memorable refrain curls wistfully into the sky.
Listen to more HONEYMOAN here.
Elah Hale – “Posters”
We really enjoyed the casual coolness of this track. Its humble modesty is the strength of its lyrical plea. Hale’s voice is calmly endearing as this warm production rises to meet it at this glowing refrain. There is a certain freshness to this entire song that makes it the perfect finish to our partial year of pop favorites.
Listen to more Elah Hale here.
Check out past Pop Ups here!
Stream all of our pop loves in one big playlist below:
