Feature

Global Pop Round-Up: February 2022 Edition

Posted on by 37 Comments

Global Pop Round-Up

The Bias List is a K-pop blog that also covers a fair amount of J-pop. But along with most music fans, I enjoy tracks from all around the world. So, I thought I’d start a monthly round-up of some of the non-KP/JP songs that have caught my ear. No ratings — just highlights!

Doja Cat – Get Into It (Yuh)

I’ve been impressed with most of Doja Cat’s singles thus far, but this addictive little trinket is proving to be one of the biggest earworms of the year. It brings me right back to the early 00’s.

Foxes – Growing On Me

An excellent synthpop track from a fantastic album. Foxes’ new sound is very much for me, and I love how the groovy percussion grows more commanding throughout this song.

Jax Jones – Where Did You Go (ft. MNEK)

If this isn’t a huge summer smash, I’ll be surprised. It’s such a great vibe, combining catchy vocals with deep house bass and that addictive synth riff.

Jonas Blue – Don’t Wake Me Up (ft. Why Don’t We)

I have a huge soft spot for the EDM-pop of the early 2010’s, and Don’t Wake Me Up‘s breathless build transports me right back to that era. It’s formulaic, but oh so satisfying.

Kygo – Dancing Feet (ft. DNCE)

“Retro” is still in full swing, and this is how you do it! The synth-driven beat is perfect, especially as the chorus gets going.

Purple Disco Machine – In The Dark (ft. Sophie and the Giants)

Another big synth-pop song! This has a strong 80’s vibe, anchored by Sophie’s commanding vocal. The chorus is absolutely majestic.

Sigala – Melody

Upbeat party vibes over a very modern dance production. It’s slick and almost sinfully catchy.

Steerner – Rush

Breathless dance music from a little-known Swedish producer. Rush is aptly titled. It’s like a big wave of adrenaline.

Theoz – Som Du Vill

I’ve only been tangentially following this year’s Melodifestivalen, but Som Du Vill stands as my favorite from the competition so far. I love that funky rhythm and that mammoth chorus.

The Weeknd – Sacrifice

The Weeknd’s newest album is incredible. Sacrifice is a total standout, but I can’t stop playing highlights like Less Than Zero and How Do I Make You Love Me? as well.

37 thoughts on “Global Pop Round-Up: February 2022 Edition”

  2. Get into it yuh has to be my favourite out of these and I love the video too. The music videos for this album have been out of this world (lol). Two songs I really enjoyed this month:

    Like

    Reply

  3. Yesss I love Don’t Wake Me Up! I heard it on my local club radio station and was hooked for similar reasons.

    Kind of unrelated, but I think you might like this house/disco song from Ninety One, a Kazakh pop group. I know everyone’s doing house now (and I love it) but I was pleasantly surprised when the group released this (the mv is a shortened version of the song): https://youtu.be/imx-y2jNvVA

    (Also hi, first time commenter, been a lurker for a year or so now haha. I appreciate your reviews)

    Like

    Reply

        • How did I miss a Ninety One discussion here? HIP HIP HOORAY

          (…sorry, I’m still not used to finding other listeners in the wild, I get a little overenthusiastic when I do)

          I actually was not thrilled with the “Darn” release — the song is good, just the MV is *so* static, and that cut didn’t help matters at all — but they should be coming out with an album later this year, based on the number of demos available on their YT channel.

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply

          • Whoops late reply but hello fellow Ninety One fan 🙋‍♀️ That’s interesting! I guess the Darn MV is pretty static/plain compared to their other videos…I think I liked it a lot since I enjoyed the traditional Kazakh clothing on the backup dancers. Otherwise though it is pretty straightforward, yeah…

            I’m looking forward to their future album, whenever they do drop it!

            Like

            Reply

  5. “In The Dark” is a big banger! And the first part of that The Weeknd album is just hit after hit after hit.

    My favourite (synth)pop single of the year so far has to be Tove Lo’s “How Long” though! Sad disco magic.

    Like

    Reply

  6. My February:

    I’ve been constantly playing the new Bad Omens album since yesterday. They are primarily a metalcore band but this new album spans so many genres, there’s literally inspo taken from artists like The Weeknd to Slipknot. AOTY contender for me already.

    Yves Tumor is quickly becoming a fave of mine https://youtu.be/FQMXhQCxvX0

    Loathe (who are great in their own right) released a new version of Is It Really You? with Vessel from Sleep Token (who is my favourite (male) vocalist of all time.) I’m not even a ballad person but I simp for Vessel’s vocals so much https://youtu.be/FK4UUGXoA7c

    Also really into Slay by Paledusk, such.a.shame by Static Dress and Guillotine by Stray From The Path.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  7. I freaking love Dawn FM, probably the best album this year so far. Out of Time is probably my favorite, but I think that might be due to the Midnight Pretenders sample. My favorite minus that track is probably How Do I Make You Me.

    Btw, surprised no one noted it yet, but I think you meant Feb 2022 not 2021.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  8. sigala’s melody is a masterpiece it needs more views pls

    btw guys i took a listen to nick’s new song “>*<" and it's a masterpiece, so good i wrote down the lyrics, sing along please

    (to the tune of yakko's world)

    sausage burrito and mcchicken, cheeseburger, and a soft drink on the go
    sausage mcgriddles, two piece buttermilk crispy tenders, bacon mcdouble
    small mccafe, sausage mcmuffin with egg, and a classic chicken sandwich
    finally a triple cheeseburger and a happy meal we’ll throw in a ditch

    i would list the menu backwards and sing to them but it is way too time consuming
    instead i’m gonna fix the ice cream machine so thanks everybody for viewing

    [trap breakdown as the menu is recited backwards]

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  10. There is this song by a yt producer as a collab with other vocals. The song’s Eye by zsunderverse. I think y’all might recognize this audio edit channel.

    Anyways, I think it’s really funky and the melodies are incredible. It is reminiscent of shinee tracks and the recent chronograph.

    Like

    Reply

  11. Som du vill is my fav from Melodifestivalen this year as well. Kinda surprised Swedes are rooting for ballads cause I was not feeling any of them this year. Bleh.

    Like

    Reply

  17. Hey Nick
    I don’t know if you gonna be into this?
    It’s a 2000s inspired pop electro pop goodness
    Rina Sawayama vocals are incredible oh right the song is called XS

    Also this pretty good
    Not the kinda stuff I’m into but pretty damn good

    Like

    Reply

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.