The Bias List is a K-pop blog that also covers a fair amount of J-pop. But just like 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-K-pop songs that have caught my ear. No ratings — just highlights!
February 2022 // March 2022 // April 2022 // May 2022 // June 2022 // July 2022 // August 2022 // September 2022 // October 2022 // November 2022 // January 2023 // February 2023 // March 2023 // April 2023 // May 2023 // June 2023 // July 2023 // August 2023 // September 2023 // October 2023 // November 2023 // January 2024 // February 2024 // March 2024 // April 2024 // May 2024 // June 2024 // July 2024 // August 2024
Alle Farben – Call My Name (ft. Sofiloud)
I really like the choral sound of the vocal production. It blends well with the song’s trance elements to create a satisfying sense of depth.
Ani & Kiki – Kauniita
Finland continues to bring the pop goods with this beguiling duet. The melodies have a nice sense of tension and escalation, especially during the chorus.
Asbjørn – Vulnerably Happy
The production on this is very interesting, reminiscent of SHINee in their most experimental moments.
Ava Max – Spot A Fake
She does what she does very well, and this is another bulletproof, economically structure pop hit.
Benjamin – Kuollut liekki
Echoing last year’s incredible Hoida Mut, this new synth banger continues Benjamin’s run of perfect pop tracks. He’s scarily consistent.
Bentley Robles – Tantrum
Bentley’s been one of my favorite 2024 artists and Tantrum is another synth-fueled stunner. He’s got such a classic pop touch with a modern artistic viewpoint.
Chloe Jane – Dance Floor Emergency
The Fifth Element cosplay caught my eyes first but the groove kept me engaged. This is so, so addictive. The pulsing electro production is everything.
Confidence Man – Let Them Bells Ring
While we await their new album, this side track has me even more excited. It’s such a fun, old-school dance sound.
Cyan Kicks – Don’t You Say I Didn’t Warn You
Back to Finland, with a shot of electro pop punk energy. This is such a megawatt anthem, pretty much forcing your fist in the air.
Dizzy Days – Can’t Stop!
This girl group/band actually filmed a video for a different track on their album, but opener Can’t Stop is the one that’s become lodged on my playlist. I love that effusive chorus.
Ellen Benediktson – Maniac
Scandinavians are harnessing a different energy than the rest of the world right now. This high-octane pop banger hits all the marks and then some.
Julie Bergan – Dive
Trance is back in the mainstream, and I couldn’t be happier. This is an excellent example of how to meld the genre to glossy pop melodies. It’s fantastic.
Lovequest – Happiness
A new Jake Shears side project? I’m subscribing to the channel before even hearing the music. Luckily, Happiness is ultra-enjoyable dance music with a retro touch.
Nelly Furtado – Honesty
I haven’t had a chance to listen to her new album yet, but this is a fun little pop bauble. It’s too short, though!
Nova May – Mr. Bus Driver
This song is months old, but her EP was released recently and this is my favorite track on there. It’s a great throwback to the late-2000’s “recession pop” era.
Purple Disco Machine – All My Life (ft. The Magician)
Purple Disco Machine’s new album is out this week, which is mostly a reminder of how many excellent tracks they’ve released over the past few years. Add this one to the list!
Rose Gray – Angel Of Satisfaction
This sounds like ABBA getting messed up and heading to the club. I love the dramatic, strings-kissed verses.
Silence Wang – Take Off
My most reliable C-pop guy is slowly building what I assume will be a new album. This has a great synthwave sound.
Studio Killers – Valentine
New Studio Killers music is infrequent but always worth a celebration. I loved this instantly and have been playing it constantly. The combo of intense tempo and emotive guitar is euphoric.
Switch Disco – I Found You (ft. Charlotte Haining & Felix )
Some straightforward dance tracks just hit harder than others. This one slams especially hard as its chorus explodes.
Tom Grennan – Higher
His last album was very strong and this new track portends a groovier funk makeover.
The Weeknd – Dancing In The Flames
I still think this is underwhelming and generic as a lead single, but its melodies have grown more addictive than I’d first thought.
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
It’s ok I’m ok by Tate McRae has been my favorite pop song of the month, it’s so addicting.
Spot a Fake is fun too, but I need something fresh from Ava. she’s extremely talented and has the potential to be bigger right now.
I don’t really like Dancing In The Flames. It’s the weakest single by far from this album trilogy.
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That Confidence Man song is great but when I put it on and the production started kicking in I immediately got Macarena war flashbacks lol
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and since just dance 2025 is coming out im gonna rank all the songs so far
amazing i love it so much omg (10-9): paparazzi – lady gaga (9.25), basket case – green day (10), poker face – lady gaga (10), a whole new world – aladdin (9), i’ll make a man out of you – mulan (10), sk8er boi – avril lavigne (9.5), murder on the dancefloor – sophie ellis-bextor (9.5), 22 – taylor swift (9), whenever, wherever – shakira (9.5), party in the usa – miley cyrus (9), vogue – madonna (9.5), yeah! – usher feat lil jon (9)
i think its good (8.75-8): yes and – ariana grande (8.5), zero to hero – hercules (8.75), when will my life begin – tangled (8.5), boy’s a liar pt 2 – pinkpantheress feat. ice spice (8.25), hollaback girl – gwen stefani (8.5), thrift shop – macklemore and ryan lewis (8.25), the lion sleeps tonight (wimoweh) – the tokens (8.25), lunch – billie eilish (8.25), the boy is mine – ariana grande (8.25), we can’t be friends (wait for your love) – ariana grande (8.75), bang bang (my neurodivergent anthem) – galantis (8.5), sleigh ride – the ronettes (8), you love who you love – zara larsson (8.5)
mid (7.75-7): unstoppable – sia (7.5), greedy – tate mcrae (7.5), darkest hour – night swan (7.75), don’t rush – young t & bugsey (7.5), espresso – sabrina carpenter (7.75), payphone – maroon 5 (7.5), exes – tate mcrae (7.25)
no likey (6.75-6): lovin on me – jack harlow (6.75)
go to hell (5.75-1):
not ranked: halloween’s here – the just dance band, move your body – the sunlight shakers, stop this fire – nius,
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Nick, just curious – is there any k-pop song released in 2016-2024 that would qualify to your top 10 favorite k-pop songs of all time? (basically any song that’s better than Infinite’s Paradise)
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While that Top 100 list probably needs a few adjustments here and there (including within the top twenty), I don’t think there’s a 2016-24 song that would be able to nudge its way into my top ten.
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Absolutely adore Silence Wang! Since reading your global pop reviews, I’ve always wondered if you’ve dabbled in P-pop? BINI has some hits and I would love to know your thoughts
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that weeknd song sounds like it has mad longevity potential
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This is how I find out Studio Killers have something new out??
They usually kill it, but this one isn’ t really for me I think. It’s a bit too monotone or something.
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Omg, western music in general this year really sucked.
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The only thing I’ve loved from this year is Kali Uchis’s album Orquideas, and that came out way back in January. I still listen to it though, and still think highly of it.
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I’ve loved a lot of under-the-radar stuff (as evidenced by these posts), but mainstream (esp. American) pop music has been absolutely dire this year. There’s no ambition or sense of scope. It all feels like a shrug.
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Yes probably only Ariana Grande did a good album, but I get that it’s not an album for everyone.
Personally I loved it.
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I liked it, but it didn’t feel particularly ambitious.
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