In the ancient world, purple was originally the colour reserved for the imperial families of Rome, Persia and Egypt and while it’s no longer elitist, there’s still something special to be had to the red-meets-blue hue. Our Purple Pop selection showcases the most luxurious, beautiful and unmissable pop music finds for our ears to yours.
From Katie Phelan’s upcoming EP, ‘nothing stays the same’ is a tender and nostalgic glimpse into the record. The Irish singer-songwriter’s warm vocals gently convey the bittersweet emotions of leaving home, a poignant love letter to familiar comforts and an ode to embracing change. The inclusion of her brother’s piano adds a personal touch, underscoring the theme of missed connections. With a quiet ache reminiscent of Billie Marten, Katie Phelan’s honest songwriting captures the universal experience of navigating new chapters while cherishing the past. It’s a reassuring and intimate offering.
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Leading the way for this week’s Purple Pop playlist is Davey Legend with ‘Subliminal’ which captures a feeling of profound numbness amidst personal turmoil. Borrowing freely from hyper-pop, midwest emo, and hip-hop, his sound, inspired by artists like Eden and 21 Pilots, creates a unique sonic landscape for this exploration of inaccessible emotions. The track reflects the Gen Z experience of navigating a world deeply intertwined with technology, where genuine feelings can feel buried beneath layers of digital noise. Davey’s music, though unconventional, effectively conveys a sense of detachment and the search for meaning beneath the surface.
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‘Balcony’ is a lush, avant-pop masterstroke that wraps biting cultural commentary in decadent cinematic beauty. With sweeping orchestral flourishes and sleek indietronica textures, Henry Blaeser crafts a sonic world that feels both vintage European and daringly modern. His melodramatic wit and richly layered production invite listeners into a dreamlike space where elegance masks unease. Reminiscent of art-pop auteurs yet wholly original, ‘Balcony’ signals this artist’s bold arrival as a singular voice in alternative music. It’s haunting, intelligent, and irresistibly stylized. An alluring preview of the long-form debut he’s poised to unveil in 2025. High-concept pop rarely sounds this mesmerizing.
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At just 13, Eliz delivers an emotionally resonant ballad that blends alt-pop, singer-songwriter sensitivity, and subtle R&B tones with stunning maturity. ‘Losing Oxygen’ is a breathtakingly honest reflection on the moment love begins to suffocate rather than soothe. Written at summer camp, the song captures the ache of holding on too long with poetic clarity and vulnerability. Her vocals, raw yet refined, float above a delicate arrangement, pulling listeners into a deeply personal, universally relatable experience. As the opening track of her second album Cabin 232, ‘Losing Oxygen’ signals the rise of a young artist with remarkable talent and emotional depth.
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‘Blue’ is a flirty and undeniably catchy dance-pop track with a playful, suggestive edge from rising artist Brooke Daye. The song teases a scenario of leaving someone “hot and confused,” delivering its cheeky message with a confident swagger. While the lyrical innuendo is clear, the infectious beat and pop sensibility make it a fun and lighthearted listen. It’s a bold and direct offering in the dance-pop realm, leaving a memorable impression with its confident energy and playful lyrical theme. Keep an eye on Brooke Daye.
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Boy In Space’s latest single from The Butterfly Affect is a luminous blend of Scandinavian pop precision and southern soul. Embracing acoustic textures and country-infused melodies, ‘Burning Down The House’ marks a bold evolution for Robin Lundbäck, showcasing raw emotion wrapped in rich, organic production. His storytelling shines, poetic yet grounded, as he navigates vulnerability, heartbreak, and healing with lyrical finesse. The single captures the EP’s core theme – personal metamorphosis. With its lush instrumentation and Boy In Space’s distinctively emotive vocals, this release offers both a sonic escape and a mirror to inner growth. It’s an intimate, genre-blurring gem that cements his rising global appeal.
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‘He Has Your Heart’ is a tender acoustic folk song that delves into themes of love and loss with introspective lyrics and subtle melodies. Inspired by artists like Bon Iver, Lucas Davies crafts a soundscape that blends atmospheric production with raw emotion. The addition of Philip Bowen’s fiddle, reminiscent of Noah Kahan’s ‘Stick Season’, adds a beautiful layer to the track. Lucas Davies’ songwriting creates a space for reflection, showcasing his ability to weave emotional storytelling within a gentle acoustic framework.
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Vermont-based singer-songwriter Reid Parsons illuminates the stage with ‘Lightbulb’, a final preview from their debut album, Back to Back. Radiant and intricately crafted, the single celebrates simple, enduring love through delicate melodies and a hip-hop-inspired groove. Reid’s poetic lyrics balance playful cynicism with heartfelt warmth, echoing the humble glow of a lightbulb against grand pop clichés. Fingerpicked acoustic guitar, metronomic keys, ethereal pedal steel, and cello create a soundscape that is both intimate and ornate. ‘Lightbulb’ captivates with its quiet radiance and textured musicality, setting an enchanting tone for an album rich in soul and subtle emotion, truly mesmerizing artistry.
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Blending the vulnerability of Dijon with the experimental edge of Mk.gee, the Leeds-based artist Nii crafts a sound that’s both intimate and expansive. Latest single ‘Issues’ is a raw, emotionally-charged slice of indie-pop that cements his place as one to watch. Backed by BBC Introducing and Spotify’s Fresh Finds, Nii doesn’t just meet expectations – he exceeds them. ‘Issues’ is all simmering tension and soul-searching lyrics, delivered with a haunting vocal performance that lingers. The production is minimal but immersive, giving the storytelling room to breathe. With this release, Nii proves he’s not just promising, he’s the real deal.
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Softmax’s ‘Anaesthesia’ is a stunning, emotionally charged meditation on the denial of loss. Written in the wake of witnessing a family member’s final days with dementia, the track captures the surreal numbness and quiet panic that accompany impending grief. Built on Softmax’s signature blend of experimental pop, Chicago soul, and avant-garde textures, ‘Anaesthesia’ is co-produced with Gabriel Gifford and drenched in haunting atmosphere. Her vocals feel both fragile and defiant, echoing the track’s refusal to accept the inevitable. It’s a deeply personal, cinematic piece that cements Softmax as a fearless storyteller unafraid to turn vulnerability into sonic art.
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PURPLE MELON 