Purple Pop: Ava Della Pietra, CON THE ARTIST, Kerr Mercer, Preston Pablo, Caroline Romano, Avery Raquel, Eliz, Lucy Frost, Emma Teufel, Ren Genevieve

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.


Built around a deceptively soothing refrain, ‘3am’ is a quietly compelling breakup anthem that thrives on emotional restraint from one of our favourite pop songwriters Ava Della Pietra. The track captures the fragile lies we tell ourselves in the dead of night. Her vocal performance is the standout, as it shifts from tender denial to grounded clarity, mirroring the song’s emotional arc. The production remains understated, allowing the narrative to breathe, while the accompanying video deepens its cyclical tension. ‘3am’ feels intimate and self-aware, marking a clear step forward in Ava’s artistry as she balances vulnerability with control and sharp songwriting instincts.

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CON THE ARTIST cements his status as an alt-pop force with ‘Only You’, a track that swaps fairytale tropes for raw, in-the-trenches devotion. Released via Wax Records, the single finds beauty in the friction, inspired by a moment of clarity mid-argument. Musically, the track is a masterclass in tension and release. The artist’s warm, intimate vocals ground the verses before a deliberate, head-turning beat provides a high-energy payoff. Leveraging his background as a film composer, he crafts a narrative that feels cinematic yet lived-in. It’s a sophisticated follow-up to his viral hit ‘Hand Me Down’, proving his storytelling is as sharp as his production.

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‘Terrified’ is a strikingly honest alt-pop offering that captures the raw anxiety of not feeling like enough for someone you love. Written in an intimate home setting, Kerr Mercer’s track carries a lived-in vulnerability that resonates from the first note. Kerr’s vocal delivery feels unguarded yet controlled, balancing fragility with quiet strength. The songwriting, shaped alongside Max Wolfgang, leans into relatable insecurities without overcomplicating them. Sonically, it blends atmospheric pop with subtle rock textures, giving the emotion room to breathe. ‘Terrified’ positions Kerr Mercer as a promising new voice with a clear instinct for heartfelt, authentic storytelling.

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Preston Pablo officially kicks off his new era with ‘Cause I Do’, a beautifully vulnerable return to his DIY roots. Reunited with hitmakers Banx & Ranx, the multi-platinum artist trades the high-gloss viral energy of ‘Flowers Need Rain’ for something more intimate and emotionally resonant. The track strikes a perfect balance: a nostalgic guitar line pulls at the heartstrings while “simple but big” percussion provides a steady, driving heartbeat. Exploring the quiet comfort found in shared longing, Preston’s vocals carry a newfound confidence. It’s a sophisticated step forward that proves his storytelling is just as infectious as his hooks.

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Capturing the uneasy beauty of healthy love after heartbreak, ‘Not Used to You’ is a tender, introspective standout from Caroline Romano. Built on a delicate yet modern pop foundation, the track leans into emotional nuance, exploring the instinct to brace for pain even when things feel right. Caroline’s vocal delivery is soft but searching, perfectly mirroring the song’s quiet tension. The songwriting shines in its relatability, turning vulnerability into strength without losing its edge. ‘Not Used to You’ is subtle, sincere and deeply resonant emotional anchor.

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Driven by lively percussion and shimmering keys, Avery Raquel’s ‘Slow Motion’ creates a buoyant groove that feels both hypnotic and effortlessly danceable. It’s a vibrant, feel-good blend of alternative R&B and pop that radiates warmth and musical confidence. Avery’s vocals glide with precision and soul, shifting between registers with ease while layered harmonies add richness and depth. There’s a nostalgic touch beneath its modern polish, reflecting her diverse influences without losing originality. Charming and relatable, ‘Slow Motion’ captures a carefree emotional high, offering a refreshing glimpse into her evolving sound and the inviting tone of her new EP.

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Fourteen-year-old San Francisco independent artist Eliz delivers a remarkably mature masterclass in indie-pop with ‘Sooner’. Collaborative writing with Sofia Jolie brings a raw, lived-in quality to this track about the clarity that follows an unhealthy relationship. Enhanced by Nicolas Essig’s production and the mentorship of Genevieve Goings, the song shines through its lushly layered harmonies and reflective guitar work. Eliz captures the specific sting of realizing you overstayed your welcome in someone else’s chaos. It’s emotionally honest and sonically sophisticated, marking her as a burgeoning storyteller with a keen eye for self-valuation.

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Boston native Lucy Frost conveys the frantic anatomy of a breakdown in her latest single ‘Lines’. A cinematic dive into dark-pop, the track explores the neurotic spiral of seeing an ex with someone new. Lucy’s Berklee-trained background in film scoring is on full display here; the production feels like a psychological thriller, mirroring the intrusive thoughts and impulsive regrets that follow a heartbreak. Drawing comparisons to the wit of Lola Young and the grit of Elliott Smith, Frost blends paranoid narratives with sophisticated textures. It’s an evocative, self-reflective anthem for anyone who has ever asked: “Who have I become?”

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Wrapped in bright synths and dance-pop energy, ‘Nice Guy’ contrasts its playful sound with a pointed message about self-serving charm. It’s a sharp, upbeat indie-pop anthem that calls out performative kindness with wit and confidence. Emma Teufel leans into storytelling with a knowing tone, capturing the moment recognition clicks and the illusion fades. Her vocal delivery is both light and assertive, giving the song an empowering edge without losing its fun. ‘Nice Guy’ thrives on its relatability, turning frustration into a catchy, liberating release that encourages listeners to trust their instincts and keep their distance.

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NYC-based Ren Genevieve delivers her latest single ‘Museum’, in which she teamed up with Grammy-winning producer Joshua Monroy. Here, Ren captures the electric, quiet wonder of recognizing a soulmate before even learning their name. Her musical theatre background shines through in the track’s pacing, as gentle guitar strums blossom into a bridge of floating harmonies and effortless riffs. Drawing on the storytelling DNA of Joni Mitchell and the polish of Taylor Swift, ‘Museum’ feels both cinematic and deeply intimate. It’s a nostalgic, atmospheric preview of her 2026 EP, Everything I Never Said, that proves fate sounds a lot like a perfect pop melody.

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