Global Pop Round-Up: May 2025 Edition

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Global Pop Round-Up

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!

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Alison Goldfrapp – Find Xanadu

I didn’t love her last solo album as much as I’d hoped to, but this new single is very promising. I’ll always appreciate some spacey 80’s synthpop.

BÄMÄ – Torille (Amanda) (ft. Antero Mertaranta)

Yes, this is clearly a sports cheering song, but I love the anthemic chorus and the fact that it’s in Finnish so I can ignore what are probably pretty cliché lyrics.

Beks – Melodrama

It’s not as melodramatic as I expected given the title, but this is still a dance pop banger.

Blusher – WHATEVERWHATEVER

At this point, everything Blusher release is a bop.

Chrissy Chlapecka – Clam Casino

So many pop girls are trying to go country lately, but this is the closest I’ve heard to recapturing that great Shania Twain/Mutt Lange sound. What a big chorus.

Darin – Mimosa

A bit more subdued than I’d like from a new Darin song, but it’s nice to hear him singing in Swedish.

DE’WAYNE – june

More excellent Prince-esque funk meets punky rock from DE’WAYNE. I’m so excited for his album next month.

Dove Cameron – French Girls

I never expected to become a huge fan of Dove Cameron’s music, but she’s two for two on this new project.

Evelina – Kirsikat

You know I’m going to sneak in a banging Finnish dance track, right?

Full Circle Boys – M80

This new boy group has a ton of potential. M80 is their latest release but I think their previous single Skin is even better. It’s nice to see a Western boy band dance again.

Jelena Karleusa – Jedno Djubre Obicno

I loved Jelena Karleusa’s last two EPs so much that her new work is among my most anticipated of this year. For now, we’ve got this nice cover to tide us over. We need a new single asap!

KEiiNO – Unstoppable

Pretty much what you’d expect from KEiiNO. Super solid scandipop.

Kesha – Boy Crazy

The chorus is a sonic sugar rush.

LEXXE – Real Bob Mackie

This is a bit lighter and more tongue-in-cheek than her usual stuff, but no less impressive. She’s so underrated.

Madison Rose – Sinners

Madison’s been branching out with her sound lately and I’m not sure it’s what I want from her music, but I’m keeping an open mind.

Marcus & Martinus – Endless Summer

A bit generic, but a nice addition to an early summer playlist.

Neea River – I’m On The Run

She just keeps on churning out bangers. This is another fantastic one.

no na – Superstitious

I think this is the first Indonesian girl group featured on the blog, and I love this 80’s throwback sound. There’s even a bit of freestyle included here (a sub-genre I desperately want to become a modern trend).

PinkPantheress – Stateside

I remain unconvinced by her short, interlude-like songs, but this is easily my favorite so far. It feels more fleshed out and uses strong interpolations to its benefit.

Portion Boys – Vappupallo

Continues their wonderfully over the top schlock rock sound. I love them.

Punchbag – You Used To Be So Sexy

I’m really buzzing about this new duo. Their anthemic alt-rock sound is such a great throwback.

Snow Wife – Sweat

Oh this is so fun. It’s like Britney meets Drag Race. I love that stomping electro beat.

Sophie And The Giants – Bad Friends

This has a thumping, high-energy Eurodance sound that feels like an updated version of Vengaboys.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor – Vertigo

The mixing is a bit weird on this (the verses sound very low quality to me), but the chorus slams.

The Strike – The Getaway

I recently discovered this band and really like their anthemic 80’s rock sound. They have better songs than this in their discography, but this is the newest song they’re promoting.

Tears & Gearz – Delusional

After a few collaborations, Bias List faves Zee Machine and Bentley Robles have officially joined forces for side project Tears & Gearz. Very exciting!