Bop shop: song from Maggie Rogers, lauv, eaj, jewel, and more
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Loading... - Liam Walsh
- 12 Apr 2022
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The search for the ever-elusive "bop" is difficult. Playlists and streaming-service recommendations can only do so much. They often leave a lingering question: Are these songs really good, or are they just new?
Enter Bop Shop, a hand-picked selection of songs from the MTV News team. This weekly collection doesn't discriminate by genre and can include anything — it's a snapshot of what's on our minds and what sounds good. We'll keep it fresh with the latest music, but expect a few oldies (but goodies) every once in a while, too. Get ready: The Bop Shop is now open for business.
Banks: “Holding Back”
Banks has long melded the constraints of pop music to suit her sonic vision where she sees fit, giving us bops as daring as they are dark. She continues this effort with “Holding Back” from her new album Serpentina, out today. The thumping track begins with a high-pitched hook, an unexpected flourish from a singer known for living in her lower register that rings triumphant each time it comes around. It’s fitting for a song about taking fault for a misunderstanding, and the lyrics find her coming from a new place of maturity and wisdom: “Baby, don’t be afraid / Not every conversation is a new grenade / All I want to do is get you loved and laid / I wrote you a melody, can’t you see that?” With her fourth album, and her first as an independent artist, it’s clear this alt-pop songster knows what she’s got to offer, both in a relationship and musically, like never before. —Carson Mlnarik
Joesef: “It’s Been a Little Heavy Lately”
The despair of pining for someone, of wanting them so badly it feels as if your survival depends on them, seeps through the easy disco groove of “It’s Been a Little Heavy Lately.” Singer Joesef is “fucked up, crazy” with lusting need. A queer narrative underscores its music video, where Joesef’s lover is a man harboring his feelings while dating a girl, yet it’s the desperate, universal feeling of longing that sticks. “You’re the only one who can save me,” he softly pleads. “I know that isn’t fair.” —Terron Moore
Lauv: “All 4 Nothing (I’m So In Love)”
If Lauv is happy, we’re happy. The singer-songwriter’s new bop “All 4 Nothing (I’m So In Love)” dropped today and tells the story of a love so strong you want to spend every waking moment in it. The upbeat sultry-pop melody provides the perfect soundtrack to lose yourself in with your significant other. We see the singer do just that in the accompanying music video, which features his real-life girlfriend and co-writer, Sophie Cates. This is the most content we’ve seen Lauv as he sings, “Did you know that you’re my whole heart / Did you know that I’ll never stop / Giving you everything I got.” —Alissa Godwin
eaJ: “Car Crash”
Korean-American singer-songwriter eaJ, who was formerly known for his vocal and guitar stylings with the band Day6, kicked off his solo career today with the release of “Car Crash.” And if early streaming numbers and music video views are any indication, the artist is on a collision course for success. “There’s been so much that's happened in my life the past few years, but the fans have really stayed strong and stuck by my side,” eaJ said in an accompanying statement. He showcases his versatility with the breezy new track, pairing an airy vibe with heavier lyrics about a tumultuous relationship. It’s the perfect addition to your summer playlist. —Farah Zermane
Anees: “Sun and Moon”
I'm a sucker for most songs that start with a raw guitar chord, but add a few snaps and a gritty, melodic voice, and I'm hooked. My latest obsession riding the wave of social success is Anees's "Sun and Moon," a romantic track that praises the object of his affection as the life-sustaining force that keeps our planet in accord with the solar system. Anees accounts a gargantuan love: "Baby, baby, you're my sun and moon / Girl, you're everything between / A lot of pretty faces could waste my time / But you're my dream girl." Physicality takes center stage in love songs these days, but Anees's ballad peels back the layers of love and affection, championing the kind of intimacy that makes “the stars collide,” beckons to be protected, warrants a commitment for life, and makes you feel lucky to have found. —Virginia Lowman
Jewel: “The Story”
When the American Song Contest was announced, pop fans feared it would not contain the same over-the-top flair that is so prevalent at Eurovision. But national treasure Jewel obviously did not get the memo. On the latest episode, the “Intuition” singer represented her home state of Alaska and debuted a new song, “The Story.” But instead of a folky track that would fit in on Pieces of You or Spirit, Jewel unleashed a power anthem that is 2022’s answer to Katy Perry’s “Firework.” The song is about chasing your dreams, and when “The Story” finally swells with a euphoric key change, you’ll swear you’re listening to a lost ABBA B-side. Jewel releasing the camp banger of the year? Talk about a plot twist. Read More...
