Readers of That Grape Juice know how passionate we are about music – whether that be past or present.
However, unlike our other segments – Retro Rewind, TGJ Replay, and From The Vault – The Pop Stop is the most in-depth look at Pop songs that may have flown under the radar over the last week that you should know, rather they be from music’s biggest stars or those on the rise.
This week, we want to highlight cuts from Addison Rae, Delta Goodrem, The Accidentals, and Jon Batiste.
Join us inside…
Addison Rae – Obsessed
2021 continues to deliver surprises. This time, the surprise comes from TikTok star Addison Rae, as she delivers her first single ‘Obsessed.’ The jaunty dance-ready pop song is a tongue-in-cheek salute to loving oneself. Packed to the brim with confidence, ‘Obsessed’ makes the rare feat of being confident without crossing into narcissism. Produced by Benny Blanco (Justin Bieber, Ed Sheeran), Rae not only dominates TikTok, but soon she will dominate the radio airwaves with this delightful summer tune. Unlike many surprises over the past year, this one was a warm welcome and one we deserved after 2020.
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Delta Goodrem – Billionaire
Australian pop singer Delta Goodrem is set to deliver one of the best years of music in recent years and her song ‘Billionaire’ is a good indication as to why. Built around soft a soft piano and delicate strings, the song launches headfirst into a rollicking drum beat to create a heel-stomping swing tune. If a modern comparison can be made, it is to Adele‘s ’21’ album, specifically ‘Rumor Has It’ in terms of production. However, ‘Billionaire’ raises the stakes with more frantic production, as Goodrem’s voice soars to stratospheric heights. Needless to say, it’s a welcome return from one of pop’s most underrated vocalists. One we were long overdue for.
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The Accidentals – Wildfire
If Taylor Swift‘s win at this year’s GRAMMY Awards for Album Of The Year proved one thing, it is that folk-pop is making its way back into the mainstream. While Swift may be leading this charge, folk-pop band The Accidentals are following close behind. Case in point: ‘Wildfire.’ Gentle strums of guitars and elegant strings lay the foundation for lead singer Katie Larson‘s airy vocals to glide effortlessly over them as if they were a summer breeze across a pond. A fire itself, ‘Wildfire’ is as beautiful and poetic as one. A true masterpiece that will burn its way into the fabric of time, and beyond.
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Jon Batiste – Tell The Truth
In a world of modern complications, Jon Batiste is throwing it back to a simpler time on ‘Tell The Truth’ from his latest album ‘We Are.’ This Motown-inspired track is complete with steady drums, fuzzy horns, and some soulful piano riffs. Batiste’s gruff vocals – which can be best compared to that of famed Temptations singer David Ruffin – and the passionate production delivers a one-two-punch of nostalgia with a simple message: “Tell The Truth.” Like many classic song’s from Motown’s heyday, ‘Tell The Truth’ too will go down in history as a defining moment in music history.
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Do you agree with our picks?