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 Why Don’t We, Mitski, Robert Finley, and Powfu.

Join us inside…

Why Don’t We – Love Back

Why Don’t We is back with one of the most anthemic pop songs of the year, the bouncy ‘Love Back.’ Built around shimmering guitar chords, grooving synths, and handclaps, the boys reminisce on a love gone wrong, where they only ask for their love back. While breakups are messy, this tune is as tight and composed as some of the best pop songs crafted over the last decade. Easily their best song, ‘Love Back’ has brought back the endless fun that has been missing in music.

**********

Mitski – Working For The Knife

In her first proper single since 2018, Mitski proves that sometimes waiting is worth it. ‘Working For The Knife’ revolves around fizzy synths, a dark guitar progression, and a sound that at first appears upbeat, only to conceal its menacing undertone beneath it. ‘Working On The Knife’ is the kind of introspective pop song that few have the ability to master; however, sharper and wiser than most, Mitski proves she proves she is the undisputed queen.

**********

Robert Finley – I Can Feel Your Pain

In a modern music landscape, Robert Finley holds true to the sounds of the past, sounds of the greats, and sounds that he was always destined to master. Take his latest single for example, the soulful ‘I Can Feel Your Pain.’ There is a nostalgic air that wafts across the tune led by a delicate piano progress, waltz-inspired drums, and even tinges of organ scattered throughout. When paired together, the instrumentation creates this classic blues/soul sound, which Finley’s voice effortlessly glosses over like a breeze off of a lake. While the message may be simple, Finley proves that sometimes simplicity is best.

**********

Powfu – A Castle By The Sea

Appearing on his latest EP, ‘Tell Me Your Feelings And I Won’t Tell You Mine,’ rapper and singer Powfu has shared a touching anthem to love and life with ‘A Castle By The Sea.’ A low-fi tune, the song’s structure consists of primarily of an acoustic guitar to drive home the song’s theme. A rare moment when an artist is able to capture the essence of beauty and transition it into a song, Powfu has complete such a feat with ‘A Castle By The Sea.’

**********

Do you agree with our picks?

Your thoughts?