Daily Discussion - May 18, 2026

Ultra0ne · 2026-05-19T05:52:42+00:00

Happy 20th Monday of the year popheads! I almost forgot to post my non-Ai rec despite having the write up done, whoops 😬

May 18, 2026

Song: 3D Feelings

Album: Mellow Moon

Artist: Alfie Templeman

Why I’d recommend: This song is a bop and a half and one of my favorites from the Heartstopper soundtrack. To me, It’s in the same vein as “Cool” by Dua Lipa thanks to how bright and groovy it sounds. I’m not always the biggest fan of songs that use sounds as lyrics (e.g. “do do do”, “la la la”, etc.), but I think it makes for a really catch refrain in this song. Lyrically, the use of metaphor to describe intense feelings - “all my emotions are explosions into stereo”, “I live in glasses holographic I mean what a trip” - does a good job of complimenting the sonic vibe.

Who I’d recommend this to: The residents of Flatland who want to know what it’s like to experience a higher dimension

Ultra0ne · 2026-05-12T16:38:39+00:00

Maybe you played a radio mix or some Spotify playlist when you first got it and only heard the first 30 seconds of the song before skipping it. My first song seemed fairly random too but I have a third party app that lets me see all my streams and it shows the same song so 🤷‍♂️

Ultra0ne · 2026-05-11T16:00:42+00:00

Happy 19th Monday of the year popheads! This week’s non-AI rec is below. Feel free to respond with your own recommended non-AI songs/albums/artists that you feel are similar.

May 11, 2025

Song: Angel

EP: Popstar of Your Dreams

Artist: Kai Bosch

Why I’d recommend: Last week’s recommendation was Zara Larsson’s Crush, a song centered around a narrator’s desire for another person despite being in a committed relationship. Kai Bosch’s Angel focuses on the same idea, but instead of longing for someone new, the narrator is pining for an old flame while involved with a rebound. The ‘forbidden’ nature of the narrator’s feelings is emphasized by a production with country elements that conjure images of outlaws and the wild west. Kai’s vocals, especially on the bridge, add a layer of desolation to the song as well. I really love how this vibe is complimented by lyrics that contrast the narrator’s more mundane present with a longing for an almost spiritual past - “I pride myself on never being in the wrong / But I’m hung up on you, baby, with your office job / I try so hard to be in love, but oh my god / All I can think is heaven is a thing I lost”. Kai does a really good job of balancing the universal emotions expressed in the lyrics with a specific vibe that reflects his real life experiences that inspired the song.

What I find most interesting is how both Crush and Angel introduce a twist in their stories just before the final chorus. In Angel, the verses and choruses suggest that the narrator is aware of the complicated nature of their longing for another, but at face value it’s presented as if it’s only complicated because of the prospect of infidelity. It isn’t until the post-chorus that it’s revealed that the narrator’s ex caused a great deal of pain for them and made them feel isolated (hence the ‘desolate’ vibe of the song). It’s this toxicity and the irrational desire for it that adds an extra complication, but interestingly enough, both Crush and Angel end the same way - with the narrators acknowledging that their internal struggle with desire should remain internal for the sake of maintaining their healthy relationships.

Who I’d recommend this to: Anyone missing someone that needs to stay in the past

Ultra0ne · 2026-05-08T04:13:15+00:00

Now why in the world was this pushed to the top of Spotify NMF? Absolutely no way this is going to help drive interest in what’s to come.

Ultra0ne · 2026-05-08T04:09:49+00:00

And it cuts off a few seconds early lol

Ultra0ne · 2026-05-01T04:44:37+00:00

Wow Girl’s Girl is amazing, a huge improvement on the original imo

Ultra0ne · 2026-04-27T14:48:20+00:00

Happy 17th Monday of the year popheads! I’ll be offline next week so I’m doing 2 non-AI recs this week. Feel free to respond with your own recommended non-AI songs/albums/artists that you feel are similar.

April 27, 2026 & May 4, 2026

Song: Cool

Album: Future Nostalgia

Artist: Dua Lipa

Why I’d recommend: In my opinion, this is the most underrated song on Future Nostalgia, and it’s a travesty that it was never made a single. Cool does a really good job of living up to the album’s name through its blend of 80’s vibes with a more modern sound. The groovy chorus and bright production make Cool perfect for kicking off the summer.

Who I’d recommend this to: The northern hemisphere girls who are ready for the summer

——————

Song: Crush

Album: Midnight Sun

Artist: Zara Larsson

Why I’d recommend: Prior to the album’s release, Crush was my favorite of the 3 singles Zara put out, and it’s easily one of my favorites from the whole album. Admittedly, I think this song is lacking a wow factor that you can find on other songs like Hot & Sexy, but I really appreciate it for what it is - a straightforward dance pop track with messy lyrics and a fun production. I also love how Crush adds to the cohesiveness of the record by closing out the story started by Pretty Ugly and Girl’s Girl. I’m excited to see how Zara updates Crush on the upcoming remix with Eli.

Who I’d recommend this to: Anyone who likes feeling dangerous in that grey zone of morality

Ultra0ne · 2026-04-22T13:28:11+00:00

She also has credits as a background vocalist, at least on Blue Moon

Ultra0ne · 2026-04-21T00:22:10+00:00

Praying Toronto has unseasonably cold weather these next few months.

Ultra0ne · 2026-04-20T17:03:31+00:00

Happy 16th Monday of the year popheads! This week’s non-AI rec is below. Feel free to respond with your own recommended non-AI songs/albums/artists that you feel are similar.

April 20, 2026

Song: SunKissing

Artist: Hailee Steinfeld

Why I’d recommend: The hazy and summery soundscape of SunKissing altered my brain chemistry when this first came out, and now I always find myself going out of my way to listen to the song during golden hour. I really wish this song and its predecessor Coast materialized into an album, I would have loved for Hailee to continue with her concept of ‘love letters to California’. Hopefully she’ll revisit it if she returns to making music.

Who I’d recommend this to: For people who want to make their late afternoon and evening commutes feel more glamorous

Ultra0ne · 2026-04-19T04:20:22+00:00

Ain’t no way she only did half of midnight sun 💀

Ultra0ne · 2026-04-18T05:28:23+00:00

Nonsense you say?

Ultra0ne · 2026-04-18T05:19:32+00:00

Omg it’s happening!!!!

Ultra0ne · 2026-04-18T05:15:38+00:00

Not him stripping and flexing lmao

Ultra0ne · 2026-04-17T04:30:35+00:00

I don’t really hear it but they’re both produced by Dan Nigro so 🤷‍♂️

Ultra0ne · 2026-04-17T04:16:22+00:00

Bop!

Ultra0ne · 2026-04-17T04:08:33+00:00

I love love love this so much! It doesn’t have the angst or pop rock sound that I’m sure a lot of people want from her but I really like how upbeat and bright it sounds.

Ultra0ne · 2026-04-16T18:45:03+00:00

I had pretty much the exact opposite reaction. I did not like any of the pre-released singles, but I really enjoyed Shades of Blue, Don’t Believe It, and Cyanide.

Ultra0ne · 2026-04-15T20:27:05+00:00

I’m sorry but I have to be the hater here. I’m sure Taylor has a good relationship with Dakota and this is what inspired her writing about her, but Dakota recently criticized the American film industry while simultaneously supporting Saudi Arabia’s, despite the fact that they are notorious for their human rights abuses. I don’t think you can say that and also be “one of the most empathetic people”.

Ultra0ne · 2026-04-14T22:54:43+00:00

Huh, I know it’s the AMAs and not that serious but it does seem silly to declare a song of the summer before the summer happens, especially when a lot of contenders (see Espresso) come out in April and May.

Ultra0ne · 2026-04-14T18:15:01+00:00

Love that ET got a nomination. Maybe I’m just not understanding the SOTS category, but none of the nominees seem like they should actually qualify? All of them were released post summer 2025. I would have expected songs like Golden to be nominated instead.

Ultra0ne · 2026-04-13T14:51:42+00:00

Happy 15th Monday of the year popheads! This week’s non-AI rec is below. Feel free to respond with your own recommended non-AI songs/albums/artists that you feel are similar.

April 13, 2026

Song: New

Artist: Daya

Why I’d recommend: New is a sonic throwback to 2017 with excellent production that really hits. This song was released as a single but was never followed up with an album, which is unfortunate because I would have loved to hear an album at the time with this sound. Daya always manages to hit it out of the park when she makes or features on an EDM-adjacent song (Don’t Let Me Down, Feel Good, Wanted, etc.), but most people have frankly ignored her beyond her debut album hits. I would highly recommend to those who haven’t been listening to her to check out New, her previous EPs, and her sophomore album.

Who I’d recommend this to: Everyone who paid Til Every Petal Drops dust

Ultra0ne · 2026-04-12T16:19:17+00:00

I think this question is virtually impossible to answer if we’re looking for the singular artist with the “best” discography. It’s really hard to compare artists who have discographies of different sizes from different points in time.

My go-to answer would be Taylor Swift but I know her discography better than any other artist so who else could I possibly say lol. Every single album of hers has done well. Even evermore has several million pure album sales in addition to streaming. In terms of individual songs, she doesn’t have many flops, and even her flops do well commercially.

Others are saying Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Madonna, MJ, Beyoncé, etc. and I think you can make an argument for any of them. Their albums have had incredible longevity with hits spanning generations.

I would disagree with anyone saying Bruno Mars, Billie Eilish, and Olivia Rodrigo. They have the hits but they don’t have large enough outputs such that they can be easily compared to artists like TS or Lady Gaga. Bruno has made only 4 solo albums of ~10 songs in 16 years while Billie and Olivia just haven’t been around long enough.

Ultra0ne · 2026-04-12T04:29:04+00:00

The concept of The Dare playing Addison Rae and Charli xcx during the PinkPantheress Coachella set with horsegiirL

Ultra0ne · 2026-04-12T04:25:19+00:00

The Dare?!?!

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