Pop essentials and a little bit more

Author: Lisa Hafey

Lisa has been writing for over 20 years, starting as the entertainment editor on her university newspaper. Since then she's written for Popwrapped, Maximum Pop, Celebmix, and ListenOnRepeat. Lisa loves all good music, with particular fondness for Jedward and David Bowie. She's interviewed Edward Grimes (Jedward), Kevin Godley, Trevor Horn, Paul Young, Peter Cox (Go West), Brendan B Brown (Wheatus), Bruce Foxton (The Jam), among many many more. Lisa is also available for freelance writing - please email lisa@essentiallypop.com

Ron Brunk Is At His Finest With Latest Release, ‘You Make Me Crazy’

April 14, 2025

Ron Brunk’s latest single, ‘You Make Me Crazy’, sees the singer-songwriter pays homage to what he calls, “joyful dying”, and is paired with a magnificent self-edited music video that embodies his signature spirit.

Country Music And Rap Are Perfect Partners In ‘Southern Boys Dream’ Collaboration Between 2 Pistols And Cooper Greer

April 14, 2025

With their roots both coming out of the Southern USA, it’s clear that hip hop and country music could be seen as two sides of the same coin. It makes sense to see collaborations between rap and country, and one of the best to date has to be ‘Southern Boys Dream’, from Florida’s 2 Pistols, and North Carolina’s Cooper Greer.

A-Wax 1 Million Is On The Way Up With New Single, ‘Baby’

April 14, 2025

A-Wax 1 Million hopes to leave a lasting mark on the music industry and ‘Baby’, the latest single, from his album ‘S.Y.S.D (So Young So Dumb), is sure to make sure he’s well on the way to achieving just that.

‘What A Feeling’ Sees Dayna Shuffle Embark On A Euphoric Pop-Electronic Odyssey

April 14, 2025

Set for release this Friday, April 18, ‘What A Feeling’ from Dayna Shuffle will fill you with a sense of nostalgic euphoria.

Plaid Forest Bring Together A Cohesive Whole With ‘Stolen’

April 10, 2025

‘Stolen’, from Nashville’s jazz-rock trio, Plaid Forest, was released on April 8 and brings with it a beauty that reflects its swathe of influences.

Eric Schroeder Still Brings A Touch Of The Melancholy With ‘High Low’ Ahead Of New Album, ‘Cat’s Game’

April 10, 2025

His characteristic snarly, growly vocals are ever-present in Eric Schroeder’s new single, ‘High Low’, which comes ahead of his latest album, ‘Cat’s Game’, set for release tomorrow, April 11.

Jessie Chung Drops Incredibly Relatable New EP, ‘Dekati’

April 3, 2025

Jessie Chung (simplified Chinese: 锺洁希; traditional Chinese: 鍾潔希) is a trailblazer in the Malaysian music scene. Her new EP, ‘Dekati’, which was released on March 10, blends dance pop with the vibrant energy of K-Pop, as well as the edginess of rock, and the nostalgic rhythms of Synthwave, resulting in a sound all her very own.

ParkerJax AI DJ Unveils A Haunting Pop Anthem Born from Human-AI Alchemy, ‘Ghosts in Sunlight’

April 3, 2025

‘Ghosts In Sunlight’ is the latest single from ParkerJax AI DJ. Released on January 3rd this year, the track is the perfect amalgamation of dance beats and dark mood pop.

‘Peter Rabbit’, The New Rap Release From daFinchi, Talks About The Things That Matter Most

April 2, 2025

A devoted husband and caring father with three kids under five, as well as a tenacious legal counsel and a rap artist, daFinchi has a lot on his plate at all times, and so he makes sure he enjoys every moment he gets. New single, ‘Peter Rabbit’, gives listeners a look at what he values most of all, peace of mind.

Pastor Jamaal Is Not Your Average Pastor With Latest Release, ‘Global Word’

April 2, 2025

A musical innovator who weaves together street culture and spiritual consciousness, Pastor Jamaal was once known as rapper Dubble A, who earned a number of awards for his sound that drew inspiration from the likes of James Brown, Lil Wayne, Tupac, among others. Along the way however he felt a calling to a different life, as a pastor, and discovered that music and ministry are two sides of the same coin.

Ute Lemper Shows Us The True Meaning Behind The Jazz Standard, ‘Mack the Knife’

April 2, 2025

Even if you don’t realise it, you will definitely recognise the tune to ‘Mack The Knife’ when you hear it. It’s one of the true standards of pop and jazz, even finding its way into a McDonald’s commercial a decade or so back. The incomparable Ute Lemper takes the classic track and gives it a modern twist, informed by contemporary trends and current events.