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 Pens Quirky Ode To His Feline Friends With New Single And Video, ‘Windowsill Cat’

November 28, 2025

Back in May last year, Ron Brunk had a life-changing encounter. When nine cats appeared at his back door, rather than ignoring them, he succumbed to their feline charms, thus entering a new phase of his musical life. New single, ‘Windowsill Cat’, is just one of many tracks about his furry friends.

Looking Backwards And Going Forwards: Tota Powers Through A Cinematic Cycle Of Memory,. Love, And Loss, With New Album, ‘City Racer’

November 28, 2025

Set for release tomorrow, the 29th of November, ‘City Racer’ is the new album from Barcelona-based producer, Tota. The 12 track album largely comprises electronic music, and brings with it both futuristic and retro vibes.

We Get Into The Christmas Spirit With Sacred Clown And Their Uplifting New Single, ‘Christmas In Me’

November 25, 2025

An independent artist who wants to bring holiday cheer to the world, Sacred Clown’s new single, ‘Christmas In Me’ is the perfect antidote to the blues we may be feeling this time of year.

Eman Alali Brings Shimmering R&B Vibes With Debut Single, ‘Shameless’

November 25, 2025

Reminiscent of the sound of Mitski and Norah Jones, Iranian-Saudi artist, Eman Alali drops a stunning debut single with ‘Shameless’, the lead track from her upcoming EP, set for release next year.

Minnesota’s Hollow Star Is Calling Out To God – Any God, So Long As They Answer – In ‘Seconds’

November 21, 2025

Right from the start of ‘Seconds’ you can tell that Hollow Star loves The Police. The jangly staccato lead guitar notes and pounding drums are soon accompanied by a surf-rock style rhythm guitar, and the result is simply superb.

Grand Nathaniel

We Immerse Ourselves Completely In Grand Nathaniel’s New Album, ‘Lonely Wanderer’

November 20, 2025

We first introduced readers to Grand Nathaniel back in 2020, and after a 5 year hiatus they’ve come back with a vengeance, with their new album, ‘Lonely Wanderer’, released on the 14th of November.

Coffeeshop X Rob Roth Examine The ‘Dark Days’ And Provide An Anthemic Release

November 14, 2025

Coffeeshop joins forces with New York based artist, Rob Roth, on new single, ‘Dark Days’, an anthem for all of us who have felt the encroaching doom and gloom, and fear it may never end.

Celeste Marie Wilson Has All She ‘Ever Wanted’

November 14, 2025

Celeste Marie Wilson’s latest single, ‘Ever Wanted’, tells a Cinderella story that is so perfect that it feels like it might just come true. With high energy rock and roll woven into a sparkling pop bounce, the track feels like it could have come off a coming-of-age movie soundtrack.

Power Down Give Debut Single, ‘Bag In Hand’ The Anime Treatment For Music Video

November 13, 2025

‘Bag In Hand’ might well be the debut single from Power Down, but it brings will it decades of musical talent and prowess, in its tale of longing, detachment, and surrender.

Jon Mullane Gives Us Wistful Memories With New Single, ‘Remember In November’

November 11, 2025

Nova Scotia’s own Jon Mullane returns after a two year hiatus for what promises to be the best chapter yet of his nearly 20 year career. New single, ‘Remember In November’, the first off his upcoming EP, which is set to drop in the spring, is touching, evoking the brighter sunlit days, while being written from the grey haze of November.

Milky Chance Remind Us That It’s All Going To Be Good With ‘Camouflage’

November 11, 2025

Milky Chance never miss with their playful, offbeat, and always deeply human music. Their latest release, ‘Camouflage’, sees the duo, who first met when they were at school, takes a magnifying glass to the intricacies of life and explore it in intimate detail.

The Bouquet Sessions Unveil A Synth-Pop Thriller With ‘International Spy’

November 7, 2025

Released on the 1st of November, ‘International Spy’ is the new single from trio, The Bouquet Sessions, and evokes the very best of 80s Brit-pop, despite the band being from Buenos Aires, and very much from today.