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

David Will Mitchell & Cole Toury Release of ‘Our 100 Best Songs (Volume 1)’, The First Of A Ten Volume Project

April 29, 2026

Following many years of fans begging them, the acclaimed songwriting duo, David Will Mitchell & Cole Toury have finally relented, and released their album, ‘Our 100 Best Songs (Volume 1)’.

Robbie Mangiardi Is Looking For An End To This ‘Wayward Wind’ That’s Blowing

April 28, 2026

While Robbie Mangiardi’s new single, ‘Wayward Wind’ has its origins back in 2017, it’s just as relevant today – if not even more so.

Michael Lee Pinder Brings A Refreshing Sense Of Wonder With New Release, ‘Phantom Firefly (Glow)’

April 23, 2026

Michael Lee Pinder’s new single, ‘Phantom Firefly (Glow)’. sees him at his most compelling, with his distinctive guitar melodies joined by ballad-like piano, and crisp, soulful vocals.

SB&IA Releases Powerful New Single, ‘Tu Es La Seule’

April 23, 2026

More than a decade in the making, ‘Tu es la seule’, from SB&IA, is a song born out of heartbreak, but one which will resonate with many.

Tex Moonlight Blends Modern Tech With Traditional Instrumentation On ‘Ape Shall Not Kill Ape’

April 23, 2026

Tex Moonlight has stepped away from his mellow side and instead embraced his darker roots with latest release, ‘Ape Shall Not Kill Ape’.

Jaysin Voxx Reminds Us To ‘Keep It Real’ With New Pop Earworm

April 21, 2026

In these current times of troubles and hardship, we need to fight against the urge to dwell on it, and instead, take the advice of Jaysin Voxx, and ‘Keep It Real’, with a disco pop dance sound.

Nicko Rebel Offers Us An ‘Orange Soda’ And We Must Accept It

April 21, 2026

Nicko Rebel is back in the No Change Needed Bodega, and he’s offering everyone some sweet sweet ‘Orange Soda’.

Nicko Rebel Is Working The Night Shift In The Video For ‘Yummy’

April 21, 2026

Nicko Rebel brings the late nights and bright lights with the energetic track, ‘Yummy’. Right now he’s in his No Change Needed Bodega era, and with ‘Yummy’, he blends exactly the right amount of confidence, culture, and feel-good motion.

Vanessa Carlton Gives Us A Snapshot Of Times Past With ‘Great House’

April 20, 2026

Following on from our review of ‘Animal’, we bring another track from Vanessa Carlton’s brand new album, ‘Veils’. ‘Great House’ sees Carlton call on the powerful senses of memory and permanence.

Vanessa Carlton Defines The Difference Between Predator And Prey In ‘Animal’

April 20, 2026

The first of two songs we will review today, ‘Animal’ sees Vanessa Carlton examining the untamed side that she, like all of us, hides inside her. The protagonist of the song knows she’s being hunted, yet she also knows she’s an animal too.

Porter Block Reflects On A Fickle World With ‘Gift Or A Curse’

April 16, 2026

Like those artists before them, Porter Block often aim to capture the defining spirit and mood of particular moments in time with their projects. Their nostalgic-tinged guitar pop songs call to mind the golden age of classic rock, and new single, ‘Gift Or A Curse’, is no different in this respect, as Porter Block reflects on the fickle nature of this complicated world.

J.a.y. Young Tells A Tale As Old As Time With ‘Love.hate.’

April 16, 2026

Houston’s J.a.y. Young has been crafting raw and sincere hip hop tracks since 2010, bringing in his words the compelling desire for connection that unites us all as humans. In his latest release, ‘Love.hate’, he tackles what follows when you grow apart from someone who you had always regarded as a true brother.

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Author: Lisa Hafey

David Will Mitchell & Cole Toury Release of ‘Our 100 Best Songs (Volume 1)’, The First Of A Ten Volume Project

Robbie Mangiardi Is Looking For An End To This ‘Wayward Wind’ That’s Blowing

Michael Lee Pinder Brings A Refreshing Sense Of Wonder With New Release, ‘Phantom Firefly (Glow)’

SB&IA Releases Powerful New Single, ‘Tu Es La Seule’

Tex Moonlight Blends Modern Tech With Traditional Instrumentation On ‘Ape Shall Not Kill Ape’

Jaysin Voxx Reminds Us To ‘Keep It Real’ With New Pop Earworm

Nicko Rebel Offers Us An ‘Orange Soda’ And We Must Accept It

Nicko Rebel Is Working The Night Shift In The Video For ‘Yummy’

Vanessa Carlton Gives Us A Snapshot Of Times Past With ‘Great House’

Vanessa Carlton Defines The Difference Between Predator And Prey In ‘Animal’

Porter Block Reflects On A Fickle World With ‘Gift Or A Curse’

J.a.y. Young Tells A Tale As Old As Time With ‘Love.hate.’