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

The Infamous HER’s ‘Born Outta Step’ Is An Instant Classic Anthem To Those Of Us Who Don’t Toe The Expected Line

February 23, 2026

Monique Staffile, the frontwoman of The Infamous HER, knows what it’s like to not want to squeeze yourself into any one mould or thinking, and new anthemic single, ‘Born Outta Step’ will resonate with those who feel this way.

Riding The Train To Freedom: Denise Marsa’s ‘HOLE (Until Dawn Remix)’ Is The Very Definition Of Pop With Purpose

February 20, 2026

Denise Marsa’s latest single, ‘HOLE (Until Dawn Remix)’, follows hot on the heels of seven consecutive Top Ten UK Music Week Commercial Pop Club Chart hits, and seems certain to be their eighth, and additional remixes from the upcoming album, ‘RISK + HEAL’, are already in the works.

Liyah Bey Seeks Healing With Latest Release, ‘Abused’

February 19, 2026

LA-based singer-songwriter Liyah Bey uses her voice to make the world a better place, and with latest release, ‘Abused’, she moves one further step towards achieving that goal.

HighWay Continue With The Power Chords On ‘¡BANG BANG!’

February 17, 2026

In the second track from HighWay’s upcoming sixth album, ‘Last Call For Rock’n’Roll’, set for release on the 24th of April this year, ‘¡BANG BANG!’ brings a playful vibe to their sound, and a 60s-inspired visual to boot.

HighWay Know Which Road They’re Taking With ‘HI-WAY’

February 17, 2026

HighWay are set to release their sixth album, ‘Last Call For Rock’n’Roll’ on the 24th of April this year, and so we present the first of two new songs, ‘HI-WAY’.

Ron Brunk Knows That While ‘These Days’ Are Tough We Can Get Through To The Other Side

February 17, 2026

Our second Ron Brunk single for the day, ‘These Days’, continues with the same sort of theme as ‘Real Person’, and we see Brunk fighting the good fight against the encroaching shadows that creep around every corner, filled with despair and desolation.

Ron Brunk Is A ‘Real Person’ In A World That Is Increasingly Succumbing To Technology

February 17, 2026

Ron Brunk uses his platform to voice his concerns about the state of the world, and with ‘Real Person’, he addresses the increasing surrender of society to the crushing onslaught of technology, in particular, AI.

Rando Rexx Lights Up The World Around Him With New Single, ‘Firecracker’

February 16, 2026

While Rando Rexx has been making music since he was in middle school, his new single, ‘Firecracker’, is the first definitive step towards a pop music career, away from the foundations of his musical identity in Hip Hop.

Gimme ‘Shelter’ – Power Down Release Animated Video For New Pop Track

February 16, 2026

Power Down return with a super catchy pop track, ‘Shelter’, accompanied by a moving animated music video.

RockRackz Brings Out The Fun With Video For ‘Icky’

February 13, 2026

With a short film shot by Dee Lenz, the new single by RockRackz, ‘Icky’, brings out the truth in a genuinelt fresh, fun, and validating way.

RockRackz Is Facing His ‘Problems’ Head On

February 13, 2026

‘Problems’, the new single by RockRackz, shines a spotlight on the artist as one who not only has musical talent, but also witty sense of humour.

‘Girl Of Summer’ Captures A Distant Time And Laments The Impossibility Of Recapturing It

February 6, 2026

Out today, the 6th of February, ‘Girl Of Summer’ is the latest release from Two Dark Birds, and comes ahead of their upcoming album, ‘Dreamers Of The Golden Dream (Vol. 1)’, which is set for release on the 27th of February, through Vfib Recordings.

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Author: Lisa Hafey

The Infamous HER’s ‘Born Outta Step’ Is An Instant Classic Anthem To Those Of Us Who Don’t Toe The Expected Line

Riding The Train To Freedom: Denise Marsa’s ‘HOLE (Until Dawn Remix)’ Is The Very Definition Of Pop With Purpose

Liyah Bey Seeks Healing With Latest Release, ‘Abused’

HighWay Continue With The Power Chords On ‘¡BANG BANG!’

HighWay Know Which Road They’re Taking With ‘HI-WAY’

Ron Brunk Knows That While ‘These Days’ Are Tough We Can Get Through To The Other Side

Ron Brunk Is A ‘Real Person’ In A World That Is Increasingly Succumbing To Technology

Rando Rexx Lights Up The World Around Him With New Single, ‘Firecracker’

Gimme ‘Shelter’ – Power Down Release Animated Video For New Pop Track

RockRackz Brings Out The Fun With Video For ‘Icky’

RockRackz Is Facing His ‘Problems’ Head On

‘Girl Of Summer’ Captures A Distant Time And Laments The Impossibility Of Recapturing It