Browsing Tag

Trap Pop

Careful, King redefined resilience with trap-pop reverie in ‘Don’t Test Me’

Posted on 27 April 2025

In his latest single, Don’t Test Me, Careful, King redefined resilience through the lens of vulnerable trap-pop introspection. While the title may prepare you for a fiery diatribe, there’s a tenderness to his sonic touch which speaks volumes of his ability to stand his ground while never relinquishing his aura of pure intent.

As emotive as Lil Yachty, but with authenticity coursing far deeper than any superficial resemblances, Careful, King delivered a melodically aching arrangement where every rhythm and every lyric feels earned. It’s not just his vocal flow that marks itself with distinction; the way he arranges his wavy trap-pop instrumentals into rhythms of pure candid catharsis is proof that even if you did a full lap of the contemporary trap scene, you’d never encounter an artist in the same vein as Careful, King.

By channelling the emotional weight of lifelong battles with self-perception, self-worth, and the desire to be authentically seen, Careful, King injects raw humanity into his scar-mapping aural canvas. His story of wrestling with the need for validation, finding solace in self-love, and creating purely from the drive within himself resonates through the track’s bruised yet hopeful core.

Through ‘Don’t Test Me’, Careful, King proves that life’s most powerful moments happen not under the spotlight, but in the quiet spaces where we choose to love ourselves enough to be whole.

‘Don’t Test Me’ is now available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify and Apple Music. 

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The Emotional Guillotine Falls with Hyper-Trap Pop Precision in Yung Blasian’s ‘I’m Sorry’

Posted on 30 March 2025

With every scathing line and serrated hook riff in I’m Sorry, Yung Blasian proves that vulnerability in hyper-trap pop doesn’t have to come wrapped in polished platitudes. Instead, it hits like a sledgehammer wielded by someone with nothing left to lose. The Philadelphia-based artist, who has been quietly sharpening his sonic edge on SoundCloud since 2017, goes in for the emotional kill in his breakthrough hit, which carves through the noise with Latin-laced guitars, delay-drenched choral hooks, and a beat that knows no mercy once it drops.

There’s no pretence in his lyrical candour—just a supercharged vignette of coming-of-age heartbreak told from the raw end of rejection. The Haitian-Japanese vocalist and producer doesn’t just wear his heart on his sleeve; he shreds it open to expose how quickly self-esteem can be reduced to rubble when left picking through the wreckage of fading affection. The emo-adjacent anguish isn’t self-indulgent. It’s methodical. Calculated. Intentional. Yung Blasian doesn’t give you space to pity him—he drags you into the chaos of every self-effacing lyric and leaves you reeling in the aftermath.

Yet somehow, through the storm of scorn and dejection, he keeps the energy high. It’s a whiplash-inducing contrast that’s fast becoming his signature. With his ahead-of-the-curve production style, sincerity at the core of every expression, and an authentic voice that cuts through the noise, he’s not just riding the hyperpop wave—he’s building the playground it thrives in.

I’m Sorry is now available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify. 

Review by Amelia Vandergast.

Xy Gala Wires Electricity into the Mundanity of Existence in ‘Lifeless Life’

Posted on 21 March 2025

‘Lifeless Life’ opens a pop-hooked Pandora’s box of a paradox, reflecting on how life often inhibits feeling alive, especially as we become numb to atrocities and the monotonies of daily existence. Between the diaphanous candour pouring from Xy Gala’s confessions and the beat that brings a pulse of resistance to the mediocrity of reality, it’s impossible not to lock into the track and feel that he has a gift for unifying those who aren’t content to go through the motions, who struggle to find meaning and pleasure within their autonomy.

It’s a haunting track, sure to vindicate anyone who knows how emotionally paralysing it is to keep your head above water. The electro-rock riff blazes through the mix before the hauntingly pensive, cinematically raw outro, affirming that Xy Gala never pours half measures into his alchemic cocktail of pop, rock, electronica, and trap. The soaring chorus and the Santana-esque guitar solo inject an unforgettable energy into the track, fusing genres into a sound that fans of Post Malone, Falling in Reverse, and The Kid LAROI will appreciate.

The London-based luminary, Xy Gala, has never sounded more authentic or essential. ‘Lifeless Life’ is out on 21st March 2025. Hear it on Soundcloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

CALEBAKACNOTE Raises the Stakes on Hyper Pop with ‘Forever’

Posted on 16 March 2025

CALEBAKACNOTE isn’t interested in half-measures, and his latest single, Forever, makes that abundantly clear. With a hyper pop structure that spirals skyward, guided by faith, hope, and sheer force of will, the single transforms a bitter-sweet trap pop heartbeat into a track you can effortlessly get into sync with.

The future-forward production melds effortlessly with the pitch-perfect harmonies, creating an electronic pulse that refuses to settle into the background. There’s no divide between the melody and the emotion—it’s all stitched together in a way that makes Forever one of the most affecting pop hits of 2025. The track doesn’t waste time on empty sentimentality; instead, it builds on realism, offering a resonantly grounded take on 21st century relationship dynamics.

CALEBAKACNOTE’s instinctive approach to pop draws from a genre-fluid background, his sound fuses pop, R&B, gospel, and alternative influences into a unique sonic signature you will want scribed through your playlists. His refusal to be confined extends beyond the music—his presence in the creative world spans songwriting, production, and visual storytelling, ensuring that his artistry is as immersive as it is immediate.

It’s rare to find a hyper pop track that lingers without gimmicks, but Forever is an earworm with substance, engineered for longevity. Whether it pulls you in for the euphoric rush or the lyrical weight, one thing’s certain—it won’t let go.

Stream Forever on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Jerrelle’s ‘Bluetooth’ Links Emotion to Strategy in a Hypnotic RnB Trap Pop Hit

Posted on 12 March 2025

You’ll have no problem connecting with Bluetooth, Jerrelle’s latest RnB trap pop single that ensnares with the beat and pulls you in deeper through his cultivated approach to lyrical storytelling. The track is a calculated and cultivated interplay of emotion and strategy, where every verse keeps you locked in.

As the single progresses, the full picture manifests through polished electro hooks and Jerrelle’s charismatically sharp vocal presence, which remains unflinchingly magnetic throughout the track. Adding an almost mind-bending dynamic is a carnivalesque polyphonic melody that cavorts around the bass-swathed beats, injecting unpredictability into the rhythm while the lyrics cut through with an awareness of modern connection as a game of moves and counter-moves. Who said romance was dead?

Jerrelle’s ability to hold the reins between vulnerability and control mirrors his diverse influences, spanning from Lauryn Hill to Brent Faiyaz. There’s a quiet intensity in his delivery, a balance of smoothness and sharp edges, reinforcing the complexity of human interaction that Bluetooth lays bare.

Bluetooth is available now on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Ben Z Breaks the Mould with the Shape-Shifting Alt Trap Pop Anthem, ‘Wanderin’’

Posted on 10 March 2025

Ben Z made an unapologetic introduction with Wanderin’, a debut single that refuses to follow a straight path. What starts as a cinematic composition that wouldn’t be out of place in Zimmer’s repertoire chameleonically morphs into a moody trap flow, with bars blazing over the sharp beats that bring intensity to the production, amplifying every syllable that Ben Z lays down with conviction and charismatic swagger

Succeeding in his mission to lay down hits that blaze past the mould right out of the gate, the innovator has a promising career, and if the visceral impact of Wanderin’ proves anything, it is that he’s an artist with the fortitude and fire to deliver. The seamless transition from orchestral grandeur to brooding hip-hop dynamism is a bold move, but one that pays off by showcasing the full force of his creative instincts.

With a vision this sharp and a debut this potent, Ben Z has already set the bar high. If this is just the starting point, whatever comes next is bound to hit just as hard.

Wanderin’ is available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Noah Meadors Stakes His Claim with His Emotionally Raw, Euphonically Polished Earworm, ‘I Want It All’

Posted on 24 February 2025

I Want It All bleeds synth pop and R&B over a trap beat as Noah Meadors shape-shifts through his vocal delivery, slipping between honeyed low reverberant harmonies and pseudo-rap verses that slap just as hard as the beats cutting through the wavy, delay-saturated production. Lyrically, it’s a straight-from-the-soul confession—an unfiltered declaration of desire for a life and love without compromise. If one of the things Meadors wants is a revered career, this hypnotically aphrodisiacal track proves he’s already well on his way.

Born in Tennessee in 1998, Meadors has been writing songs since he was twelve. Releasing music under the moniker Only Lonely, he built a foundation before deciding to step into the spotlight under his given name, embracing a more personal and uninhibited creative approach. With I Want It All, he distils his most primal pop sensibilities into a release that leaves no doubt about his versatility as a singer, rapper, and producer.

The track pulses with urgency yet never loses its smooth magnetism; if this is your first introduction to Noah Meadors, it will be an unforgettable one.

I Want It All is now available on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Stay on Your Grind with ScarFace Dior’s trap track, Cash Fever

Posted on 4 February 2025

ScarFace Dior wastes no time making an impression with the opening track of his seminal EP, DIOR SZN. While the artist prefers to keep an enigmatic profile, his seminal single, Cash Fever reveals everything you need to know about his calibre as a lyricist.

As his intricate bars glide over atmospheric trap beats infused with the seductive twang of Latin guitars, it becomes clear that ScarFace Dior is more than a wordsmith; he’s a rapper unafraid to balance raw conviction with intimate vulnerability.

His delivery connects through the grounded sincerity in his cadence that pulls listeners into his narrative, which takes aim at breaking the mould of typical hustler hip-hop. The track pulses with resilience as Dior delivers his cry for individuality and determination to be recognised as the two pillars of authenticity and success. His lyrics underline the importance of staying true to yourself, weaving inspiration into every line without ever crossing into cliché. ScarFace Dior’s sharp wit and ability to inject emotional depth into his bars will undoubtedly put him on the contemporary map of hip-hop icons.

While Cash Fever celebrates ambition and fortitude, it also warns against distraction and complacency, reminding listeners that sticking to your lane isn’t just a mindset but a means of reaching your destination.

With Cash Fever, ScarFace Dior proves that even in a saturated hip-hop scene, there’s always room for innovation when style and substance go hand in hand.

Stream DIOR SZN on Spotify and Apple Music now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

‘!! Stand’ by RoBB!EMAC: Reinventing Pop with Y2K Nostalgia and Emotional Cadence

Posted on 4 December 2024

The prolific pop prodigy, RoBB!EMAC, may have only made his official debut in 2023 with the drop of his LP, The Anecdotes of Mr. Songsmith, but he’s already delivered his fifth album, Howling at the Moon, proving that there’s no end to the flow of his creativity or his ability to find fresh alt-pop intersections to explore.

The standout single from his expansive 16-track anthology of pop-hooked vulnerability, ‘!! Stand’ kicks into rhythm through a melodic piano-driven prelude followed by a mash of pseudo-trap, Y2K nostalgia and the twang of alt-country pop; a synthesis which orchestrates a dreamy sense of reverie to drift within as you lock into the vocal cadence which sinks into synergy with the solid backbeats.

If anyone can bring back the trend of putting lighters in the air instead of iPhone cameras, it’s RoBB!EMAC, with his sound that leans into nostalgia while illuminating the path to the pop pantheon which is ready and waiting for his arrival.

RoBB!EMAC, the New Jersey-Hailing, Dallas-based innovator, is far from your average genre-fusionist; he’s mastered the art of ensuring every aesthetic at his disposal lends itself to the mood and meaning of his sound. In ‘!! Stand’, the singer-songwriter strips back all sense of pretence to outpour a vignette that assures the listener that, as we all make our way through the disillusionments of life, we’re all a work in progress, regardless of how perfect our facades appear to be.

Stream RoBB!EMAC’s Howling at the Moon LP on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Kilabear created a sonic sanctuary for the disillusioned with his dark trap stormer, leave me alone

Posted on 9 October 2024
Kilabear

In leave me alone, the alt-rap pioneer, Kilabear, stakes his claim as the dark sovereign of trap, invoking a prelude reminiscent of Sisters of Mercy, only to shatter the gothic serenity with a bass-heavy beat that propels us into his world of brooding introspection. The track is a raw confluence where the polished production of pop and the grit of trap music coalesce into an evocative vignette of how desperation for isolation can swarm the psyche.

Kilabear’s verses, laden with a poignant candour, penetrate relatable melancholy deep into the mix; his words don’t just hit close to the bone, they soak into the marrow as you’re confronted with unfeigned vulnerability, which acts as an olive branch to connect through one of life’s most solitary experiences. If you’ve ever wanted to withdraw into the recesses of your own spirit through disillusionment and scorn, consider leave me alone you’re new sonic sanctuary.

With his music, Kilabear addresses themes of heartbreak, substance abuse, and the everyday struggles that often go unspoken. leave me alone is a testament to his fearlessness in exposing unvarnished truth.

leave me alone will be available to stream on all major platforms from October 9th; check out the single on Spotify and Apple Music.

Review by Amelia Vandergast