Bop Shop: Songs From St. Vincent, Chika, Rosé, And More

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  St. Vincent: “Pay Your Way in Pain”
  
  
  https://www.Youtube.Com/watch?V=ZUTu65AXrJw
  
  
  
  Pain never sounded quite as alluring as it does in this ‘70s-inspired single from St. Vincent, a.K.A. Annie Clark. A funky, sultry cut, “Pay Your Way in Pain” sounds the way indulging a forbidden fantasy feels. It also makes for a delicious first taste of Daddy’s Home, the Grammy-winning musician’s forthcoming new album. Don’t wait up for Daddy, though. She’s scheduled to arrive on May 14. —Sam Manzella
  
  
  
  
  



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  Chika: “My Future” (Billie Eilish Cover)
  
  
  
  
  
  The "future's looking dreamy" for the Alabama rapper Chika, who celebrated her Best New Artist Grammy nomination by covering a track by last year's winner, Billie Eilish's slow-burning "My Future." Known for her viral freestyles, she put one of her signature quick-lipped verses where Eilish's zonked, distorted musings once were for a jazzy, upbeat outlook on what's to come. "My present is moving so fast that each passing moment is practically the future already," Chika, whose EP Once Upon a Time is out today (March 12), mentioned in a statement. "And I’m in love with the ride I’m on.” —Coco Romack
  
  
  
  
  



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  Rosé: “On the Ground”
  
  
  https://www.Youtube.Com/watch?V=CKZvWhCqx1s
  
  
  
  It's here! Finally! With her debut single, “On the Ground,” Blackpink's Rosé taps into her acoustic roots, yet with a modern, edgy twist, properly balancing her two worlds. Sonically gorgeous, Rosé challenges herself on this seemingly personalized anthem about the ramifications of fame, love lost, and the realization that being humble and present is the most crucial thing, and that “everything [she] needs is on the ground.” Accompanied by a ultra-glam music video filled with luscious florals, pretty looks (are we surprised?), And fireworks lighting up the sky, Rosé makes her presence known, proving that she can stick out among any industry competitor. For a solo project as rather anticipated as this one, Rosé does not disappoint. Blackpink is — and I cannot stress this enough — truly in your area. —Sarina Bhutani
  
  
  
  
  



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  Emily Vu: "Lila"
  
  
  https://www.Youtube.Com/watch?V=LATI5N3JdYQ&feature=youtu.Be
  
  
  
  A follow-your-dreams anthem that comes with a video focusing on the struggles (and the cost) of actually chasing them, "Lila" boasts a chorus that's big because the will to thrive. Newcomer Emily Vu says the song is "about how shitty it's been" living and grinding away in Los Angeles. For several minutes, she makes it sound aspirational anyway. —Patrick Hosken
  
  
  
  
  



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  Allison Ponthier: “Cowboy”
  
  
  https://youtu.Be/YSuwwzPl5v4
  
  
  
  Brooklyn-based singer Allison Ponthier is exploring the Wild West of her sexuality in the new cosmic country-pop track, “Cowboy,” from her forthcoming EP. With lyrics like “Saw the cutters through barbed wire / I didn’t know I may come out,” the Texas transplant adds to the canon of queer cowfolk tunes like Willie Nelson’s “Cowboys Are Frequently Secretly Fond of Each Other.” As if that wasn’t enough to get your spurs spinning, the accompanying music video features Ponthier strumming through various desert landscapes before eventually being abducted by aliens, giving off major Madonna “Don’t Tell Me” vibes — if that video had been directed by B-movie maker Ed Wood. Giddy up, space cowboys! —Chris Rudolph
  
  
  
  
  



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  Horsegirl: "Ballroom Dance Scene"
  
  
  https://www.Youtube.Com/watch?V=qr_oViYr_1s
  
  
  
  Chicago teenage trio Horsegirl recall the early noisiness of Girlpool much because the deliberate insularity of Belle and Sebastian, building a forcefield of sound both intrusive and just out of focus. The music's as impressionistic as its DIY abstract video, a fitting document for a musical group still defining itself. —Patrick Hosken
  
  
  
  
  



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  Sizzy Rocket: “The World Is Burning”
  
  
  
  
  
  Static along with a melancholic piano melody set the tone for “The World Is Burning,” the latest single from L.A.-Based indie rocker Sizzy Rocket. “Don't you know you're killing me? / And the heartache is like a pill to me,” Rocket croons. “I'll keep myself high for you.” She’s jaded, sure, nevertheless I think she may be onto something. Surrendering has a negative connotation; in love and romance, it’s some days “worth the hurting.” —Sam Manzella
  
  
  
  
  



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  Lexi Jayde: "Newbury Park"
  
  
  https://youtu.Be/bMunyisZCKA
  
  
  
  A pastel sunset ride through SoCal, "Newbury Park" is far less breezy than its title suggests, as a substitute finding Lexi Jayde tending to a recent heartache. It's dripping with Fleetwood Mac reverence, pop-culture nods ("you ruined Radiohead"), profane hooks ("fuck you for wasting my love"), and references to driving around — making it the sort of potent, shareable hit that shouts 2021. —Patrick Hosken
  
  
  
  
  



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  Lucy Dacus: "Thumbs"
  
  
  https://www.Youtube.Com/watch?V=S19BYUvnKjk
  
  
  
  Lucy Dacus started playing the devastating "Thumbs" reside in late 2018. Any time whenever she did, lose ask the audience to please not film it; as such, it remained a fan-favorite communal song that existed only indoor venue walls. Right now, a recorded version is here, and Dacus has let those barriers fall. Listen, and also you may discover why. —Patrick Hosken