Essentially Pop

Duane Hoover Asks Us To Think It Over As He Channels John Lennon With ‘After The Storm In Your Mind’ Duane Hoover has never denied how much he's been inspired by those who went before him. His influences are many, and include the likes of David Bowie, The Who, The Kinks, and of course, The Beatles. With 'After The Storm In Your Mind'. released today, he seems to tap into the very essence of John Lennon himself.

With 'After The Storm In Your Mind'. released today, Duane Hoover seems to tap into the very essence of John Lennon himself.

INTERVIEW: SHAB Opens Up On Powerful New Single ‘It’s On You’ In this interview, Persian-American pop artist Shab opens up about her new single ‘It’s On You,’ the Afro-House rhythms that inspired it, and the unexpected collaborations that brought …

In this interview, Persian-American pop artist Shab opens up about her new single 'It’s On You,' the Afro-House rhythms that inspired it, and the unexpected collaborations that brought it to life - including working with rising star Preston Harris.

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We Speak With Rando Rexx About ‘Firecracker’ Following on from our review of 'Firecracker', we speak with Rando Rexx and find out more about his music and what keeps him going.

Following on from our review of 'Firecracker', we speak with Rando Rexx and find out more about his music and what keeps him going.

M. Spano Brings Us ‘Something Different’ With Nostalgic New Track New York's M. Spano takes us on a shimmering journey of nostalgia with latest release, 'Something Different'.

New York's M. Spano takes us on a shimmering journey of nostalgia with latest release, 'Something Different'.

Coffeeshop And Ty Taylor ‘Hear The Call’ With Latest Collaboration There's no holding back for Coffeeshop in his latest collaboration with Rob Aster and the RRHOT team, with 'Hear The Call', featuring vocalist, Ty Taylor.

There's no holding back for Coffeeshop in his latest collaboration with Rob Aster and the RRHOT team, with 'Hear The Call', featuring vocalist, Ty Taylor.

Divergent ‘Rev It Up’ With New Music Video Divergent's latest single, 'Rev It Up', sees the band take their music from a hopeful promise to a full-throttle experience.

Divergent's latest single, 'Rev It Up', sees the band take their music from a hopeful promise to a full-throttle experience.

Finishing The Story: The Catchmen On Orchestras, Unfinished Business, And Returning To Stockport When The Catchmen first emerged from the in the late 80s, they were part of the same restless northern ferment that would soon define an era. They supported rising names, hosted Oasis at the Boardwalk, and dreamed of making widescreen, orchestral indie long before they had the means to realise it. Life, however, had other plans.

When The Catchmen first emerged from the in the late 80s, they were part of the same restless northern ferment that would soon define an era. They supported rising names, hosted Oasis at the Boardwalk, and dreamed of making widescreen, orchestral indie long before they had the means to realise it.

She’s Got Claws Take Us On A Synth-Pop Journey With New Album, ‘Stronger The Faith’ Released on the 20th of February, 'Stronger Than Faith' is the latest album from British duo, She's Got Claws. Originating from Hull, in England's north east, the pair, comprising singer Micci Lou and bassist Chris O-Ten, are largely influenced by the likes of Depeche Mode, Gary Numan (from whose song they take their name), and Human League, as well as taking inspiration from the glitz and glamour of T-Rex, and David Bowie.

Released on the 20th of February, 'Stronger Than Faith' is the latest album from British duo, She's Got Claws.

CMAT Announced As Special Guest For LEWIS CAPALDI’S Dublin And Limerick Shows Lewis Capaldi has announced CMAT as special guest for the upcoming Dublin and Limerick shows this summer in Dublin’s Marlay Park on June 23 (extra date) and June 24  and Limerick's Thomond Park on June 26 2026.

Lewis Capaldi has announced CMAT as special guest for the upcoming Dublin and Limerick shows this summer in Dublin’s Marlay Park on June 23 (extra date) and June 24  and Limerick's Thomond Park on June 26 2026.

Music To Listen To In Order To Boost Your Mood While Playing Games Gaming is more than just pressing buttons and completing levels—it’s about immersion, focus, and enjoyment. One surprisingly powerful tool that can enhance your gaming experience is music. Whether you’re playing fast-paced action games, strategic RPGs, or relaxing puzzle titles, the right soundtrack can elevate your mood, sharpen focus, and even improve performance.

Gaming is more than just pressing buttons and completing levels—it’s about immersion, focus, and enjoyment. One surprisingly powerful tool that can enhance your gaming experience is music, whether you’re playing fast-paced action games, strategic RPGs, or relaxing puzzle titles.

Hit Irish Trio Kingfishr Return For 2026 With New Single, ‘The Blade’, As Well As Music Video Featuring Actor Anthony Boyle, From ‘House Of Guinness’ Kingfishr return with their first music of the year with the release of, 'The Blade', out via B-Unique/Atlantic Records.

Kingfishr return with their first music of the year with the release of, 'The Blade', out via B-Unique/Atlantic Records.

THERA Turns Inner Noise Into Euphoria on New Single ‘do you see?’ At just eighteen, Czech dark-pop rising star THERA is already moving with the kind of artistic clarity many artists spend years searching for. There’s a burning tension running through her new single,‘do you see?’ that feels almost physical, like holding your breath for too long and finally letting it go. Breathing out a sound of expectation pressing in from all sides, and the stubborn refusal to disappear under it.

At just eighteen, Czech dark-pop rising star THERA is already moving with the kind of artistic clarity many artists spend years searching for. There’s a burning tension running through her new single,‘do you see?’ that feels almost physical.

SHAB And Preston Harris Team Up For ‘It’s On You’: A Dancefloor Confession SHAB returns with a duet that glows like a slow‑burning spark, teaming up with rising EDM force Preston Harris for a track that balances intimacy with widescreen, cinematic sweep. 'It’s On You' feels engineered for late‑night dance floors - and the quiet, breath‑held moments that follow.

SHAB returns with a duet that glows like a slow‑burning spark, teaming up with rising EDM force Preston Harris for a track that balances intimacy with widescreen, cinematic sweep. 'It’s On You' feels engineered for late‑night dance floors - and the quiet, breath‑held moments that follow.

Reigns Pays Homage to Unconditional Love With New Single ‘Closer Than Your Shadow’ Featuring Waives Reigns is ready to make her mark on the drum and bass landscape with ‘Closer Than Your Shadow’ - a fluid blend of electronica and soul-infused vocals. It’s a fusion she has been meticulously refining ...

Reigns is ready to make her mark on the drum and bass landscape with ‘Closer Than Your Shadow’ - a fluid blend of electronica and soul-infused vocals. It’s a fusion she has been meticulously refining with each release, now elevated to new heights.

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Rachael Sage Unveils ‘Take In The Good’ T‑Shirt Campaign In Collaboration With UK Mental Health Charity Rainbow Mind: A Celebration Of Queer Joy Rachael Sage is bringing her trademark fusion of colour and compassion to a new creative venture: a limited‑edition ‘Take In The Good’ T‑shirt, designed in partnership with LGBTQIA+ mental health charity Rainbow Mind. The collaboration marks her debut as the charity’s first official ambassador, and it arrives at a moment when visibility, joy, and community feel especially vital.

Rachael Sage is bringing her trademark fusion of colour and compassion to a new creative venture: a limited‑edition ‘Take In The Good’ T‑shirt, designed in partnership with LGBTQIA+ mental health charity Rainbow Mind.

AC Scott on finding her voice, crossing oceans, and starting again when it mattered most For most of her life, Alison Craig, now recording as AC Scott, was the one asking the questions. As a celebrated broadcaster and interviewer, she built a career drawing stories out of others. But a…

For most of her life, Alison Craig, now recording as AC Scott, was the one asking the questions. As a celebrated broadcaster and interviewer, she built a career drawing stories out of others.

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Top 5 Emerging Technologies Powering Any Modern Online Slot in 2026 The graphics no longer characterize the online slot industry in 2026. The current platforms are based on intelligent architecture, real-time analytics, and secure infrastructure to achieve a seamless performance in the background. The difference between a competitive platform and an outdated platform is not visual design, but architecture, automation, and adaptive technology.

The graphics no longer characterize the online slot industry in 2026. The current platforms are based on intelligent architecture, real-time analytics, and secure infrastructure to achieve a seamless performance in the background.

Interview: Carly Ann Taylor Reflects On 'Why Should I Worry?' And Her Breakthrough Year Written during a season of post-graduation uncertainty, 'Why Should I Worry' began as Carly Ann Taylor's way of confronting fear and stepping boldly into a career in music. What happened next became a...

Written during a season of post-graduation uncertainty, 'Why Should I Worry' began as Carly Ann Taylor's way of confronting fear and stepping boldly into a career in music. What happened next became a defining moment.

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Born This Way: The Infamous HER Talks About Her Celebration Of Difference, ‘Born Outta Step’ The Infamous HER speaks to Essentially Pop about their new single, 'Born Outta Step', and what it's like to be an outsider.

The Infamous HER speaks to Essentially Pop about their new single, 'Born Outta Step', and what it's like to be an outsider.

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

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.

Sending Out An SOS – Denise Marsa Talks To Us About Her Music, And New Single, ‘HOLE (Until Dawn Remix)’ You've just checked out Denise Marsa's latest release, 'HOLE (Until Dawn Remix)' - now learn about the artist herself in her own words as she speaks with Essentially Pop.

You've just checked out Denise Marsa's latest release, 'HOLE (Until Dawn Remix)' - now learn about the artist herself in her own words as she speaks with Essentially Pop.

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

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 Speaks To Us About ‘Abused’ Following on from our review of Liyah Bey's new single, 'Abused', we speak to the artist herself about her music, her career, and what lies ahead.

Following on from our review of Liyah Bey's new single, 'Abused', we speak to the artist herself about her music, her career, and what lies ahead.

Liyah Bey Seeks Healing With Latest Release, ‘Abused’ 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.

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.

'Closer Than Your Shadow': A New Chapter Begins For REIGNS On 27th February, UK Soul breakout star REIGNS is set to make a cinematic return with ‘Closer Than Your Shadow'. What began years ago as a forgotten soul ballad has been reshaped and re-sung with a vo...

On 27th February, UK Soul breakout star REIGNS is set to make a cinematic return with ‘Closer Than Your Shadow’. What began years ago as a soul ballad has been reshaped & re-sung with a voice that now carries lived experience.

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Allegra Claims the Year of the Fire Horse with a Blazing Red Era The Chinese Year of the Fire Horse signifies new beginnings, alignment, and abundance, as well as shedding what no longer serves us. Allegra's latest EP, 'Red', feels like the perfect ignition point -...

The Chinese Year of the Horse signifies new beginnings, alignment, & abundance, as well as shedding what no longer serves us. Allegra's latest EP, 'Red', feels like the perfect ignition point - a vivid soundtrack for renewal, a love letter to self-empowerment.

essentiallypop.com/epop/2026/02...

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

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’ 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'.

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 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.

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 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.

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.