The Bias List is a K-pop blog that also covers a fair amount of J-pop. But just like most music fans, I enjoy tracks from all around the world. So, I thought I’d start a monthly round-up of some of the non-K-pop songs that have caught my ear. No ratings — just highlights!
February 2022 // March 2022 // April 2022 // May 2022 // June 2022 // July 2022 // August 2022 // September 2022 // October 2022 // November 2022 // January 2023 // February 2023 // March 2023 // April 2023 // May 2023 // June 2023 // July 2023 // August 2023 // September 2023 // October 2023 // November 2023 // January 2024 // February 2024 // March 2024 // April 2024 // May 2024 // June 2024 // July 2024 // August 2024 // September 2024 // October 2024 // November 2024 // December 2024 // January 2025 // February 2025 // March 2025 // April 2025 // May 2025 // June 2025 Pt1 Pt2 Pt3 // July 2025 // August 2025 // September 2025 // October 2025 // November 2025 // December 2025 // January 2026 // February 2026
Check out my 9+ rated songs for 2026 by following this new Spotify playlist! (and check out prior years too, if you’re interested)
The Ark – Give And Take
I was not a fan of the first comeback track from my favorite 2000s band, but this is more like it. It’s warm, thoughtful and anthemic. The choral hook gets better and better with each listen.
Aurium – Virvanliekki
A Finnish dance act with an explosive sound? Yes, please!
Bebe Rexha – New Religion
I mean, you can’t go wrong sampling that Faithless song.
Cherry Bomb – Digital Girl
A quick follow-up for this very promising new pop star.
Chrissy Chlapecka – Andromeda
Another kooky pop banger from Chrissy. She never misses and she’s so prolific!
Cimberly – Eternity
Many have compared her voice/song to Agnes, and I don’t disagree. That’s a high compliment!
Dagny – Dancefloor Erotica
A sharp turn to the dancefloor for Dagny.
Ditonellapiaga – Che Fastidio!
Such an addictive, irreverent pop track that should be representing Italy in Eurovision instead of what they ultimately picked.
Donkeyboy – Flash Of Light
The Norwegian pop group continue their late-career resurgence with flair and atmosphere.
El Papi – Iskald
Speaking of Norwegian acts, I’ve become very interested in El Papi’s brand of stomping pop/rock.
Ellen Benediktson – WID4L
Atmospheric synthpop with a great hook.
Erika Vikman – Father (I Will Never Confess)
The queen is back. I love her so much! Now we just need that long-promised album.
Fangoria – Me Voy
The Spanish synth-poppers have returned with this gorgeous, bittersweet anthem. I’m looking forward to the album.
Gunship – Tell Me When the World Stops Ending
I’ve waited almost three years for new music and they didn’t disappoint! This is such a great nod to 90s alt-dance-rock and packs plenty of punch.
Haute & Freddy – Showgirl At Heart
Their recently-released debut album is probably my favorite of the year so far. They’re so authentically 80s but it doesn’t feel like a simple pastiche. Plus, the songs are bulletproof.
Honey Revenge – Hot Commodity
I’ve got my eyes (and ears) on this colorful pop duo.
House Of Serpents x Battlejuice – Below
It’s been a banner month for my crop of synthwave/rock revivalists. I love the heavy guitar on this.
Juliett – Långt från alla andra
I’m not Swedish, but having visited many times in the 2000s/2010s, this specific indie pop sound gives me so much nostalgia. It just sounds like summer.
Kyra Machida – Humiliation Ritual
Another new promising pop star in the Britney Spears mold.
Madison Rose – Fairytale
Not as maximalist as she often is, but I love everything Madison Rose releases.
Nebulossa – Vogue
I’m really into the debut album from this quirky Spanish dance act.
Neea River – Psychoneurotic
Another banger from Neea. What else can I say?
Robin Packalen – 1001 tapaa
Ditto for Robin. I don’t even know what to say. He’s just so consistent.
Sanna Nielsen – Waste Your Love
Oh, I’m obsessed. I adore Sanna Nielsen anyway, but this is the exact kind of enormous, open-hearted EDM pop I live for. It’s just so joyous and immense.
Senhit – Superstar (ft. Boy George)
Many Eurovision fans have complained at how cheesy and by-the-numbers this is, but it’s my kind of cheesy and by-the-numbers so I really can’t complain.
The Strike – Famous
They’re so good at this kind of soft — yet anthemic — 80s rock.
Tamara Živković – Nova Zora
She slightly rearranged the track and came up with something even more massive. This is HUGE!
TPCX – No He Don’t Deserve Me
My favorite super-underrated rock band is at it again with another killer track.
Vincint – Signal
Vincint’s music is always larger-than-life and stuffed with emotional catharsis. This one’s no different.
wavvyboi – Black Glitter
I love glam rock, I love colorful characters, and I love big choruses. This one has all three! Should have won the German national finals.
YSEULT – Freak
Oh my god! This is the kind of Jacksonian new jack swing I’ve been wanting for ages!! It hits even harder than Doja Cat’s track last year and it sounds like she’s actually going to commit to it for the next album.