Welcome to yet another instalment of What’s Going On, Biff Bam Pop’s weekly new music roundup. There are just a few weeks left to go in 2023, but artists are still dropping great new material. Whether you’re a devoted music head or simply searching for a few tunes to add to your playlists, we’ve got you covered. From megastar collaborations to evocative pop-punk to French language pop, this week’s handful of hits will give you a leg up on the ever-evolving soundscape of the music world. As always, if you dig what you hear, be sure to stream and follow the artists.
Yellowcard & Steve Aoki – Pop-punk veterans Yellowcard are celebrating the 20th anniversary of their mega-hit “Ocean Avenue” with a brand new Steve Aoki remix. This new remix stays true to the timeless energy of the original while injecting it with dance drops and exciting electronic production. How did the collaboration come to be? According to Yellowcard lead singer Ryan Key: “I really admired the collaborations Steve was doing in the alternative rock and emo world, and the timing couldn’t have been more perfect to reach out and see if we could work together for the 20th anniversary of Ocean Avenue. Steve’s passion for music and creativity is infectious. The band and I are huge electronic music fans, so working with him has been an absolute career highlight.”
Photo credit: Brad Heaton
Listen to the Steve Aoki remix of Yellowcard’s “Ocean Avenue” below.
Telltale – Buzzworthy pop-punk quartet Telltale recently dropped their new single “Otherside,” via Rude Records. This marks the first original release of 2023 for the Richmond, VA band after their cover of Rise Against’s “Help Is On The Way” from earlier this year. The track’s hypnotic qualities are accentuated by the disorienting Chase Warren-directed music video. What’s the new single all about? Telltale vocalist John Carteret says: “Throughout my early twenties, I found myself chasing some sort of ‘otherside’ in whatever vice would get me the furthest from reality. It’s easy to treat the fragility of life as a joke until death comes knocking. Like standing at the edge of a pier ready to jump into the infinite void, it doesn’t click until you hit the water.”
Listen to Telltale’s new single “Otherside” below.
Reneé Rapp & Megan Thee Stallion – Sisters are doing it for themselves! Multi-talented performer Reneé Rapp and chart-topping rapper Megan Thee Stallion have joined forces on the new single “Not My Fault.” The new track serves as the first single to be released from the official soundtrack for Paramount’s upcoming MEAN GIRLS movie. The film will see Reneé Rapp reprise her role as Regina George, who she played in Mean Girls on Broadway. Pop with a capital P, “Not My Fault” gallops along with a fun disco-esque beat and production. You won’t have to wait long to hear more from the soundtrack, as it is set to drop via Interscope Records on January 12th alongside the release of the film.
Listen to Reneé Rapp & Megan Thee Stallion’s “Not My Fault” below.
Anitta – Brazilian singer Anitta is here to heat up the winter with “Joga pra Lua,” her last single of 2023. The collaboration with producers Pedro Sampaio and DENNIS features lyrics entirely in Portuguese. With those three minds in the mix, it’s no surprise that the song is all about Brazilian Funk, a dance floor ready sound that continues to expand its global reach day by day. Discussing the new single, Anitta says: “I really threw myself into funk in 2023. Finishing the year with this song is very special for me. I’ve had this chorus stuck in my head for months… It’s delicious. It’s so summer! I love it! Anyone who’s watched Tiktok in The Mix knows what I’m talking about. It makes you want to start dancing immediately!”
Listen to Anitta’s new single “Joga pra Lua” below.
Rêve – The reigning queen of Canadian dance-pop, Rêve is out now with a new French language version of her album’s title track “Saturn Return.” Her latest release via Universal Music Canada, 31 East, and Astralwerks also comes with a stunning lyric video. This new rendition serves as a love letter to Montreal and all of Rêve’s fans in the city. Speaking on the new French version of “Saturn Return,” Rêve states: “Montréal holds a special place in my heart, and the support from my fans there has been incredible and full of passion. Releasing a French version of the song ‘Saturn Return’ is my way of expressing gratitude and love to the amazing people, culture and community who have embraced me and my music from the beginning. I hope that it connects us beyond languages and gives space to let everyone ‘take in the old with the new’.”
Listen to the French version of Rêve’s “Saturn Return” below.
