Up Uptown Funk: The Best New Pop Music of 2016
Contents
Up Uptown Funk: The Best New Pop Music of 2016. Stay up to date with the best new pop music of 2016 by following this blog.
Introduction
2016 has been a breakout year for many artists in the pop music scene. From established artists like Justin Timberlake and Bruno Mars to newcomers like Zara Larsson and The Chainsmokers, there has been no shortage of great pop music to listen to this year.
If you’re looking for a roundup of the best pop songs of 2016, you’ve come to the right place. This list includes both mainstream hits and lesser-known gems that are sure to get your toes tapping. So turn up the volume and get ready to dance away the blues with the best pop tunes of 2016!
Best New Pop Music of 2016
2016 was a great year for pop music, with a wide variety of artists releasing catchy and innovative new tunes. In this article, we’ll countdown the best new pop songs of the year, including hits from established artists like Beyoncé and Justin Bieber, as well as breakout stars like Sia and Fifth Harmony.
Justin Bieber – “Sorry”
Pop music is often derided as being lightweight and disposable, but there’s always been substance beneath the catchy hooks and glossy production. That was especially true in 2016, a year in which the top 40 was loaded with songs that dealt with very adult themes: breakups, heartache, betrayal, sexual liberation, mental illness, mortality. Even some of the year’s biggest hits — Justin Bieber’s “Sorry,” for instance — contained unexpectedly weighty content.
Here are 10 of the best new pop songs of 2016, all of which offer something more than just ear candy.
1. Justin Bieber – “Sorry”
2. Rihanna ft. Drake – “Work”
3. Beyoncé – “Formation”
4. Ariana Grande – “Dangerous Woman”
5. Adele – “Send My Love (To Your New Lover)”
6. Lady Gaga – “Million Reasons”
7. Sia – “Cheap Thrills”
8. Justin Timberlake – “Can’t Stop the Feeling!”
9. The Chainsmokers ft. Halsey – “Closer”
10. Zara Larsson – “Ain’t My Fault”
Adele – “Hello”
One of the most popular and well-loved songs of 2016, Adele’s “Hello” was a true phenomenon. The song spent seven weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was nominated for several Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year. “Hello” was a huge hit with fans and critics alike, and its music video has been viewed over 1.6 billion times on YouTube.
The Weeknd – “Can’t Feel My Face”
The Weeknd’s “Can’t Feel My Face” is one of the best pop songs of 2016. The song has a catchy beat and is easy to dance to. The lyrics are about a man who is in love with a woman who is addicted to drugs. The song is about the dangers of drug addiction and how it can ruin relationships.
Taylor Swift – “Wildest Dreams”
“Wildest Dreams” is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for her fifth studio album, 1989 (2014). Swift co-wrote the song with its producers, Max Martin and Shellback. “Wildest Dreams” was released to radio by Republic Records on August 31, 2015, as the fifth single from 1989 and reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It entered the top ten in countries including Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. The music video for “Wildest Dreams” was announced on August 3, 2015, premiered during the pre-show of the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards on August 30 and was uploaded to Swift’s Vevo channel the same day. The video received mixed reviews and caused controversy among critics and audiences; some accused Swift of glorifying colonialism while others praised its visual aesthetic.
Selena Gomez – “Good For You”
“Good For You” is a song recorded by American singer Selena Gomez for her second studio album, Revival (2015). It was released on June 22, 2015, as the lead single from the album. The song was written by Gomez, Justin Tranter, Julia Michaels and produced by Rock Mafia. “Good For You” marks as the first solo writing credit for Tranter on one of Gomez’s releases. Serving as the album’s opening track, “Good For You” is a synth-pop and R&B song about admiring a significant other. Musically, it was noted by critics as a departure from Gomez’s previous material.
Critics positively reviewed “Good For You”, praising its minimalist production and dubbing it a musical evolution for Gomez. Commercially, the song peaked at number 21 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and became her fourth consecutive top-twenty single in the country. Additionally, it peaked within the top ten of both Mainstream Top 40 and Adult Top 40 radio charts. Internationally, “Good For You” peaked at number 13 in Canada and reached moderate success elsewhere. An accompanying music video for the track was directed by Sophie Muller and depicted Gomez trying on various outfits in different settings while lip syncing to its lyrics; critics complimented the element of self-empowerment present throughout the visual.
Conclusion
After listening to and researching a multitude of pop songs from 2016, we have compiled a list of what we believe to be the best new pop music of the year. From Ariana Grande to Zara Larsson, these artists brought us some incredible tracks that are sure to get you up and dancing. So put on your dancing shoes and get ready to funk up your life with our top picks for the best new pop music of 2016.
