Hot Pink is a vibe. Energizing, disco-tinged modern pop that glitters. Featuring Nicki Minaj, Charli XCX, Kali Uchis, BLACKPINK, Doja Cat, KAYTRAMINÉ, and more.
Hot Pink is a vibe. And it has a sound. Bright. Bold. Neon. Energizing, empowering, modern pop that glistens. Roller jams. Melodrama. Glitter. Getting ready with the girls. All-night parties. Icons. Exactly one (1) piano ballad. Shiny synths, slippery basslines and singalongs. More fun than eating a banana split on a rollercoaster at the beach with your best friend on your birthday.
Listen to this playlist on repeat because Hot Pink doesn’t quit.
Nicki Minaj & Ice Spice — ”Barbie World (with Aqua) [From Barbie The Album]”
Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice are bringing late 90’s nostalgia back with a remix of the international chart-topping single “Barbie Girl” from Danish-Norwegian dance-pop group Aqua.
The Queen of Rap herself, Nicki Minaj, has teamed up with the newest Princess of Rap and TikTok sensation, Ice Spice, to serve us yet another viral hit for the girlies this summer. “Barbie World” matched the peak of Aqua’s original “Barbie Girl” — hitting 16.2 million streams and debuting at number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100. With this, Nicki Minaj extends her record for the most Top 10 entries by a female rapper and Ice Spice solidifies a fourth Top 10 hit on Billboard.
This nostalgic track with a modern twist has us excited for Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” set to hit the big screen soon. Can all the Barbz please stand up?
Kim Petras — ”Malibu”
It’s giving Barbie Malibu DreamHouse — and we’re absolutely here for it. If this punchy, “pick-me-up”, bubblegum pop song from Kim Petras doesn’t scream hot pink, then we don’t know what does.
Pop singer-songwriter Kim Petras describes this track as a “return to color, the feeling of being in love, and the escapism pop that I love the most” and it certainly delivers with its vivacious mix of synth-bass squirts and tropical funk guitar.
Petras is best known for her international chart-topping single with Sam Smith “Unholy” which won her a Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance — solidifying her as the first openly transgender artist to win in that category and the second transgender woman to win a Grammy.
KAYTRAMINÉ — ”4EVA (feat. Pharrell Williams)”
We’re all about summer anthems. Long-time collaborators Kaytranada and Aminé rented a house in Malibu, recorded nonstop for two weeks, and thus KAYTRAMINÉ was born — an iconic album created by an iconic duo of the same name.
The album’s lead single “4EVA” is a mesmerizing electro dance beat with strong vocal chops, a perfectly executed mix from Kaytranada, Aminé, and Pharrell Williams, one of the most influential music producers of this century. This collaboration bridges the worlds of electronic dance and hip-hop with its infectious melodic beat and stellar lyricism.
Fergie — ”Glamorous”
Feel like you’re flying “first class, up in the sky” (even from coach). Fergie’s 2006 hit song, “Glamorous”, is a timeless favorite that perfectly captures confidence, style, and because we deserve the finer things in life.
Fergie has shown her success as a singer, songwriter, and performer from the Black Eyed Peas to her own solo career. From topping the charts to putting on electrifying live performances, she has solidified her spot as a Y2K music icon.
BLACKPINK — ”Pink Venom”
BLACKPINK is in your area, with this fierce track “Pink Venom.” Its powerful beat and confident rap verses are our new anthem for feeling bold and unapologetic.
With their undeniable talent, stylish visuals, and chart-topping hits, BLACKPINK has solidified their position as an iconic girl group. With their dynamic blend of genres from k-pop to hip-hop, these musical icons inspire fans to embrace their own strength and confidence.
Kali Uchis — ”telepatía”
Girls need love too. Kali Uchis captures the essence of longing and connection in this sultry and mesmerzing track.
Awarded “Favorite Latin Song” at the 2021 American Music Awards, “Telepatía” and its viral success has launched itself into the playlists of spanish-speaking and non-speakers alike. Kali Uchis, Colombian-American singer-songwriter, is bold and enticing with her distinctive sound, making her one of the most exciting rising stars in contemporary music.
thuy — ”girls like me don’t cry”
Whether you’re jamming out in the car with friends or tackling the most mundane household chores, this song from Thuy is the perfect track to set the vibe.
Thuy is an up-and-coming Vietnamese-American artist who is rapidly gaining attention on social media for her catchy tune “girls like me don’t cry.” It’s energetic, relatable, and a new staple song of the summer.
SOPHIE — ”Immaterial”
A hyperpop twist on Madonna’s 1985 song “Material Girl,” this track by iconic musical artist, SOPHIE, celebrates the power of self-acceptance and identity. With its hard-hitting beats and empowering lyrics, SOPHIE invites you to embrace your individuality and strength.
The late producer, songwriter, and DJ has paved the way for LGBTQIA+ music artists with her visibility and unapologetic authenticity as a transgender woman in the industry. Challenging both conventional music and gender norms, SOPHIE has produced hit songs for artists like Charli XCX, Vince Staples, and Kim Petras.
Harry Styles — ”Watermelon Sugar”
Harry Styles’ “Watermelon Sugar” has an intoxicating melody that reminds us of nostalgic summer days, warm nights, beach days, and watermelon of course. With its horn and guitar-driven funk-pop and soulful sound, it’s no wonder the track became an instant hit with music critics and fans alike.
The track earned Styles his first number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, a Grammy for Best Pop Solo Performance, Song of the Year at the Brit Awards, and certified platinum around the world — solidifying Styles as a truly global sensation.
Rina Sawayama — ”XS”
Catchy, energetic, bold. Japanese-British singer-songwriter, Rina Sawayama, blends genres in this fierce and unapologetic pop banger, encouraging listeners to prioritize authenticity over excess.
Known for her boundary-pushing music that combines elements of pop, R&B, and rock, Rina Sawayama’s music embodies what it means to be a girl in the world, tackling themes of identity and culture in her lyrics.
Katy Perry — “California Gurls”
Katy Perry crafts a candy-coated hit around a sticky sweet hook and hosts a surprise visit from the Doggfather—who hops on a verse all the way from Long Beach, CA—on “California Gurls,” the lead single from Perry’s Teenage Dream.
Perry told Rolling Stone she wrote “California Gurls” as a west coast response to the Jay-Z and Alicia Keys track “Empire State of Mind,” inviting Snoop Dogg to rap on the single which peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 charts, where it remained for six weeks.
Doja Cat — “Say So”
Doja Cat slips into the super sounds of the ‘70s on the slinky disco jam “Say So,” the surprise TikTok hit and fifth single from the album Hot Pink. Climbing from the depths of the algorithm to the top of pop charts, “Say So” claimed a Guinness world record for Doja Cat (with Nicki Minaj) as the first female rap duo to have a number-one hit.
With a smooth roller-disco groove and Doja’s breathy vocal, it’s easy to hear why “Say So” is triple-platinum. And there’s a Nicki Minaj remix? Sign us up.
Britney Spears — “Toxic”
Britney Spears proved too hot for TV in the video for “Toxic,” the second single from her 2003 album, In the Zone. Released shortly after Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake’s controversial Super Bowl halftime performance, MTV removed the “Toxic” video from its daytime rotation due to Spears’ costume choice—or lack thereof.
Despite the late-night timeslot, “Toxic’s” infectious charms were too much to resist. Critics loved the song’s diverse instrumentation and catchy hook and so did the Recording Academy, who awarded Spears the Grammy for Best Dance Recording—her first and only award to date.
“Toxic” marks a turning point in Spears’ career from a teen pop star to a more “adult” artist with its energetic techno production, twangy surf-rock-meets-Spaghetti-western guitars and a sweeping Bollywood orchestra sample—a diverse collection of sounds that needs to be experienced in headphones.
Kylie Minogue — “Can’t Get You Out of My Head”
While the lyrics are apparently about being obsessed with a lover, Kylie Minogue’s “Can’t Get You Out of My Head” could just as easily refer to the unforgettable chorus, pulsing disco groove or Minogue’s mesmerizing vocal.
It’s got a hook that’ll get stuck in your head for days, but the song itself was written quickly. Songwriters Cathy Dennis and Rob Davis produced the demo in just three and a half hours, and when they played the recording for her, it took Minogue only twenty seconds to recognize the song’s hit potential.
The single sold over five million copies, charting in the UK, Australia and the United States—where it was Minogue’s first track to enter the top ten in 13 years—the previous being her 1988 cover of "The Loco-Motion."
Dua Lipa — “Levitating”
Dua Lipa floats into music history on “Levitating,” the fifth single from her 2020 album Future Nostalgia and the longest-charting song by a female artist on the Billboard Hot 100 chart—owning the airwaves for a record-setting 73 weeks.
“Levitating’s” retro futuristic mix of vintage analog synthesizers, throwback ‘90s dance pop and slippery electro-disco grooves topped year-end charts at Billboard, Cosmopolitan, the Los Angeles Times and USA Today, launching the British singer and songwriter’s career into the stratosphere.
Tame Impala — “Borderline”
Australian psych-rockers Tame Impala go yacht rock on “Borderline,” the debut single from 2020’s The Slow Rush.
The rock instrumentation heard early in the band’s career is largely absent, replaced with funky keyboards, growling synth bass and timpani drums—all performed and recorded by songwriter Kevin Parker.
Kesha — “Rainbow”
Kesha busts out of the electro-pop bubble with big vocal harmonies and cinematic string accompaniment on a triumphant piano ballad, the title track from the songwriter’s 2017 blockbuster comeback album, Rainbow.
On her third album, Kesha wanted to make music that reflected her “true” influences and represented her as “a real person having a complete human experience.” With country-fried acoustic numbers (“Bastards”), collaborations with Eagles of Death Metal and the Dap-Kings Horns and the aforementioned piano balladry, Rainbow rocks, it rolls and it’ll fill a dancefloor—no matter where the party is.
Robyn — “Dancing On My Own”
Robyn approaches electro-pop perfection and crafts the ultimate 2010s “sad banger” on “Dancing On My Own,” the iconic and heartbreaking dance anthem that kicks off her fifth album, Body Talk.
“Dancing On My Own” buzzes with a throbbing bassline, pulsing staccato synthesizers and a reliable four-count rhythm that even people who clap on beats one and three can get down to.
To promote the single in the United States, Robyn gave several mesmerizing performances on late night TV, including Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, The Ellen Degeneres Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, SNL, and the Late Show with David Letterman.
Lady Gaga — “Stupid Love”
Not even an early leak could contain Lady Gaga’s triumphant return to her classic dance-pop sound with “Stupid Love,” the lead single to the pop superstar’s 2020 album, Chromaticia.
“Can y’all stop,” tweeted Gaga when “Stupid Love” leaked online before the video was completed. Rather than give in under pressure, Gaga ignored fans’ pleas to perform the song at her Super Bowl LIV pre-show concert and made no mention of the leak during the show. Later, in an interview with Paper, Gaga commented on the leak and her decision not to choose a new lead single:
There was a minute where me and my manager, Bobby, were talking, 'Do we change the single?' We'd just spent months and months developing this video and choreography. And I said, 'Nope!' You know why? Because the song, when it's mixed, mastered and finished with the visuals, and everything I have to say about it — when all those things come together at once, that will be the art piece I'm making. Not a leak.
Charli XCX — “Good Ones”
Charli XCX reflects on a lifetime of dysfunctional relationships in just under two and a half minutes on “Good Ones,” the bouncy electropop banger that kicked off the album cycle for her 2022 LP, CRASH.
Like its subject matter, “Good Ones” is short but not exactly sweet, with an aggressive thumping synth bassline and vocals that flip from a distorted, auto-tune growl to Charli XCX’s delicate falsetto.
LCD Soundsystem — “tonite”
LCD Soundsystem find a colossal New York Groove on this in-studio performance of “tonite,” the Grammy award-winning single from their 2017 reunion album, american dream, heard here live and without overdubs on the follow-up release, 2019’s Electric Lady Sessions.
After the surprise release of their Spotify Singles session, James Murphy and co. spent three days in Greenwich Village at Electric Lady Studios laying down definitive versions of songs from the band’s setlist—complete with the palpable, electrifying sensation that happens when an eight-piece band rides a metronomic electro-rock groove all night long.
MGMT — “Kids”
It’s last call somewhere. How do we know? The DJ just played “Kids” by MGMT.
The Connecticut indie rockers tapped producer Dave Fridmann (Tame Impala, the Flaming Lips, Sleater-Kinney) to help shape their sound into the swirling psychedelic-pop opus “Kids,” the third single from MGMT’s debut album, Oracular Spectacular.
With a dominating synth-heavy rhythm, borderline twee keyboard melody and wistful vocal delivery, “Kids” is a callback to the glory days of indie sleaze—a soundtrack for filming Vines while you’re waiting in line for a grimy dive bar bathroom. It’s a microcosm of 2010s blogrock for your listening pleasure.
Wet Leg — “Wet Dream”
Wet Leg live up to the hype on “Wet Dream,” the hard-charging indie-disco bop by the British duo of songwriters Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers.
“Wet Dream” recalls the irony-soaked early ‘00s with scratchy guitars, a hypnotic bassline, pounding four-on-the-floor kick drum and absurdist lyrical imagery about a cringey character who can’t see how many red flags he’s flying. The chorus explodes like a good chorus should and the trippy effects on the word “enough” during the break make for a great listening experience in headphones.
