Sabrina Carpenter, Manchild (Pop)- Debuting at #1 in Billboard US and #2 Globally, “Manchild” aptly captures the Zeitgeist of 2020’s uneven gender stereotypes.  Fittingly, Sabrina kicks off “Manchild” with a Midwestern-accented “Oh, boy”, before singing: “Baby, what do you call it? Stupid? Slow? Useless? There's a cuter word for it........Manchild"

Benson Boone, Mr. Electric Blue (Pop)- If you’re Benson Boone, how do you respond to your haters, who are authoring headlines like “Benson Boone……Why Does Everyone Hate Him?” and even worse- “Benson Boone, Too Mid to Hate”?  Ironically, of course!  Boone dons a “One Hit Wonder” T-shirt and his manager tells him “We need a new gimmick…maybe good songwriting” in his video to “Mr. Electric Blue”, the latest single from his June 20 LP, “American Heart”.   Even the song title is self-deprecating, referring to the Hub-Ub about the electric blue jumpsuit Mr. Boone wore at Coachella😊

The Knocks & Dragonette, Love Me Alive (Pop/Dance)- Continuing with Benson Boone’s 80’s influence, The Knocks/Dragonette welcome us to the fictional “Revelation Technologies” (Welcome to Revelation) in their new retro-futuristic concept album, “Revelation”.  “Revelation” has earned critical praise for its effortless blend of 80’s synth-pop with modern glossy production, with “Love Me Alive” specifically conjuring up memories of The Motels.  

ILLIT, Billyeoon Goyangi (K-Pop)- With “Billyeoon Goyangi” debuting at #1 in Korea after its June 16 release, nascent K-Poppers ILLIT have arrived.  The sped-up orchestral eurodisco sample is an incongruous with a lyric that refers to the Korean proverb “Billyeoon Goyangi” (“Borrowed Cat”) which is used to describe someone who is shy in an unfamiliar environment. Cue obligatory shy cat video....

Chris Brown, Holy Blindfold (R&B/Pop)- Until now, I’ve avoided including Chris Brown in Neuphoria, given his abusive past. However, “Holy Blindfold” is such a sparkling pop gem, that I’m compelled to make an exception. 

Trivia- Contrary to expectation, "Holy Blindfold" doesn't refer to an activity at the Diddy Parties. While, Brown was rumored to be with making out with both Teyana Taylor and Amber Rose at one of those soirees, "Holy Blindfold" actually refers to surrending to love.

YUNGBLUD, Ghosts (Rock)- With the June 20 release of his 4th LP, “IDOLS”, YUNBLUD is hoping to extend his consecutive streak of #1 UK records.  “Ghosts” wears its influences on its sleeve, taking a 6 ½ minute indulgent stroll through Brit Rock history, starting with Robby Williams, U2, Oasis and finally Def Leppard, the Who and the Cult.

Trivia Question- For those interested in playing at home, can you map the parts of “Ghosts” to its Brit Rock influences?

Ed Sheeran, Drive (Rock)- For the upcoming “F1 The Movie”, Ed Sheeran wanted to create a proper rock & roll driving song.  So, he enlisted Dave Grohl to play a four on the floor drum track and John Mayer to rev up a snarling guitar riff, creating a progeny that I call “Lenny Sheeran”.

Wet Leg, CPR (Alternative)- Neuphoria faves, the Wet Leggirls feel disoriented; an emergency calling for nothing short of “CPR”!  Charismatic singer Rhian Teasdale shows her irreverent reverence for obscure rock vocal devices, variously mimicking a 911 call, channeling Dale Bozzio’s (Missing Persons) “squeaky doll” and resurrecting Lux Interior’s (The Cramps) horror rockabilly.  Dangerously charming…

The Cure & Daniel Avery, Drone: Nodrone (Alternative/Electronic)- The Cure’s first LP in 16 years, “Songs of a Lost World” was such a success, that even its June 2025 Remix LP “Mixes of a Lost World” has reached the Top 10 Globally.  “Drone: Nodrone” was remixed by British DJ Daniel Avery, seamlessly mixing a belching industrial bassline and an ambient Moog bridge, with Robert Smith’s ageless vocal.   

Karol G, LATINA FOREVA (Latin)- Karol G is currently the 2nd most streamed Latin American female singer in the World (behind fellow Colombian, Shakira). LATINA FOREVA is her 2nd single from her June 20 LP “Tropicoqueta”- and is a Popping Reggaeton Bangerrrrrrrr!

Facta, SLoPE (Electronic)- East London DJ, Facta released his 2nd LP, “GULP” on June 20- and while obscure, it has received great reviews.  Like the rest of “GULP”, SLoPE incorporates jazz samples, UK garage and Drum’n’Bass into an intricate minimalist groove.

&ME, Rampa, Adam Port, Alan Dixon & Arabic Piano, Thandaza (AfroBeats/Dance)- “Thandaza” is a Zulu word that means to love or be loved, which is ideal for this dreamy Amapiano anthem. “Thandaza’s” world sound is no mistake as it is a collaboration between artists from Berlin, South Africa and England.  

Little Simz, Lion (feat. Obongjayar) (AfroBeats/Rap)- British "Thoughtful Hip-Hopper" and former child actress, Little Simz (Simbi Ajikawo) released her 6th LP, "Lotus" in June. After what New Musical Express referred to as a "flawless trilogy" of LP's which were all #1 in the UK R&B charts, "Lotus" is more raw emotionally and instrumentally, but still displays Simz' fierce confidence.

Kehlani, Folded (R&B)- Oakland’s Kehlani is a singular figure, gorgeous and tatted, with high profile relationships with celebrities such as Kyrie Irving and YG, yet innately vulnerable.  The slow jam “Folded”, balances Kehlani’s sensuality with the resilience of concluding an unhealthy relationship. “Folded” is currently the most streamed R&B single in the US.

Olivia Dean, Nice to Each Other (Pop)- A recommendation from Neuphorian JoeMo’s daughter RoMo, “Nice to Each Other” is an earworm that is slow burning into the Top 20 of the streaming charts.  As an alumni of UK’s leading performing arts school, the BRIT school, Olivia is keeping good company with Amy Winehouse, Adele, FKA Twigs and Lola Young.  

Julian Cubillos, Talking to Myself (Alternative)- When it comes to funky, yet endearing diffidence, Mungo Jerry’s, “In the Summertime” captures the 1960’s crown.  However, more recent decades are still up for consideration.  With “Talking to Myself”, Cubillos subconsciously channels the Mungo Jerry hit, tossing his hat in the ring for the 2025 Slacker crown.

Hayden Pedigo, Long Pond Lilly (Instrumental)- Hailing from Amarillo, TX and looking like an oil painting of a young Hank Williams, 30-year-old Hayden Pedigo is an anachronism. Is he the next coming of the “King of Western Swing”, Bob Wills, or the 101 Strings Orchestra?