A Millennial's Guide to the Pop Divas of Today

It's a pop girl summer. Get into it!

If you’ve recently heard a catchy pop tune in passing but couldn’t place the voice, it’s possible you’ve encountered some of these performers’ music in the wild. The new generation of pop girls are here, they’re queer, and they’re going to be around for several years. Here is your formal introduction to the future of pop music and their recent releases.

Dua Lipa

Bonafide Pop Icon

Dua Lipa is a British singer-songwriter who gained initial recognition with her breakthrough single "New Rules" in 2017, which became a worldwide girl-power breakup anthem.

Dua's music blends elements of pop, R&B, and dance, characterized by infectious beats and lyrics that resonate with listeners. Her self-titled debut album, also released in 2017, was critically acclaimed and featured hits like "IDGAF" and "Be the One," solidifying her place in the pop music landscape. The album earned her numerous awards, including the prestigious Grammy Award for Best New Artist.

Continuing her meteoric rise, Lipa released her second album, "Future Nostalgia," in 2020, which spawned chart-topping singles such as "Don't Start Now," "Physical," and "Levitating." Known for its retro-futuristic sound and empowering themes, the album garnered widespread acclaim and further cemented Lipa's status as a pop icon.

Dua Lipa's highly anticipated third studio album, "Radical Optimism," finally arrived on May 3, 2024, under Warner Records. The album crafted a vibrant sonic landscape that blends neo-psychedelia with her signature pop sensibilities.

Ahead of its release, "Radical Optimism" teased fans with three electrifying singles: "Houdini," "Training Season," and "Illusion," each showcasing Lipa's evolution as an artist and setting the stage for what was to come. Critics have showered praise on the album, celebrating its experimental flair while noting its undeniable charm. While some critics wished for a touch more radicalism, the album has resonated strongly, debuting at No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart and marking the biggest opening week for a British female artist in three years.

To bring the music to life, Lipa embarked on the exhilarating Radical Optimism Tour, kicking off in June 2024. With her infectious energy and boundary-pushing creativity, Dua Lipa continues to captivate audiences worldwide, proving once again why she's a force to be reckoned with in the music industry.

Sabrina Carpenter

Certified Bop Star

Sabrina Carpenter is an American singer, songwriter, and actress who rose to prominence in the entertainment industry at a young age with appearances in television shows like "Law & Order: SVU" and Disney Channel's "Girl Meets World," where she played a lead role. Her musical journey started with the release of her debut single "Can't Blame a Girl for Trying" in 2014, followed by her first album of the same name. Carpenter's music blends pop, folk, and acoustic elements, showcasing her versatile vocal range and songwriting skills. Known for her catchy melodies and heartfelt lyrics, Carpenter has built a dedicated fanbase and achieved success on the charts.

Sabrina Carpenter’s latest hit, “Please Please Please,” has rocketed to the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart, just one week after debuting at No. 2. This marks her first number one on the chart, a major milestone for the talented pop singer-songwriter and actress. Released on June 7, the song was accompanied by a captivating music video starring her partner, Oscar-nominated Barry Keoghan, and Carpenter wowed fans with a live performance at New York’s Governors Ball the very next day.

As if that wasn’t enough, she announced her eagerly anticipated 29-date Short n’ Sweet Tour, kicking off on September 23 in Columbus, Ohio. This announcement follows Carpenter’s recent appearances alongside Taylor Swift on The Eras Tour in South America last year and earlier this year in Australia and Singapore. The success of “Please Please Please,” along with her track “Espresso” climbing to No. 4 on the Hot 100 shortly after peaking at No. 3, sets the stage for the release of Carpenter’s album Short n’ Sweet, scheduled to drop on August 23.

Charli XCX

Queen of the Club Kids

Charli XCX, born Charlotte Emma Aitchison in Cambridge, England, is a boundary-pushing pop artist known for her innovative approach to music and fearless experimentation with genres. Her career began in the early 2010s with the release of singles like "Stay Away" and "Nuclear Seasons," which gained attention for their unique blend of electronic and alternative pop.

Charli XCX rose to prominence with her breakout hit "Boom Clap" in 2014, which was featured on the soundtrack of the film "The Fault in Our Stars" and became a global chart-topper. Following this success, she released her acclaimed sophomore album "Sucker," featuring hits such as "Break the Rules" and "Doing It" with Rita Ora.

In 2019, Charli XCX released her self-titled album "Charli," which received critical acclaim for its futuristic sound and introspective lyrics. The album featured collaborations with artists such as Christine and the Queens, Lizzo, and Troye Sivan, further expanding her artistic horizons.

Charli’s most recent studio album “Brat” was recently released on June 7, 2024, led by the single “Von Dutch” and takes inspiration from her teenage years clubbing in illegal London raves. Charli XCX told Billboard's Katie Bain, Brat is produced from a tight collection of sounds to create "this unique minimalism that is very loud and bold." The album has been claimed as the soundtrack to the summer… #BratSummer.

In the United Kingdom, “Brat” debuted at number two behind Taylor Swift's The Tortured Poets Department, earning Charli her second top ten charting album and her biggest opening week sales in the country. In the US, “Brat” debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 with 77,000 album-equivalent units sold on its opening week, consisting of 40,000 pure album sales. With this feat, it became Charli's highest charting album in the country. It also earned Charli her highest first week overall sales and her biggest streaming week ever with 46.72 million streams.

On a personal level, Charli is also engaged to the drummer of the band The 1975, George Daniel.

Gracie Abrams

Singer-Songwriter Supreme

Gracie Abrams (aka Taylor Swift’s bestie) is a rising star in the indie and dream pop scenes, known for her introspective and emotionally resonant songwriting. Daughter to the prominent filmmaker J.J. Abrams (heard of him????) and film producer Katie McGrath, Gracie grew up in Los Angeles surrounded by creativity. She began gaining attention in 2019 with her single "Mean It," which showcased her delicate voice and poignant lyrics, and quickly established her as a promising new artist. Her 2021 album, This Is What It Feels Like drew comparisons to artists like Taylor Swift, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lorde.

Gracie recently released her sophomore album "The Secret of Us” on June 21, which showcases her growth as an artist with intimate lyricism and expansive production. This album was produced by Abrams, Aaron Dessner, and Audrey Hobert, and features contributions from Taylor Swift and Jack Antonoff. Musically, it blends country pop, indie pop, and folk, drawing comparisons to Taylor Swift's "Folklore" and "Evermore" as well as Phoebe Bridgers' work.

Critically, the album received positive reviews, and debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 in the United States and reaching number one on the UK Albums Chart. This feat marks Abrams' first top 10 and highest-charting album in the US, and her first number-one album in the UK.

In addition to her studio work, Gracie has gained considerable attention through live performances, including being an opening act for Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour. This exposure has helped her build a dedicated fan base of sad gen-z girlies.

Chappell Roan

THE Moment

Chappell Roan, born Kayleigh Rose Amstut in Missouri, is known for her soulful voice and drag-like persona. She started writing songs at a young age and gained attention with her debut single "Good Hurt" in 2017 before signing with Atlantic Records. Her music blends elements of pop, soul, and alternative, and she has been praised for her emotive storytelling and powerful vocal delivery.

Chappell’s 2020 single “Pink Pony Club” marked the introduction of her new drag persona, which features maximalist makeup styles and colorful, cartoonish clothing, mirrored after queer icons like Divine and Lady Gaga. “Pink Pony Club” became wildly successful, and ended up on her debut album "The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess" which debuted in October 2023. The album achieved significant success, notably reaching the number one position on the iTunes singer-songwriter chart within 24 hours of its release. 

As of mid-2024, Chappell Roan's music has seen a remarkable surge in streaming numbers, surpassing 68.36 million weekly streams by June 20, a stark increase from just under 3 million earlier in the year. Her latest single "Good Luck, Babe!," released in April, has been pivotal, not only becoming her highest-charting Billboard Hot 100 hit but also driving overall streaming figures upwards. The album "The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess" has also seen an explosion in streams, exceeding 46,000 units per week, a significant rise from its initial performance. Meanwhile, Chappell has achieved a milestone with four songs simultaneously charting on the Billboard Hot 100: "Red Wine Supernova" at No. 54, "Hot to Go!" at No. 55, "Pink Pony Club" at No. 90, and "Good Luck, Babe!" making a notable impact across radio formats, climbing to No. 19 on Pop Airplay and No. 30 on Adult Pop Airplay charts.

She has also recently performed at several notable festivals that helped propel the popularity of “Good Luck, Babe!” including sets at Bonaroo, Governor’s Ball, and countless Pride performances in addition to a feature on NPR’s Tiny Desk.