Fried gold girl pop please

June 6, 2017 6:45 AM

This question inspired by Ariana Grande. Prior to recent events, I only knew Ariana from"Bang Bang". I really enjoyed her concert the other day, and I would like to hear more like it- pop by women that's aimed primarily at the pre-teen, teenager base.

Basically, if a cynical music journo would sneer at it, I want to hear it.

posted by threetwentytwo to Media & Arts (14 answers total)

Taylor Swift! (If you don't listen to any of the other suggestions on my list, do listen to her. She really fits the parameters of your question. Her most recent album is 1989 which is chock full of earworms. She also writes much of her own music, I am not sure if this is true of the others on my list.)
The Saturdays
Katy Perry
Girls Aloud
Spice Girls
possibly Rihanna - her lyrics are not exactly aimed at pre-teens, but I know pre-teens who LOVE her.
Rita Ora
Lady Gaga

Fairly sure music journos would sneer at all of the above.
posted by Ziggy500 at 6:55 AM on June 6, 2017 [1 favorite]

Carly Rae Jepsen. Emotion and Emotion Side B are two of the best pop albums of all time, period.
posted by parm at 7:03 AM on June 6, 2017 [9 favorites]

Music journalists always have a few pop girls that it's cool to like at any given time. Right now, Ariana is definitely one of them. Her music is pretty well received by critics (deservedly so, in my opinion).

A few more acts and some of their songs you could check out are:
Little Mix - Black Magic, Shout Out to My Ex, Touch, Move, Wings
Selena Gomez - Good for You, Come and Get It, Same Old Love, Hands to Myself
Zara Larsson - Lush Life, Never Forget You, I Would Like
Carly Rae Jepsen - I Really Like You, Run Away With Me
Hailee Steinfeld - Love Myself, Starving
Becky G - Shower
posted by Warm Summer Night at 7:12 AM on June 6, 2017 [1 favorite]

I am super in love with Charli XCX's album "Sucker".
posted by skycrashesdown at 7:19 AM on June 6, 2017 [2 favorites]

Carly Rae all the way! Her new single came out last week and it's all triumph and sunshine!
posted by sestaaak at 7:29 AM on June 6, 2017 [1 favorite]

These are all slightly hipstery recommendations (i.e. not too hipstery to show up on mainstream radio), but Alessia Cara, Solange, HAIM, and what the hell I'll throw in Kitty and Grimes.
posted by capricorn at 7:39 AM on June 6, 2017 [5 favorites]

Carly Rae Jepsen and Selena Gomez are on frequent rotation in our house and car.

I also like Jess Glynne but I don't know if pre-teens listen to her, her music might be aimed a bit wider than that. I would say it's the same genre though.
posted by cpatterson at 8:16 AM on June 6, 2017

HAIM is pretty great listening!

(Wait, ack, missed the above rec. Oh well!)
posted by R a c h e l at 8:17 AM on June 6, 2017

Haha, I think this is what I listen to.

Not yet mentioned; Halsey, Melanie Martinez, Tove Lo, Lana del Rey? Even Ellie Goulding.

I like this guy's "how every X's song is written" videos, e.g. Melanie Martinez.
posted by batter_my_heart at 8:45 AM on June 6, 2017 [1 favorite]

The Bangerz album by Miley Cyrus is great--it's on rotation at my house for cleaning days!

And +1 to Katy Perry. Her albums are so satisfying.
posted by stellaluna at 9:09 AM on June 6, 2017 [1 favorite]

+1 to Alessia Cara, Halsey, Melanie Martinez, and Selena Gomez.

I'll add Kiiara, Daya, and Bebe Rexha. My teen is hugely into Tatiana Manois right now. Not quite as dance poppy as the others, but very good.
posted by Rock Steady at 11:26 AM on June 6, 2017

Broods, Maggie Rodgers.
posted by erebora at 2:26 PM on June 6, 2017

Don't forget:
Demi Lovato
Jessie J
Marina and the Diamonds
Elle King
Karmin
Sia
Kesha
La Roux
Nicki Minaj
Pink
Kelly Clarkson
posted by ApathyGirl at 3:31 PM on June 6, 2017 [1 favorite]

Fifth Harmony
Cher Lloyd
posted by bluesapphires at 7:46 PM on June 6, 2017