Pochette de « Hootie Frutti » de KATSEYE. HYBE / Geffen Records
Every week, whatlisten sifts through the flood of new releases and current hits to keep ten tracks that truly matter. This week the selection travels: brand-new drops, sure bets on the rise, French-language gems and a detour through the Latin scene. Ten moods, one rule: only what you actually want on repeat. From arena-sized pop to underground rap, here is what moved us over the past seven days.
serena joy — Olivia Rodrigo
The star never coasts. After “drop dead” and “stupid song,” she unveils “serena joy,” a track built on driving, 80s-tinged post-punk energy and an openly political message inspired by “The Handmaid’s Tale.” Written with longtime collaborator Dan Nigro, it stands out for its darkness and urgency. It may well be one of the sharpest songs of her young career, and proof she has no intention of settling for polite hits.
Insignificant Other — Queens of the Stone Age
Guitar rock is back in the frame. Queens of the Stone Age have announced their album “Perfecth” for October 30 and share this first taste, all coiled tension. Josh Homme sings about absence and vertigo, about someone who was your whole world simply vanishing. The band plays raw and exposed: this is the one to keep for anyone who was waiting for a genuine electric jolt.
Hootie Frutti — KATSEYE
The most global girl group of the moment keeps landing hits. Taken from the EP “Wild,” “Hootie Frutti” rides an irresistible Latin beat and a high-octane routine, shot like an underground party. Colourful, danceable, made for social feeds: it’s the kind of chorus that lodges in your head without warning and refuses to leave. Expect it to soundtrack the last weeks of summer.
oh yeah? — Steve Lacy
The track keeps climbing. Tied to the soundtrack of “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” “oh yeah?” confirms the return to form of Steve Lacy, somewhere between lo-fi pop and elastic groove. It’s all about precision: a round bassline, a chorus that snaps, nothing wasted. A perfectly oiled little machine you play again and again.
Additional Driver — Blossoms feat. Declan McKenna
A British-pop summit. To mark ten years of their debut album, Blossoms team up with Declan McKenna on “Additional Driver,” a disco-flecked gem born from a very real fender-bender involving singer Tom Ogden. The first taste of their sixth record, due October 2, the track brims with lightness and camaraderie. Pure late-summer pleasure, and a reminder that the two acts share a knack for melody.
Babydoll — Dominic Fike
The phenomenon shows no sign of fading—quite the opposite. Carried by a virality that has lasted for months, “Babydoll” has finally pushed Dominic Fike to the very top of Spotify’s global chart. The song, far from new, proves a track can take years to find its audience before exploding all at once. Bittersweet and luminous, it has earned its second life. It is a rare case of the charts catching up with a song rather than the other way around.
RENÉ CAOVILLA — Gambi
On the French rap side, Gambi holds one of the season’s biggest hits. “RENÉ CAOVILLA,” a nod to the luxury footwear house, rides an efficient beat and a sticky hook made for the dancefloor and the car alike. It’s the winning comeback of an artist few expected back this high: the song is everywhere and simply won’t let up.
Séminaire — Bello & Dallas
The duo is soaring. “Séminaire,” taken from the project “Sarah.B,” has climbed high in the French charts on the strength of direct writing and infectious energy. Two voices bouncing off each other, a nervy beat, and that extra spark that separates real breakouts from mere followers. A name to watch closely this autumn.
LOVE YOU — Nono La Grinta
The Paris rapper is having his moment. “LOVE YOU” won’t leave the playlists and lands hard on the big live stages, where its melody hits every time. Sincere and open-hearted, the track proves there is still room for tenderness and singing in today’s French rap. A success that owes nothing to chance. On record as on stage, he makes vulnerability sound effortless, and the crowds sing every word back.
Mentira — Ryan Castro & Feid
To close, a detour through Medellín. Ryan Castro and Feid, two heavyweights of the Latin scene, reunite on “Mentira,” a bittersweet reggaeton about pretence and mixed signals. Sun-soaked production, an unstoppable hook: it’s the kind of track that stretches summer out a few more weeks. Add it to the end-of-season playlist without delay.
And next week?
Ten tracks, ten moods: from pop that bites to reggaeton that soothes, there’s plenty here to keep you going until the next batch. Autumn looks packed with releases: we’re keeping our ears open. See you next Friday for a fresh round of discoveries and can’t-miss hits.
