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Caroline Kawabe

POP GIRLS ARE BACK!

The Rise of a New Generation of Pop Queens

by Caroline Kawabe


Photo by Adriana Rivera

Pop music is back, baby! Yes, Taylor Swift has been the undisputed queen of pop for years, but now we’re seeing a whole new wave of pop girls step into the spotlight. Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter, Tate McRae, Gracie Abrams, and Chappell Roan are just a few of the fresh faces shaking up the industry, and I personally am loving every second of it.


In my humble opinion, Olivia Rodrigo’s song “driver’s license” was the spark that we needed. The gut-wrenching heartbreak anthem dropped in early 2021 and instantly had everyone crying in their cars. It wasn’t just a song; it was a cultural reset. Between “driver’s license,” “deja vu,” and “good 4 u,” Olivia catapulted to superstardom practically overnight. Her debut album SOUR became the soundtrack of the year, securing her Best New Artist, Best Pop Vocal Album, and Best Pop Solo Performance at the 2022 Grammy Awards. 


With all that being said, let’s not forget the drama. The Joshua Bassett-Sabrina Carpenter love triangle. Oh boy. It gave us the messy, tabloid-worthy pop star intrigue we hadn’t seen in ages. Not to be a drama supporter, but, honestly, that love triangle evoked the kind of public intrigue that had long been somewhat of a staple of pop stardom.


Speaking of Sabrina Carpenter, she’s not just a side character in the Olivia saga—she’s a star in her own right. Tracks like “Skin” and “because i liked a boy” certainly turned heads, but it was her latest album, Short ’n Sweet, that cemented her as a pop STAR. With viral hits like “Espresso,” “Please Please Please,” and “Juno,” Sabrina showed she’s got the chops to hang with, and be, the best. And those cheeky, TikTok-famous “Nonsense” outros? I mean, even Rolling Stone ranked her 10 best outros. Iconic. She’s giving us everything we want in a pop star: bops, personality, and just the right amount of “did she just say that?”


Then there’s Tate McRae, who’s been quietly dominating with her moody pop anthems. Her breakout hit “you broke me first” had all the feels, and we got to see her mind-blowing dance moves showcased in the music videos for her hit singles “greedy,” “exes,” and “it’s okay, i’m okay.” Total pop star vibes. Her combination of raw emotion and commanding stage presence feels reminiscent of Britney Spears, blending relatability with star power. She can sing, she can dance, and she can write. Tate is the complete package. She just screams cool girl-next-door who’s effortlessly talented and always booked and busy. Who doesn’t want that in a pop star?


We can’t forget Gracie Abrams and Chappell Roan. Though she’s been releasing music for some time, Gracie’s latest album The Secret of Us definitely earned the most mainstream attention. With tracks like “I Love You, I’m Sorry” and “That’s So True” blowing up online, she’s putting the nepo-baby allegations to rest and showing us that her talent speaks for itself. 


Meanwhile, Chappell Roan is out here bringing that eccentric yet emotional energy back to pop music. Her campy, colorful aesthetic and unapologetically catchy songs are exactly what the genre needs.  Her anthem “Pink Pony Club” is a celebration of individuality and self-expression, showcasing her ability to connect with listeners on a deeply personal level. She’s quirky, she’s bold, and she’s impossible to ignore.


Together, these rising stars are breathing new life into pop music. They’re giving us new music, jaw-dropping performances, and a whole lot of personality. Pop isn’t just back—it’s thriving, and I am here for it. Long live the pop girls!

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