Katy Perry
Watch It Burn
Watch It Burn
After a period of intense public scrutiny, Katy Perry returns with Watch It Burn, a single that feels less like a comeback and more like a statement of intent. Rather than chasing trends, she leans into a darker, more cinematic sound, pairing brooding production with a vocal performance that balances vulnerability and defiance. The chorus is unmistakably Perry, built for festival stages and radio alike, but there’s a maturity here that distinguishes it from some of her earlier work.
Lyrically, Watch It Burn explores resilience, transformation and the decision to leave the past behind. While the song doesn’t abandon the polished pop formula that made Perry one of the defining artists of the past decade, it introduces enough grit to feel contemporary without sounding forced.
Production remains crisp throughout, allowing the emotional weight of the lyrics to breathe while maintaining the energy expected of a mainstream pop release. Perry’s gift for melody remains intact, and the result is a confident return that feels authentic rather than nostalgic.
Whether Watch It Burn marks the beginning of a wider creative reinvention remains to be seen, but as the opening chapter of a new era it succeeds. Confident, dramatic and emotionally grounded, it is one of the month’s most talked-about pop releases.
★★★★☆
Gracie Abrams
Look At My Life
Gracie Abrams continues to prove why she has become one of contemporary pop’s most compelling songwriters with Look At My Life. Built around understated instrumentation and beautifully restrained production, the track places her storytelling firmly at the centre, allowing every lyric to land with quiet precision.
Rather than relying on dramatic crescendos, Abrams explores anxiety, intrusive thoughts and the pressure to present a polished version of yourself to the world. The result is deeply personal without becoming self-indulgent, offering listeners an intimate portrait of vulnerability that feels universally relatable.
Vocally, she delivers one of her most assured performances to date. Every phrase is measured and intentional, allowing the emotional narrative to unfold naturally. The sparse production complements rather than competes with her voice, creating space for the songwriting to shine.
Abrams has mastered the art of saying more with less. There are no unnecessary embellishments or oversized hooks here, only thoughtful lyricism and emotional honesty delivered with remarkable confidence.
Look At My Life isn’t designed to dominate dancefloors or chase fleeting trends. Instead, it offers something increasingly rare in modern pop: genuine authenticity. Beautifully written and quietly captivating, it confirms Gracie Abrams as one of the defining voices of her generation.
★★★★½
SexyTadhg
Townie Girl
Few artists are reshaping Irish music with the imagination and confidence of SexyTadhg. On Townie Girl, they continue to carve out a space entirely their own, blending traditional Irish instrumentation with theatrical pop, queer storytelling and razor-sharp wit to create something that feels both deeply rooted and refreshingly modern.
Built around infectious fiddle lines and contemporary production, Townie Girl celebrates a recognisable Irish character while gently poking fun at the social dynamics of small-town life. The humour is unmistakably Irish, but beneath the playful surface sits a broader message about identity, belonging and reclaiming space for queer voices within Irish culture.
Vocally, SexyTadhg brings charisma and personality to every line, balancing camp theatricality with genuine emotional warmth. Rather than treating traditional music as something fixed in the past, they breathe new life into it by allowing folk traditions to coexist with contemporary songwriting and bold self-expression.
At a time when Irish artists are increasingly challenging expectations around genre and identity, Townie Girl stands as one of the year’s most original releases. It is fearless without being confrontational, joyful without becoming novelty, and proudly Irish without relying on nostalgia. SexyTadhg continues to prove that tradition isn’t something to preserve behind glass. It’s something that can evolve, surprise and belong to everyone.
★★★★☆
Sombr
My Body Isn’t Ready
SOMBR continues his remarkable rise with My Body Isn’t Ready, an intimate and emotionally exposed single that places vulnerability at the heart of its songwriting. Rather than relying on grand production or obvious hooks, the track succeeds through its honesty, exploring body image, self-doubt and the fear of emotional intimacy with striking clarity.
Built around understated instrumentation and a restrained vocal performance, the song captures the internal conflict between wanting closeness and feeling unable to fully accept yourself. Every lyric feels deeply personal, yet familiar enough to resonate with anyone who has wrestled with insecurity or self-perception.
The production remains deliberately minimal throughout, allowing the emotion to take centre stage. Gentle guitars, subtle textures and carefully layered vocals create an atmosphere that never overwhelms the message. Instead, every musical choice reinforces the quiet intensity of the song.
What makes My Body Isn’t Ready so compelling is its refusal to offer easy answers. Rather than resolving those feelings, SOMBR simply allows them to exist, trusting listeners to find themselves within the uncertainty.
As alternative pop continues to embrace greater emotional openness, SOMBR stands out as one of its most thoughtful new voices. Honest, understated and beautifully crafted, My Body Isn’t Ready is among the strongest independent releases of the month.
★★★★☆
The Industry Review 
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