Most Famous 2020s Art Pop from the Last 90 Days, updated on Nov 11,2024
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1 . Billie Eilish - What Was I Made For? [From The Motion Picture "Barbie"]Set against the introspective backdrop of Barbie (2023), Billie Eilish’s melancholic ballad "What Was I Made For?" ponders existential questions, blending vulnerability and reflection. Co-written with her brother Finneas, this minimalist piece is a quiet contemplation of purpose, beautifully amplified by Eilish's soft, emotional vocals. The music video, directed by Eilish, contrasts the song’s depth with a striking visual of her in a blonde wig and yellow dress. The track accompanies a pivotal moment in the film where Barbie meets Ruth Handler, her creator. Genres : Pop,art pop, pop The music video is directed by Greta Gerwig 13.88% / 0.65% |
2 . Billie Eilish - everything i wantedBillie Eilish’s "Everything I Wanted," released in 2019, takes listeners into the depths of a nightmare where Eilish envisions her own death going unnoticed. Supported by a minimalist downtempo bass and piano, the song weaves through themes of depression, anxiety, and the weight of external expectations. Produced by Finneas, the track’s melancholic tone is balanced by a glimpse of solace found in Eilish’s bond with her brother. This haunting piece earned multiple Grammy nominations, winning Record of the Year in 2021. Genres : Pop,art pop, pop The music video is directed by Billie Eilish 4.81% / 0.38% |
3 . Lady Gaga - Shallow"Shallow," the emotive centerpiece of A Star Is Born (2018), showcases the magnetic chemistry between Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper. Opening with Cooper’s raspy vocals and an acoustic guitar, the track transitions to Gaga’s powerful voice in the second verse, creating a swelling country-folk ballad. The song underscores Ally’s rise to fame and the deepening emotional connection between her and Jackson Maine, culminating in an unforgettable live performance scene filmed at the Greek Theater. Shallow quickly became a global success, capturing several prestigious awards. Genres : Pop, Easy listening,art pop, dance pop, pop, hollywood The music video is directed by Bradley Cooper 2.34% / 0.10% |
4 . Billie Eilish - Happier Than EverStarting as a soft acoustic ballad, "Happier Than Ever" transforms halfway into a raucous rock explosion. Billie Eilish uses this duality to express the emotional turbulence of a toxic relationship. Released in 2021, the title track of her second album sees Eilish moving away from her signature trap sound, opting for an experimental blend of jazz and electropop. The song explores themes of personal liberation and the joy of breaking free, solidifying its presence in major award nominations, including the 2022 Grammys. Genres : Pop,art pop, pop The music video is directed by Billie Eilish 3.61% / 0.11% |
5 . Lady Gaga - Hold My HandLady Gaga delivers an 80s-inspired arena rock ballad with "Hold My Hand," the emotional anchor of Top Gun: Maverick (2022). Co-written with BloodPop and Benjamin Rice, the song echoes the themes of courage and redemption, with Gaga offering a comforting hand through her soaring vocals. The cinematic anthem became the heart of the film, as acknowledged by Tom Cruise, and its themes of resilience earned the track nominations at both the Golden Globes and Oscars. Genres : Pop,art pop, dance pop, pop The music video is directed by Joseph Kosinski 4.56% / 0.24% |
6 . Billie Eilish - Lunch"Lunch," released by Billie Eilish in 2024, dives into her exploration of same-sex attraction. With its heavy bass line, the track blends electro, synth-rock, and post-punk, creating a bold soundscape for Eilish’s candid reflection on her sexual awakening. The playful music video, directed by Eilish, juxtaposes her masculine streetwear against lyrics steeped in irony. The retro 90s aesthetic, complete with VHS filters and vibrant scenes, heightens the song’s mischievous energy. Genres : Pop, Country,art pop, pop The music video is directed by Billie Eilish Featured on the album HIT ME HARD AND SOFT 27.42% / -0.63% |
7 . AURORA - Cure For MeAurora’s 2021 single "Cure For Me" unapologetically denounces conversion therapy and challenges societal norms. The track’s theatrical, EDM-infused electropop beats, laced with arcade-like melodies, create a jubilant yet rebellious atmosphere. Drawing inspiration from Brazilian composer Ary Barroso’s "Aquarela do Brasil," the song turns a joyful tune into an anthem of freedom, pushing back against outdated, harmful practices targeting the LGBTQ+ community. Genres : Pop,art pop, norwegian pop The music video is directed by Sigurd Fossen 4.00% / 0.35% |
8 . Billie Eilish - NDAIn "NDA," Billie Eilish reflects on the price of fame and the need for privacy in a world eager to scrutinize her every move. Released in 2021, the track merges dark pop with elements of industrial and techno, creating a foreboding atmosphere. Eilish reveals her personal struggles, referencing stalkers and secret house purchases. The video, shot at night with cars racing dangerously around her, mirrors the anxiety and chaos that fame has brought into her life. Genres : Pop,art pop, pop The music video is directed by Billie Eilish 4.15% / 0.50% |
9 . Billie Eilish - Your Power"Your Power," Billie Eilish’s poignant 2021 acoustic ballad, addresses the abuse of power in relationships, particularly when adults exploit younger individuals. Set against minimalistic guitar strumming, Eilish’s haunting voice delivers a quiet yet powerful rebuke to manipulative behavior. The accompanying music video features Eilish in a barren desert, slowly being constricted by a massive anaconda, a visual metaphor for the suffocating nature of control and exploitation. Genres : Pop,art pop, pop The music video is directed by Billie Eilish 2.02% / 0.17% |
10 . Charli XCX - 360Charli XCX’s hyperpop masterpiece, "360," released in 2024, fuses experimental pop and electro beats with lyrics dissecting fame, media obsession, and self-image. Produced by A. G. Cook and Cirkut, the track’s pulsating synths and sharp vocal effects create a brash but captivating sound. With references to celebrities like Julia Fox, the song questions how much of the reflected self aligns with reality. A remixed version featuring Robyn and Yung Lean adds even more layers to the exploration of identity in the digital age. Genres : Pop, Electronic,art pop, candy pop, metropopolis, pop, uk pop The music video is directed by Aidan Zamiri Featured on the album Charli XCX 95.25% / -6.86% |
11 . Billie Eilish - bad guyBillie Eilish mocks traditional notions of toughness in "Bad Guy," an electropop sensation released in 2019. With its minimalist instrumentation, quirky production—including a sampled Australian pedestrian signal—this track challenges stereotypes while asserting Eilish as the true "bad guy." Winning both Record of the Year and Song of the Year at the 2020 Grammys, "Bad Guy" is also notable for its abrupt shift into darker, more introspective territory in its final moments, further deepening its ironic commentary on power dynamics. Genres : Pop,art pop, pop The music video is directed by ave Meyers 0.57% / 0.04% |
12 . Lana Del Rey - Doin' TimeLana Del Rey reinterprets Sublime’s "Doin’ Time" with her own dreamy, melancholic spin. Released in 2019 for her album Norman Fucking Rockwell!, the trip-hop-inspired track retains Sublime's laid-back, California-cool vibe while imbuing it with Lana’s signature sadness. The song’s imagery of toxic relationships and feeling imprisoned aligns with the carefree aesthetic of 90s Southern California. The music video, with Lana as a giantess roaming Los Angeles, adds a playful visual nod to 1958’s Attack of the 50 Foot Woman. Genres : Pop,art pop, pop The music video is directed by Rich Lee 4.13% / 0.15% |
13 . Lady Gaga - Rain On Me (w/ Ariana Grande)"Rain On Me," the electrifying house-pop anthem by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, dropped in 2020, radiating themes of resilience and emotional release. Powered by disco beats and funk guitars, the song uses the metaphor of rain to represent life’s challenges and healing. A chart-topping success, it became the first female collaboration to win the Grammy for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. The track blends the best of both artists—Gaga’s emotional depth and Grande’s vocal agility—creating a euphoric, danceable celebration of perseverance. Genres : Pop,art pop, dance pop, pop The music video is directed by Robert Rodriguez 1.44% / 0.06% |
14 . Lana Del Rey - Chemtrails Over The Country ClubLana Del Rey’s wistful 2021 ballad "Chemtrails Over the Country Club" juxtaposes the carefree imagery of suburban summer with underlying melancholy. Produced by Jack Antonoff, the track evokes 70s folk-pop serenity while subtly commenting on hidden illusions behind idyllic settings. With references to her personal relationships and a longing for simplicity, Lana crafts a song that captures both the beauty and disillusionment of chasing normalcy amid a whirlwind of fame. Genres : Pop,art pop, pop The music video is directed by BRTHR 8.67% / 0.47% |
15 . Charli XCX - Von DutchCharli XCX’s "Von Dutch," released in 2024, is a glittering throwback to Y2K pop culture. The song’s title references the iconic fashion brand, popularized by early 2000s celebs like Paris Hilton. With a playful electropop beat and cheeky lyrics poking fun at fame and jealousy, Charli embodies the "it girl" persona. A remix featuring Addison Rae heightens the song’s nostalgic vibe, bringing in even more Y2K flair with its updated production by A. G. Cook. Genres : Pop, Electronic,art pop, candy pop, metropopolis, pop, uk pop The music video is directed by TORSO 40.27% / -1.31% |
16 . Billie Eilish - Therefore I AmIn "Therefore I Am," Billie Eilish shrugs off expectations and judgments with a confident and cheeky tone. Released in 2020, the track blends electropop and hip-hop elements, giving it a rebellious edge. The music video, shot in an empty mall, sees Eilish roaming freely, grabbing snacks as she gleefully dismisses societal pressures. The song’s empowering lyrics and carefree visuals present a refreshing declaration of self-identity and autonomy. Genres : Pop,art pop, pop The music video is directed by Billie Eilish 0.94% / 0.04% |
17 . Lady Gaga - 911"911" by Lady Gaga dives deep into her battle with mental health, using the metaphor of needing "911" for emotional rescue. The track, from her 2020 album Chromatica, fuses Eurodisco with robotic synth-pop beats, reflective of the numbness Gaga feels while on medication. The video, rich with symbolism, draws inspiration from Sergei Parajanov’s art film The Color of Pomegranates, mirroring Gaga’s struggle between reality and hallucination. The song is a powerful reflection on inner conflict and healing. Genres : Pop,art pop, dance pop, pop The music video is directed by Tarsem Singh 1.89% / 0.22% |
18 . Billie Eilish - Male Fantasy"Male Fantasy," the final track from Billie Eilish’s 2021 album, critiques the unrealistic and misogynistic portrayal of women in pornography while also exploring heartbreak and isolation. The acoustic ballad’s lyrics delve into societal expectations and the personal toll they take on women. Eilish's introspective tone gives weight to this critique of the "male gaze," while the music video depicts her restlessly moving through an apartment, trying to escape her thoughts Genres : Pop,art pop, pop The music video is directed by Billie Eilish 5.61% / 0.45% |
19 . Billie Eilish - all the good girls go to hellBillie Eilish infuses dark humor and biting commentary on climate change in "All the Good Girls Go to Hell," a track from her debut album. The 2018 song fuses electropop with alternative sounds while using religious symbolism to critique moral corruption and environmental destruction. The striking music video, where Eilish emerges from a pool of oil to walk through a city on fire, evokes imagery of environmental disasters and serves as a stark reminder of humanity’s responsibility to the Earth. Genres : Pop,art pop, pop The music video is directed by Rich Lee 1.03% / 0.07% |
20 . Billie Eilish - xanny"xanny," released in 2019, sees Billie Eilish tackling the impacts of substance abuse, specifically Xanax, on her peers. The minimalistic video, directed by Eilish and released on December 5, 2019, shows her sitting on a white bench as disembodied hands extinguish cigarettes on her face. With its jazzy mid-tempo and distorted bass, the track reached No. 35 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was later certified platinum. Genres : Pop,art pop, pop The music video is directed by Billie Eilish Featured on the album When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? 1.10% / 0.08% |
ABOUT ART POPThe Music of Art PopThe musical essence of 2020s Art Pop is built on catchy melodies and sophisticated arrangements, combining electronic instruments, synths, and futuristic sound textures. This sonic aesthetic is meticulously crafted by innovative producers who shape the genre’s identity.
The Words of Art PopLyrics in Art Pop often explore contemporary themes like identity, celebrity, technology, and consumer culture, sometimes with cryptic references to pop culture or abstract concepts.
2020s Art Pop: Fashion Endorsers & EndorseesArt Pop’s fusion of music and visual arts is intimately tied to fashion, with artists frequently collaborating with fashion houses and designers to push the boundaries of style, creating looks that amplify their musical and artistic personas.
Further Reading and ViewingSeveral platforms focus on the intersection of music and visual artistry that defines Art Pop, offering in-depth analysis and coverage of this evolving genre.
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