February 2026 is one to never forget for Bad Bunny. He emerged as one of the big winners at the 2026 Grammys, where his beloved album DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS made history as the first Spanish-language record to ever win Album of the Year. We honestly couldn’t imagine any other album taking home the prize — it was the soundtrack to our year. The singer is now deep in preparation for his upcoming Super Bowl Halftime Show performance, where he’ll become the first artist ever to deliver a fully Spanish-language set. In the current state of the world, that feels incredibly significant. History is about to be made, and we couldn’t be happier to see someone as involved, outspoken, and culturally rooted as Bad Bunny take on that responsibility. To celebrate the ‘DtMF’ hitmaker, we want to spotlight one of the most joyful tracks from his Grammy-winning album. We absolutely love “CAFé CON RON” and everything it stands for. The song is a celebration of everyday life and community, wrapped in a festive Puerto Rican spirit. The title literally translates to “coffee in the morning, rum in the afternoon” — a simple phrase that captures the rhythm of daily life and invites us to enjoy it to the fullest. “CAFé CON RON” is a song about togetherness. It urges people to step outside, dance with their neighbours in the sun, and share rum with friends and family. It’s exactly songs like this that make us even more excited for Bad Bunny’s performance this weekend. Hearing music like this sung out loud in an American stadium — encouraging unity, joy, and the celebration of our differences — feels incredibly powerful. We can’t wait to see what Bad Bunny has in store for us!
Clean brings you new music on the daily. We make sure you stay up to date with the latest releases you shouldn’t miss out on. However, every now and then, we like to take a little throwback. Whether it’s a song we believe you may have missed or a true blast from the past that once dominated the charts, these moments are here to remind us what today’s music is built on. We celebrate the hits of today — and revisit yesterday’s best tunes, like the one below. May we remind you of the absolute icon that is Christina Milian. The singer broke through with hits like ‘AM to PM’ and ‘Dip It Low’. During her peak, she carried the responsibility of being one of the defining pop and R&B voices of her time, alongside peers such as Ashanti and Amerie. After two major albums, Christina decided to pursue a more mature sound and fully embrace R&B. That decision famously led her to pass on Rihanna’s global hit ‘SOS’ — a choice that ultimately came at a cost, as she was dropped by her label soon after. As much as we love pop-era Christina Milian, we’re even bigger fans of her album So Amazin’. The project presents a more mature artist and showcases the kind of music she makes when there’s no pressure to chase chart-topping hits. The album is packed with classic R&B moments while still sounding fresh, daring, and ahead of its time. The lead single Say I, written by Jazmine Sullivan, already hints at the project’s undeniable potential. Every song on So Amazin’ feels essential — this album truly has zero skips. Our personal favourite is ‘Gonna Tell Everybody’. After a beautiful piano intro, the track kicks off with an iconic R&B beat that instantly earns a spot among our all-time favourite R&B ballads. The ‘When You Look At Me’ hitmaker softly croons, “I don’t wanna say I still love you, it hurts me every day thinking about who you are kissing — not me.” What initially sounds like a tender ode to an ex quickly takes a sharp turn when she reveals he has bee cheating on her and she threatens to tell everybody. At the 2:52 mark, the song surprises us with a beat switch — almost as if Christina finds her footing again and reclaims her self-worth - “You ain’t got nothing on me!”. The track unfolds like a short film, capturing every emotion of a painful breakup. It’s songs like this that make us wish today’s music had more female artists willing to deliver dramatic, four-minute heartbreak epics, pouring their souls into every note. Christina, please stop making low-budget Netflix movies and come back serenading our ears with rich R&B songs. We’re ready for your comeback!
DJ and producer MJ Cole is widely known for his garage and 2-step sound, driven by soulful grooves, crisp drums, and rich musicality. Blending classic dancefloor energy with melodic and emotional touches, he remains one of the key figures in the UK garage scene. Now, the DJ is breathing fresh life into his early-2000s classic ‘Sincere’. Fresh off her own remix project Fancy Some More?, it’s time for PinkPantheress to return the favour. She joins the track on a rework aptly titled ‘Still Sincere’. There’s something magical about hearing MJ Cole’s timeless garage production sound completely current again — simply by layering it with the ‘Illegal’ hitmaker’s delicate vocals. In a recent interview, PinkPantheress shared how thrilled she was to collaborate with the legend who inspired her music so profoundly. Lyrically, she tells a story of trying to distance herself from a man who is following and stalking her, leaving her anxious, curious, and suspicious as she pleads to be left alone. A dream collaboration — and the perfect way to give a classic new life.
Give a warm welcome back to Thundercat. The singer has announced his first album in six years, with Distracted set to drop later this year. Before diving into the full project, we’re treated to a first taste. To step back into the spotlight, Thundercat calls in a little help from a friend — Lil Yachty joins him on this comeback. Thundercat is known for his signature blend of funk and jazz, sprinkled with touches of R&B and hip-hop. Looking at his past, that versatility makes perfect sense. He started out as the bassist for hardcore punk band Suicidal Tendencies before becoming a key collaborator in modern hip-hop and R&B — most notably with Kendrick Lamar on the critically acclaimed To Pimp a Butterfly. This comeback arrives as a full-on funky statement. Thundercat sounds ready to turn 2026 into one long party, with Lil Yachty right by his side. He reminds us of every trick he has up his sleeve — vocally and on bass. From soulful low-register moments to soaring falsetto runs, he truly has it all. ‘I Did This To Myself’ is an absolute banger of a return. It feels like the beginning of already one of the year’s most anticipated albums.
What once started as a dream on Swedish Idol has turned into a career packed with timeless pop classics. Agnes has unforgettable hits to her name, from debut smash ‘Release Me’ to the more recent ‘Fingers Crossed’. Despite being released twelve years apart, the two share the same unmistakable Swedish pop touch — a quality that feels like the secret ingredient to her music. It’s no surprise, then, that we fell in love with her newly released album BEAUTIFUL MADNESS in much the same way we fell for the singer back in 2008. '“Welcome home honey” opens the next chapter in Agnes’ world. The album gets off to a strong start with the title track, which serves as a gentle introduction to what’s to come. A true slow-burner, both in production and in Agnes’ somewhat subdued vocal delivery. Knowing her, though, it won’t take long before things explode into huge vocals and bold productions. What follows is a streak of big, out-of-the-box pop songs with even bigger vocals on top. First up is ‘TRIGGER’, a playful track about wanting to find out what triggers her partner. Ironically, the only thing the upbeat song manages to trigger is our urge to tap our feet and slowly make our way to the dancefloor. Once there, we keep dancing to the most mainstream track on the project. ‘MILK’, released as one of the album’s singles, makes perfect sense in that role. Its demanding production and TikTok-ready lyrics feel like the ideal gateway for new fans to join the ride. Arriving at the album’s first single gives us a moment to catch our breath. The beautifully curated track builds patiently, with soft and inviting vocals, before finally dropping the beat. By now, it’s clear Agnes has no intention of letting us leave her imaginary club anytime soon. Ever since its release, we’ve yet to get over ‘BALENCIAGA COVERED EYES’. Follow-up single ‘EGO’ is another track we heard before the album dropped. While it didn’t fully click for us at first, hearing it within the full body of work gives it new context. The song nods to the Swedish pop greats who paved the way — with hints of Ace of Base and ABBA shining through, which can only be a good thing. As we move closer to the end of the album, we reach some of its standout moments. On ‘SIGN IT’, Agnes steps away from the ultra-commercial, pop-heavy sound and allows herself the space to slow things down. The track feels like an underdog in the making and shows just how exciting it is when she lets go of chasing big pop hits and returns to the basics. The haunting production plays with sound effects that double as rhythmic elements, building tension throughout. When Agnes finally demands “Pick up your pen and… SIGN IT!” we can’t help but gasp. The absolute peak of BEAUTIFUL MADNESS is ‘LOVESONGS’. The way Agnes glides over its carefully crafted production instantly calls to mind Florence and the Machine’s cover of ‘You’ve Got The Love’ by Candi Staton. We like to think of it as a 2026 version of the 1986 classic. Joined by a choir for the soaring hook — “Lately I’ve been singing love songs by myself” — the song feels massive in the best way. It leaves us wondering why this hasn’t yet received the single treatment. We can easily imagine it dominating commercial radio and climbing the charts. With BEAUTIFUL MADNESS, Agnes proves she belongs in the same league as her fellow Swedish pop icons. Once again, she reminds us that she is a true pop star — fully capable of delivering pure pop perfection.
Clean brings you new music on the daily. We make sure you stay up to date with the latest releases you shouldn’t miss out on. However, every now and then, we like to take a little throwback. Whether it’s a song we believe you may have missed or a true blast from the past that once dominated the charts, these moments are here to remind us what today’s music is built on. We celebrate the hits of today — and revisit yesterday’s best tunes, like the one below. This week marks the 10-year anniversary of Rihanna’s most recent studio album to date. The beloved singer released ANTI at the end of January 2016 — a moment very much worth celebrating. A decade later, the album still feels as bold, fresh, and essential as ever. Naturally, this calls for a throwback to one of the greatest projects released in recent years. Choosing a favourite track from an album full of masterpieces is no easy task, but there’s one song we simply can’t ignore. As much as we’d love to highlight a deep cut — a track that never charted or reached mainstream success — we have to be honest: ‘Love On The Brain’ is the best song on ANTI. Actually, scratch that. It’s one of the best songs ever recorded by a female pop vocalist. The track ticks all the boxes of a timeless classic. Even as a standalone, the production is flawless. Live instrumentation lays a soulful, dramatic foundation, allowing Rihanna to give herself fully to the song. On ‘Love On The Brain’, Rihanna sings from a place of raw emotion and vulnerability. She dares to sound imperfect and that’s exactly what makes the song so powerful. It’s heartbreak in its purest form. The live performances of ‘Love On The Brain’ will forever live rent-free in our minds. They showcase Rihanna’s vocal ability at its very best and cement the song as a defining moment in her discography. It’s tracks like this that make us miss her music, while also reminding us why we’re happy to give her all the time in the world. A decade later, her music still feels as alive as the day it was released.
Honey Dijon and Bree Runway have us daydreaming about the weekend on this gloomy Tuesday. Their new collaboration ‘Slight Werk’ is made for the club — the kind of track that wants you dancing until the sun comes up. It invites you to forget about your job, your worries, your ex, or whatever else you’re carrying, and simply get out and move. Honey Dijon is, of course, no stranger to the club scene. The DJ knows exactly how to keep a dance floor full, so it’s no surprise her production demands exactly that. Over the years, she’s collaborated with some of the biggest names in the industry, including Madonna and Beyoncé — winning a Grammy for her work on the latter’s Renaissance album. It’s exciting to see her continue to collaborate with some newer voices in the industry. Following her recent collaboration with Chlöe on ‘The Nightlife’, she now turns to the UK for her latest link-up. On ‘Slight Werk’, Honey Dijon teams up with Bree Runway. The UK rapper is known for her sassy, cunty and unapologetic delivery — and she doesn’t disappoint here. Riding Honey Dijon’s club-ready production with confidence and attitude, Bree once again proves why she’s one of the ones to watch in 2026. Can the weekend start already, please?
Singer Samm Henshaw released his brand new album It Could Be Worse last week. The 31-year-old artist from South London has been steadily releasing music since 2015, when he dropped his debut track ‘Only Wanna Be With You’. In the years that followed, Henshaw put out several EPs before releasing his first full-length album in 2022. Fast forward to 2026, and we’re now being treated to his sophomore record. Henshaw is known for his seamless blend of soul, R&B and gospel. Gospel, in particular, runs deep: he grew up singing in church, with his father serving as a pastor. You can hear that upbringing in his music — it feels comforting and welcoming, like a warm hug. His voice carries a familiar richness, occasionally reminiscent of John Legend, which can only be taken as a compliment. Today, we’d like to highlight one standout track from the album: ‘Closer’. The romantic production leans into soft background harmonies — the classic “oohs” and “aahs” — while Henshaw’s smooth vocal takes centre stage. Put it all together and you’ve got the perfect soundtrack for your upcoming Valentine’s date. Samm Henshaw is currently on tour and will make stops in Berlin (11.3), Rotterdam (12.3) and Paris (15.3), alongside multiple dates in his hometown of London. Like what you hear? Do yourself a favour and catch him live.
We love us some Jessie Ware. The UK singer never disappoints when it comes to putting a smile on our faces with her music. It’s unapologetically feel-good, made to dance to, without ever becoming too gimmicky or cheesy. No wonder critics consistently praise Jessie for her contribution to pop music. After the smash albums What’s Your Pleasure? and That! Feels Good!, the singer knows exactly where her star power lies. Let’s be honest — if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The ‘Free Yourself’ hitmaker is gearing up for her next release, already her sixth studio album. The first single setting the tone is ‘I Could Get Used To This’. A glamorous, disco-infused pop track that sounds like the soundtrack to a welcome party in heaven. It’s romantic, euphoric and, as always, a celebration of pleasure. Alongside the glorious production, Jessie gets playful with her songwriting, dropping clever nods like “Let’s stay here for infinity, Pablo silhouette, Venus energy” and expressing desire in the classiest way possible: “Baby tell me what’s on your mind, what you need? Don’t have to whisper our fantasies. Baby, ask and you shall receive. You just have to ask nicely, please.” Beyond the music itself, Jessie also delivers music-video perfection. She invites us into a secret garden filled with gods and goddesses, giving us a literal visual translation of the song. Even without sound, the video perfectly sets the mood of what the track feels like. We love it when a project melts together sonically and visually — pure perfection.
Harry Styles is ready to launch his fourth solo project after a three-year break from releasing new music. Last week he announced his upcoming album Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally., set for release on March 6. Alongside the album announcement, the ‘Falling’ hitmaker revealed a 2026 tour titled Together, Together. In addition to European stops in Amsterdam and London, the tour includes a staggering 30 nights at Madison Square Garden in New York. Harry won’t be taking on this huge tour alone. Friends such as Robyn, Shania Twain, Jamie xx and Jorja Smith have been announced as guest performers throughout the run. The first single from the upcoming project saw the light of day today. Stepping away from his familiar pop-rock sound, ‘Aperture’ finds Harry flirting unapologetically with the dancefloor. Lately, the singer has been enjoying some well-deserved nights out in Berlin, and the track feels like a direct reflection of those moments. The song starts slowly, much like the beginning of a night out, before gradually blossoming into its fast-paced peak — that moment when everyone comes together on the dancefloor, moving as one. We hear the crowd chant along with Harry “We belong together!”. Being Berlin residents ourselves, the influence of the city is unmistakable. The way the production builds layer by layer, overflowing with Harry’s vocals, feels intentional and expertly executed. One thing is certain: this song belongs in a dark, gloomy club, packed with sweaty bodies, reaching its climax just as the blinds open to reveal the first glimpse of daylight. This marks only the beginning of a new sonic chapter for the young hitmaker. This reinvention — shaped by lived experiences during his time of — has us genuinely excited for what the rest of the project will bring. We’re ready to dance with Harry!
A few years ago, in 2023, we couldn’t get enough of the EP A Mixtape by Anish Kumar — produced by, you guessed it, Anish Kumar himself. The project took our lives by storm, and we could barely listen to anything else. Standout track “Little Miss Dynamite” remains in heavy rotation to this day. So yes, we’re very happy that the DJ and producer released new music this week. For those not yet familiar with Anish: the British DJ with South Asian roots is known for his seamless blend of house music inspired by his heritage. He has a rare ability to make tracks feel just as at home in Berlin’s Panorama Bar as they do on mainstream radio. It’s a unique touch — and one that’s incredibly hard to find. His latest release is no exception. “The Heart Wants a Heart” carries his unmistakable trademark sound. It’s a beautifully curated piece of music that draws from both his home country, England, and his roots. This balance is exactly why we fell in love with his work in the first place — alongside his incredibly sharp ear for quality music. That said, this single feels more mature, a little less playful than what we heard on his debut EP. Don’t get us wrong, though: it’s another banger we’ll be playing on repeat.
May we introduce you to our latest obsession? Recently, we discovered singer Gabriel Jacoby, and we’ve been listening to little else ever since. The 27-year-old Tampa, Florida–based R&B/soul singer made his official debut in 2022, with tracks like “Reptile” and “Forever” first sparking interest. Fast forward to 2025, and we’re treated to his debut EP gutta child — a masterful introduction to what should be one of 2026’s most promising new names in music. Gabriel is a well-behaved young man. The introduction to his EP quite literally starts with an introduction. “hello” sets the tone for the project, immediately treating us to a blend of blues, funk, and R&B. Title track “gutta child” picks up exactly where “hello” leaves off, keeping the trumpets blowing and the drums beating throughout its funky production. It quickly becomes clear that the singer leads by example. We hear influences from greats like Maxwell and Miguel, his voice at times resembling Prince, and — dare we say — his raw, emotional lyrical delivery even bringing Lil Wayne to mind. Big names to live up too, yet it turns out to be no “biggie” for the young singer. Tracks like “same sign” and “baby” give Gabriel the space to let his raspy falsetto truly shine. When we previously mentioned Prince, we weren’t exaggerating. Hearing him croon over the laid-back, soulful production feels effortless, as if he’s singing his lungs out with ease. On “baby,” he’s joined by an uncredited female vocalist, shaping the track into a true throwback moment. It transports us back to a time when R&B in this form dominated radio waves. We hear you thinking: does the project offer variety? Hell yes. Halfway through this excellent body of work, Gabriel invites us straight to the club with ‘bootleg’. Teaming up with Tom G — the EP’s only feature — he proves that an up-tempo, club-ready track is well within his range. Don’t get us wrong: the song still fits perfectly within the project’s overall sound. Remember when Macklemore & Ryan Lewis were dominating the charts with their funky hits? That’s exactly the lane Gabriel briefly steps into here, expanding his range without losing his identity. An introduction wouldn’t be complete without telling us where he comes from. “dirty south baby” gives us a glimpse into how the young star grew up. His lyrical delivery is slick, and with a flow like this, he shows he can easily hold his own alongside today’s biggest rappers. It’s without a doubt the EP’s most hip-hop–inspired track, giving us a moment to catch our breath halfway through the listening experience. The song even closes with a harmonica, offering a peaceful, unexpected outro. “the one” is the track that truly convinces us gutta child is destined to be a timeless record. Echoing Maxwell and the late D’Angelo, it could easily fool you into thinking it was released in the late ’90s — and no, we don’t mean that in an outdated way. Quite the opposite. It’s refreshing to hear an artist show this level of respect for the greats, especially in an age where TikTok credibility often seems more important than musical quality. Keep your eyes — and ears — on Gabriel Jacoby.
After spending eleven years in one of the best-selling girlbands of all time, Leigh-Anne was the first to release solo music following Little Mix’s hiatus. Her solo career started with a bang thanks to the smash hit “Don’t Say Love.” In our opinion, it remains one of the strongest popstar-gone-solo debuts we’ve heard in years. The track sounded refreshingly different from her girlband days, leaning into R&B and the UK’s beloved garage sound. The follow-up singles, however, reportedly underperformed in her label’s eyes — despite being genuinely great songs. This ultimately led to Leigh-Anne being dropped. It’s hard to imagine how difficult it must be to go from the UK’s biggest girlband, with countless Top 10 hits under your belt, to having to start from zero again. Especially when, just a year later, fellow group member JADE launches her solo career and is praised as the next big thing in music. Rather than stepping back, Leigh-Anne decided to take control and move forward as an independent artist. And independence comes with freedom. She’s now able to release the music she’s always wanted to make. On February 20, she’ll release her debut album My Ego Told Me To. The latest single, 'Most Wanted’, ahead of the album drop is nothing short of a banger. The track highlights Leigh-Anne’s island roots and feels like a true throwback to the era when Rihanna’s career first began to bloom. Teaming up with Valiant and Rvssian, the “Been A Minute” hitmaker delivers “Most Wanted,” a song that dares you to stand still once the beat kicks in. With lyrics demanding movement — “You love it when I arch my back, put your hands on my waist. Good body, got the most wanted” — Leigh-Anne makes it clear: she’s in control, and she’s just getting started. Independent, unapologetic, and finally in full control in her own terms!
CLEAN brings you new music on the daily. We make sure you stay up to date with the latest releases you shouldn’t miss out on. However, every now and then, we like to take a little throwback. Whether it’s a song we believe you may have missed or a true blast from the past that once dominated the charts, these moments are here to remind us what today’s music is built on. We celebrate the hits of today — and revisit yesterday’s best tunes, like the one below. Justin Nozuka will forever have our hearts thanks to his incredible song “After Tonight”, released in 2008. In our opinion, it remains one of the best pop songs ever recorded. This throwback, however, is a little closer to the present. We’re going just five years back in time, to 2021, when the singer released “Nova”. Those familiar with Justin know he’s blessed with a voice like no other — soulful, warm, fragile, and soft all at once. CLEAN had the chance to experience his vocals live and will never forget just how special he sounded. On “Nova” he dares to step outside his comfort zone, revealing a more sensual side of himself. While his voice usually carries the weight off pain in his lyrics, this time he croons his way through the track, awakening an entirely new set of emotions. The intentional breaks in his voice, paired with the sultry production, are simply melt-worthy. It’s impossible not to fall in love when he serenades you with lines like “It’s like I hit the lotto, things going my way. Hearts about to stop, by that look on your face.” If this song turns you into a fan as well, be sure to check out his latest project 三 out now.
If there was one thing all major music critics had in common last year, it was the inclusion of Nourished by Time’s The Passionate Ones on their year-end best-of lists. Released in August, the project immediately sparked interest thanks to its brutally honest and beautifully curated musicality throughout the entire album. His second full-length release to date is packed with electronic R&B and funky, jazz-pop sounds, influenced by ’70s disco, while his singing and spoken-word delivery feel heavily inspired by hip-hop and even trap music. Crafted between Baltimore, London, and NYC, the album carries traces of all three cities — something you can hear throughout the music. The Passionate Ones feels like a form of escapism from the world we currently live in, both for the artist himself and for us as listeners. Singer Marcus Brown gave tracks like “Max Potential”, “9 2 5”, and “BABY BABY” an extra push for taking on the responsibility of introducing the album ahead of its release. Each of these songs did its job perfectly, setting the tone for what would later become The Passionate Ones. Still, we’d like to highlight one more track from the album — one that, alongside those already mentioned, has become our personal favourite. Half a year into listening to the album non-stop, we find ourselves returning to “It’s Time” again and again. Track number four reads like a beautiful, honest poem when you take in the lyrics on their own. Once sung in his deep, charming, and commanding voice, it almost transforms into a conversation with the man behind the music. “It’s Time” was written, produced, and performed entirely by Nourished by Time himself. No wonder it feels like an absolute masterpiece when everything comes together through his own vision and love.
From one of the UK’s most promising pop acts to a soulful indie artist — ELIZA made quite the U-turn in 2018 when she dropped Doolittle from her name and became simply ELIZA. This shift was about far more than a name change. The artist you once knew from her hit “Pack Up” left her pop days behind her, and for all the right reasons. Her heart clearly lies with funky, soulful music, layered with an indie edge while remaining just mainstream enough to keep her original fans close. Following the success of the EPs A Real Romantic and A Sky Without Stars, she now returns with brand-new music. “Cheddar” is the second single from her upcoming project The Darkening Green, set for release March 4th. Much like her recent work, it’s a laid-back track carried by her raw, expressive vocals. The production invites you to move along to the funky drums without ever tipping into chaos. Another stellar delivery from the “Wasn’t Looking” hitmaker.
Last year was a big one for JADE. She released her debut solo project THAT’S SHOWBIZ BABY!, which went on to become the fastest-selling debut album of 2025 — well deserved, if you ask us. Not only is the singer a devoted fan of pop music herself, she also knows exactly how to elevate the genre, approaching it like a true student of pop. One month ago, she treated fans to seven brand-new songs with THE ENCORE edition of her debut album. The standout track is, without a doubt, “Use Me”. For the song, she teamed up with TMS, who handled the production. The two are no strangers to one another: the “Angel of My Dreams” hitmaker worked with them multiple times during her Little Mix days. It’s no surprise this collaboration feels like a match made in heaven. “Use Me” offers pure pop perfection for the London dance floors. Its thriving production transports us straight into a hot, sweaty queer club, instantly making us wish we were there — dancing alongside fellow fans to this masterpiece. The beat is undeniably sexy, overflowing with Jade’s sensual vocals as she begs to be used. She commands: “Better make me your mission, you got permission to use me more. This romance needs no chemicals, we’re high on the mirrored floor.” Originally written with a Kylie Minogue collaboration in mind, the song sees JADE exploring both the expression of her sexuality and her toxic relationship with the music industry. She is no stranger to sharing these experiences through her smash hits. In the chorus, she chants “my voice, my lips, the hits.” At first listen, it’s easy to focus solely on the song’s sexual energy. But when you listen closely, the lyrics reveal a clear double meaning — one that speaks just as much about being used as a product by the industry. The only thing left to ask for? Another David LaChapelle collaboration for a hot and steamy pop video to match.
2026 started with a bang. Swedish Idol 2005 winner Agnes has released the fourth single from her upcoming album BEAUTIFUL MADNESS. With “WAKE UP” she does exactly what she does best: blending Europop perfection with disco-infused energy. The production team manages to showcase every past version of Agnes in a single track. It feels like the perfect smoothie of everything we’ve loved before — echoes of “Release Me” and “Fingers Crossed” are clearly present — while still sounding fresh. “WAKE UP” demands exactly what its title promises. Agnes belts it out, urging you to leave your seat and start living as the best version of yourself. It’s the perfect motivational track for anyone trying to stick to their New Year’s resolutions. Is it slightly cheesy? Have we heard something like this before? Absolutely. But that doesn’t make it any less effective — or any less fun. “Why not have the glass-is-overflowing state of mind?”