Pop artists doing more than generic pop music include Charli XCX, girl in red, Rex Orange County, Japanese Breakfast, King Princess, Oh Wonder, PinkPantheress, Gorillaz and Florence + the Machine. Each mixes pop with hyperpop, indie, jazz, electronic or art rock. Here is what makes each one different, and what they have released up to 2026.
What “more than generic pop” means here
Mainstream pop runs on formulas: a big chorus, a familiar beat, a three-minute radio edit. The acts on this list still write catchy songs, but they bend the rules. Some play with sound, some with structure, and some with the kind of stories pop usually avoids.
Several of these names were “underrated” when we first wrote this list in January 2024. A few have since become very big. We have kept all nine and added what each has done since.
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Quick facts
| Artist | From | Style | Latest major release |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charli XCX | UK | Hyperpop, club pop | Music, Fashion, Film (2026) |
| girl in red | Norway | Indie pop | I’m Doing It Again Baby! (2024) |
| Rex Orange County | UK | Pop, jazz, hip-hop | The Alexander Technique (2024) |
| Japanese Breakfast | USA | Indie and art pop | For Melancholy Brunettes (& Sad Women) (2025) |
| King Princess | USA | Alt-pop | Girl Violence (2025) |
| Oh Wonder | UK | Alt-pop duo | Oh Wonder (10 Years On) (2025) |
| PinkPantheress | UK | Bedroom pop, UK garage | Fancy That (2025) |
| Gorillaz | UK | Art pop, virtual band | The Mountain (2026) |
| Florence + the Machine | UK | Art rock, chamber pop | Everybody Scream (2025) |
9 pop artists doing more than generic pop music
1. Charli XCX
Charli XCX had chart hits early in her career, then turned towards the harder, stranger sound now called hyperpop. Brat (2024) became a cultural moment, from its lime-green cover to “brat summer”. It won Grammys for Best Dance/Electronic Album and Best Recording Package, and “Von Dutch” won Best Dance Pop Recording.
Since then she has scored the 2026 film Wuthering Heights, released the album Music, Fashion, Film in July 2026, and taken on several acting roles.
2. girl in red
girl in red is Norwegian singer-songwriter Marie Ulven Ringheim. She started by recording songs in her bedroom and became a favourite of queer fans with honest, guitar-led indie pop. Her second album, I’m Doing It Again Baby! (2024), featured Sabrina Carpenter on “You Need Me Now?”. In 2026 she also made her lead acting debut in the film Low Expectations, which premiered at Cannes.
3. Rex Orange County
Rex Orange County is British musician Alexander O’Connor. He blends pop with jazz chords and hip-hop rhythms. Tyler, the Creator brought him in for Flower Boy (2017), where he co-wrote and sang on “Boredom” and “Foreword”. His latest album is The Alexander Technique (2024), and he has since released songs with Daniel Caesar.
4. Japanese Breakfast
Japanese Breakfast is the project of Michelle Zauner, who writes about grief, family and identity over dreamy, layered pop. Jubilee (2021) earned Grammy nominations for Best Alternative Music Album and Best New Artist. Her fourth album, For Melancholy Brunettes (& Sad Women), came out in March 2025 and leans into a softer, darker sound.
5. King Princess
King Princess is Mikaela Straus, who first found an audience online with “1950” in 2018. Her music is direct about queer love and heartbreak. Her third album, Girl Violence, released in September 2025. She also made her acting debut in season 2 of Nine Perfect Strangers.
6. Oh Wonder
Oh Wonder is the London duo of Anthony Vander West and Josephine Vander West. They first released one song a month online before putting out a full album, which was unusual at the time. Their songs are calm, warm and honest. For the debut’s tenth anniversary, they re-recorded it as Oh Wonder (10 Years On), completed in 2025.
7. PinkPantheress
PinkPantheress, real name Victoria Walker, broke out on TikTok with short songs built on UK garage and drum and bass samples. “Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2” with Ice Spice reached number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 2023. Her mixtape Fancy That (2025) reached number three in the UK, earned Grammy nominations, and she won the Brit Award for Producer of the Year in 2026.
8. Gorillaz
Gorillaz is the virtual band created by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett in 1998, fronted by cartoon members 2-D, Murdoc, Noodle and Russel. They mix pop, hip-hop, electronic and rock with a long list of guests. Their 2026 album The Mountain drew on Indian music and themes, with Asha Bhosle and Anoushka Shankar among the artists linked to it. The Mountain Tour includes the band’s first shows in India.
9. Florence + the Machine
Florence Welch’s band mixes chamber pop, art rock and soul with huge vocals and lyrics about love, death and myth. Their sixth album, Everybody Scream, came out on Halloween 2025, and Welch has called it her most personal record. The band is touring arenas in Europe and North America through 2026.
Where to start
New listeners can try Brat for Charli XCX, Jubilee for Japanese Breakfast and Demon Days for Gorillaz. All nine artists are available on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube Music in India. For more music and pop culture, see our listicles and Hollywood sections.
Frequently asked questions
What is hyperpop?
Hyperpop is an exaggerated, electronic style of pop with distorted vocals and loud, glossy production. Charli XCX is one of its best-known names.
What is Charli XCX’s Brat?
Brat is Charli XCX’s sixth album, released in June 2024. It started the “brat summer” trend and won Grammys, including Best Dance/Electronic Album.
Is Gorillaz a real band?
Gorillaz is fronted by four animated characters, but the music is made by Damon Albarn with Jamie Hewlett handling the visuals, plus many real guest musicians.
Who are the members of Oh Wonder?
Oh Wonder is Anthony Vander West and Josephine Vander West, a London-based duo who are also married.
Sources: Wikipedia: Charli XCX, Wikipedia: Gorillaz, Wikipedia: PinkPantheress, Wikipedia: Florence and the Machine.
