25 New-Gen Pop Artists That Are Actually Worth Listening To, According to Audiophiles

If you dismiss modern pop out of the gate, you’re missing out.

Modern pop often gets criticized by audio fans for sounding too compressed and over-processed.

Too bad: today’s pop scene includes artists who make music that sounds as good as it sells.

From bedroom producers creating rich soundscapes to global stars breaking sound barriers, these musicians have won the respect of regular listeners and picky audiophiles alike.

They’re well worth paying attention to.

1. Billie Eilish

Billie Eilish makes spooky, immersive songs with whispered vocals and deep bass that highlight her wide volume range.

She and her brother Finneas work in a bedroom studio blending close-up, tingly singing with bass so low it shakes the speakers. The result is an innovative sound praised for its rich dynamics, even by audio experts.

Tracks like “Bad Guy” and “When the Party’s Over” layer vocals, mix in odd samples, and leap from soft to loud.

While her music may sound simple, every detail is intentional. Each snap, whisper, and bass drop is placed for maximum impact.

2. Dua Lipa

Dua Lipa rose to pop stardom with a catchy mix of retro vibes and modern sound.

Her album “Future Nostalgia” (2020) was praised for its blend of ’70s and ’80s disco-funk with crisp, high-quality production. And, it stands out not only for radio hits, but for offering the kind of sonic cohesion audiophiles treasure in a full album listen.

The bass grooves and sparkling keyboards stand out with sonic clarity, while Dua’s voice stays rich and front and center.

From the glossy “Levitating” to the punchy “Don’t Start Now,” each track hits with sharp drums, funky guitar, and layered vocals.

Dua proves pop can be both danceable and radio-friendly while still offering the depth, polish, and full-album feel that sound lovers admire.

3. Olivia Rodrigo

Olivia Rodrigo shot to fame with “Sour” (2021), blending a pop-punk attitude with a heartfelt singer-songwriter style.

Her talent stood out right away. The album earned praise for being creative and lively, with production that jumps from gritty guitar tracks to smooth pop ballads.

Critics love the genuinely compelling sound and Olivia’s breathy, passionate vocals.

The songs move from quiet moments to powerful choruses without losing clarity. It’s a well-balanced mix of honest lyrics, emotional depth, and throwback pop-rock touches. It’s pop-punk with unexpectedly hi-fi credentials.

4. Doja Cat

Doja Cat is a shape-shifting talent who blends pop, R&B, hip-hop, and more with playful ease.

“Hot Pink” (2019) and its follow-up “Planet Her” (2021) feature infectious songs, with Doja effortlessly switching from sultry singing to quickfire rhymes.

She isn’t afraid to experiment, mixing everything from mumble rap to Afrobeat on a single album.

For sound lovers, her music is a treat. Think tight, bass-heavy mixes, clever vocal effects, and shifting textures that stay fresh.

Her bold, magnetic presence is just the cherry on top.

5. SZA

SZA’s dreamy R&B stands out for its lush instrumentation and unconventional song structures.

Her debut “Ctrl” (2017) and the blockbuster “SOS” (2022) highlight her gift for bending melodies and reshaping the typical sound of modern R&B and pop. Her vocals drift in and out of the beat with effortless grace.

For sound lovers, the production is full of gems: the soft crackle of vinyl on a slow track, the crisp snap of a snare in “Good Days,” or the spacious echo around her voice in “Kill Bill.”

SZA’s music feels both grounded and expansive, with refined vocal control and layered arrangements that reward close listening.

6. Halsey

Halsey is known for bold ideas and a constantly evolving sound. She blends pop with an alternative edge and delivers high-quality production every time.

From the moody synth-pop of “Badlands” (2015) to the gritty, Trent Reznor-produced “If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power” (2021), Halsey never stops experimenting.

On the latter, Reznor brings heavy synths, pounding drums, and dynamic shifts that match Halsey’s emotional vocals.

The album moves between extremes—layers of distortion can suddenly drop into soft piano and voice.

It highlights Halsey’s vocal strength and wide range. Her mix of pop, rock, and cinematic sounds creates a rich, detailed world you can easily get lost in.

7. Khalid

With a voice like warm honey and smooth, catchy production, Khalid has become a favorite among audio enthusiasts.

His debut “American Teen” (2017) introduced a laid-back, airy sound built on soft keys, mellow guitar, and crisp beats.

Tracks like “Location” use simple but striking production: choppy piano and 808 drums that leave space for his buttery vocals to shine.

Sound lovers will appreciate the clarity and balance in his recordings. The bass is full but not overpowering, his vocals sit perfectly in the mix, and every drum hit lands cleanly.

It’s relaxed pop-R&B with depth, drawing listeners in with its chill vibe and polished sound.

8. Shawn Mendes

Shawn Mendes is a singer-songwriter with a clear, expressive voice who makes pop music rooted in acoustic simplicity.

Early hits “Stitches” and “Treat You Better” spotlight his tenor vocals and guitar, with recordings that sound clean and intimate.

As his music evolved, Mendes brought in touches of rock, soul, and orchestral elements.

Albums “Shawn Mendes” (2018) and “Wonder” (2020) feature warm pianos, live drums, and rich arrangements. But at heart, he’s still a guy with a guitar.

His production favors clarity over flash. You can hear the texture in quiet moments and the natural ring of guitar strings, making his songs rewarding for careful listeners.

9. Post Malone

Post Malone blends hip-hop, pop, and rock with ease, creating music that offers more depth than its party-ready vibe might suggest.

“Hollywood’s Bleeding” (2019), for instance, is an album that’s simple in theme but wide-ranging in sound. It shifts from relaxed and mellow to intense and emotional, sometimes within the same tracklist.

For audio lovers, his work delivers a rich mix of textures: moody trap beats with fuzzy guitars, bursts of pop-punk energy, and gentle acoustic ballads.

He’s known for breaking genre boundaries, offering everything from smooth R&B-style tracks to full-on rock collaborations. The production is crisp throughout.

10. Lil Nas X

Lil Nas X is a master of viral hits and genre-blending production.

He rose to fame by mixing country and trap on “Old Town Road,” pairing banjo twang with heavy bass beats.

This bold approach continues in his debut album “Montero” (2021). The songs merge pop, hip-hop, and rock in a way that feels fresh and unique.

The album’s production quality is top-notch. Powerful bass drops, bright keyboard leads, and punchy drums make the genre fusions sound seamless and radio-ready.

For sound enthusiasts, Lil Nas X delivers colorful, high-quality pop with a twist.

11. Lizzo

Lizzo is a powerhouse singer and flutist who fuses classic soul and funk with modern pop, backed by exceptional production skills.

Her breakout album “Cuz I Love You” (2019) opens with a bang. It immediately showcases her spine-tingling voice and a bold, “more-is-more” approach that perfectly matches her larger-than-life personality.

For sound lovers, her tracks offer a warm, organic feel along with a wide vocal range.

Many feature real brass, guitar, and live drums. Lizzo moves from intimate, soft moments to full-throttle belting, all without losing clarity.

Her music celebrates big, energetic sound, with everything turned up to 11. All the while, the mixing stays precise.

12. Camila Cabello

With her sultry voice and Latin-infused pop style, Camila Cabello creates music that’s both widely popular and rich in sound.

Her debut solo album “Camila” (2018) gained attention for its Latin pop influences and smooth vocals, making it an easy listen that never gets tiresome.

Hits “Havana,” with its catchy piano rhythm and brass elements, and “Señorita,” which combines modern pop/R&B with Cuban and flamenco influences, showcase Cabello’s heritage.

Critics note that her recordings feel both warm and polished, likely due to the inclusion of real guitars, pianos, and percussion in the mix.

For listeners, her music strikes a perfect balance between radio-friendly pop and rhythm-driven Latin melodies, produced with meticulous attention to detail.

13. Melanie Martinez

Melanie Martinez tells stories through sound, blending playful samples with dark, artistic production that invites deep listening.

Her 2015 concept album “Cry Baby” follows a character through twisted nursery rhyme themes and features creative touches like a toy piano, music box jingles, carnival organ melodies, and even clock ticks embedded in the beats.

Along with 2019 follow-up “K-12,” these albums showcase impressive production that combines childlike sounds with heavy trap drums and intricate pop details.

The result is a striking and captivating contrast.

Martinez’s work is more than music—it’s sound design, with excellent production that highlights every detail.

14. Charlie Puth

Charlie Puth has perfect pitch and pays close attention to every detail in his polished pop productions.

He wrote and produced every track on “Voicenotes” (2018), which critics praised as “coup de maître in modern mainstream music.”

Puth’s signature style blends his smooth high notes with bouncy keyboard bass lines and tight drum patterns, often incorporating elements of ’80s and ’90s R&B-funk.

The mixes are clean and dynamic, with Puth’s vocals, often layered to create rich harmonies, sitting perfectly alongside the instruments.

He also adds unique touches for sound lovers, like subtle voice effects, talk-box guitar, or small percussion clicks that enrich the stereo sound.

15. Troye Sivan

Troye Sivan’s synth-pop creates dreamy, polished soundscapes that have earned him praise for rich textures and heartfelt lyrics.

His debut album “Blue Neighbourhood” (2015) received critical acclaim for its personal exploration of youth and soft, mood-setting production.

Sivan’s music often features gentle synthesizers, echoing percussion, and light piano or guitar, all providing a spacious backdrop for his airy, delicate vocals.

His voice is also a standout, light and emotional. Each track is flawlessly produced—nothing harsh, nothing out of place.

Expect a calming, high-quality listening experience, especially when enjoyed through good headphones.

16. Alessia Cara

Alessia Cara’s voice carries a soulful power far beyond her years, and her recordings let that natural warmth shine through.

From her breakout hit “Here,” a nighttime R&B groove built on an Isaac Hayes sample, to tracks like “Scars to Your Beautiful,” Cara is praised for her authentic, vulnerable storytelling and mature songwriting.

These qualities are evident in her production, which often favors natural simplicity over flashy techniques.

Her debut album “Know-It-All” (2015) delivers pop, soul, and modern R&B in a way that feels thoughtful and mature, allowing her husky, emotional vocals to take center stage.

17. Caroline Polachek

Once part of the indie-pop duo Chairlift, Caroline Polachek has emerged as an art-pop pioneer.

Her album “Pang” (2019) showcases her impressive vocal range along with a rich mix of sound styles. Thanks to her opera training, she effortlessly transitions from smoky low notes to ethereal highs.

For audiophiles, the production quality is impeccable. Every subtle nuance of Caroline’s voice is captured, and even the more experimental elements fit seamlessly into her open, three-dimensional mixes.

Overall, Polachek’s music creates a textured soundscape anchored by one of the most technically skilled voices in pop.

18. Steve Lacy

As a singer, guitarist, and producer, Steve Lacy (from the band The Internet) brings a raw, soulful vibe that has evolved into chart-topping pop-R&B.

His debut solo album “Apollo XXI” (2019) struck the perfect balance between lush instrumentals, authentic lyrics, and a vocal delivery to match.

With “Gemini Rights” (2022), Lacy refined the sound quality without losing his signature laid-back feel. He played with neo-soul warmth, ’70s rock influences, and even bossa nova elements.

His mixes create a rich, live-recorded atmosphere: you can hear the room’s echo on his guitar amps and the subtle imperfections that add character to his sound.

Lacy proves that subtle production, when done well, can be incredibly powerful. You’ll want to listen closely and catch the groove in between the notes.

19. Harry Styles

A star who successfully transitioned beyond his boy band roots, Harry Styles now crafts throwback-style pop-rock that resonates with sound enthusiasts.

His debut album (2017) and “Fine Line” (2019) feature a natural, old-school recording style. Expect to hear the twang of classic guitars, the warmth of tape-processed drums, and even snippets of studio chatter that give a live feel.

His production team preserves the natural volume shifts in his songs.

For instance, “Sign of the Times” builds from a soft piano intro to a powerful rock crescendo. That gradual volume increase remains intact without being compressed in the final mix.

This blend of vintage charm and modern polish makes Harry’s music both comforting and thrilling.

20. H.E.R.

With a smooth voice and impressive musical talent, H.E.R. has brought a fresh take to modern R&B with a classic touch and crisp production.

Her music, from the early EPs collected on “H.E.R.” (2017) to the Grammy-winning “Back of My Mind” (2021), features a moody, slow-tempo style that prioritizes quality.

Critics have noted that H.E.R. has complete control over her sound, demonstrating expert command of her artistic direction.

Songs like “Focus” and “Damage” showcase flawless mixing. Her rich, smoky vocals are perfectly placed in the center, surrounded by soft electric piano chords, light cymbals, and deep bass that never overwhelms.

21. BLACKPINK

This K-pop powerhouse has taken the world by storm with high-impact tracks designed to sound massive.

BLACKPINK’s music, primarily produced by YG Entertainment’s Teddy Park, features “maximalist visuals and a heavy, club-friendly sound” that has become their signature.

Tracks like “Ddu-Du Ddu-Du” and “Kill This Love” showcase this style perfectly, with booming trap beats, catchy chopped vocal samples, dramatic brass stabs, and explosive drops that shift from simple verses to massive choruses.

Despite the complexity, each song is mixed impeccably, maintaining punch and clarity.

BLACKPINK’s recordings mirror their name, offering contrasts between the dark and light, the hard and soft. You’ll want to listen at full volume.

22. Rosalía

Rosalía has established herself as one of the most innovative voices in pop, blending traditional flamenco with cutting-edge electronic production.

Her 2018 album “El Mal Querer” impressed critics by exploring a plethora of genres with curiosity and precision.

In 2022, Rosalía’s “Motomami” took things even further. NPR described the album as “an experiment… with startling honesty and innovative musical turns.”

For sound enthusiasts, Rosalía delivers pure sonic delight. Her albums are layered with detail yet remain crisp and clear, inviting listeners to dive deep into every element.

23. Bad Bunny

As the world’s top Latin music star, Bad Bunny has achieved global pop success while remaining deeply connected to his Puerto Rican roots. His albums reflect this with top-tier production.

The artist combines reggaeton rhythms and the sharp hi-hats of Latin trap with genre-defying touches like rock guitars, emotive keyboards, Jamaican dancehall, and bachata grooves, all crafted with exceptional sound quality.

His albums “YHLQMDLG” (2020) and “Un Verano Sin Ti” (2022) have become streaming phenomena that sound enthusiasts can truly appreciate.

The bass is deep yet controlled, the percussion is crisp, and the artist’s raw but melodic voice shines with clarity and presence.

24. Karol G

A trailblazer for women in Latin pop, Karol G blends reggaeton’s energetic dance beats with sleek pop/R&B production.

In 2023, she made history when “Mañana Será Bonito” became the first all-Spanish album by a female artist to top the Billboard 200.

The sound is rich and empowering, with Karol G’s sultry voice placed front and center. It’s layered over vibrant instruments: crisp reggaeton drums, warm Caribbean melodies, and hints of urban electronics.

Her production team ensures every element is well-balanced and the melodic elements never overwhelm. Even better, they become more enjoyable with every listen.

25. Rema

At the forefront of the Afrobeats revolution, Nigerian singer Rema has captivated a global audience with his smooth, infectious sound.

His breakout hit “Calm Down” (especially the Selena Gomez remix) became a global sensation, making history as the first track led by an African artist to reach a billion streams on Spotify.

The song stands out with its laid-back yet catchy beat, blending Afrobeat and pop through clean, bouncy drums, a subtly funky bassline, and warm guitar elements. All are complemented by Rema’s easygoing, melodic vocals.

The production is spacious, allowing each element to shine. Whether it’s the kick drum, a keyboard note, or a background vocal, you’ll notice each detail.

As one of the rising stars driving Afrobeats’ global expansion, Rema is making history not only culturally but sonically.

In short, he’s bringing the vibrant sounds of Lagos to high-quality playlists worldwide.