was hoping more proper art pop in this contest ngl but at least my top 3 were really strong songs and thanks for the ruusut discovery x

Enjoyed the production switchup in 'ARCHANGEL' x

Oops I felt quite confident when confirming 'ARCHANGEL' as I thought it hit the 'art pop' brief really well - with the opening strings, Lykke style vocals and a switch-up to boot, but lowered my expectations considerably after the listen through

Indeed I accidentally linked 'GAY ALICE IN WONDERLAND' at first oops - that was the song that lead me to discover Thunder Bae (thanks YouTube algorithm) and I loved the synths, but didn't connect with the lyrics as much as I wanted to from that attention grabbing title. So I looked around the rest of her catalogue to see if anything else would hit me more as a whole package and this one did. Apparently I still had the link of the other song copied though I did notice 'GAY ALICE IN WONDERLAND' in James' chart so not surprised that's now shown up in BJSC, intrigued to see how it does.

Anyway, let's hope this picks up a bit. Fantastic entry from uhsting there 🤩

6. Chez Wombat - Natalia Lafourcade - Azul

So I was not my former main BJSC act but one I sent quite recently to the Worldvision spin off, and while yes it's not ideal sending the same artist so soon, I was really torn sending this to worldvision and it's eclectic production, structure and swirling cinematic outro made it a perfect fit for this theme and I didn't want to stray too far away from one that is noticeably pop, it reminds me chiefly of the late 2000s apple advert in the vein of Feist and Yael Naim. Released all the way back in 2009 and long before she became a critical favourite through her contemporary take on latin traditional music, this was on her third album HU HU HU with lyrics about social phobias and insecurities which is nicely reflected in the sort of switching up in the track, TNatalia's record label didn't originally want to promote the song Azul so she promoted it separately on MySpace.

On 31/08/2026 at 22:26, Chez Wombat said:

12; Nadah El Shazly - Ghorzetein

10; HMLTD – Stained

08; Daniela Lalita – Pisoteo

07; Ennaria – UGLY

06; Black Boboi - Red Mind

05; Mary Ocher (feat. Your Government) – Sympathize

04; O FUTURE - I Forgive You

03; My Brightest Diamond - Pressure

02; Thunder Bae – ARCHANGEL

01; Ane Brun - Don't Run And Hide

Great job guys, this was a very enjoyable listen and I was very pleased to see a lot of differing interpretations of the theme, I could list something I admired about every song here after spending some time with them, but to keep it short, these six got very unlucky:

xx Morgana - Fix Your Heart For Free

xx Ruusut - Yhen Toisen

xx Purity Ring – imanocean

xx Lido Pimienta - Marea

xx JMSN - Soft Spot

xx FiFi ZHANG and dazegxd - Fallen Angel

31; Daniela Lalita – Pisoteo

24; Ennaria – UGLY

24; HMLTD - Stained

22; Army of Lovers – Israelism (Mango)

22; Nadah El Shazly – Ghorzetein (uhsting)

21; 10cc - Une Nuit A Paris

16; O FUTURE – I Forgive You

15; Mary Ocher (feat. Your Government) – Sympathize

15; Ruusut - Yhen Toisen

15; Cher - You Better Sit Down Kids

15; QT – Hey QT (Dobbo)

13; Natalia Lafourcade – Azul (Chez Wombat)

13; Janet Jackson - What About

13; Ane Brun - Don't Run And Hide

12; JMSN - Soft Spot

12; Lido Pimienta – Marea

09; Ashnikko – Liquid

09; My Brightest Diamond – Pressure

08; CHARLOT - Time Travelling

08; Morgana - Fix Your Heart For Free

08; Goldielocks – Provocateur

07; FiFi ZHANG and dazegxd - Fallen Angel

06; Black Boboi – Red Mind

05; The Real Group – Chili Con Carne

02; Diet Cig – Scene Sick (Scene)

02; Thunder Bae – ARCHANGEL (Jade)

01; Suki Waterhouse – Back In Love

As is common in these song contests, me and Jade's votes are quite similar and I help to solidify slightly the early lead for Daniela with Ennaria and HLMTD just behind x

chez giving 12 points for proper art pop we KNEELED

The host lifting me off 0 is a welcome turn of events, thank you Chez 🥳 had a feeling that song might be yours.

Loved Azul, great choice Chez! For some reason it gave me some Sufjan Stevens vibes, and that can never be a bad thing!

7. DaTilt - Mulaa Joans - Members Only

DaTilt sent up and coming British alternative pop/soul singer, Mulaa Johns, she originally gained fame through Tik Tok in her early teens with her Etta James covers getting particular attention before she was able to release her first EP and has recently featured on BBC Introducing. The song definitely has more than a hint of Billie Eilish and Lana here, with the distinctive vocals and the slow textured build.

On 01/09/2026 at 07:12, DaTilt said:

Hi Chez,

here are my votes:

12 Ana Brun - Don't Run And Hide

10 O Future - I Forgive You

08 Purity Ring - Imanocean

07 Army Of Lovers - Israelism

06 Mary Ocher - Sympathize

05 Charlot - Time Travelling

04 Suki Waterhouse - Back In Love

03 Thunder Bae - Archangel

02 Lido Pimienta - Marea

01 Goldielocks - Provocateur

Best,

Till

31; Daniela Lalita – Pisoteo

29; Army of Lovers – Israelism (Mango)

26; O FUTURE – I Forgive You

25; Ane Brun - Don't Run And Hide

24; Ennaria – UGLY

24; HMLTD - Stained

22; Nadah El Shazly – Ghorzetein (uhsting)

21; 10cc - Une Nuit A Paris

21; Mary Ocher (feat. Your Government) – Sympathize

15; Ruusut - Yhen Toisen

15; Cher - You Better Sit Down Kids

15; QT – Hey QT (Dobbo)

14; Lido Pimienta – Marea

13; Natalia Lafourcade – Azul (Chez Wombat)

13; Janet Jackson - What About

13; CHARLOT - Time Travelling

12; JMSN - Soft Spot

09; Ashnikko – Liquid

09; My Brightest Diamond – Pressure

09; Goldielocks – Provocateur

08; Morgana - Fix Your Heart For Free

08; Purity Ring - imanocean

07; FiFi ZHANG and dazegxd - Fallen Angel

06; Black Boboi – Red Mind

05; The Real Group – Chili Con Carne

05; Thunder Bae – ARCHANGEL (Jade)

05; Suki Waterhouse – Back In Love

02; Diet Cig – Scene Sick (Scene)

Daniela maintains her lead, but only just as Army of Lovers jump back up and other contenders like O FUTURE and Ane Brun start to emerge.

I'm surprised 'Red Mind' isn't doing better, but I guess it's still quite early...

8. Jaz13Music – HMLTD - Stained

Jaz's debut to PFSC is a pretty striking one that arguably is a little more on the art rock side than pop, but I'm certainly not complaining. Influenced by the Ziggy Stardust era of David Bowie and the New Romantic period in the 1980s, HMLTD blend electronic and experimental pop with guitars and this cut from their debut back in 2016 is a swirling soundscape of electronic drops, a throbbing bass, bizarre lyrics and a thrashing glam rock fading into a hazy distorted breakdown by the end, accompanied by an outrageous video filled with all manner of blood and gore, it's a memorable start. The band have been criticised for using queer and/or gender-bender aesthetics, including cross-dressing, make-up, and flamboyant performances, despite being heterosexual men, to which they have said that they are trying to challenge toxic masculinity and learning and are indebted to queer methods to express that.

On 01/09/2026 at 07:48, Jaz13music said:

Hi Chez

Here’s my votes

12 Natalia Lafourcade - Azul

10 Suki Waterhouse – Back In Love

8 10cc - Une Nuit A Paris

7 Mary Ocher (feat. Your Government) - Sympathize

6 QT - Hey QT

5 Diet Cig - Scene Sick

4 Lisa Mitchell - Coin Laundry

3 Morgana - Fix Your Heart For Free

2 Army of Lovers - Israelism

1 Ane Brun - Don't Run And Hide

31; Daniela Lalita – Pisoteo

31; Army of Lovers – Israelism (Mango)

29; 10cc - Une Nuit A Paris

28; Mary Ocher (feat. Your Government) – Sympathize

26; O FUTURE – I Forgive You

26; Ane Brun - Don't Run And Hide

25; Natalia Lafourcade – Azul (Chez Wombat)

24; Ennaria – UGLY

24; HMLTD - Stained

22; Nadah El Shazly – Ghorzetein (uhsting)

21; QT – Hey QT (Dobbo)

15; Ruusut - Yhen Toisen

15; Cher - You Better Sit Down Kids

15; Suki Waterhouse – Back In Love

14; Lido Pimienta – Marea

13; Janet Jackson - What About

13; CHARLOT - Time Travelling

12; JMSN - Soft Spot

11; Morgana - Fix Your Heart For Free

09; Ashnikko – Liquid

09; My Brightest Diamond – Pressure

09; Goldielocks – Provocateur

08; Purity Ring - imanocean

07; FiFi ZHANG and dazegxd - Fallen Angel

07; Diet Cig – Scene Sick (Scene)

06; Black Boboi – Red Mind

05; The Real Group – Chili Con Carne

05; Thunder Bae – ARCHANGEL (Jade)

04; Lisa Mitchell – Coin Laundry

CLEARLY the best votes so far of course, and we now have a joint winner x

9. vibe - Janet Jackson - What About

Perhaps not an artist you'd expect to be appropriate to this theme and your mileage may vary, but actually I was quite impressed with the switch-ups and blending of mellow ethereal acoustic pop with a rock punk feel in the angry chorus in which she's never sounded more like MJ. The song is loosely based on her own traumatic experiences which juxtaposes her reminiscing a perfect beach setting before she remembers what he put her through. This was an album track from her 1997 album, The Velvet Rope, which was praised for her innovative styles and her honest lyrics raising awareness of female domestic violence.

On 01/09/2026 at 17:04, vibe said:

ranking W&W

+ 12 Mulaa Joans

+ 10 Ashnikko

+ 8 JMSN

+ 7 Future

+ 6 Thunder Bae

+ 5 Cher

+ 4 imanocean

+3 10CC

+ 2 HMLTD

+ 1 Fifi Zhang & Dazegxd

33; O FUTURE – I Forgive You

32; 10cc - Une Nuit A Paris

31; Daniela Lalita – Pisoteo

31; Army of Lovers – Israelism (Mango)

28; Mary Ocher (feat. Your Government) – Sympathize

26; HMLTD – Stained (Jaz13Music)

26; Ane Brun - Don't Run And Hide

25; Natalia Lafourcade – Azul (Chez Wombat)

24; Ennaria – UGLY

22; Nadah El Shazly – Ghorzetein (uhsting)

21; QT – Hey QT (Dobbo)

20; Cher - You Better Sit Down Kids

20; JMSN - Soft Spot

19; Ashnikko – Liquid

15; Ruusut - Yhen Toisen

15; Suki Waterhouse – Back In Love

14; Lido Pimienta – Marea

13; Janet Jackson - What About (vibe)

13; CHARLOT - Time Travelling

12; Mulaa Joans – Members Only (DaTilt)

12; Purity Ring - imanocean

11; Morgana - Fix Your Heart For Free

11; Thunder Bae – ARCHANGEL (Jade)

09; My Brightest Diamond – Pressure

09; Goldielocks – Provocateur

08; FiFi ZHANG and dazegxd - Fallen Angel

07; Diet Cig – Scene Sick (Scene)

06; Black Boboi – Red Mind

05; The Real Group – Chili Con Carne

04; Lisa Mitchell – Coin Laundry

vibe mainly gives her top votes to songs lower down the scoreboard and allows Mulaa to join in style, and we have another new winner with O FUTURE, something of course I can't help but support x

Well I correctly predicted Chez doing another self-recycle as seems to be customary in the anon contests but got the wrong artist, I thought it would be more likely that someone else would be sending Natalia than O Future - much mystery and intrigue who is behind that one then x 'Azul' was another fairly good song from Natalia but I'm yet to hear anything I really love from her still unfortunately!

Loved 'Stained' so a great debut there from Jaz albeit I am a little surprised it wasn't thrown out of this contest for not being pop enough

Is that really not Michael's vocals in the chorus of 'What About'? It sounds so much like him.

Ooh progress, out of the bottom 5 now. Thanks DaTilt and especially vibe for my highest points so far.

The HMLTD song stuck out like a sore thumb but in a very good way, fantastic stuff.

I've had an O Future BJSC potential for ages

oooh thank you @vibe

Vibe - @Chez Wombat is a Man 😉

10. WoW73 - CHARLOT - Time Travelling

No relation to the Tramp, WoW sent the Dutch based artist, CHARLOT, said to make music inspired by the art, books and films that inspired her and this cut from her recent album, 'Lost Like Alice,' which is inspired by Lewis Carroll's fairy tale and is made up of 12 chapters interpreting the work, each exploring major themes such as identity, change, and meaning. This was described as Kate Bush inspired and I certainly see it (as well as a bit Regina Spektor and AURORA), with ethereal vocals combined with spoken verses and synthesisers and strings blending into the dream-like atmosphere in the chorus. Very nice x

On 02/09/2026 at 11:27, WoW73 said:

12 Ane Brun

10 Suki Waterhouse

8 Purity Ring

7 Lido Pimienta

6 Provocateur

5 Ashnikko

4 Mulaa Jones

3 O Future

2 Morgana

1 Mary Ocher

Thanks for hosting!

38; Ane Brun - Don't Run And Hide

36; O FUTURE – I Forgive You

32; 10cc - Une Nuit A Paris

31; Daniela Lalita – Pisoteo

31; Army of Lovers – Israelism (Mango)

29; Mary Ocher (feat. Your Government) – Sympathize

26; HMLTD – Stained (Jaz13Music)

25; Suki Waterhouse – Back In Love

25; Natalia Lafourcade – Azul (Chez Wombat)

24; Ashnikko – Liquid

24; Ennaria – UGLY

22; Nadah El Shazly – Ghorzetein (uhsting)

21; QT – Hey QT (Dobbo)

21; Lido Pimienta – Marea

20; Cher - You Better Sit Down Kids

20; JMSN - Soft Spot

20; Purity Ring – imanocean

16; Mulaa Joans – Members Only (DaTilt)

15; Ruusut - Yhen Toisen

15; Goldielocks – Provocateur

13; Janet Jackson - What About (vibe)

13; CHARLOT - Time Travelling (WoW73)

13; Morgana - Fix Your Heart For Free

11; Thunder Bae – ARCHANGEL (Jade)

09; My Brightest Diamond – Pressure

08; FiFi ZHANG and dazegxd - Fallen Angel

07; Diet Cig – Scene Sick (Scene)

06; Black Boboi – Red Mind

05; The Real Group – Chili Con Carne

04; Lisa Mitchell – Coin Laundry

Ane Brun takes over the lead, also in BJSC this month and a former winner there, how will that translate here?

2 minutes ago, vibe said:

Vibe - @Chez Wombat is a Man 😉

I'm trying to understand what this post means but it's so funny for some reason

Shocked that @WoW73 isn't 10cc etc.

I really enjoyed the instrumental of the CHARLOT track although the vocals didn't do it for me as much.

I was out of the country when the nominations deadline was near, so had to choose something quickly without any time to overthink it. I realise Stained is much more on the rock side but I was thinking more of the ‘art’ and ‘weird and wonderful’ part of the brief. After listening to the other entries I realised I was a bit out on a limb, sorry! Goes to prove I shouldn’t be let anywhere near a pop leaning contest 😆!

Anyway thanks for votes so far Chez, Jade and uhsting, looks like it could be an exciting set of results.