What We’re Listening to Wednesdays is back again and we’ve got another round of staff picks for ya! We’ve officially hit that part of July where everything feels just a little hazier. The sun’s still out, but it’s not scorching as bad. Nights stretch a little longer, and our playlists lean more toward polished pop with a side of calm. This week’s lineup captures that late-summer, slow-burn energy. Nothing too loud, nothing too sleepy. Just pop songs that glide.
What Cheyenne’s Listening To
I kept my selects smooth and reflective this week. Pop tracks that feel just right for a golden-hour walk or zoning out with a cold drink:
Track One – “Nice To Each Other” – Olivia Dean
There’s an ease to this track that feels refreshing. Olivia’s voice glides over gentle piano and subtle percussion, giving it a quiet uplifting energy. It’s simple in the best way, no overthinking, just good songwriting and a reminder that softness has its own kind of strength.
Track Two – “You’re Too Precious” – James Blake
James Blake always knows how to make production feel weightless and intricate at the same time. This song wraps chopped-up piano loops and skittering percussion around his feather-light falsetto. It’s the kind of track you get lost in, layered and fluid like ripples on water.
Track Three – “Princess Of China” – Coldplay
Even after all these years, this one still holds up. Rihanna’s guest vocal adds drama without tipping into full power-ballad territory. Beneath the big choruses, there’s a real sense of melancholy that fits perfectly with the song’s sleek, late-night energy.
What Laneisha’s Listening To
Laneisha kept things locked into a specific vibe this week with three thoughtful cuts from Justin Bieber’s catalog:
Track Four – “ALL I CAN TAKE” – Justin Bieber
Stripped-back and moody, this one leans heavily on sparse piano and heavy vocals. It feels like the soundtrack to a slow walk home when your brain won’t quite shut off.
Track Five – “YUKON” – Justin Bieber
“YUKON” brings in swirling, airy synths and Bieber’s falsetto to create something that feels completely weightless. It’s not flashy, but it sticks with you, definitely made for nighttime listening.
Track Six – “WAY IT IS”- Justin Bieber & Gunna
A little sharper than the others, with crisp hi-hats and icy piano tucked under steady vocals. It keeps things cool and controlled without losing that introspective mood. Very dreamy, very sexy R&B, with a slow feature from Gunna.
What Nathan’s Listening To
Nathan’s choices bring in that balance of glossy pop and subtle emotional weight:
Track Seven – “Prescription” – Remi Wolf
Remi dials back her usual boldness here, trading neon colors for softer shades. The production is layered but controlled; off-kilter percussion, echoing background vocals, all woven into something quietly infectious.
Track Eight – “Intuition” – Ellie Goulding
Ellie’s voice floats in that signature breathy way, riding on top of shimmering synths and pulsing bass. It’s sleek, futuristic pop, but there’s still warmth underneath it all. Perfect soundtrack for golden-hour drives or aimless city walks.
Track Nine – “Suburbia” – Tove Lo
Tove Lo pulls back the party energy for this one, leaning into steady beats and wistful lyrics. It captures that feeling of craving something more while being stuck in the same old routine.
Wherever these songs find you, whether you’re stretched out on a fire escape or just watching the sky change colors, they’re built to match the moment. Easygoing but intentional, pop that understands sometimes slowing down is exactly the point.
