Pop is a bit of a dirty word in music, isn’t it? Pop. It conjures up tired 90’s imagery – Britney’s Spear’s in a school girl’s outfit, Michael Jackson sweeping the ground with thrilling dance moves or Taylor Swift blowing a kiss to the boy next door. Pop is what mainstream radio stations churn out until your ears bleed. Pop transports you back to awkward High School dances and corny mix tapes. What about modern Pop? Contemporary Pop? Ahhh not much better – that’s teeny boppers crying at a Beebs show.

What’s my point? It’s a damn shame Pop has grown a reputation for pure corniness because when it’s done right, it can be killer. Case in point: RÜFÜS and Roosevelt, two European bands hell-bent on redefining what it means to play Pop. Take a listen to their new releases.