KSDT Radio

The Pop Drop - September 2026, Issue #13

Lola Dogat
Lola Dogat
Screenshot from Adelá's music video for "Ain't in LA"

Guess who’s back? Back again?

Well hello again! After writing a very touching one year anniversary issue of The Pop Drop back in March of 2026 where I gushed about how much this column means to me, I abandoned it for five months…awkwardddd.

In my defense, it’s been a crazy couple of months, but now that the school year has started back up again, it’s time for The Pop Drop’s triumphant return.

On to the more important topic at hand, September has been a phenomenal month for new releases, so let’s check out some of my standouts:

Asha Banks - “Anything But”

Asha Banks is an artist who’s really crept up on me in recent months. I was properly introduced to her by my close friend and KSDT alum, Caitlyn Williams, back when we were recording our weekly radio show, B-Side. Since then, I haven’t been able to stop listening. Something about her down to earth, stripped back sound is so enchanting.

Backed by a palm-muted acoustic guitar, Asha’s warm vocals cascade across “Anything But,” as she sings about a shared denial of the end of a relationship between two people. The singer’s English accent peeks out at times, adding to the song’s endearing charm.

Dylan - “to love and to lose”

If you haven’t been keeping up with Dylan, let me get you up to speed. After not having released a full project since 2022, it seemed that the English singer had taken a lengthy break from the industry, with the exception of a few sporadic singles throughout the years. But, in a recent TikTok she revealed a much more unfortunate truth behind her musical break: “I have spent the best part of the last year and a half trying to get into a situation where I’m allowed to release music. I’ve had two albums canned, and I’ve written a new one.” She goes on to explain that a week out from the release of her lead single, “to love and to lose,” her label decided to postpone the release due to lack of budget.

Well, the single is officially out, and it was more than worth the wait. It feels amazing to have her familiar pop-rock blend blasting through my headphones once again. Dylan truly shines when she’s giving a larger than life, euphoric track to belt to, and “to love and to lose” delivers exactly that. But what makes the release even more special is the outpouring of love towards the singer and her music. She’s such a unique artist, and I’m happy to see her get the recognition she deserves.

Say Now - “Met my match”

If you’ve read previous issues of The Pop Drop, you may have heard me rave about my love of girl groups. So naturally I’ve BEEN keeping up with Say Now ever since they were known as “Needanamebro.” But truth be told, when “Met my match” popped up on my Spotify recommended, I didn’t even realize it was them at first. And I mean that in the BEST way. I’ve always loved their releases, but with “Met my match,” it’s apparent that they’ve found THEIR match (sonically). Blending electronic influences into their pop sound, “Met my match” starts with a bang—synths, punchy drums, and rapid vocal phrases delivered in an airy, sultry tone. That momentum carries the entire way through, complementing charming, cheeky lyrics like “Always had a taste for a plate of drama / I can ruin your life, just for starters.”

Mollie Elizabeth - “Petty Crimes”

If you’re looking for slightly off-kilter alt-pop vibes (was that just a bunch of buzz words??), Mollie is your girl. Her theatrical, slightly eerie sound might remind you of Melanie Martinez (minus the controversies LOL), but “Petty Crimes” brings a unique flair of its own. The track has been POPPING off, and it’s clear why. Playful horns and elegant strings soundtrack Mollie’s character-driven, fluid vocal style, while a low hum of “dum-diddy-diddy-diddy” repeats throughout the song, adding to its delightfully offbeat atmosphere. Mollie described the song’s themes best, calling “Petty Crimes” “a theme song for the misunderstood.”

ADÉLA - PRIMA

With these upcoming issues of The Pop Drop, I’m making an effort to cover more rising pop artists, rather than focusing solely on the mainstream. That said, I really couldn’t write this issue without mentioning this highly anticipated debut album, and in my defense, she did just rise to mainstream fame, so I think it counts!

If you’ve read past issues, you may remember my review of “DeathByDevotion” from issue #4, back in July 2025. At the time, I wrote that “DeathByDevotion” proved that “[ADÉLA] shines even brighter as a solo act” and encouraged readers to hop on the ADÉLA train, declaring, “if you’re not on the ADÉLA train yet, now’s your time—this train is going far.”

All I can say is, I love it when I’m right.

PRIMA is ADÉLA’s breakthrough moment, and it’s only her debut album. Punchy and unique, the record strikes the perfect balance between club beats and vulnerable pop, making it clear that ADÉLA knows exactly who she is as an artist. “Boys,” a dynamic, electro-pop track straight out of the early-2000s club scene (complete with “girl talk” sound bites between her and KATSEYE’s Lara Raj), is a standout for me. I’ve also been especially into “Red Bottoms” for its clever use of wordplay, and “Ain’t In LA,” a personal track for the Slovakian singer, written in recognition of those with big dreams in small towns, and rejecting the idea that talent is inherently tied to LA. The 2010s pop sound cultivated on “Ain’t In LA” is something I would have loved to hear more of throughout the album.

Controversially, I’m also a “Therapy” lover. The stripped-down ballad seems to have fans divided, with many finding the unpolished lyrics and production off-putting, but that’s exactly what charms me about it. The song feels so personal that listening to it almost feels invasive. It’s integral to understanding ADÉLA and her world. Plus, who doesn’t choke up a little when she sings, “I miss when my little sister used to call me ‘Mom’ / 'Cause now she gets a little awkward when I talk to her / When I left home, she was so tiny / Now I come back, and she is my size.”

To end off my September issue of “The Pop Drop,” here are a few tracks I’ve had on repeat this month— not all released in September, but all worth a listen:

  1. Chelsea Cutler - “IT’S SUPPOSED TO FEEL LIKE THIS”
  1. LISA - “SaWaDiKa”
  1. Bea Miller - “born to lose”
  1. Liang Lawrence - “Use Me”
  1. Charlotte Lawrence - “Talk You Down”

Also to make up for all the months I missed, here’s a rapid fire of some of my faves from each month:

April:

May:

June:

  • daine - “PQC”

July:

August:

Check out the full playlist here: The Pop Drop: September 2026 (Issue #13)