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Playlist: TheCityIsOurs’ Essential Pop-Metal Bangers

The term “pop-metal” probably shouldn’t exist. We can imagine old-school metalheads instantly dismissing such a phrase. Nevertheless, with genre boundaries continuing to be knocked down, “pop-metal” is very much alive and well. Utilising heavy guitars with irresistible pop hooks has become commonplace, with some bands firmly attaching themselves to it. Amongst them are TheCityIsOurs.

Having been part of the melodic metalcore scene for the best part of eight years, their third album, ‘Will You Still Love Me’, firmly embraces pop sensibilities. Whether that be on ‘Dopamine’s infectious groove, the synthetic ‘Sugar’ exploding with a wall of distortion, or ‘Freak Like You’ soaring chorus, TheCityIsOurs has a lot to offer. The opposing styles are confidently fused together, allowing the likes of ‘Hush! Hush!’ and the “easycore” scurrying ‘Can You Feel It?’ to deliver an abundance of energy.

It’s clear that TheCityIsOurs know how to work their way around a soaring hook and a devastating riff or two, especially guitarist Mikey Page. So it made sense to ask him to compile a playlist of essential pop-metal bangers.


The Home Team – Hell

Sitting on the poppier side of the genre, The Home Team are the absolute Kkngs of groove! ‘Hell’ possesses an infectious desire to move your body & an equally catchy chorus that will be stuck in your head for days! It was a pleasure to be able to hear this live every night when we supported the boys on their recent UK tour.

BILMURI – Better Hell (Thicc Boi)

The band that stole top spot of every member of THECITYISOURS Spotify Wrapped 2024! I know we definitely aren’t the only ones. We have always been fans of experimenting with blending genres and Bilmuri is right up there with the very best at this! Country licks, crushing riffs & vocal hooks for days. There really is something for everybody!

Electric Callboy x BabyMetal – RATATATA

Electric Callboy have managed to position themselves at the head of the table in the pop/metal genre and for a good reason. Their unlikely mix of punishing metal grooves, dance club classic synth lines and tongue-in-cheek lyrical messages have made it almost impossible not to like this band. This track features the incredible BabyMetal and it’s so catchy, I guarantee you’ll be singing along after the first listen.

Avoid – Whatever

Some bands just get you on the first listen and Avoid was exactly one of those bands for me! Power, flare and a nostalgic feel in some of the guitar tones, this band have found the perfect blend of older influence with a modern punch! ‘Whatever’ was the first song I heard by this band and I’ve been hooked ever since my first listen! 

Caskets – Drowned in Emotion

This band is all about the vocals for me! Matt (Flood – Caskets’ vocalist) and I have been pals for many years, but ever since I heard him sing, I was completely enamoured by his voice’s power, range and dynamism. Lyrically, Flood always finds a way to tug at the heartstrings, which is something we have always related to in THECITYISOURS, but the delivery through the powerful hooks they write always make for a special track time and time again.

Nova Twins – Monsters

When writing the new THECITYISOURS record ‘Will You Still Love Me?’, we spent a lot of time exploring ways to blend sounds from our favourite eras of music, and Nova Twins are the Queens of this kind of fusion. I remember a friend describing them to me as ‘Missy Elliot meets Limp Bizkit’ and when I saw them live, it made perfect sense. Their latest release ‘Monsters’ takes all these elements but adds a fresh 90’s style dance twist and I cannot get enough of it.

Lake Malice – Eternal December

Lake Malice always makes me think of one word; energy! We were fortunate to play some shows with this band in 2024, and I was blown away by the sheer ferocity of their sound, particularly for a band with only two members. Punishing riffs combined with synth hooks that wouldn’t be out of place on the strip in Ibiza, vocalist Alice’s dulcet tones really are the perfect cherry atop this delicious mix. Checkout ‘Eternal December’ for some quintessential Malice!

Knox – Pick Your Poison

I have been obsessed with Knox since the first time I heard him Vocals are a massive part of any production for me. I want a vocal performance to make me feel something, and Knox possesses a captivating vulnerability that is both intriguing and enticing in equal part. And boy oh boy, does this guy know how to write a hook. These tunes will be stuck in your head for days! 

Glass Heart – Dying Feeling

This band have been close friends of ours for a long time and it’s been a pleasure to watch them evolve over the years. After crafting a vocal-centric rock-focused sound, their latest release ‘Dying Feeling’ has seen the band explore a darker heaviness. It’s something I’ve not seen in previous releases, and I’m here for it. I love a band who can balance between light and shade just right and Glass Heart really seem to have found their feet doing just that.


‘Will You Still Love Me’ by TheCityIsOurs is out now on Arising Empire.

Find TheCityIsOurs on: Facebook | X (Formerly Twitter) | Instagram | TikTok | Spotify | Apple Music | Linktr.ee

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