Hopecore

Emerging in 2023 and gaining in popularity ever since, “hopecore” is a social trend that blends internet aesthetics, nature and humanism into a philosophy of treating yourself, and those around you, with optimism and compassion. Scrolling through social media platforms, you might come across posts that share sentimental photos, inspirational messages and soothing sceneries, soundtracked by upbeat, soothing music. This online aesthetic is connected to hopecore and its aims. 

Over the years, hopecore has blossomed in popularity as a balm for anxious and unpredictable times; a counter to a growing feeling of cynicism and detachment from the world. Hopecore invites people to make a conscious choice to live in the present and find the good in every moment. Hopecore music, then, is a soundtrack to this movement. It centers around eternal themes — the beauty of life and love, the triumph of healing — and conveys them through a cross-section of genres, blending pop, electronic, R&B, ambient and acoustic styles. 

The ripples of hopecore can be heard across SoundCloud, too. From older songs resurfacing and being shared on social media to the creation of new music using hopecore as its guiding force, the heartening sounds that fall under the banner of hopecore continue to uplift and inspire.

Kicking off 2026 with renewed hope, we’re listening to the sparkling sounds of Swedish pop sensation Zara Larsson, Brooklyn vocalist and musician sombr, and British pop breakthrough Olivia Dean, who all captured hearts in 2025 with their hopecore-infused hits. Bubbling under the mainstream surface, acts like AURORA, Sigrid, Cafuné and Sam Gellaitry blended indie, pop and dance music with hopecore messages, and trend pioneers like Flawed Mangoes continue to release soaring tracks.

Discover the evolving sound of hopecore in this collection of tracks — featuring Justin Bieber, Trove Sivan, FINNEAS, Fred again.., Benson Boone and more — and begin the new year embracing the beauty and limitless possibilities of a fresh start.

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LISTEN TO THE HOPECORE PLAYLIST ON SOUNDCLOUD NOW

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girl in red, “I’m Back”
On this track from her 2024 album ‘I’M DOING IT AGAIN BABY!,’ girl in red sings pure hopecore: “I’m back, I’m better than ever, life’s so good when you’re light as a feather.” 

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sombr, “12 to 12”
Bringing a soaring disco-funk feel to this 2025 track, the Brooklyn vocalist and musician yearns “I don't want anyone else, from the hours of 12 to 12.” 

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Olivia Dean, “Man I Need”
On her 2025 breakthrough debut album ‘The Art of Loving,’ British pop vocalist Olivia Dean signs hopeful songs of romance and connection. 

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Justin Bieber, ‘DAISIES”
Taken from his 2025 album ‘SWAG,’ the acclaimed pop singer Justin Bieber bops through a tender song about taking your time to get love right.

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Troye Sivan, “Honey”
Australian pop vocalist and songwriter Troye Sivan turns the heat up on this hopeful love song.

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Cafuné, “Tek It (Sped Up)”
Brooklyn-based indie pop duo Cafuné dropped this zesty track in 2022, and it’s been picked up on hopecore channels for its tender vibe.

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Addison Rae, “Summer Forever”
Breaking through in 2025, pop vocalist and songwriter Addison Rae captures the feel of hopecore on this ambient-leaning track that yearns for summer nostalgia. 

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Sam Gellaitry, “YOU MIGHT FIND THE ONE”
Scottish electronic producer Sam Gellaitry blends indie, funk, dance and pop on his 2005 album, ‘ANYWHERE HERE IS PERFECT.’ 

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Sigrid, “Fort Knox”
Norwegian electronic pop artist Sigrid channels moving on from a breakup into this punchy, hopeful track, taken from her 2025 album ‘There’s Always More That I Could Say.’

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AURORA, “The Flood”
On this sentimental 2025 track, Norwegian vocalist and harpist AURORA muses about better days: “I have stood here for so many years, waiting for the morning sun beams to finally warm me.” 

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Rose Gray, “Party People”
Tapping into soft ‘90s dance melodies, British pop vocalist Rose Gray sings a soaring track about finding life-changing connections on the dancefloor.

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Zara Larsson, “Lush Life”
Swedish pop vocalist Zara Larsson’s “Lush Life” found new life in 2025 through her critically acclaimed Midnight Sun tour, and the track is pure hopecore in both sound and message.

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Chloe Qisha, “So Sad So Hot”
This driving synth-pop track from Chloe Qisha is a playful take on a magnetic person navigating a breakup. Her latest EP is 2025’s ‘Modern Romance.’

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Surf Mesa, “Somebody Like You”
LA-based electronic producer Surf Mesa taps into hopecore energy on this 2025 track, blending indie pop, dance and ambient influences.

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Frost Children, “2 LOVE”
A sibling duo from St. Louis, now based in NYC, Frost Children bring an edgy electronic energy to hopecore aesthetics on their 2025 album, ‘SISTER.’ 

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Fred again.., Amyl and The Sniffers, “you’re a star”
British dance hitmaker Fred again.. continues his recent run of collaborations on this track with Aussie punks Amyl and The Sniffers.

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Sonny Fodera, D.O.D., Poppy Baskcomb, “Think About Us”
UK dance DJ/producers Sonny Fodera and D.O.D link up with vocalist Poppy Baskomb for this dancefloor-primed track with a sentimental message. You can hear more about D.O.D’s career journey in our exclusive Sound Advice interview here.

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The Favors, FINNEAS, Ashe, “Home Sweet Home”
FINNEAS, known for his genre-shaping work with his sister Billie Eilish, explores indie territory with his duo The Favors. Their latest album is 2025’s ‘The Dream.’

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JVKE, “Golden Hour”
After breaking through on social media during the pandemic with his piano-led pop songs, singer-songwriter JVKE became a core artist for the hopecore trend.

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Alex Warren, “Ordinary”
American singer-songwriter Alex Warren blended gospel harmonies with indie pop melodies on this hopeful 2025 hit track.

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Jungle, “Let’s Go Back”
With a Motown girl group feel, the British group’s track taps into the optimistic and danceable energy of the trend.

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Flawed Mangoes, “Anthem”
A key hopecore artist, electronic producer and guitarist Flawed Mangoes evolves the sound on this 2025 track.

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dexter in the newsagent, “Special”
London vocalist dexter in the newsagent dropped her debut mixtape in 2025, ‘Time Flies,’ and got co-signs from Jim Legxacy and Blood Orange.

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Gigi Perez, “At The Beach, In Every Life”
Singer, songwriter and guitarist Gigi Perez yearns for a hopeful love on this track from her 2025 album of the same name.

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Benson Boone, “Beautiful Things”
Taken from his 2024 album ‘Fireworks & Rollerblades,’ this track launched Benson Boone’s hopeful tracks into the pop stratosphere.

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JENNIE, “Mantra”
Breakout solo K-pop artist JENNIE taps into a fresh take on girl power for this 2024 track. 

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HUNTR/X, “Golden”
Featured on the soundtrack of the hit TV series “K-Pop Demon Hunters,” this Grammy-nominated track soars high. 

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BLACKPINK, “JUMP”
After bringing K-pop to international audiences, girl group BLACKPINK continue to innovate the genre with their hopecore-infused tracks.

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AleXa, “Joy of Missing Out”
Moving into English language singing, this track shows K-pop artist AleXa counting herself out from bad energy in 2026.

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twenty one pilots, “City Walls”
Rock group twenty one pilots search for a brighter day on the opening track of their 2025 album, ‘Breach.’ 

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LISTEN TO THE HOPECORE PLAYLIST ON SOUNDCLOUD NOW

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