Ever wonder which songs are secretly taking over the internet? This week, a remix of Laufey’s “From the Start” is absolutely everywhere, making waves even as her new album drops. Plus, we’ve got the scoop on Olivia Dean’s potential breakout and a classic Rihanna track finding new life. What’s your next unexpected music obsession?

The digital music landscape is a dynamic realm where songs can unexpectedly surge into global consciousness, often propelled by the viral currents of social media. This week, the spotlight falls on several tracks defying conventional trajectories, from a re-energized remix of an acclaimed artist’s previous hit to an emerging talent on the cusp of a major breakthrough, and even a beloved deep cut from an iconic superstar experiencing a surprising resurgence.

Laufey, the acclaimed jazz-pop sensation, may have just unveiled her latest album, but it’s a lead single from her sophomore effort, “From the Start,” that is currently captivating audiences worldwide. This Grammy-winning track has found a renewed and explosive life on TikTok, largely thanks to a chilled-out dance remix crafted by Jiandro. The remix masterfully loops the poignant line, “Run to me, confess your love, at least just let me say,” creating an irresistible hook that has become central to a widespread online phenomenon.

The genesis of this viral success can be directly attributed to TikTok user Temi, who on August 2nd, shared a dance trend to the snippet Jiandro had originally posted on July 15th. Temi’s initial video garnered over 2.9 million views and nearly 375,000 likes, kickstarting an unparalleled wave of user-generated content. Jiandro’s original snippet of the remix has since amassed nearly nine million views, with the accompanying sound now boasting over 488,000 clips across the platform, illustrating the immense power of digital discovery.

The impact of this TikTok trend on streaming metrics has been profound. “From the Start” was already consistently achieving over three million official on-demand U.S. streams weekly. However, in the first full week following Temi’s viral video, streaming activity surged by 5% to over 3.44 million. The momentum only intensified in the subsequent week, with the song leaping by nearly 11% to over 3.82 million official streams, marking an astonishing 222% rise in streaming activity over a three-week period, a testament to the remix’s widespread appeal.

Emerging British soul-pop singer-songwriter Olivia Dean is rapidly building considerable buzz with each new release. Having earned a Mercury Prize nomination for her 2023 debut, anticipation is high for her upcoming album, “Messy,” set to be released on September 26th. This album is widely predicted to be the catalyst that transforms her into a cross-continental star, particularly as she prepares to open for Sabrina Carpenter’s highly anticipated fall arena tour.

While earlier tracks like “Nice to Each Other” and “Lady Lady” hinted at the album’s warm sonic palette and incisive lyricism, it is “Man I Need” that is poised to become Dean’s inaugural crossover hit. This snappy, rhythmic sing-along track, reminiscent of a long-lost ’90s R&B soundtrack, has shown remarkable early streaming growth. In its initial four days on streaming services (August 15-18), “Man I Need” garnered 1.18 million official U.S. on-demand streams. A mere week later, this four-day total soared to 2.56 million streams, a staggering 116% increase, fueled by organic word-of-mouth and increasing prevalence on TikTok.

“Man I Need” has already begun appearing on daily streaming charts, reaching as high as No. 21 on Spotify’s U.S. daily chart and becoming her highest-charting solo hit in the U.K. to date. With “Messy” likely to debut on the Billboard 200 within weeks, “Man I Need” is strongly positioned to precede it as Dean’s first entry on the prestigious Hot 100, solidifying her status as a significant new voice in contemporary music.

Meanwhile, a deep cut from Rihanna’s 2007 catalog, “Dishes,” has unexpectedly re-emerged as a viral sensation. The track has witnessed a substantial 71% jump in official on-demand U.S. streams, reaching over 4.02 million during the period of August 15-21. This resurgence is largely driven by TikTok trends that initially celebrated its lyrics, particularly those centering on themes of female rage and empowerment, alongside clips demonstrating various boyfriends’ strength timed to its distinctive “A man, a man” refrain.

More recently, TikTok user breathed new life into “Dishes” by using an unofficial snippet to soundtrack a reaction to the highly publicized breakup of stars JaNa Craig and Kenny Rodriguez. Uploaded on July 28th, this clip swiftly accumulated 2.2 million views and over 276,000 likes, igniting a fresh trend inspired by the evocative lines: “Is he cheatin’? Man, I don’t know/ I’m lookin’ ’round for somethin’ else to throw.” This illustrates how even older tracks, when serendipitously paired with contemporary cultural moments, can experience remarkable and enduring digital renaissances, further showcasing the unpredictable nature of online music trends and social media’s profound influence.