The search for the ever-elusive "bop" is difficult. Playlists and streaming-service recommendations can only do so much. They often leave a lingering question: Are these songs really good, or are they just new?

Enter Bop Shop, a hand-picked selection of songs from the MTV News team. This weekly collection doesn't discriminate by genre and can include anything — it's a snapshot of what's on our minds and what sounds good. We'll keep it fresh with the latest music, but expect a few oldies (but goodies) every once in a while, too. Get ready: The Bop Shop is now open for business.

If One Direction kept making music together, they would’ve eventually ended up here. I mean this as the highest possible praise. In their brief time together, the five lads cycled through arena rock, yacht rock, power pop, and more; if they’d have stayed the course, they might have incorporated shoegaze, Britpop, and pop-punk as expertly as James Goodson does in his songs as Dazy. Everything in his prolific catalog — 45 songs in less than three years — channels this potent combo, and each new tune feels fresh, like he’s found a new way to bring honey-hooked rock music to electric life. “I Know Nothing At All,” from his new Otherbody EP, sounds like The Beatles’ “Revolution” run through a buzzing amplifier that’s also on fire. (Once again, I mean this as a compliment.) All the 1D dudes are off on their own journeys now. That’s fine; more sonic exploration for Goodson. —Patrick Hosken

Between You & Me “want to hear [their] songs on MTV,” and their wish is my command. Not that it took much convincing. Their latest single, “Nevermind,” which name-drops MTV in the chorus, is a catchy bop that’s easy to get stuck in your head. The Aussie alt-rock band formerly signed to Hopeless Records recently broke out on their own, and their independent era looks hella promising. “Nevermind” is a self-proclaimed “sarcastic party rock anthem,” and the music video, with middle fingers raised high, is an accurate depiction of the BYAM DGAF attitude that fans have come to know and love. The track’s witty lyrics poke fun at the superficial aspects of the entertainment industry while acknowledging the band’s desire to carve out a space for themselves on their own terms. With a strong resolve to musically evolve and a banger that goes as hard as “Nevermind,” it’s easy to see that happening. This is undoubtedly one of their best songs yet. —Farah Zermane

Jimin puts his best side forward with his debut solo album, Face, out today. After much anticipation, the BTS vocalist shows the world his truest self over six R&B-inspired tracks, each representing intense emotions untapped until now. The album is led by “Like Crazy,” a dreamy synthpop single released simultaneously in English and Korean. Inspired by the 2011 film of the same and featuring lyrics by group mate RM, the K-pop superstar layers ‘80s production elements with a modern melody to create a track both nostalgic and current, yet completely his own. However, Jimin’s saccharine vocals are what make the track truly burst with life. Despite its nightclub dance-floor energy, as depicted in its accompanying music video, lyrically it centers around feelings of immense longing and loneliness, displaying a vast and deep inner life just now coming to the surface. This duality between light and dark, hard and soft, has become Jimin’s trademark in BTS and now beyond. —Sarina Bhutani

Our Irish gentle giant was generous enough to give us a gift on his birthday, St. Patrick’s Day: three new singles bound to shake you to your core as you scorn our cruel gods. In true Hozier fashion, each song is a powerful battle cry loaded with political and inspirational language. They’re all spectacular peeks at his upcoming album, Unreal Unearth, due out in late summer. “All Things End” showcases Hozier’s evident inspiration from Black musical influences, which have permeated all throughout his discography. Most prominent is the song’s R&B melody that crescendos into a final rendition of its soulful chorus where Hozier is accompanied by a church-like choir. This figuratively and quite literally echoes the revolutionary sentiments of the Black community: how if we continue to fight for global civil rights, our collective strife will eventually end. —Gwyn Cutler

Your new favorite vocalist lives in Newfoundland. Nico Paulo, a mesmerizing Portuguese/Canadian singer-songwriter whose work will transport you, moved to the easternmost point in North America to pursue her musical dreams. It might seem isolating on a map, but on record, Paulo embodies the vivid colors of a spring festival both in her warm, smooth singing and the way the beat glides. “The Master” showcases this all beautifully — three minutes of heavenly exploration. —Patrick Hosken

If you’re searching for a song to stimulate every sense in your body, look no further. Blk Odyssy and Bootsy Collins have harnessed hot-and-heavy energy on their latest hit, “Honeysuckle Neckbone.” If you singled out every track in this mix and boiled down its ingredients, you’d hear how each is saturated in temptation. The most notable elements are the erotic background cries, the sultry sitar, and the throbbing bassline. Odyssy’s lyrics detail his lament over losing a certain someone, and Collins feels like his faithful wingman as he begins the song with his signature sendoff. If there’s a way to win back a past lover, this enticing ode is a solid start. —Gwyn Cutler

Mac Ayres is continuing the ‘90s R&B renaissance with this tender track off his new album, Comfortable Enough, that fully captures its themes of sedated yet constant uncertainty. We can’t be happy all the time — it’s hard enough to even maintain being content. Ayres represents his wavering mental stability by subtly depicting his endurance through external and internal conflicts. This song feels like a warm embrace welcoming you into Mac’s world and encouraging you to connect over similar issues. It’s hard not to hear him out when he sings his relatable lyrics in the voice of an angel. “Everything Changes,” “& That’s Alright,” “If You’re Feeling Lost,” and “Again” are other gems I’d recommend. —Gwyn Cutler

We all know the Devil went down to Georgia, but get ready to boogie with Beelzebub in “Devil Came Down the Dance Floor,” the latest from Jake Shears’ upcoming album, Last Man Dancing. The track is pure disco at its finest, and you can hear the influence of other dance legends like Giorgio Moroder and Cerrone in this sinful slice of nostalgia. But what else would you expect from the “Let’s Have a Kiki” king? —Chris Rudolph

“What your heart doesn’t see doesn’t hurt you,” is Fckayne’s final line translated from Creole, and it’s the nail in the coffin for the dysfunctional relationship she’s opened herself up to. Finally able to see past her partner’s lies, this French artist dissociates herself through song. Unbeknownst to many yet highly underrated, Kayne croons with a distinct vigor that resonates deep in the caverns of my heart. We share the view that harsh truths and independence are far better than catering to an idyllic and ingenuine partnership. The final shot of its haunting, organic visual is equally as devastating as it is cinematic. It’s great to witness an artist delving into the vexing subjects of life and illustrating them in all their indignity. —Gwyn Cutler