Pop music frequently gets a hard time, but often for a good reason. While it does big hooks and infectious melodies exceptionally well, what it often lacks is authenticity, the feeling of genuine emotion and meaning behind the song. That’s what makes this new break-up anthem from up and coming duo Ciircus Street so refreshing. ‘Broken’ has plenty of pop hallmarks in its harmonies and its slick and polished instrumentation, but it details coming to terms with breaking up, and how the right decision can still hurt as though it’s the wrong decision, in such a heartfelt and thought-provoking way. The raw and gritty inflection in the vocals injects such passion into the track, and its imperfections give it a sense of humanity and character that is so often missing in the genre. “Pop” needn’t be a dirty word if only we had more songs like this.