Which modern pop songs will stand the test of time?

Cafe Society
1

I was floating around YouTube and watched a few pop videos from the late 80’s and 90’s, such as;

Michael Jackson - Scream (original and amazing video)
George Michael - Fastlove (unique and another brilliant video)
George Michael - Careless whisper (One of the best choruses)
Madonna - You’ll see (Just Madonna and her voice - powerful)
Christina Aguilera - Genie in a bottle (dodgy backing but the vocals standout)
Coolio - Gangsta’s Paradise (Maybe the best hip hop/pop crossover)
Seal - Kiss from a rose (Songwriting at its best)
Phil Collins - Against all odds (Just the the right side of cheesy - a definitive power ballad)

Where is the modern equivalents to these? I know it’s all subjective and music changes and evolves, but there has to be ‘pop’ artists around now who are releasing quality vocal-centric music that will stand the test of time…

Can anyone recommend me an artist/song that may fit this criteria?

For example, the other week I randomly heard Jack Soveretti - Only You, and I thought it could have been written 25 years ago as it sounds so different from most modern pop songs. It’s not quite to the above standard, but it’s enough to standout. Link - - YouTube

I’ll add, I’m only 36 and mainly into rock/metal music… but have always been fascinated by great vocalists/styles (I started out liking pop, like most people).

Thanks in advance!

2

Right here, I see a problem. Leading up until the 1990’s, it was crucial to have a pop song closely integrated with the marketing of blockbuster film. It was very much the case with one of the last 90’s films – The Matrix (Don’t correct me with the exact year of the film, it is a very 1990’s film, the last one perhaps.) Subsequent Matrix sequels tried to do the same, but couldn’t, a torch has passed. I don’t feel like contemporary films are as locked into the marketing of the film, with the music, by music video, via MTV. So that’s something that blocks future music from becoming as iconic.

3

Off the top of my head, some of the biggest pop acts right now include Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Adele, Rihanna, and Bruno Mars.

But as to whether their music will stand the test of time, I really can’t say. How would you define that? Many of the songs the OP lists are recognizable, but they’re not what I’d call “classics” like Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean”.