TikTok has been sending me a steady stream of videos from ggwendolyn lately. A veteran songwriter with a new album arriving at the end of July, she’s already released three singles in 2026 that really help showcase what she can do.

Based on these three songs, ggwendolyn has an exceptional instinct for writing hooks. But she never lets those hooks exist on their own. Every catchy chorus seems to be hiding something heavier underneath—ambition, self-doubt, anxiety, identity. The songs move effortlessly between alt-country, indie rock, pop, and Americana, but emotionally they’re all wrestling with the uncertainty of figuring out who you’re supposed to become.

“Superstar Syndrome” (2026)

This one opens with a hint of alt-country before gradually expanding into polished indie pop, driven by a chorus that’s nearly impossible to shake. I heard touches of Waxahatchee and Hurray for the Riff Raff, but also the sort of melodic instincts that have made Taylor Swift so successful at blending folk, country, and pop into massive hooks.

Lyrically, the song is pretty devastating despite the upbeat way it’s presented.

What sounds like an uplifting anthem slowly reveals itself as a song about the burden of potential. It’s the feeling of standing at a crossroads, knowing where you want to go while quietly wondering whether you’re actually capable of getting there. That conflict between confidence and doubt gives the song far more emotional weight than its infectious melody initially lets on.

“Jock My Style” (2026)

The groove immediately reminded me of Luscious Jackson with its bouncing bass line, distorted guitars, and rhythmic momentum. The vocals shift between dreamy melodies and almost spoken-word delivery. These songs prove ggwendolyn knows how to hammer a hook. It’s impossible not to bounce your head along.

The song constantly invites movement, but it also carries an unmistakable swagger. It’s a fun, arrogant little anthem with another enormous chorus.

“Crisscross Way” (2026)

This may be my favorite of the three.

The repeated guitar figure creates an immediate sense of tension, somewhere between Sheryl Crow, PJ Harvey, Beth Orton, and gothic Americana. The atmosphere grows darker with every verse.

Vocally, ggwendolyn shows off her ability to meet the song where it needs to be. She shifts from a sinister tone into something more soulful as the song builds.

When the repeated cry of “Somebody help me” arrives during the climax, the entire song erupts.

If “Superstar Syndrome” explores the quiet anxiety of standing at life’s crossroads, “Crisscross Way” feels like flooring the accelerator and driving straight through them anyway.

It’s exhilarating and terrifying at the same time.

ggwendolyn understands how to find a hook, write a chorus and get you moving, but she can muddy it up too. Put some sinister slink in there. Rough up the production or steer the arrangement somewhere you weren’t expecting.

These three singles make for eclectic pop music with a few curveballs, and I’m excited to hear what she does with a full album.

Verdict: Solid

Explore more from ggwendolyn

Official Site | Spotify | Bandcamp