Jorja Smith brings the bassline, Wretch 32 unveils a stunning new album and Nilüfer Yanya incandescently returns: it’s Wonderlist.
Jorja Smith – “The Way I Love You”
“The Way I Love You” is the latest showcase of Jorja Smith’s stylistic fluidity. The new cut is a far cry from the West Midlands singer-songwriter’s soulful routes, but is just as effective. Smith’s vocals swirl around the booming bassline backdrop, a tune meant for late night rendezvous and darkened dance floors.
Wretch 32 – HOME?
UK rap mogul Wretch 32 shares his much anticipated sixth studio album, HOME?. Boasting features from a coterie of London’s finest — from Little Simz to Kano, Ghetts to Skrapz — and with Wretch at his introspective and chameleonic best, the body of work is a paragon of what the UK scene is still capable of producing.
Nilüfer Yanya – “Cold Heart”
The unfathomably talented Nilüfer Yanya is back with a first glimpse of life after her mercurial 2024 third album, My Method Actor. The fresh offering, “Cold Heart”, is a heartfelt and nocturnal ballad with cagey percussion and piercing lyricism.
Westside Cowboy – “Shells”
Take notice! Only two singles in, Mancunian quartet Westside Cowboy are already looking like one of British guitar music’s most exciting newcomers. This sophomore single “Shells” is a more measured, emotive outing than their debut single, but just as progressive, potent and damn right impressive.
Blondshell – If You Asked For A Picture
Deft, cinematic and thoughtful, Blondshell dazzles on her sophomore album. If You Asked For A Picture finds the LA-based singer-songwriter more mature and emotionally rounded than her debut, stuffed with subtle anthems and playful songwriting.
Summer Walker – “Spend It”
Atlanta’s sensational R&B starlet Summer Walker is sounding as slick and sensual as ever on decadent new soul cut, “Spend It”. Vocally vivacious and musically cinematic, the new era of the superstar seems set to be her among her biggest.
TOMORROW X TOGETHER – “Love Language”
One of Korean music’s biggest exports TOMORROW X TOGETHER keep to providing cutting edge K-pop with their romance-laden new single. “Love Language” sees SOOBIN, YEONJUN, BEOMGYU, TAEHYUN, and HUENINGKAI explores love and joy through a vibrant yet pensive lens.
Real Estate – “Pink Sky”
Indie cult favourites Real Estate have shared a new compilation album, The Wee Small Hours: B-Sides and Other Detritus 2011 – 2025, that includes music that spans across their fourteen years signed for Domino Recording Co. Previously unheard cut “Pink Sky” is gorgeous.
Rico Nasty -“BUTTERFLY KISSES x CAN’T WIN EM ALL”
As her new album LETHAL edges over closer to its 16th May release date, avant rap star Rico Nasty unveils a creative juggernaut in “BUTTERFLY KISSES x CAN’T WIN EM ALL”. A show of artistic force, the track and accompanying video is some of the best work Nasty has put out in a while.
NewDad – “Safe”
Galway four piece NewDad bring craft and charisma to their dream pop-adjacent new EP “Safe”. It’s a sonic statement of intent from the band, softer and more thought-provoking than their emo-tinged earlier work, and leaves the Irish group poised to embark on bold new directions moving forward.
McKinley Dixon ft. Teller Bank$ – “Recitatif”
Richmond-born, Chicago-based rapper McKinley Dixon shares the third cut from his forthcoming Magic, Alive! record, coming in early June. The new teaser is hip hop at its off-kilter finest, with Danny Brown-esque flows and BROCKAMPTON worthy beat switches.
Niki Colet – “Devil On My Shoulder”
A opus of earnest indie rock and pop, Niki Colet’s new EP “We Only Ever Meet In Strange Dreams” is a wonderfully melancholic yet warming project. “Devil On My Shoulder” is the lead single, featuring some narrative precision and ear worm cadence.
French The Kid – “Ready Or Not”
UK rap frontrunner French The Kid is back with a bilingual banger, “Ready Or Not”. The Essex general seems to be finding his form again after a quieter period, with this new single providing soaring melody, hard-hitting barring and immersive instrumentation.
Mychelle – “Good Day”
Hackney-born singer-songwriter Mychelle has unveiled her soul-stricken debut full-length album Good Day via FAMM. Its title track and lead single epitomises the artists seamless ability to intwine herself with her musicality, with dazzling harmonies and refined lyricism.
The Itch – “The Influencer / Co-Conspirator”
Idiosyncratic duo The Itch share their first music of 2025, and it’s been worth the wait. Sprawling across seven minutes, the double A-side “The Influencer / Co-Conspirator” is bustling with obscure sonic decisions and outrageous songwriting.
Kean Kavanagh – “A Cowboy Song”
Polymathic producer and artist Kean Kavanagh is set to share his debut album The Country Star next month, and the latest teaser raises excitement tenfold. “A Cowboy Song” is moody and atmospheric yet glistening and subtle, with Kavanagh’s sharp Irish tones piercing the Americana-infused backdrop.
Mya Mehmi – “HALDI”
A celebration of her transness, Mya Mehmi shares a new single and visual accompaniment, “HALDI”. With commanding yet intimate vocals, the R&B-touched cut tackles the idea of using sex and love as a comforting tool in dark times.
Jo Hill – “HOLD”
Talented singer-songwriter Jo Hill has augmented her debut album girlhood. (u got this babe) with a deluxe edition. One of the new tracks, “HOLD” is particularly sultry and sincere, with delicate singing and folky sonic choices.
Laroie – “LSD”
A genre mish-mash of the most atmospheric portions, enigmatic singer-songwriter Laroie’s latest single “LSD” is a downbeat yet groovy, dreamy ballad that draws you into its makers intoxicating vocals.
Johnny Venus ft. 6LACK – “So Beautiful”
One half of eclectic hip-hop duo EarthGang, Olu, aka Johnny Venus, follows up his most recent offering “So Beautiful” featuring one of Atlanta’s biggest and most coveted R&B stars, 6LACK, with a captivating new music video. The single showcases an intoxicating soundtrack, layering warm percussive elements and acoustic riffs that provide a gorgeous bed for Olu’s sultry lyricism and 6lack’s pitched up vocals to glide over.
KiNG MALA – And You Who Drowned in the Grief of a Golden Thing
The debut album from alt pop riser KiNG MALA is quite the ride. Sometimes beautiful, sometimes challenging, other times chaotic, And You Who Drowned in the Grief of a Golden Thing is a daring and full-blooded endeavour into the depths of the artist’s personal and musical disposition.
Panic Shack – “Girl Band Starter Pack”
A playful post-punk gem, Panic Shack’s latest album-teasing single “Girl Band Starter Pack” is a tongue-in-cheek masterclass of not taking yourself too seriously. The accompanying video? A raucous experience.
Olamide, Wizkid – “Kai!”
Two of Africa’s biggest stars join forces for one of the cinematic outings of the year. On “Kai!”, Olamide is sharp and charming, complimented by Wizkid’s charisma. The video is quite the odyssey too.
Dark Tropics – “Whispers”
Irish noir pop two piece sound like a blast from the past with a futuristic twist on their latest single “Whispers”. Distorted vocals, enthralling instrumentation and piercing songwriting aplenty, the new cut is a hidden gem.
Laicositna – “Money”
One of London’s most exciting and naturally intriguing vocalists, Laicositna, follows tour support for M Huncho and J.I the Prince of N.Y. with a captivating new single titled “Money”. Skippy percussive elements land between echoing keys and pitched-up vocals, providing the perfect foundation for the Londoner’s effortlessly smooth vocals to glide atop.
Lumia – “My Boy”
A bass-heavy house track with a seductive underground vibe, “My Boy” pairs Lumia’s airy vocals with pulsing, club-ready production. Moody and hypnotic, this track marks a bold new step for the rising talent as both producer and vocalist.
