Renée Rapp brings a noughties (and naughty) energy, Barry Can’t Swim raises album hype ever higher, and Karol G celebrates femininity: it’s Wonderlist!
Reneé Rapp – “Leave Me Alone”
Entering her raucous era of pure unadulterated fun, Renée Rapp sounds bold and bohemian on her Britney-esque new single “Leave Me Alone”. It’s a throwback to pop’s simpler days — playful lyrics, ear-worm hooks, anthemic instrumentation. Can’t beat it.
Barry Can’t Swim – “About To Begin”
With Ninja Tune-backed debut album Loner set for release 11th July, Scottish production favourite Barry Can’t Swim unveils a fresh double-sided teaser. “Cars Pass By Like Childhood Sweethearts” is a softer, cerebral edition, but “About To Begin” is the standout, with barnstorming sonics and infectious energy.
Karol G – “LATINA FOREVA”
Grammy-winning superstar Karol G is back with a vivacious new one, “LATINA FOREVA”. The single, and ski-slope-set accompanying visual, is catchy and kaleidoscopic, a colourful celebration of femininity and Latin identity.
Night Tapes – “pacifico”
Enigmatic Estonia-to-London trio Night Tapes are gearing up to share their debut album, portals/polarities, in late September via Nettwerk Music Group. Third single, “pacifico” is a shimmering trip-hop-tinged masterclass, full of haunting vocals and airy synths.
Kamal. – “guilty”
Fresh from his Central Cee co-sign, London singer-songwriter Kamal. continues to flaunt his ability to make even the coldest listener pensive with “guilty”. Atop sentimental and sparse instrumentation, the artist pierces with his vividly heartfelt lyricism and gentle vocal tone.
Niko B – “Hairclips”
London-based cheeky chap Niko B is back with more joke-laden idiosyncrasy. “Hairclips” is cutesy and charisma-laden, with atmospheric grooves and nonchalant vocal delivery making this new one an augmentation of the artist’s growing discography.
hard life – “OGRE”
With new album onion highly anticipated ahead of its July release, hard life tease their best work to date with second single “OGRE”. It’s a ballad of off-kilter heartbreak, a waltz of weirdness and a housing of sardonic humour. Murray Matravers’ project continues to do adapt, grow and innovative.
nabeel (نبيل) – “yalma يلمع”
A unique and striking amalgamation of styles and cultures, the latest single from nabeel (نبيل) is sublime. “yalma يلمع” arrives ahead of the Virginia-raised artist’s forthcoming debut EP, and sees slow-building guitars, otherworldly vocals and a compulsive sense of longing.
Aitch ft. Pozer – “TILL L4TE”
Plucked from his forthcoming album 4, on latest teaser “TILL L4TE” Aitch shows he is still at the cutting-edge of UK rap. Enlisting hottest newcomer Pozer, the Mancunian goes back-to-back with the riser atop an atmospheric, bouncy instrumental.
de clair – “honeymoon”
Swedish singer-songwriter de clair delivers a mastery of sad girlism on “honeymoon”. It’s a truly beautiful cut of wistful lyricism and melodies that envelop you within the rising talent’s heart-rending narrative.
Amie Blu – “missing everything”
South London singer-songwriter Amie Blu is impressing evermore so in this new era, sharing a cut of depth, character and decadence. “missing everything” is slyly dramatic, musically encompassing and excellently performed.
Myles Smith – “A Minute, A Moment…”
Brit Award Rising Star winner Myles Smith cultivates his incredible rise across the last 18 months with the release of his new EP, “A Minute, A Moment…” Across six cuts, including previous single “My First Heartbreak”, the singer-songwriter delves into his inner feelings, delivering flawless vocal showings atop rewarding sonic backdrops.
LeoStayTrill – “Home Alone”
One of UK rap’s quickest risers of the past few years, young general LeoStayTrill shares a long-awaited debut EP “Home Alone”. With collaborations from Clean Bandit and K-Trap, the eight-pronged project flaunts Leo’s diverse and forward-thinking artistic vision.
Aaron Rowe – “Hey Ma”
Announcing himself with poise and poignancy, Irish newcomer Aaron Rowe shares “Hey Ma”. Nodding to his nation’s traditional sound whilst feeling rooted in the London singer-songwriter zeitgeist, the track is a personal and emotionally potent winner.
Smut – “Touch & Go”
Chicago outfit Smut are preparing to share new album Tomorrow Comes Crashing in late June. Teaser cut “Touch & Go” has a nostalgic undertone beneath crunchy guitars and hooky lyricism.
chlothegod – “I Feel Different Every Day”
chlothegod returns with new visuals for “I Feel Different Every Day”. Stuck between familiar spaces and external influences in all their confusion and mundanity, each scene mirrors the push and pull of self-discovery and restraint before letting go – finding newfound confidence, unfiltered, and empowered to seek her own creative and ethereal path.
Young T & Bugsey ft. Loski – “His & Hers”
Nottingham rap two-piece Young T & Bugsey continue their impressive recent run with fresh anthem “His & Hers”. Lending the skill and presence of drill heavyweight Loski, the track shows the duos variety and relevance at UK rap’s highest echelon.
Katie Gregson-MacLeod – “James”
Gentle and gorgeous, Katie Gregson-Macloed brings a quiet dynamism to her music. New one “James” is taken from her forthcoming July-set EP, and is a breath of folkish fresh air with soft vocals and beautiful guitar cadence.
DIIV – “Return of Youth”
Trailblazing cult favourites of the LA shoegaze scene, DIIV dive deep on new single “Return of Youth”. It’s a sprawling, challenging cut full of definitive moments, accompanied by an emotional video showing the aftermath of the Californian wildfires earlier this year.
Reuben Aziz ft. Camo – “Wake Up”
Southampton-born, London-based Singer-Rapper Reuben Aziz teams up with Lil Yachty-approved Camo for new single ‘Wake Up’. Led by an Alternative-R&B sonic, ‘Wake Up’ captures the feeling of being entirely infatuated with your love interest and reminding yourself to wake up and not miss life’s opportunities.
I-dle – “Good Thing”
In the era of reinvention, defiant K-pop five piece I-dle share a new six track EP with energy and purpose. Focus single “Good Thing” is particularly tongue-in-cheek and anthemic.
Latto – “Somebody”
US rap star Latto is growing her sound impressively, with “Somebody” the latest example of such. Accompanied by a vibrant visual, the Grammy-nominee brings slick flows, a catchy hook and strong melodic work.
AKIA – “Pajamas”
Continuing to garner a huge amount of attention for crafting some of the most addictive and catchy R&B ballads to surface in recent months, AKIA returns with a brand new offering titled “Pajamas”. The track is the lead single for AKIA’s second EP, CRAZY—taken from her DUMB CRAZY STUPID series—set to release next month, and sets the tone with a vibrant, groove-laden production courtesy of Leather Jacket.
Seyi Vibez – “Pressure”
Nigerian singer-songwriter Seyi Vibez follows up on recent EP, ‘Children of Africa’ with new single ‘Pressure’, his first single to be completely in English. Seyi doesn’t hesitate to dive into personal matters surrounding his persistence to find love and his urgency to pull out all the stops.
Cameron Saul – “Dance Alone”
Newcomer Cameron Saul brings a cultured and soulful approach to his debut single “Dance Alone”. Atop a subtly groovy instrumental, Saul lyrically explores love and loss.
Franz Von – “Nah Beg”
Lively and technically crafted, the new cut from Sheffield’s leading conscious hip hop MC Franz Von is a great time. “Nah Beg” takes influence from the afro and soundsystem cultures that Von lies centric to in his city, and enlists a great turn from Ghanian vocalist Quabena Cepha.
MEGA – “I Am Enough”
North London talent MEGA is bringing confidence and class to her soul-tinged sound. First release of 2025 “I Am Enough” is a poignant and powerful expression of acceptance and honesty.
