Dominic Fike shows his best artistic self, Skye Newman is soulful in survival, and Radio Free Alice finds what’s in between: it’s Wonderlist!
Dominic Fike ft. Grace Ives – “HONEYLOVE”
There’s plenty to respect and revere about Dominic FIke’s new album, HOW TO QUIT SMOKING. He’s come a long way from the bubblegum pop of his early tracks; here delivering an eclectic and essential record of jaded and wistful retrospection. Perhaps the most impressive element is the feature cast – from Gabriel Jacoby to Emma Ogier, Love Spells to Danny Brown. The standout, though, is the mercurial Grace Ives on “HONEYLOVE”.
Skye Newman – “Survival”
South London starlet Skye Newman is all husk and soul as she pens her “Survival”, her latest single ahead of her UK and European tour. Offering a deeply personal glimpse into her childhood and the experiences that shaped Skye into Skye, it’s a heartfelt track, grounded by gorgeous belts and intimate lyrics that she’s become loved for. Driven by a delicate piano melody, disrupted by jagged percussion and syncopated beats, it reveals how healing isn’t so linear — but it can certainly be made into something beautiful.
Radio Free Alice – “The Intersection”
Finally, the band of the hour have fully announced themselves with a sprawling, sensational debut album. Radio Free Alice’s What’s In Between sits right up there with Westside Cowboy’s It Goes On as the most blisteringly effective debut record from a rising band. Lead single “The Intersection” is direct and dreamy, doused in a delicate melancholy.
iiso – “Telepathy”
Seoul-based synth-pop artist iiso is back with her single “telepathy / 텔레파시”. Inspired by her very own cat, Chaeso, and the telepathic connection they share. Cute, right? After catching attention earlier this year with “Best Friend”, her collaboration with Mura Masa, iiso is building her own path somewhere between underground music, internet culture, fashion and film.
DIIV – “Dare Me”
DIIV share a mesmerising new album ZIRP!, alongside a new song, “Dare Me”, accompanied by a music video directed by Louie Kovatch. Produced by A. G. Cook, the album finds the band mixing their signature shoegaze sound with bigger, poppier melodies and a few dystopian thoughts about the world we’re living in. They’re also hitting the road for a 47-date world tour next year.
Cobrah – “Touch of an Angel”
Cobrah is giving us more Torn with a deluxe edition of her debut album. The extended version comes with four new tracks, including “Sign From God”, her summer collab with Grimes, plus “Apex”, “For You” and the focus single “Touch of an Angel”, produced by Machinedrum. You can, of course, expect experimental pop from the Swedish pop iconoclast, who is not slowing down on the live front either, with her Club Xtended tour continuing across Europe.
Headache – “Make a Wish”
Producer Vegyn’s side project with writer Francis Hornsby Clark is as unique and oddly resonant as ever with the new single “Make a Wish”. The signature sonic poignancy of gently progressive trip hop lays the foundation for thoughtful, randomly soul-searching lyrics.
Saïna – “HOTEL 555“
Japanese-English singer, songwriter, producer and multidisciplinary artist Saïna impresses with her excellent new Tokyo-shot short film Hotel 555, accompanying an EP of the same name. The music itself is luscious, dazzlingly performed and produced with poise and vivacity, while the visuals are gorgeously captured, sensual and thought-provoking in equal measure.
Ms* Gloom – “Duck Duck Goose”
Orange County’s Ms* Gloom’s new track is called “Duck Duck Goose”, released after dropping her debut mixtape “J Is For Joon” earlier this year. The now LA-based artist gives us once again her twisted take on pop, with dark synths and catchy melodies. She’s had a pretty busy year too, from remixing EsDeeKid, Fakemink and Rico Ace’s “LV Sandals” to modelling for London’s Lucila Safdie.
DJ BORING – “Tension”
Legendary producer DJ BORING continues to be at the cutting edge of electronic innovation with an immersive, esoteric release. “Tension” is a suitable name for this one, as it dips in and out of sharp twangs of production into something darker and more lucid, constantly keeping the listener guessing.
thredd – “Swimming”
thredd – the collaborative project from musicians Will Lister, Max Winter and Imogen and The Knife – just keeps getting better. New single “Swimming” is the kind of tune that can pull your heart out and make you scream simultaneously. Deft, delicate vocals, sonic booming industrialism, and then that synth-dance breakdown? Brain = mush after that.
Sam Akpro – “Gauzy”
Peckham’s sonic provocateur Sam Akpro further explores the singular darkened atmosphere that he established on last year’s excellent debut album, Evenfall. His new EP, “Gauzy”, is downbeat and daring, full of distinct lyrical ideas, challenging sonic motifs, and overflowing creativity.
Ugly – “Gavement”
Cambridge-formed sextet Ugly have been one of the most interesting bands in the left-field of British guitar music since 2022’s shatteringly effective single “I’m Happy You’re Here”. We’ve now received their long-awaited debut album, The South Facade, an impressively cohesive and stylistically sharp project that merges sweeping pop songwriting with intricate technical ability. “Gavement” is a standout.
Amiture Music – “my loose thread”
Engimatic NYC project Amiture Music have returned for the first time since their self-titled debut to unleash a technically twisting and emotionally crippling EP, “2 Women”. “my loose thread” is a particularly piercing cut with its busy percussion, wailing vocals and scratchy guitars.
Harry Fowler – “Perfect Colours”
Best known as the guitarist of one of Britain’s finest modern bands, Wunderhorse, Harry Fowler shows he is far more than Jacob Slater’s right-hand man with the release of his subtle folk-driven surprise debut album, Blankets. Brimming with visceral songwriting, vulnerable vocal performances and intricate guitar finger-picking, it’s a highly accomplished and emotionally potent listen.
Lola Blue – “your hand in mine”
Intricate, wistful and gradual, for indie musician Lola Blue, that’s how love feels with “your hand in mine.” On this dreamy jingle from her six-track EP, “Pinky Promise”, the Los Angeles-based pop pixie captures the sense of surrealism that swirls to the surface when distance decorates your love. With her wispy vocals, chaste lyricism and a pulsing rhythm, it feels like delving deep into the wonderland of Lola’s diary that seems to be never-ending.
Essence Martins – “It All Comes To An End”
Golden-haired singer-songwriter Essence Martins is embracing the fullness of the realisation when things reach their final stage with “It All Comes To An End”, the title track from her newest EP. Soft, gentle and tender, it’s a hopeful track with tinges of melancholy. Part lullaby, part affirmation, as she vocally switches from whisper to an almost-belt with a ballad-like build-up, it offers some solace amongst the angst of life’s curveballs.
Bugzy Malone – “Ownership”
One of the most successful and influential rappers from the North of England, Manchester’s Bugzy Malone returns with a full-length album, Make It, Maintain It, Pt.1, out of the blue, and reminds UK hip hop fans of his ability to craft worlds with his lyricism, charisma and instrumental palettes. “Ownership” sums it up – wordplay is sharp, flow is slick, beat is cinematic.
Hex Girlfriend – “Sore Loser”
London duo Hex Girlfriend are back with new single “Sore Loser” and the announcement of a 2027 UK and European tour. Made up of James Knott and Noah Yorke, the pair have been combining electronic sounds, live instruments and catchy melodies since they first started making music together at Goldsmiths. This new track explores the art of looking at yourself from the outside and putting your own worries into perspective, in their signature blend of abrasive sounds and sugary pop melodies.
Queens of the Stone Age – “Run Away From The Mob”
Rock legends Queens of the Stone Age triumph with another excellent showing with their new ninth album, Perfecth, via Matador. Lead single “Run Away From The Mob” boasts an absorbing sort of melancholia, with wistful wordsmithery and downward sloping melodic patterns.
Naya Yeira – “spiders”
Indonesian-born, London-based artist Naya Yeira releases her sincere and soulful debut EP, “Almost There”. The six-pronged work navigates being a twenty-something in the big city, growing, making mistakes, and overcoming hurdles. Lead single “spiders” is vocally dazzling and lyrically visceral.
Booter Bee – “BBBBBOOTER”
One of the UK’s most exciting and naturally intriguing northern rappers, Booter Bee, crashes back into the soundscape with brand new single ‘BBBBBOOTER”, lifted from his newly announced, highly anticipated mixtape “The Buzz”, landing 20th November. Touching on his journey so far and the sacrifices he’s made to get where he is, Booter delivers lyrics that feel real and lived-in, an honesty that pushes him further into the upper echelons of the UK rap scene and beyond.
Haiden Henderson – “domino”
Pop hunk Haiden Henderson is falling like a “domino” on this punk-fused track from his debut album, bleach, out now via Lava/Republic Records. Leaning into the chaos that goes with coming of age, he pairs candid lyricism with a restless pop-rock sound. Here, he finds himself embracing love’s mess rather than trying to clean it up.
Elisa Elvira – “If Nothing Knows, Does It Count?”
Swedish singer-songwriter has announced herself with a confident and compelling debut album. If Nobody Knows, Does It Count? finds a distinct and dainty amalgamation of electronic influence and an anthemic pop core; the title track and lead single is a groove-laden gem.
