Wonderland.

WONDERLIST

From the stunning return of one of the faces of modern pop to garage sizzlers and experimental trap: take in this week’s Wonderlist…

Photography by Nick Walker

Photography by Nick Walker

Olivia Rodrigo – GUTS

It’s the day we’ve all been waiting for – GUTS has graced our ears! Since her debut album was adored by critics and listeners alike, we’ve all been impatiently poised to hear its sophomore follow up. Featuring singles “vampire” and “bad idea right?”, the new album lives up to expectations, an illustration of the depth of Rodrigo’s vision, brimming with razor sharp songwriting and vivacious sonic palettes. A must listen!

M Huncho – “my neighbours don’t know”

M Huncho’s new mixtape my neighbours don’t know” is by far his most progressive and experimental work to date. Supported by an all star cast, from Nines to D Block Europe to K-Trap, the 19-pronged project is diverse stylistically and measured in its conceptual vision, as Huncho continues to prove himself as one of the UK’s most provoking and entertaining protagonists.

p-rallel – “It’s a LUNDUN Thing”

Plucked from his highly anticipated mixtape Movement, p-rallel once again illustrates why he is one of the UK’s most sought after producers. New tune “It’s a LUNDUN Thing” is a savvy reworking of the ’97 Scott Garcia original, reworked with the air of modernism, a future garage classic sure to light up dance floors.

B-ahwe – “Infected”

One of the finest voices situating the modern UK soul scene, B-ahwe never fails to impress with her celestial tones and expressive songwriting. She has returned with “Infected”, the second single from her forthcoming mixtape, “26% Mixtape”, set for release this Autumn. Once again working with regular collaborator TAMBALA, the South London-based songstress unravels the familiar story of early love, flaunting her vivid lyricism and dazzling vocality atop the silky sonic backdrop.

D Double E – “Ghetto Love Story”

UK rap royalty seems to have no roof to his progressive creativity. The MOBO winning rapper is back with a fresh heater, “Ghetto Love Story”, signifying the next chapter of his artistic journey. Bridging sub-sounds, the TenBillion Dreams production is atmospheric and immersive, with D Double’s signature wit and charisma apparent to see in the lyricism and performance.

bb x Sainté – “Vacant”

Forward thinking producer bb once again links up with Leicester’s rap trailblazer Sainté, as the pair continue to rise within their respective disciplines. bb’s visceral production is flowed over by Sainté in slick fashion, flaunting his vocal variety with sung and rapped verses.

FelixThe1st – “would u wait”

Musical chameleon FelixThe1st returns with his first single of the year with “would u wait”. The jersey-inspired track is bought to life with the Ben Wescott-directed video which reflect’s Felix unmatched energy for a vivid insight into his artistic mind. The track captures the essence of becoming somebodies everything despite the hindrance of time. Having become the most unfiltered version of himself, Felix’s enigmatic sound is catered to ‘outsider who like to feel different’. With new music on the way, this release is only a taste of what’s to come.

Mac Wetha – “iBD”

Multi-faceted artist Mac Wetha revels in his versatility, impressing both in his production work and his solo singer-songwriter releases. He is back with a fresh cut, “iBD”, a track full of vibrant sonic undertones and decadent production, highlighting the breadth of Wetha’s influences.

Major League DJZ ft. Kojey Radical & Magicsticks – “Bad For Business”

Amapiano royalty Major League DJZ are back with a fresh sizzler to resoark the summer embers. Recruiting UK rap frontrunner Kojey Radical and Magicsticks, the guys showcase their untouchable sound on the colour-laden cut, brimming with intricate production work and nuanced lyricism.

Eden Rain – “I Found My Brain”

Leeds-born, London-based singer-songwriter Eden Rain is providing us with the sonic good on her latest release “I Found My Brain”. Produced by Halfrhymes, the single is a gorgeous slice of alternative pop, with Rain offering up relatable lyricism and soaring vocals.

Blxst ft. Bino Rideaux – “Doin Yo Stuff”

Kendrick collaborator and R&B frontrunner Blxst knows a thing about making a hit, and he’s put that knowledge into practise with his latest single “Doin Yo Stuff”. Once again collaborating with LA rapper Bino Rideaux, the duo have unleashed a new mixtape “Sixtape 3”, with a playful music video for lead single “Doin Yo Stuff”. The chemistry between the two is better than ever, and the music pays dividends to that.

Taloula – “B.I.W.F.”

Continuing her electric run of form, East London-based producer, songwriter and vocalist Taloula displays true euphoria across “B.I.W.F.”. A tenuous ode to early 2000s R&B, the dystopian backing sets pace with heavy bass lines and sharp percussion, forming complex pockets for the rising talent to flaunt her honey-soaked vocals with typical style. Showcasing dexterity in her wordplay while voyaging towards self-enlightenment, Taloula champions vulnerability, inspiring a new wave of free-thinkers who seek solace in their creative journeys. With her highly anticipated debut album fast approaching, the Yemeni heritage artist is rapidly becoming one of the most exciting talents crashing into the R&B landscape right now.

Burney – “Tie Me Down”

Rising alternative rapper Burney has unveiled perhaps his most exciting release to date. “Tie Me Down” is grounded by a vocal performance full of energy and effervescent, with the emerging artist’s lyricism hard to resist atop the jumpy and playful instrumental.

Femi Tahiru – “It’s Nearly Over”

Northampton-native Femi Tahiru returns to the soundsphere with brand new single “It’s Nearly Over” — a song laced with atmospheric bass lines and snappy percussive elements, layered with Femi’s trademark polished vocals. The rising star continues to provide us with a number of beautifully crafted releases, and “It’s Nearly Over” points to an artist crafting music well beyond his years.

BNXN – “Sweet Tea”

Nigerian artist BNXN is a hit making sensation and doesn’t appear to be stopping anytime soon. Having collaborated with heavy hitters from Dave to Burna Boy, the singer is back with his latest banger “Sweet Tea” a track that puts BNXN’s stunning vocals in the spotlight, complimented by some sizzling production.

Gregg Kowalsky – “Fragile Water”

Esteemed multi-instrumentalist Gregg Kowalsky is known for his ardent experimentation, and new single “Fragile Water” is certainly no different. The first offering from a forthcoming album, out later October, the offering sees Kowalsky dazzle with his endless artistic progression, intimate and intricate in vision and performance.

Delara – “Unbound”

Norwegian riser has delivered perhaps her most personal and characterful release to date in the form of “Unbound”. A gorgeous ode to her mother, lyrically the song is driven by human connection, with Delara’s serene performance drawing listeners into the heartfelt narrative.

The Shellers – “10 Minutes”

Following their dance-inducing statement debut, emerging London-based duo The Shellers have returned to share “10 Minutes”. A track that flaunts their musical and lyrical versatility, the new single is poignant and potent, raising the hype around the promising duo even higher.

Selin – “LIGHTS OFF”

Pop songstress Selin is swiftly rising through the ranks with her debut album on the way. “LIGHTS OFF” is the latest teaser from the forthcoming LP, a track that sees Selin flaunt her bilingual songwriting and vocals, sitting comfortably atop the string pop-rock production.

Andy Jaz – “RIDE OR DIE”

Boston artist Andy Jaz is back, offering up “RIDE OR DIE”, a savvy blend of rap tendencies. His sharp flow and slick lyricism take centre stage here, with Jaz riding the hazy production with impressive nuance, illustrating his innovative approach to its fullest effect.