Wonderland.

WONDERLIST

The end of an era, surprise albums, and an underground hero’s crowning moment: here’s Wonderlist!

Rema – “RAVAGE”

Fresh from his Ice Spice collaboration and ahead of his headline show at The 02 on 14th November, Benin City’s Rema continues his run of form with five-pronged EP, “RAVAGE”. Atop vibrant, vivacious soundscapes, Rema brings charisma, reflection and passion, connecting with his inner emotions more succinctly than ever before. The EP signals the ending chapter of his Rave & Roses era and leaves him poised to continue his path towards global domination.

Brent Faiyaz – Larger Than Life

One of R&B’s most prominent figures, Brent Fayiaz has aided in the ushering in of the new exciting wave of the sound. He returns today with a surprise album, Larger Than Life; vocally impeccable, sonically rich and expansive, thematically focused, and with a plethora of starring features, from Missy Elliott to A$AP Rocky and Babyface Ray, it’s a divine effort from the genre icon.

CASISDEAD – Famous Last Words

Enigmatic underground CASISDEAD is one of the most interesting rapper to ever come out of the UK, without doubt. He’s been in the shadows of prominent conversations for a decade, but finally emerges into the light now, with Famous Last Words. Sprawling, visceral, emotionally potent, challenging… there is no limit to adjectives to describe this incredible piece of work. Give Cas his flowers.

yuné pinku – “Killing Bee”

Dizzyingly dynamic, the intoxicating production of nuance of yuné pinku is turning our heads. Following on from her EP earlier this year, the Malaysian-Irish singer, songwriter and producer returns with “Killing Bee”, a melting pot of differing electronic styles, with hazy, otherworldly synths merging seamlessly with a rousing four-to-the-floor beat.

D Double E x TenBillion Dreams ft. Hamzaa – “Life Line”

Legendary UK rapper D Double E is on a mission to prove that he is so much more than a grime MC – he’s doing a fine job of it. Announcing a forthcoming EP set for a 10th November release, he’s unveiled it’s latest teaser, “Life Line”. Enlisting the slick production nuance of TenBillion Dreams and the serene vocals of Hamzaa, the track is bursting with atmosphere, sonically encompassing and tenacious, whilst D Double flaunts the depth of his lyrical diversity and progression of his flow and performance.

JGrrey – “Sick Of Me”

Neo-soul frontrunner JGrrey has returned with her first body of work in four years! The highly-anticipated mixtape, “If Not Now?” is a complex and dazzling effort, boasting features from Zombie Juice and Kojey Radical, and comes accompanied by a vibrant visual for the stellar lead single, “Sick Of Me”.

NewDad — “Let Go”

Irish alt-rock band NewDad have a new single and it’s said to be the heaviest track on their upcoming album. Speaking on despair and dread, it covers topics of depression and self-medication — and not being able to get better. In her own words, singer and guitarist Julie Dawson says it’s about “how you can’t shield yourself from your demons,” and “people trying but failing to pull you out of those thoughts and feelings.”

Seafood Sam – “Afros In The Wind”

The name with the best name in US rap, Long Beach-hailing Seafood Sam is one of the most promising new names in the genre. He’s released “Afros In The Wind”, a warm, varied and kaleidoscopic EP that illustrates thee maturity and captivating nature of Sam’s artistry. Driven by hip-hop with sprinklings of jazz and R&B, it’s a classy, colourful and confident must-listen project.

Odeal – “You, The World Vs Me”

Singer, songwriter and producer Odeal is a fine addition to the UK R&B space. With collaborations with Nines, Enny and K-Trap under his belt, he’s widely respective and highly progressive in his sound. He’s back with “You, The World Vs Me”, the second single of a forthcoming project dropping in November. The new one is introspective, delicate and subtly groove-laden, with Odeal’s sublime vocals crooning atop a blissful acoustic guitar-driven instrumental.

Ray Laurél — “MY LUV”

Based in London, singer-songwriter Ray Laurél has been rising fast since their debut last year — and their new single, “MY LUV”, is no doubt increasing the acceleration. Honest and emotional, it is an introspective track about being afraid to love. With lulling indie-pop guitar melodies and melancholic vocals, it is a shimmering yet fuzzy track that feels just like the subject matter it describes.

Lord Apex ft. Madlib – “The Good Fight”

The countdown is on for Lord Apex’s first studio album The Good Fight, as the Londoner delivers namesake single “The Good Fight”, serving up a rare, original production from Madlib – one of the most esteemed rap DJ’s and producers in rap – with a shimmering, soulful cut that snaps with hard drum patterns. AP glides across it, blending styles and speeds, delivering a trademark dose of substantial, high-grade rap. Lyrically it sees Apex paint a picture of what the good fight means; his story so far of work, hustle, smoke and “making art so the kids can keep vibing.”

MASAKA – “Late 20’s Love Affair”

Equal parts rugged, tender, and potent, MASAKA’s enriched, dystopian approach has quickly become a standout across the European landscape. Utilising eclectic soundwaves pulled from contemporary pop and indie, his debut EP emerges as a passionate love letter painting vivid silhouettes of heartbreak and vulnerability. Elevated by his spellbinding vocals and emotive, tongue-in-cheek lyricism, the rising musician reconciles with these intimate experiences – an intricate parallel to uncover before self-reflection and enlightenment gradually blossom within these darker spaces. A compelling patchwork of textures alongside a stunning short film recorded live in the deep Swedish woods, Late 20’s Love Affair looks set to solidify MASAKA as a significant new voice crashing into wider consciousness.

The Silhouettes Project ft. Meron T & Kieron Boothe – “Play It Back Again”

The Silhouettes Project are on an immaculate run of form. Their brand-new cut “Play It Back Again”, bursting with sultry guitar licks and jazz-infused percussion shaped by South Asian heritage artist Nikhil Beats, instantly emerges as a warm canvas for South London star Meron T to flaunt her spellbinding vocals blossoming in perfect harmony. She envisions a fading love interest that has left her affinities in disarray before Newham emcee Kieron Boothe stakes his claim with stylish flows and intricate wordplay – a tender connection that elevates the trio’s synergy to blazing new heights, now cementing themselves as a formidable force crashing into wider consciousness. Having just announced an incendiary headline show at KOKO next year, the Hackney-based collective shows no sign of slowing down.

Luke Gomm- “With Love”

Luke Gomm’s “With Love” EP is a delightful journey through the phases of a blossoming relationship. Combining R&B, electronic, and alt-pop, Gomm’s music exudes nostalgia and romance. The EP’s standout track, “Another Day”, is a testament to Gomm’s slick and forward- thinking sound. His music is an enchanting blend of emotion and sonic craftsmanship, making “With Love” a must-listen for music lovers.

iagö – “Last Ashes”

British multidisciplinary musician, artist, composer and designer Theodore Ian Iagö, aka iagö, sees music as a vehicle to actualise his ideologies, balancing between two sonic and visual landscapes. This juxtaposition of beauty and destruction, of rawness and beauty, is fully explored in his new single “Last Ashes”. Produced mainly using analogue hardware and distortion boxes, it emerges as a powerful and aggressive offering, spanning four minutes of intense industrial sounds, noise and percussive elements. Crunching techno-oriented sounds ebb and flow into melodic toughs and crevices to create a guttural yet expansive track. It acts as a stark reminder of iagö’s fervent ability in creating powerful soundscapes.

niina — “summer in the rain”

Following the success of recent singles “apple juice” and “gimme gimme”, niina has shared a third offering ahead of her forthcoming EP. Titled “summer in the rain”, it is a bittersweet offering of UK garage-pop. Sparkly and intimate, it feels as equally melancholic as it does hopeful — reminding us that while hurt may not go away overnight, it will pass overtime.

LeoStayTrill – “Honeybun”

Rapid rising rap sensation LeoStayTrill has burst on to the scene with his infectious new single “Honeybun”. Delivering his unique flow, the Londoner’s quick bars hop between a bed of bouncy percussive elements, sprinkled with with light melodic instrumentals. Already receiving co-signs from the likes of JME and Clint, the sixteen-year-old is already making his mark on the UK rap scene and is set to garner a huge amount of attention thanks to his original style. Keep an eye out for more.

Deyaz -“You”

Deyaz’s new single “You” is a deeply personal and touching tribute to his late best friend. This emotionally charged song is a testament to his songwriting skills and the depth of his artistry. With an upcoming project on the horizon, Deyaz’s music is highly anticipated, and “You” is a beautiful glimpse into what’s to come. Don’t miss the official video for this heartfelt track. Deyaz’s recent collaborations and tour experiences further solidify his status as a phenomenal performer in the music industry.

ELI — “SIN”

It’s spooky season and this new track should be on all your playlists. Hypnotic and dark, the emerging indie-R&B artist ELI’s new single, “SIN”, is out now. The powerful anthem is an ode to going against the status quo and defying societal norms, staying true to oneself even in the hardest times. In her own words, it is an expression of “the inner struggle faced by those who feel marginalized in society.”

Mall Girl — “Inzane”

On Oslo art-pop trio Mall Girl’s new single “Inzane”, vocalist Bethany Forseth-Reichberg sings of infatuation over a symphony of strings and jazz. Their longest song yet, it feels like a chaotic yet cohesive dream. Out now, the song comes with the news of a new album on the horizons, Pure Love, which will be released on January 26.

Lex Gibbon – “Own Advice”

Lex Gibbon’s “Own Advice” is a luminous, empowering pop anthem. With heartfelt lyrics and a message of self-worth and resilience, Lex inspires us to embrace our uniqueness. A must-listen for those seeking positivity and hope in music.

Bklava – “Make It Work”

Bklava’s “Make It Work” is a club anthem that marks a thrilling new era for the artist. With its infectious beats and distinctive vocals, the track is a testament to Bklava’s sonic evolution. Their new imprint, Spin Suga, represents autonomy and a commitment to gender equality in the music industry. “Make It Work” is not just a song; it’s a mantra, a call to take control and make change. This release is a beacon of empowerment and creative freedom, setting the stage for what’s to come from this talented artist and their new label.

Aáyanna — “Don’t Look Back”

Chicago’s rising artist Aáyanna experiments with a sultry R&B sound on her debut EP, “Don’t Look Back”. Inspired by sirens as well as the concept of duality, she explores the idea of being two things at once through enchanting vocals and an enticing soundscape. Listen from start to finish for an incredible journey.

Matthew Joseph – “playing on my mind”

Matthew Joseph’s journey from a sound waves competition finalist to a TikTok sensation is a testament to his growing influence. His latest release, “playing on my mind” beautifully captures the complexities of love and longing. With heartfelt lyrics and a modern dance-pop sound, Joseph’s music is both relatable and important, particularly in the realm of LGBTQ+ visibility. This track is a vibrant addition to his impressive musical repertoire, and it’s likely to be his most successful yet.