Genre-fluid and dynamic singer-songwriter Lava La Rue is a cascading force in the UK alternative space. She’s back with the news we’ve all been waiting for – the release of their debut album, Starface, is poised for this summer. Lava has shared a vibrant, indie-leaning lead single, “Push N Shuv”, which sees the Nine8 member in dazzling form; simple but sublime, and quintessentially British.

Contemporary R&B frontrunner PARTYNEXTDOOR has long been cherished as one of the modern revolutionaries of his sound. He’s returned with a first offering of the year, “R E A L W O M A N”, a downtempo, atmospheric and romantic gem that swoons and swirls, lyrically vivid and vocally sumptuous. The cut comes with news of a long-awaited new studio record, PARTYNEXTDOOR FOUR (4), set for release in late April.

Admirals of groove Metronomy have long been associated with some of the finest indie-electro hits of the 2010s. Their comeback cut sees them foray further into electronic influences that ever before, borrowing the esteemed talent of New York-based vocalist and trumpeter Pan Amsterdam for a track brimming with musical intricacy, progressive composition and plain good fun.

As she nears the release of her highly-anticipated debut album, Silence Is Loud, UK dance’s leading light and Nia Archives continues to build up hype for the record with an emphatic run of singles. The latest is “Unfinished Business”, a track as emotional as it is immersive, with the unparalleled new-gem junglist once again marauding her songwriting capabilities and production nuance.

Mount Kimbie? King Krule? Yes please! “Empty And Silent” marks the latest collaboration between two of the most interesting and challenging acts in UK music. Plucked from the group’s forthcoming fourth album, The Sunset Violent, the new track is sprawling, meandering and encompassing, a journey through phases, with a poetic masterclass from the untouchable Peckhamite Krule.

Perhaps the most exciting new act to appear from the UK this year so far, supremely talented double act MRCY return with their sophomore single, “Flowers In Mourning”. Following their debut of psychedelic serenity, “Lorelei”, the second offering from the duo made up of producer Barney Lister and vocalist Kojo Degraft-Johnson is cinematic and layered, luxurious and dramatic, a jazz-infused juggernaut of soul-leaning sonics.

Three time Grammy-nominated Rapsody has become one of the finest lyricists in US rap. She returns with “Stand Tall”, a pensive, tender and thought-provoking number that is the second teaser from the artist’s forthcoming forth studio album.

Quickly becoming Manchester’s premium rapper, Nemzzz has today had the crowning moment of his career to date, delivering his debut mixtape “Do Not Disturb”. The 11-pronged project is accompanied by a single, “ETA”, enlisting German heavyweight Luciano for a playful, impactful track that brings the best out of best spitters.

Nicola Gaea, the soaring singer-songwriter blending soul, jazz, and garage with her Mediterranean and West-Indian heritage, has unveiled her debut EP, “Rise”, a statement release that looks set to propel her acclaim within the UK alternative space. Elegant and personal, it’s a sublime collection of songs that are eclectic and effervescent.

Seattle-based DJ and producer Sango is setting the tone for summer with his latest musical offering, the single “Show”, featuring Rochelle Jordan. The track follows his 2023 hit “masego’s interlude”, featuring Grammy-nominated Jamaican-American artist Masego, and gives a taste of what’s to come in his forthcoming album, North 2, which will see the artist connecting the dots from his debut 2013 project North to his present-day evolution.

Production duo Speakman are changing convention within the bass music stratosphere. The brothers, who hail from Glastonbury, return with “Lose Our Way”, a moody, heavy-hitting cut that bleeds atmosphere and is perfect for the climaxing hours of warehouse raves.

21-year-old sonic powerhouse Bktherula is taking her hybrid and experimental sounds into new territory with the release of her new album, LVL5 P2. Sourcing inspirations for her inner muse, the Atlanta-native is making music without emotional inhibitions or artificial creative boundaries, delivering a 13-music long track list that is a tour de force of artistic performance. The album arrives with a video for “SHAKIN IT” ft. Cash Cobain. Produced by Cash himself, the song finds a middle ground between Cash’s sample-heavy “sexy drill” sound and Bk’s ethereal dreamscapes, conjuring an atmosphere that invites head-nodding and hip-shaking.

Ghanian-American singer-songwriter Amaarae is one of the most essential African artist in the modern climate, and continues to revolutionise her sound with her newest dazzling cut, “Angels in Tibet”. Swooning her way through a colourful palette, it’s another strong and dynamic offering from the highly-talented artist.

Bellah Mae is in her sad girl era — and we are here for it! Today, the rising pop voice unveils her new single, “2053”, ahead of the release of her new EP, “Never Waste A Heartbreak”, a fan-fic worthy reflection over the one that got away. “Everybody will always tell you ‘it’ll be okay’ and ‘there’s plenty of fish in the sea’ but sometimes you wonder if they’ll always be a part of you that reflects on a particular person that’s no longer in your life anymore,” she explains. “As for writing the lyrics, I really wanted to tell a story of how strange it is for that person to not be aware of big changes or things happening within your life now.”

Excited for Lizzy McAlpine’s third studio album? So are we. For now, with the April 5th release date inching closer, we get one final taste before the full project is revealed to us. And you guessed it. It’s a good one. The follow up to the album’s title track, “Older”, which was released last month, “I Guess” continues to show fans what this new chapter of McAlpine’s genius will bring. Truly growing into her own with a newfound confidence in her voice and artistry, she is as sincere, honest, and powerfully raw as ever before.

Connecting experimental arrangements with tender, free-flowing jazz and house, “When I Care” instantly defines Zoe’s Shanghai as standout. Gliding across psychedelic guitars and jazzy drum breaks, lead singer Zoé flexes her signature elastic rasp and vocal acrobatics with typical style before the infectious sound waves dissolve into a spacey atmosphere; an intimate tone for her to embody vulnerability and self-healing as it transforms internal affirmations into something inspired and universal. Closing out with bouncy instrumentation and swirling harmonies, “When I Care” gives a glimpse into the dream-like vibrations expected from this unique talent still to come.

Today, Swedish songwriter and artist de clair has gifted us with her debut EP, “hiding mountains in the palm of my hand”. The ethereal, folk-infused tracks create a profound coming-of-age project, discussing everything from love and loneliness to sadness and hope to friendship. The last of these topics is particularly explored in the EP’s feature track, “Funeral”. “Funeral flew out of me,” de clair explains. “It’s about friendship. It’s about things not turning out as you’ve planned. It’s about losing someone who has been the most safe person in your life. Like a childhood friend, someone who has been a natural part of the past, present and future. I wanted to capture the extreme despair and disappointment with the lyrics.”

Indie-dance 6 piece Home Counties has a new single out! Titled “You Break It, You Bought It”, it is unveiled ahead of the band’s debut album, Exactly As It Seems, which graces all streaming platforms on May 3. Already a fan-favourite, the new single has been a crowd pleaser at Home Counties’ live shows — and the studio version is no disappointment. With intricate guitar work and bass lines, vocalist Lois Kelly’s infectious hooks, and lyrics on the current rental state in London, it is as fun as it is profound.

Equal parts rugged, tender and self-assured, Mandolin continues to deliver genuinely authentic R&B across her brand-new cut. Bursting with vintage brass tones and heavy-set basslines, the Texas native effortlessly glides across the high-calibre sound waves while her deep-rooted wordplay encapsulates the poetic justice faced at a complex crossroad between love and heartbreak. She taps into intimate experiences that have left her affinities in turmoil, highlighting a lonesome journey through darkness that would later catapult her towards self-realisation: “I’ve heard it all before, you just can’t fool me” she pleads as a true testament to growth and the ethereal healing of her inner spirit.

Last week, Raf-Saperra dropped one of the most enthralling cross-Atlantic collaborative projects of the year, tapping up GRISELDA’s Conway The Machine, Dave East and Big Body Bes, fusing his indigenous Bhangra sound with some of the most critically-acclaimed rappers in the rap landscape right now. Continuing momentum, the British-Punjabi visionary has just unleashed an official video for “Hood Harvest” featuring Dave East and Big Body Bes, set streetside over in the States. Delivering a seamless rap-fusion track, Raf takes the listener on an immaculately curated journey through his now global steppings with “Hood Harvest”, with Big Body Bes announcing “Punjabis in the lobby!” feeling like a momentous regime change as the rap star and Dave East spit iconic New York tales over a Bobby Kang instrumental, Raf’s sung couplets dancing around the raps to create what feels like a signature new sound.

Singer-songwriter Odeal’s new single, “Gaslight 101”, is a mesmerising, soulful track that is bound to reach the depths of your heart. Through his own branch of R&B, he weaves profound lyricism with captivating soundscapes for a sultry exploration of love and longing. With 2 million monthly listeners who sell out his shows in minutes, Odeal is rising by the minute, and we can’t wait to see what’s next.

Zayn’s first single off of his highly anticipated fourth studio album is officially out in the world! Titled “What I Am”, it ushers in a new era for the multi platinum-selling recording artist, who shares that the forthcoming project, ROOM UNDER THE STAIRS, is his “favourite album that [he’s] made to date.” Created over the past six years from his home studio in rural Pennsylvania, it is his most introspective and experimental album yet, with poetic lyricism and genre-bending soundscapes. “I wanted each song to feel as if it was just me sitting beside you telling you how I feel, singing directly to you,” Zayn explains. “It’s raw and stripped back and the type of music I always hoped to make.” “What I Am” certainly accomplishes this.

Cottage-core at its finest: the French electronic-pop-duo UTO unveils today their latest single and music video, “2MOONS”. A gorgeous, dreamy slice of shoegaze indie rock, they conjure up ideas of late 90’s teenage bedrooms and channel the sound of Mazzy Star, bar italia and Florence Sinclair. The single – all about desire for the unknown and what is way beyond us, like the moon – is the third single from their forthcoming second LP, ‘When all you want to do is be the fire part of fire’, out 12 April.

South-East London-born and bred, Samm Henshaw is ending his artistic hiatus on a great note with the release of his new single, “Troubled Ones”. Produced by Josh Grant, the track is a tale of fear, as we follow Samm’s unorganised consciousness spilling into the lyrics, painting a vivid picture of love, aspirations, and dreams, only to confront the stark realities of doubt and ego. “I was trying to figure out what the new vibe was, and I remember having this sort of discussion about fear,” he says. “I didn’t know how I wanted to write about it, but I wanted to write it differently. So, it is just a song about fear, all these different behaviours you might display based on fear, the way that you might prevent yourself from doing certain things, and just the hold it has over you. It’s also one of my favourite songs for personal reasons.”