Leicester’s Sainté has proved himself to be dextrous as a lyricist and performer. Across his three EPs to date, he has shown flexing aplenty, emotional brevity and slick technical ability. Now, on his debut mixtape, “Still Local”, he combines all the strengths of the previous works, concocting a cohesive, absorbing and highly entertaining 14-pronged body of work. Whether looking outwardly at his at times hedonistic life, or inwardly at his life and romantic adversities, Sainté makes a compelling narrator, and projects himself into the upper tiers of UK rap.

Seminal Australian jazz outfit Hiatus Kaiyote have shared news of a forthcoming record, Love Heart Cheat Code, set for release in later June via Brainfeeder and Ninja Tune. They’ve shared an incandescent new teaser single, following the dazzling ‘Everything’s Beautiful”, which further rises anticipation for the latest record from the band. “Make Friends’ moves through rhythmic patterns seamlessly, the off-kilter melodies oozing groove, playful and cinematic, with Nai’s vocals instantly captivating and recognisable.

Who doesn’t love a titanic US rap link up?! Two of the most respected and consistent players in the American hip hop scene IDK and Joey Badass join forces here for the first time in years for “DENiM”, a classic and classy cut that feels plucked straight from the heart of the scene. The rappers go head to head, unlocking superior layers of chemistry atop a crisp and creamy boom bap-infused beat.

Toronto singer-songwriter Charlotte Day Wilson is known for her emotional breadth and characterful vocals, traits that have only augmented over her years seated at the seat of soul music’s table. She’s got a new album, Cyan Blue, out next month, and has shared a new single from the forthcoming record. “Canopy” is a swirling and subtle ballad, the sparse beat built around plucky guitar work, Wilson’s dreamy yet focused vocal the driving centrepiece.

Sydney production duo breathe. have been gaining a cult following for their late night minimalist bangers for foray into house, trip hop and garage. With a new EP on the way set to feature an array of UK artists, they share a new single, “Where You At These Days”, an atmospheric, meandering and emotional track that features a superb vocal turn from UK punk / hip hop crossover act joe unknown.

One of the most iconic UK rap duos around, Young T & Bugsey have been quiet for a prolonged period of time, but have finally returned with “Been a Minute”, a slick track that explains their absence. The new cut sees the pair in introspective form, looking inward at their journey to their current position. Raw and honest, it’s a refreshing and characterful cut from the Nottingham boys.

Perhaps the most compelling new wave rapper to emerge in the past few years, Strandz brings a different tone and approach to much of the scene. “No Time” the MOBO nominee’s self-produced debut body of work, is the epitomisation of the young MC’s vision and craft. Features from some of the finest contemporary artists – Lancey Foux, tendai and Tora-i, further bolster the sound of the project, with Strandz proving a charismatic and thoughtful narrator, unveiling tales of struggle, metropolitan life, and triumph.

Tokyo-born, London-based producer and DJ Manami has been captivating listeners across the live sphere for years, championed by major electronic players like BICEP and Peggy Gou. She’s got a new EP on the way, and shares the title track from the forthcoming record. “dreaming still” is a sonic journey through a plethora of sub-sounds from techno to breakbeat, part high-octane, part trip-inducing, all engrossing. One of the most interesting non-vocal cuts you’ll have heard this year.

North-West London singer-songwriter Kamal. is one of the leading lights of modern alternative pop music. A deeply resonate lyricist with the vocal strength to match, the rising star returns with his second offering of the year, “hurt people” an explorative and emotional number that sees Kamal. serenade atop the acoustic guitar instrumental inflections.

Jamaica-raised, Kansas City-based singer-songwriter Treanne may only be a teenager, but she has the voice brevity and lyrical nous of an artist far beyond her tender years. Back with “Sharing My Body”, the quietly devastating second single from her forthcoming EP, the artist, who will be supporting Sampha on his US tour, dazzles with her soaring vocals, shining atop a stripped back piano led instrumental palette.

An artist meandering ever closer to the forefront of alternative pop, hotly-tipped polymath Natalie Red is back with another gorgeously glitchy number. An ethereal cacophony of hyper-pop and electronic tendencies, it’s anthemic and cutesy, dreamy yet highly focused on its sonic and lyrical tonality.

Rising pop-meets R&B singer-songwriter Tyler Lewis is back for a sophomore single “fly on the wall’, an intoxicating and sensual number reminiscent of a bubblegum musical age of the early 2000s. It’s vibrant and vivid, vocally impressive and lyrically confident. An artist to keep an eye on this year.

Bien Et Toi, the solo project of Grammy and Ivor Novello-nominated producer and songwriter Gianluca Buccellati, is providing striking sonic imitations of genre-bending sounds. They returned with a dynamic new single, ’So Long”, enlisting the charisma of US forward-thinking duo Paris Texas. Jazz-infused, dreamy and sun-kissed, it’s a tender and swirling cut for early evening car rides with the windows open.

His first new body of work in four years, Inglewood trailblazer SiR returns to the ether with HEAVY; a spellbinding album serving as a poignant reflection of vulnerability and his own recovery, mental health and physical transformation over the absent years. The 16-track album leads with the dazzling cut “YOU” while also boasting collaborations with some of the most culturally resonant artists in the world, with Anderson .Paak, Ab-Soul, Scribz Riley, Isaiah Rashad and Ty Dolla $ign joining the fold to mark SiR as one of R&B’s standout global talents.

Copy – Continuing the blend of sonic innovation and languid confident lyrics that has made the London youngstar one of the most eye-catching new names of 2024, Laicositna has just dropped an official video for “Experience”, effortlessly displaying his distinctive lyricism, outlining a narrative of nostalgia and early personal experiences dipping into fashion, love interests and deeper life experiences alike. The track now comes paired with a sleek set of visuals shot over in the States, California.

Piers James has quickly marked himself as a key voice this year. Delivering his brand-new project Voyage To Reverie, the London-based artist underlines his own growth with themes of development, resilience and integrity to fuel some of the most powerful and progressive bars we’ve heard from him to date. Journeying through his diverse musical makeup, we reach the apex of his artistic output with “DISNEY S**T & WAR”. An iconic art piece, the video embodies Black history and aims to disrupt the glorified narratives portrayed through creative industries. From scenes of racial stereotypes in 1920s media to Grenfell Tower, this feels like one of the most important visual releases so far.