Kristin Kontrol – Show Me
If “Show Me” doesn’t make you insanely excited about Kristin Kontrol’s debut solo LP then we give up because nothing will. It’s probably the best use of saxophone on a pop record since Gaga’s 2011 masterpiece Born This Way LP. Think a 2016 Pat Benatar – bombastic and brilliant. Pop is all too often dismissed as lightweight but records like “Show Me” are reminders that when it’s done right, pop is a glorious and timeless thing. “Show Me” is the second single from X-Communicate which drops on 26 May via Sub Pop Records.
Bishop Nehru – It’s Whateva
“It’s Whateva” is the latest track to drop from Bishop Nehru’s forthcoming mixtape Magic 19. Aged 19, Bishop Nehru is one of the most exciting names in hip-hop. His music has an incredible amount of depth- both lyrically and sonically. Magic 19 is released on 3 June.
Wolfie – Outta Earth
South London’s Wolfie has shared the video for “Outta Earth” a warped, shimmering fusion of R n’ B and pop. Wolfie’s delivery is insanely relaxed; this is an artist who has emerged fully realised – entirely at ease and aware of her position in the pop landscape. It’s pretty easy to understand why she’s been tipped by almost everyone to emerge as one of the UK’s next great popstars. Wolfie is a refreshing and much needed new voice.
Ash Koosha – Mudafossil
Ash Koosha is a beat maker who fuses disparate and disjointed beats to form glitchy electronic tapestries. Fragments pieced and woven together to create something entirely new. He’s a beat maker who sees the bigger picture, using music to take listeners on a journey. “Mudafossil” is taken from I AKA I which is out now on Ninja Tune. The video was directed by long-time collaborators Hirad Sab and Dalena Tran.
Naomi Pilgrim – Sink Like A Stone
New music from Naomi Pilgrim is always welcome. “Sink Like A Stone” is the title track from new EP which is released on 3 June. Pilgrim is capable of extreme introspection in her music, incredible self-analysis but never falling into a solipsistic trap —her output shaped equally by her own experiences and the world around her. Storytelling of the highest order.