We’ve been desperately waiting for a solo moment from the Dancehall queen Stefflon Don ever since 2018’s Secure, and now we finally have it! “Man are mad, gyal,” Don raps over a calamitous, bass-heavy beat. “They don’t know they’re talking to a bad gyal.” We need a moment to compose ourselves, because the track’s dazzling video, styled by Wonderland’s very-own E-I-C Toni-Blaze Ibekwe, goes just as hard too. Our fingers are tightly crossed for an impending album, because if this is a start of a new era, it’s going to be a bloody good one.
Wonderland.
WONDERLIST
Stefflon Don, Jawsh 685, Wild Youth & more have us longing for summer in this week’s Wonderlist.
Stefflon Don – “Move”
Delilah Montagu – “Loud”
Delilah Montagu’s new single “Loud” comes at a time in her life where she feels her most empowered, proud to live as her true self both physically and mentally. Taking her new-found confidence to the studio alongside Robin Hannibal (Kendrick Lamar, Anderson .Paak), Montagu wants to show fans that if she can overcome the obstacles in her way and grapple with life’s uncertainties, anyone can. And what better way to do this than with a delectable mellow pop banger?
Jawsh 685 – “Sweet and Sour (feat. Tyga and Lauv)”
Teenage super-producer Jawsh 685 is back with a new end-of-summer hit to make us yearn for the sunny season once more. This is the second single of his to get major traction, following the viral success of Jason Derulo-featuring hit “Savage Love”, which was TikToked over 67 million times. “Sweet & Sour” retains much of that playful energy from the former tune, picking up the pace in the melody and tiptoeing between pop and rap with the vocal stylings of Lauv and Tyga. It’s easy listening, and will definitely get you in the TGIF spirit.
Renforshort – “nostalgic (luvsick)”
Once again, the teenage graces our new music playlist, this time with lowercase rock-pop hit “nostalgic (luvsick)”. Blissfully blend of grunge and alt-pop, the tune starts with intriguing guitars and ren’s reassuring, hushed delivery, before exploding into electrifying choruses filled with attitude. The track is actually an ode to Scott Pilgrim (and heartbreak) and it’s release comes at a time of immense change for the singer. Looking back wistfully on past experiences, the nostalgia is realer than ever, but ren isn’t dwelling on these times, she’s cherishing them.
SCORS – “You and I Get Along”
Another Wonderland favourite, SCORS are back on our radar with romantic new cut “You and I Get Along”. Intending to make a love song that’s NOT about feeling blue, “You and I Get Along” is equal parts Archy Marshall and Mac Demarco. The tune starts slow and serene, with dozy choruses and heavy shoegaze undertones, culminating in a raucous guitar-led ending that would resonate with even the strictest of pop-lovers. Stellar job boys.
Knucks – London Class
Following up from 2019’s, NRG 105, London-based rapper Knucks has unleashed his sophomore album, London Class, into the world. Sitting at the intersection of UK hip-hop, Knucks isn’t strictly grime or drill. Instead, he fuses the two genres with an IV-drip full of American-esque rap and stacks of lyrical brilliance. Loyle Carner, Sam Wise, KXYZ and more join the fast-rising talent on the project, which at its core seeks to spotlight the political divisions and wealth disparity rife in the UK capital. If we had to pick a favourite from the album’s stellar range of tunes, the trumpet-blaring “Fxcked Up” would definitely be up there.
Wild Youth – “Next To You”
Euphoric Irish indie-rockers Wild Youth might’ve put out their dreamiest tune yet with new single “Next To You”. The 80s-steeped masterpiece is stacked with synthetic joy, whether it be in its twinkly choruses or the band’s collectively transcendent vocals. The tune is about meeting “the one”, finding a connection with someone that supersedes anything you’ve felt before or since, the type of love only seen on screen. It’s sickly sweet but also wonderfully tender, it’s essence being exactly what the group injected into the song – and we love it.