In five long years, we’ve had a pandemic, a referendum and the demise of Kimye. And the one thing that has been missing throughout it all, is Kendrick Lamar’s highly anticipated album. Finally, putting us out of our misery, the Pulitzer winner dropped Mr Morale & the Big Steppers today shaking the TL and the culture. From his two year struggle with writer’s block to alcoholism and sought therapy, the multifaceted artist bares all on the 18-track release, while cramming bouts of lyrical prowess and heart-pounding productions. Stand out track “Father Time” with fellow acclaimed artist Sampha sees the artist break down a flurry of generational curses and circumstances that he wishes not to inflict on his own children. Kendrick, you really outdid yourself with this one.

Gamers and ravers alike, listen up! Kicking off this week’s Wonderlist, we bring Zouj’s vibe-packed new track, “One!” Packed with twinkling synths and vibrating hi-hats, Zouj’s instrumentals tickle your brain cells, while the deep and grainy beat commands movement from every limb of your body. Speaking on the track’s inspiration, the artist explains, “One!“ tells the story of a torn digital avatar looking for its final identity – the adventurous computer-generated character lurks through claustrophobic digital maps, mutates into various skins and props, and travels through aesthetics of different times in hopes to find unity within itself. It looks for a perfect map to call home and the perfect props to be its own. Unsuccessfully.”

renforshort really just topped up our bad bitch energy with her latest single, “we’ll make this ok” — a euphoric exploration of an obsessive relationship in turbulence. Featuring powerful instrumentals from Travis Barker, the track is the perfect taster of the artist’s debut album Dear Amelia, set for release July 8th. And with a visual that is just as energy-charged as the track’s anthemic chorus, we’ll be streaming this one all the way into the weekend.

If there is one thing that we love more than music, it’s dogs. And marrying those two loves in his latest track “Jenny”, Omega Sapien pays a beat-heavy tribute to our four-legged friends. Opening with a surprising onslaught of barking, Omega introduces a bouncy 808-laden melody that drills through a playful soundscape. Hard-hitting, high-energy and addictively witty, “Jenny” has us all craving the inside of London’s busiest clubs — or a snug night in with our pets.

It is no secret that pop-rock collective, 5 Seconds of Summer, has been taking the world by storm as of late. Riding the wave of their 10th anniversary and finding themselves in the midst of a world tour, the band’s Luke Hemmings, Michael Clifford, Calum Hood, and Ashton Irwin have green treating us to everything from unwavering streams of their angsty-meets-melodic harmonies to electric stage-bound performances and, most importantly, new music. Dropping the third single from their newly-named upcoming album, 5SOS5, the 4-piece’s “Me, Myself & I” is a sad girl summer anthem if there ever was one. Featuring the gentle hum of bouncy guitar chords that usher in a buoyant dose of rock-tinged instrumentation, layered underneath a narrative on selfishness, loneliness and all things heartbreak, the new track promises to sweep you off of your feet and straight into your feels. So, while like us, you may be anxiously awaiting the release of their 5th album, set to drop on September 23rd, we have a feeling that the sweet sounds of “Me, Myself & I” will be more than enough to keep you fed until then. A warning though, listen with a box of tissue to hand because 5SOS have just made it clear that sad girl summer is officially upon us.

Though Wonderlist tends to be flooded by fresh-only material, we couldn’t help but introduce Jem’s mind-floating single, “Do I Wanna Know” — hacked from his spellbinding EP, “Don’t Let Me Disappear”. With poignant lyricism and a calming ballad, “Do I Wanna Know” is a totally cathartic listen, something that reflects across his entire EP. From the soul-baring sorrow of “Secrets” to the chilling soundscape of “Lost”, Jem digs deep into the utmost fears of the human psyche and fine-tunes them into reassuring melodies.

Hailing from Manchester, RAHH did not come to play when it came to her latest effort “Good Tonight” featuring Ashoka. Over a sexy and moody soundscape, her vocals pack a punch as she asserts the need to live in the moment. Talking on the track, RAHH explains, “‘Good Tonight’ is a reflection of our modern culture of temporary highs, quick fixes and impatience in a world of next day deliveries and 5G. What vices do we acquire to make it through the week? What buzz are we looking for to make the mundane more bearable? Most importantly the song is rooted in that sense of determination and certainty that you will get to your happy place tonight, even if it’s temporary. You only need it to last until morning.”

Despite her namesake, Shygirl is anything but shy — delivering a chorus of self-empowered lyrical prowess and nostalgic energy in her latest track, “Firefly”. While her bright vocals dance across a sparkling melody, Shygirl proves herself to be an innovative songstress who can cater for the clubs, a night in with your girlfriends or a pool-side chill session. And, with her debut album Nymph due to drop September 30th, it would appear Shygirl will keep us well endowed with anthemic hits all year round.

Slowing down the tempo for a moment, Paolo Nutini unveiled two hot new tracks, “Through the Echoes” and “Lose It”. While the latter poses as a heartfelt ballad to blast out of a windows-down road trip, “Lose It” had us all living our rock and roll fantasies — backed by a thunderous electric guitar melody. With the new releases already sampling such genre-bending sounds, our interest is officially piqued for the release of the artists album drop, Last Night In The Bittersweet.