Two of the most highly resected and sought after MCs in the UK rap scene have come together for “STRENGTH TO STRENGTH” an all star mixtape brimming with nefarious joy. A throwback drill umbrella that both rappers became notorious for artistically existing beneath, the tape is meticulously crafted, full of strong performances, cruddy bars and booming instrumentals. UK drill at its very best.

Distinguished genre-bending artist Bakar is well-known for his charismatic take on guitar-driven music, incorporating indie, R&B and rap tendencies into his individualistic sound. He has just returned with his highly anticipated sophomore album, Halo, a body of work that cements his acclaim as one of the inventive and likeable artists in the game, featuring undeniable previous singles like “Alive!” and “Right Here, for Now”, and a fresh Summer Walker-featuring version of an old classic of his, “Hell N Back”.

Poignancy oozes from every orifice of Faye Webster’s work. Her latest full length, I Know I’m Funny haha, propelled the multi-hyphenate to giddy commercial and critical heights, and everything we’ve been blessed with since has only accentuated her acclaim, with this new cut proving no different. “Lifetime” is subtly spectacular, with rich instrumentation laying a woozy foundation for Webster’s incredibly unique vocals and heartrending writing.

Trailblazing Brooklyn rapper, and one of our esteemed Autumn/Fall 23 cover stars, Lola Brooke returns with another highly anticipated heater. “You” enlists the unparalleled vocal nuance of Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Bryson Tiller for a undeniably savvy hook, whilst Brooke brings her usual playful bars, commanding delivery and seamless flow. A late summer anthem!

Heartbreaking, endearing and visceral, Matt Maltese is one of the best, and arguably overlooked, songwriters of the modern day. Hot off the back of his sublime fourth studio album, Driving Just To Drive, earlier this year, Maltese is back with another sumptuous slice of serendipity in the form of “The Earth is a Very Small Dot”. Dreamily rich, the new single sees the singer-songwriter continue to refine and explore his signature sound, leaving us highly anticipating the ensuing release cycle.

Alt rap frontrunner Jeshi is amongst the most forward-thinking artists currently releasing their art in the modern market. Challenging, affecting and avant-garde, his creativity is showing no limit. “Air Raid”, his return single following last year’s incredible LP Universal Credit, is an intoxicating, anxiety-inducing reflection of his surroundings and outlook, with Jeshi boasting razor sharp lyrical commentary and flawless delivery.

Improving her craft with every passing release, emerging singer-songwriter B-ahwe feels like she’s been a mainstay of the soul scene for quite some time now, and with “Infected”, we’ve had one of the clearest indicators of her endless potential. Unveiling a visual accompaniment for the slick, smooth and sensual number, she is working towards her “26% Mixtape”, a project that looks set to rise her name to previously unfounded heights.

B4 is coming and if lead single “Modern Girl” is any indication, it might just be their best album yet. Infused with the classic Bleachers sound — a mix of melancholic hope and feel-good nostalgia that’s frankly quite difficult to put into words — it is an explosive, stadium-ready track that will have you screaming along in no time. And, of course, it wouldn’t be a Bleachers song without a strong saxophone, clever, gripping lyrics, and the unparalleled Antonoff production style that can be recognised in mere seconds into any songs he’s worked on. From “I Wanna Get Better” to “Don’t Take The Money” to “45” and “Chinatown”, Bleachers always starts each era with a bang — and this is no exception. A huge thank you to “New Jersey’s finest New Yorker” and the band, we can’t wait for more!

The lead track from her debut EP, “With All Due Disrespect”, “Mr. Hypocrite” is an infectious pop anthem that you’ll be listening to all weekend. Discussing the double standards that women face in relationships, it combines thoughtful lyrics with a killer hook for a one-of-a-kind powerful banger. It is out now, along with the full project, which includes hit singles “Boyfriend Of The Year”, “Drama King”, and “Date Your Dad”.

The follow up single to “Don’t Say It”, “Uptown” is another incredible offering from UK R&B artist Benny Atlas. Intimate and smooth in production, with strong vocals and deep lyricism, it’s a track not to be missed. “I wanted it to sound like it was drenched in booze and regret,” the artist shares. “I also wanted people to be able to see the strong imagery displayed, of a breaking man.”

If you haven’t yet, take a listen to Al Costelloe’s new single, “Shrink’s Couch”, which is the captivating opening track of her debut solo EP, “So Neurotic”. Both the single (along with its music video) and the EP are out now, and we’re obsessed. Exploring her relationship with therapy through 90’s indie-pop-rock soundscapes, the track is an honest and powerful act of resistance against the stigma surrounding mental health, as well as an ode to her own journey thus far.

Brisbane’s Asha Jeffries has a new single, “Cruise Control”, and it truly is the artist at her best. A coming-of-age soundtrack with a split-screen music video that showcases an expectation vs reality, it is a deeply honest indie offering with both rock and pop undertones. Taking listeners through a journey of self-discovery and exploration, Jeffries sings of cultivating comfort in her own skin and trusting her gut. “To be in cruise control is to ride steady and smoothly through the storms of rough climate, harsh roads, lame parties, and undesired romantic gestures,” she explains. “It’s a phrase I have kept close.”

Following this year’s breakthrough single “This Is New York”, breakout NYC star ScarLip unleashes her latest offering “No Statements” — an unforgiving, hard-hitting Bronx anthem. Introduced with eerie keys and woozy-bass kicks, the track is brought to life by the rapper-of-the-moment, delivering her punchy yet seamless delivery which she has become widely renowned for across the US and beyond.

Dayor is a serious one to watch across the R&B landscape right now. Delivering a psychedelic gallery into his evolving mind, the Hackney-born artist has released his debut EP “High Life” – a stunning patchwork blending nostalgic, high-calibre R&B and his own mellow-trap flavour. From seductive sessions across “On Fire” to the dystopian “Take Flight”, Dayor perfectly encapsulates the diverse sounds of East London while exploring the vices of escapism and the vivid moments that defined his vigorous journey to fruition. Already co-signed by the likes of Stormzy, the rising singer-songwriter will no doubt continue his trajectory as one of London’s next breakout stars in the making.

Setting sound system culture ablaze with sounds showered in smooth, melodic intimacy, Jamaican-raised vocalist King Cruff is quickly becoming one of dancehalls hottest prospects. Boasting sultry guitar licks and bouncy percussive textures, latest cut “SHEDOENEED” lays the perfect foundation for the Toronto-based artist to deliver his irresistible falsetto with typical finesse. A vivid silhouette of an exciting love interest surfaces, with lyrical affirmations guiding the signature melodic acrobatics of international superstar Stonebwoy to an atmosphere of pure lust. Fellow Caribbean vocalist Jag.Huligin joins the fold as the trio demonstrates an ear-bending amalgam of Black musical styles at the highest level, now cementing themselves as a formidable force in the landscape.

Sultry and smooth, mohini sounds absolutely dreamy on her new intimate single, “Fever”. Produced on her own in her bedroom, the DIY-infused R&B-meets-alt-soul sound brings a new meaning to bedroom pop that has us completely hooked. Released after a two year hiatus from the music industry, the track is the perfect way to break back in. The artist states: “It was definitely a challenge to get back into making music after such a long time, especially with the goal of finishing something and releasing it soon – I feel like I forgot how much my own perfectionism drags out the process sometimes. But seeing my progress and hearing the changes in my own production style compared to a few years ago made it incredibly rewarding and kept me motivated. This might be my favourite one yet.”

Along with his sophomore album, A Grey Area, JP Saxe has released a music video for the project’s focus track. Titled “Anywhere”, the song is truly a standout from the tracklist, which weaves between emotions and keeps us hooked from start to finish. “My romanticisation of ambivalence, my love letters to nuance, my obsession with ‘both can be true’…my second album,” the artist explains about this project. “It was made with a lot of people I love and admire, between Medellin and LA, and I’m deeply excited to be in it together with you now.”

Singer and songwriter Mette unveils her debut EP, “METTENARRATIVE,” a collection of seven tracks that portray the artist’s most intimate thoughts through an intersectional and multi-genre sound. The album comes to life after 5 years of work, showcasing METTE’s raw vocal talent, signature catchy hooks, introspective lyricism, and multifaceted artistry drawing on themes of softness, power, and vulnerability. “My EP is a collection of songs that light up a constellation of my artistry. Songwriting is a practice that is full of my joy and my narrative; the purpose is to share my humble vantage point in the grand ‘meta-narrative’ of the human experience,” she shares.

Born in Estonia, raised in Finland, but it was in London where Natalie Red found the space to develop her craft and establish herself as a rising and genre-defying artist in the pop-electronica fusion scene. Drawing inspiration from artists like PinkPantheress and Ariana Grande, and taking Pharrell Williams’ work with The Neptunes as her producer’s blueprint, she creates her own unique musical world, and we are here for it. Today, she releases a double single, featuring the tracks “HIT IT” and “MAD,” two powerful sounds that offer us a glimpse of an upcoming EP.

One of the freshest emerging artists from the thriving Melbourne soul-jazz scene, London-based Sunny Reyne, unveiled her debut album, Safe, this week, showcasing her most expansive songwriting to date. Safe is a soothing and groovy meditative journey through the artist’s moments of self-doubt and uncertainty, where she explores finding herself-strength, and from those around her, to move past insecurities.

Indie-pop singer and songwriter Elvira Alfaro crafts a whimsical dream in her latest track, “just like that,” the lead single from her upcoming debut EP, “in love with a feelin.” Toying with the idea of a heartbreak anthem, the single allows us to glimpse into the Swedish singer’s musical influences, exuding a vibe reminiscent of Lana Del Ray and Phoebe Bridgers. Undoubtedly, it’s a heartwarming tune.

Alt-pop rising artist Kacia invites us to take a deep dive into his personal journey towards adulthood in his latest single, “Plastic Straws.” With a soothing melody and heartfelt lyrics, the track vividly captures the artist’s childhood, juxtaposed with the uncertain path that lies ahead, encapsulating the essence of youthful innocence. The single provides a glimpse of his debut album, set to be released in 2024, and serves as the backdrop for an emotionally charged music video shot in Kacia’s childhood home, featuring some of his closest friends.

UK-based artist MAY invites listeners into an experimental world with her new single, “Interiya.” The track, written and produced by the artist, is remarkably distinctive and boundary-pushing, blending captivating vocals with a contemporary and disruptive approach to pop beats. Regarding the track, she explains, “Interiya explores the gritty and darker worlds existing inside ourselves. The idea of intoxicating emotions becoming physical and visceral, watching them seep into the cracks and crevices of our ‘Interiya’s”.

With cut-throat bars and incendiary sound waves at the forefront of his complex artistry, “Jungle” instantly underlines Croydon native Juai as a standout across the UK rap landscape. Embodying an intoxicating cadence ode to the late Pop Smoke, the 20-year-old talent effortlessly glides across eerie vocal melodies and heavy-set 808s, displaying menacing authority as affiliate YD helps capture the essence of youth culture and inner-city life in South London. Quickly reverting between sharp drill blends and jersey club breaks, “Jungle” is a testament to Juai’s authentic artistry and will no doubt continue the heat surrounding an exciting new voice across the underground.

Enlisted as a finalist in MOBO UnSung’s Class Of 2023, NEONE The Wonderer returns with his brand-new offering “New Whip, Who This” – an eclectic blend of sleek jazz touches and sharp UK rap that allows the rising talent to seamlessly glide across the warm, stylish instrumental produced by Paal Ultra. With the manifestation of a new car fuelling his desire to create, the Jamaican heritage artist celebrates the philosophy of exploration and the affiliates around him that have elevated his creative journey to blazing new heights. Now part of one of the most important programmes championing emerging artists in the UK, NEONE’s recent partnership with MOBO’s UnSung will continue to underline him as a truly inspired voice challenging the perceptions of normality and the cultural boundaries set in his way.