Pop stars don’t come much bigger than Dua Lipa. Following her seminal Future Nostalgia LP, she returned late last year with dance-pop blissful single “Houdini”, and has now followed the cut up with “Training Season”, the second offering from her forthcoming new album, set for release later this year. The new track is hooky, cinematic and features a typically captivating vocal performance from the soaring Lipa.

Soulful crooner Jordan Ward is one of the most exciting emerging artists around at the moment, and this week continues to showcase his dextrous artistry with a tender and tranquillising cover of the Bob Marley & The Wailers classic “Waiting In Vain” recorded for a Spotify Singles Valentine’s Day Special.

Brighton-based singer-songwriter Bess Atwell brings a searing emotional depth to her songwriter, and continues to refine and explore her sound on this new single, “Release Myself”. Produced by Taylor Swift and Sharon Van Etten collaborator, The National’s Aaron Dressner, the fresh cut is a subtle folk-tinged power ballad, with cascading guitar-driven instrumentation and a towering vocal performance from Atwell.

Hotly-tipped producer and DJ Kitty Ca$h has worked with a mouth-watering array of names, with two more heavy-hitters enlisted for this new track, “Time Machine”. The cut is the second teaser from her forthcoming EP, and brings together Thundercat and James Fauntleroy for a vibrant and vivacious sonic treat.

Following his initial chiselled legacy as Hodgy Beats, founding members and producer of Odd Future, jerry is now carving his own lane as an artist capable of moments of visceral brilliance. He today unveils his new LP, lovemesooner, an enthralling, eclectic and expertly crafted record that showcases an emotional brevity and superior technical acumen.

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One of the hottest newcomers in the UK rap space, it seems like Strandz simply can’t miss. He’s back with another stellar single, “No Peace, No Time”, a self-produced masterstroke that is emotionally potent in its timbre and lyrical approach. Increasing in popularity and craftsmanship simultaneously, Strandz looks set to elevate his career to new heights this year.

Newly signed to 0207 Def Jam, Amie Blu releases her sublime new single “everything about her”. A gently perusing concoction of soul, folk and indie-pop, the South-East London based singer-songwriter glides atop to enchanting soundscape, delivering a dreamy vocal performance and introspective lyrical approach.

Rising R&B gem Humble the Great is building a seriously impressive catalogue, with this new cut “u.” perhaps his biggest statement release to date. Enlisting fellow Neighbour Recordings signee Kamal., the track is a swooning, slick and subtle track with vivid writing, consuming production and great performances.

High flying US rapper Latto continues her rise to unstoppable stardom with the release of her latest fiery hit. “Sunday Service” sees Latto bring her razor sharp wit and intoxicating energy to a dominating performance atop a robust and rousing beat palette.

New York’s new rap queen and Wonderland Autumn 23 cover star Lola Brooke is back with another blockbuster. Linking up with hip hop collective 41, Brooke offers up her A-game atop a drill-leaning instrumental, her individual cadence embodying the energy that the sonics develop.

Soul’s Mancunian maverick Pip Millett delivers the goods with the release of her latest EP, “Tell Jimmy”. Across the new project, Pip flaunts the depth of her songwriting nous, presenting a distinctive and infatuating sound that provokes and grooves in equal measure.

A true testament to the evolving alt-rap sounds of the UK’s music capital, The Silhouettes Project, Vol.2 offers an artistically raw insight into the creative minds that are pushing the scene. Enlisting some of the most culturally resonant artists in the UK incl. Kojey Radical, Jords, Meron T, Frankie Stew & Harvey Gunn, Elisa Imperilee, Nix Northwest, KeepVibesNear and 40+ producers, rappers and vocalists, The Silhouettes Project’s ethos of equality and longevity in collaboration remains as clear as the frequencies coursing through this 18-track project. With a clear desire to create music with true impact while spotlighting the diverse stories being told across London’s underground, the Hackney-based collective is creating a thriving ecosystem on its own terms.

Mercury Prize-winning producer Mike Lindsay has quite the resumé – from his work with Laura Marling as LUMP to co-founding Tunng. The emphatic musician is now stepping out on his own, with a debut solo album poised for release this summer. He’s shared a first single from the record, “lie down” a track that oozes rhythmic intricacy and jazz-tinged textures.

Leading UK rapper Ivorian Doll keeps to progressing her sound and appeal with the release of her latest single “Bulletproof”. Brimming with confidence in her lyricism and delivery, the new track sees IVD in riotous form, backed by a lively instrumental which she bodies with nonchalant ease.

East London rapper Rimzee has just released his highly-anticipated new project, Feed The Streets – a scintillating and powerful tape layered with trademark Rimzee flows throughout. The new tape boasts a string of star-studded features from the likes of Potter Payper, Arrdee, Berwyn, Youngs Teflon, Meekz, M1llionz and NSG, as well as a bonus track from Bobby Shmurda, Chani Nattan and Inderpal Moga.

Exciting newcomer Treanne bursts onto the scene with her gorgeous debut offering, “Please”. The London-born, Jamaican-raised, Kansas City-based makes a huge impression with this stripped-back piece of sonic delicacy, laying her show-stopping vocals out for all to hear.

Rising duo Hex Girlfriend – made up of Noah Yorke (son of Thom) and James Knott – are proving themselves throughly adept at generic crossovers with their new dual single. “Cafe Culture” is a Prodigy-esque rollercoaster of style and sound, while “Itch” is a abrasive post-punk rager with snappy production and distorted vocals.

Oscar-nominated multi-facet Samantha Morton is well known for her work in the film and TV world, but is now stepping out into a new endeavour as an artist. She’s one half of SAM MORTON alongside Richard Russell, who have just released a stunning single and accompanying video directed by Morton herself. The track is as divine as it is devastating, with Morton’s tender vocals and heart-rendering lyricism matched with a sparse instrumental that builds to a gorgeous climax.

New Jersey’s hottest talent N3WYRKLA returns to the soundsphere with a brand new EP titled “it’s not you, it’s me”, featuring America’s hottest vocalist Brent Faiyaz. Armed with her unique sonic palette, the seven-track EP sees the young artist reflecting on past relationships, serving up a slew of intricately crafted soundtracks ranging from the up-beat trap-infused “dumb with you” to the intoxicating “not enough” alongside Brent Faiyaz. A versatile and powerful EP from one of the hottest and excitingly genre-fluid young talents coming through right now.

Singer and songwriter Äyanna is proving to master the art of collaboration is her newest musical offering, a remix of her 2023 hit “Girlfriend”, featuring fellow London girls Tamera and Mnelia. “Working with Tamera and Mnelia for the Girlfriend remix felt like such a no-brainer, because they are two ultra talented r&b artists in the UK who are fellow lover girls like myself,” says Äyanna. Accompanying the track, they also worked together on a music video, drenched in noughties references attitude. “Our chemistry was perfect and the energy flowed in the studio. They both brought a different energy to the song which you can hear when you listen. I love how they added their own essence to the track whilst continuing the energy of vulnerability that the original version had,” she finishes.

Austrian-born, Berlin-based artist Uche Yara is giving us a taste of what’s to come in her next EP, out in May, with a double release this Friday, her first two singles of 2024, “yesterday I was in London” and “homesick”. The tracks are a coming-of-age story in two acts, telling the autobiographical tale of a young musician, experiencing a flood of exciting firsts at dizzying speeds. “At the end of the day, I’m just a girl, missing my friends and family,” says UCHE. “It’s about travelling and ‘living the life’, but, at the same time, suffering badly from homesickness and missing the closest people that I could actually experience all of this with the most.”

UK R&B powerhouse Shaé Universe took Valentine’s Day to the next level this year, with the release of her latest musical endeavours, the new project “Love’s Letter”, via The Orchard. A release steeped in R&B nostalgia, the 10-track project explores what it would mean for love to send you a letter for every phase of life — be it romantic love, self-love, lack of love, or the role of love in spirituality. “In a time where life has felt increasingly heavy, ‘Love’s Letter’ is here to help us process all the layers from a place of love; the changes, the uncertainty, the distance, the isolation, the frustrations, the cycles and the growth,” says Shaé. “This one’s for the people who are ready to face themselves and return to love.” Are you?

It’s a day of big news for London-based DJ, producer and vocalist Bklava. With their new single, “Makes Me (Wanna Move)”, a speed garage number in collab with Bullet Tooth, they also announce their forthcoming mixtape ‘c u l8r’, out this summer, a project that promises to pay homage to club culture. “‘When writing new music, I’ll always draw on my inspirations and reminisce on prominent moments in my life and how they affected me at that time,” they share. “With my focus on club music, I looked back at all the times I’ve been in those dark, sweaty, intimate spaces with my person and wanted to write about the emotions that can take over when you’re both connected in that moment.”