Listen to the playlist on Spotify…

After a tediously long wait, we’ve finally been blessed with the release of one of Britain’s brightest stars’ debut album. Nia Archives – producer, DJ, singer-songwriter, everything in between – takes a step closer to global acclaim with this bold, at times beautiful, and very British body of work, that pays homage to the past but is simultaneously unlike anything you’ve ever heard. A must listen from an essential contemporary artist.

Radical Optimism, here we come! Dua Lipa’s new single, “Illusion”, is the last offering off of her forthcoming record before its official release on May 3. And the 3x Grammy Award-winning popstar did not disappoint. It’s out now with a theatrical music video full of dancers, divers, and synchronised swimmers. “‘Illusion’ was the first song Caroline, Danny, Tobias, Kevin and I worked on together, and it really broke the ice for the record,” Dua shares. “It’s about knowing what you’re getting yourself into, but staying for the hell of it. The joke’s on them, it’s the fun of playing someone at their own game because ultimately you won’t fall for an illusion.”

Manchester’s brazen rap titan Meekz has long been consider amongst the highest echelons of the UK scene. He returns in scintillating form with “Mini Me’s”, a throwback cut to his early marauding swag and fantastic visual approach. Flex-laden, boisterous and delightfully damning, this is the work of a rapper who has barely touch his prime. He’s also excitingly announced the release of his sophomore mixtape, so look out for that one!

Hotly-tipped Ashby singer-songwriter Sekou has been turning heads for a while now with his sound that is soaring and often heart-rendering. He’s back with his second single of the year, “let go of me slowly”, which picks up from where its predecessor left off. Documenting the breakdown of a relationship, this heartbreak anthem is bound to hit you right in the feels. Beware, that’s all we’re saying…

Leading the new wave of guitar bands that defy the fickle restrictions historically placed on the indie label, bby have emerged as a serious contender in the genre’s renaissance over the past six months. The East London five-piece have shared “Breathe”, a barn-storming cut of driving guitars and sizzling vocals, constructed atop a relatable narrative surrounding a panic attack.

Tara Lily’s latest offering “No Way Out” marries atmospheric piano, ethereal Indian drones, strings and ghostly vocals into a pensive modern ballad. Blending elements of contemporary jazz, soul and trip-hop, the song also closes with spoken rhythmic teental (form of Indian classical counting). The artwork and visual imagery for “No Way Out” were captured in collaboration with The North Face during her recent trip to India and Nepal whilst in the Himalayan Mountains, drawing from indigenous Nepali folk tales and themes of dark romance.

Leeds band English Teacher are carving their own path within the UK scene, unveiling a terrific debut album, This Could Be Texas, that sprawls and swoons, bites and breathes. Driven by the captivating presence of vocalist Lily Fontaine, the LP is sonically diverse and lyrically vital, an album as topical as it is entertaining.

British-Colombian singer-songwriter Sasha Keable has returned for her first single in three years, and sounds all the better from her hiatus away from the release sphere. “Hold Up” is a vibrant and atmospheric R&B number, with Keable bringing a serenading sensibility to her swirling vocals.

Dutch sisterly duo Sarah Julia have been an impressive breakout act this year, and have now shared their debut EP, How Do We Go Back To Being Normal?, to great effect. Consisting of four emotional potent, lyrically vivid tracks, the project’s soundscapes are folk-tinged and sparse, dazzling but dainty.

London creative tendai continues to reinvent himself sonically, with new cut “I Deserve It,” — a hazy, synth-laden immersion into the sonic and personal path that tendai is currently walking. His vocal performance is effortless but meticulous, whilst the track’s timbre is emotional and endoscopic.

Rising singer-songwriter is becoming synonymous with gently breaking our hearts. She announces a new EP, Deep Sea Creatures, set for release in June, and shares new single “Tiny Dictator”, a gorgeous but devastating exploration of her experiences with OCD. Superbly written and dazzlingly constructed, it’s a highly impressive and touching track.

Percussionist and singer-songwriter Brijean Murphy is known for her work with Mitski and Toro y Moi, amongst others, but is now stepping out with her new project, entitled Brijean. Working with Doug Stuart on a forthcoming July-poised debut LP, a new single has been shared. Groove-laden, playful and sonically charismatic, it’s a cutesy and cascading cut well worth a listen!

Convention-defying Japanese rapper and creative Tohji has built a loyal fan base within his home nation, and now is poised to take his sound global. Following his previous trip-laden, euphoric and enigmatic cut, “Agilo e olio”, he shares a new single “Phenomeno”. Blissful and atmospheric sonically, it’s all his first vocal performance in English, encapsulating his towering lyrical nous.

Rising talent Natalie Red is pushing her sound to new heights with every passing release. Now, she shares “Official”, a cut full of glitchy rhythms, heavenly melodies and ambitious texture. Part alt-pop, part techno, all vibe.

Alt-rock crooner Ayiza is infectious — and now, she returns with “party’s over”, a storming new indie anthem that is glistening and moody in equal parts. With a harrowing outro, it is perhaps one of her strongest cuts to date.

Actor, musician, singer-songwriter and producer Jim Sturgess, aka King Curious, drops off his brand new single “Anxiety”. The latest release sees Sturgess tap critically acclaimed US rapper Solemn Brigham, one half of hip-hop duo Marlowe, and rising UK grime artist, Brownsilla to conjure an intense soundtrack layered with pulsing kick drums, electric riffs and bleary synth work. Skipping between the three artists – Brigham’s vocals, Brownsilla’s sleek bars and Sturgess’ echoing chorus exclaiming “this nervous feeling is creeping into my bones”, the creative, imaginative tones and crashing basslines conjure allusions to Gorillaz or Ian Brown, alongside a sleekly shot visual paying homage to the cult British folk horror film ‘The Wicker Man’, it’s clear King Curious comes brimming from a deep well of iconic British culture.

His first solo release in over three years, UK rap pioneer Ocean Wisdom finally returns with “I Exist”; a potent atmosphere laced with murky 808s and signature trap percussion produced by Splurgeboys, the rising rapper reintroduces himself with vengeance and delivers lightning-fast flows shining with authority and menace. Flashes of Ocean’s sinister alter ego take control as he flexes on the affiliates around him, determined to reclaim his spot as one of the most highly regarded emcees in London and beyond.

“‘Bruised one’ is a song about having a big heart and having a lot of love to give. Touching on the subject of being an overthinker and over analysing things sometimes that are just not that deep,” reflects Mackenzy Mackay. His new single, “Bruised One”, is a teaser of what’s coming on his forthcoming EP, building momentum since his March release, “Cold Stare”. With heartfelt lyrics layered over an acoustic production that boasts percussive elements, the track proves Mackay has his feet firmly planted on the ground as a name to watch in pop-rap fusion grounds.

Continuing to prove their superstar ability, afro-swing innovators NSG have returned to the soundsphere with explosive new banger “MEN MOUNT”, ahead of their highly-anticipated AREA BOYZ Deluxe Album, set for release May 3rd. The East London six piece, of Ghanaian and Nigerian descent jump on an energy-ridden soundtrack packed with amapiano notes and impactful percussive elements. This track is taken from the collective’s hotly-anticipated deluxe follow up to last year’s AREA BOYZ album, which featured the likes of Aitch, Tion Wayne, Nines, ODUMODUBLVCK amongst others. The Deluxe promises another slew of international talent, continuing to push forward the Afro-inspired cultural scene NSG have passionately helped to pioneer

Rising British popstar Fred Roberts unveils his debut EP today, Sound Of My Youth, a coming-of-age project that documents a transformative chapter in the 21-year-old’s life. Tracing the shift through his adolescence to adulthood, from his first love to the exploration of his sexuality to maturity, it’s a close-to-heart offering, navigating the complexities of queer love with a catchy, solar and dance-floor-infused tone. “A big part of songwriting for me is to allow someone who is looking for themselves in music to be seen in my tracks. That’s why I’m as honest as possible about my experiences and the way that I tell them, and grouping these 5 tracks together was important. These 5 songs are a time capsule for who I was and probably who I always will be. The songs really are the sound of my youth and it’s my dream for them to now soundtrack the lives of the people who listen.”

Rising Afro-fusion pop stars Bnxn and Ruger have been building momentum since their last release earlier this year, with the hit “Romeo Must Die (RMD)”. Now, they return with another joint single, “POE”, a feel-good uptempo track, incorporating Amapiano beats to a somewhat love story, as we watch the duo trying to win over a girl who is playing hard to get. Summer hit incoming!

One of Ghana’s brightest rising gems, multi-hyphenated artist Black Sherif, unveils a new single, “Shut Up”, today. An energetically charged release, the track is a masterpiece of storytelling, delving into the artist’s personal experiences, irritations, and perspectives, whilst taking listeners on a poignant journey through the evolution of his music.

Through hollow drums, R&B sensibilities, and dynamic vocals, Halima captures the inner sensations of the beginning stages of a new love on her latest single, “Ways”. Out now ahead of her forthcoming EP, EXU, the track is a glorious offering and glimpse into what’s to come.

As Brooklyn’s multi-instrumentalist Jerk rolls out their forthcoming album, Mood Swings, they share the groovy hip-hop hit “I Don’t Question You”. A collaboration with MC Ryan J, whose poetic lyrics meet Jerk’s jazzy beats in an effortless harmony, the track contemplates themes of self-acceptance, people-pleasing pressures, and remaining true to one’s own beliefs.

In her latest release “Infected”, Irish artist THEO continues to prove she’s one to watch. After getting discovered by Grammy-winning producer Naughty Boy in 2021, she has been refining her individualised blend of R&B, Neo-soul, pop, and electronic — and this new offering might be our favourite yet. Sultry and reckless, we’re going to have it on repeat all weekend.