Lorde makes a dazzling return, Nia Archives launches her label with a jungle-tinged delight, and Sasha Keable sounds as rich and luxurious as ever: it’s Wonderlist!
Lorde – “What Was That”
One of pop’s most potent and piercing players is back! Following her well publicised collaboration with Charli xcx last summer, Lorde shares her first original solo music since 2021. “What Was That” is a cutting edge, emotionally sharp electro-pop anthem, sparse, sophisticated and deeply impactful.
Nia Archives x Cheetah – “Get Loose (UYA001)”
Manchester’s jungle heavyweight Nia Archives has launched her brand new record label, Up Ya Archives, poised to help shine light on the best in new gen dance music. The imprint’s debut cut comes from Archives herself, alongside Bristolian emerging producer Cheetah, with the two combining for a soca-adjacent full-throttle heater.
Sasha Keable – “Act Right”
British-Colombian singer-songwriter Sasha Keable shares her dazzling debut single of 2025, “Act Right”. Tackling relationship standards with class and technicality, the hotly-tipped Keable continues to show herself to be one of UK soul’s most impressive performers and sultry voices.
Viagra Boys – “Waterboy”
Unveiling their sort of self-titled album, viagr aboys, Stockholm post-punk favourites Viagra Boys infuse raw, grizzled attitude with snappy songwriting and booming grooves across the stellar new work. Raucous single “Waterboy” epitomises such with aplomb.
Ayra Starr feat. Wizkid – “Gimme Dat”
“Gimme Dat” sees Afrobeats superstar Ayra Starr join forces with fellow African heavyweight Wizkid for a a star-studded link up. The cut brings out the sizzling best in both artists, in a track full of colour, confidence and creativity.
Eleni Drake – “A Wonder Day”
As gorgeously resonant as ever, British-Greek folk singer-songwriter and producer Eleni Drake returns with a delicate and dreamy delight. “A Wonder Day” is produced by Ethel Cain collaborator Frank Colucci and finds Drake more refined and resplendent in her sound than ever.
Ugly – “Next To Die”
One of the UK avant garde’s most exciting bands, Cambridge sextet Ugly return for the first time after last year’s fantastic EP “Twice Around the Sun” with new single “Next To Die”. Still progressive and left-field sonically, there’s a more accessible core to the gently anthemic hook and luscious instrumental palette.
DESTIN CONRAD – LOVE ON DIGITAL
Hotly-tipped R&B crooner DESTIN CONRAD showcases the depth and understanding of his artistry, unleashing his vibrant and dynamic debut album LOVE ON DIGITAL. Boasting features from Lil Nas X, serpentwithfeet, Kehlani and more, is hard to think of an album within his genre that lays out his musical manifesto so succinctly and sprawlingly.
Nate Sib – “Keep It Up”
In the calvary of the experiment pop movement currently invading the mainstream, the daring and disruptive Nate Sib is cementing his sound on “Keep It Up”. It’s an electrifying cut built from glossy synths and compulsive rhythms, with Sib’s ever-more-assured vocal presence a standout feature.
Coco Jones – “On Sight”
GRAMMY-winning R&B star Coco Jones has at long last shared her highly anticipated debut album, Why Not More?. Lead single “On Sight” showcases Jones’ dexterous sonic outlook, with an electronic-fuelled backdrop and a plethora of vocal intonation.
8485 x Danny Brown – “G.I.R.L”
Idiosyncratic presence 8485 floats back into the pop consensus with gloriously disjointed new single “G.I.R.L”. Borrowing the unmatchable craft and oddity of Danny Brown, the cut is a unique, hedonistic and challenging hidden gem.
Isabella Lovestory – “Telenovela”
As artistic and alluring as ever, Hondura’s powerhouse pop star Isabella Lovestory is back with a cheek-laden single. “Telenovela” is striking in its sonic choices, further emphasised by the hilarious and fear-inducing visual accompaniment.
Samia – “Carousel”
Indie pop maven Samia delivers her outstanding third full-length album, Bloodless, and shares an intimate and abstract lead single, “Carousel”. Emblematic of the record’s cinematic framework, the cut dazzles and surprises, building up to a stunning climax.
Brian Nasty – “Two”
Polymathic creative Brian Nasty is back with another slice of off-kilter genius. “Two” marks a new chapter for the London artist and producer, and is a pensive and potent cut that boasts endearing vocals and vivacious production.
Picture Parlour – “Who’s There To Love With You?”
Raw, scratchy and attitude-fuelled, Picture Parlour’s new single is a boisterous throwback to 70s rock’n’roll. “Who’s There To Love With You?” is sure to get your blood pumping, with an excellent vocal showing from Katherine Parlour and hard-hitting riffage from lead guitarist Ella Risi.
Myles Smith – “My First Heartbreak”
BRIT Award Rising Star winner Myles Smith continues his descent to global pop’s summit with fresh cut “My First Heartbreak”. Typically emotionally resonant and authentically reflective, it’s the kind of crowd-pleasing acoustic cut that has taken Smith to such swift heights.
Broncho – Natural Pleasure
Dusky summer evenings, dingy dance floors, the space between joy and melancholia: Oklahoma band Broncho’s new record Natural Pleasure is a delicate canvas of emotion and cinema. Closer track “Dreamin” is particularly engrossing.
late night drive home – “she came for a sweet time”
Somewhere between The Smashing Pumpkins and The Cribs, US band late night drive home are laying down a marker with a run of excellent singles in the run up to their debut full-length album due in late June. The latest, “she came for a sweet time”, is an anthemic and charismatic surveillance of modern dating culture.
Tiwa Savage – “You 4 Me”
Afrobeats trailblazer Tiwa Savage flaunts her R&B acumen with dreamy new cut “You 4 Me”. Plucked from forthcoming album, This One Is Personal, due this summer, the single samples Tamia’s 90s classic “So Into You”, and finds Tiwa heady with the romanticism of falling in love.
Hongza – “Out Of Place”
London-born, Vietnamese-Chinese singer-songwriter Hongza shares his most noteworthy single to date — the swirling, shoegaze single “Out Of Place”. The guitars soar and screech, the vocals pierce and the visuals are suitably trippy. Lovely stuff, all in all.
sounds mint – “Zombies”
An exciting new prospect emerging from London, sounds mint deliver an intimate yet frantic illustration of modern youth culture across “Zombies”. A true statement of intent, their message is clear: a rebellious force against authority, and the youth-led spark to break boundaries set in their way.
KAI – “Wait On Me”
After two years away from the spotlight, EXO’s KAI is back with a new mini album, “Wait On Me”. The title track and lead single is particularly enticing, with its Afrobeats-infused rhythms and deft vocal performance.
jite – “omw!”
With warm, velvety R&B, “omw!” underlines jite as a serious new voice across the Atlantic. A passionate love letter to her city, while distilling the trials and tribulations of a young creative seeking solace, the Nigerian heritage artist breezes past the complexities and steers towards hope and self-realisation.
Lucy Park – “Good Graces”
London alternative R&B and soul rising star Lucy Park has dropped off her third offering of the year “Good Graces”, which comes alongside the announcement of her forthcoming 6-track EP of the same name. Lucy continues her powerful journey into the soundscape with this new single; a slow-burning, pensive record that captures the quiet tension between growth and grief, distance and connection, without trying to resolve it.
Kadeem Tyrell – “One Time”
South London singer-songwriter Kadeem Tyrell shares his long awaited eight track EP “KT.FM”, and unveils lead single “One Time”. The work is luscious and mature R&B at its best, with vulnerable songwriting, cascading melodies and colourful sonic backdrops.
V.I.C – “Let It Go”
London-based rapper and creative V.I.C drops his new cut “Let It Go”. Shifting into pure UK rap bliss, we see V.I.C at his most comfortable and potent, marking new levels for the young talent as we approach his mixtape “VÄRIANT” next month.
Mandolin – “Mad”
Texas-born vocalist Mandolin shines true across “Mad”. The high-octane R&B instrumental opens pockets for the rising talent to flex her stunning vocal cadence with purpose and intent, stuck at a crossroads between love and heartbreak.
LVRA X Soda Plains – “FORTRESS”
Avant garde and technically majestic, the immersive and distinctive new six track collaborative EP from LVRA and Soda Plains is a towering listen. “FORTRESS” is released via Eastern Margins and sees the Chinese-Scottish singer-producer LVRA and producer/DJ Soda Plains combining their vision in compelling fashion.
BRUX. ft Surya Sen – “CREATURE$”
New York-based Australian BRUX has shared the second single from her brand new EP. “CREATURE$” is a genre mish-mash dance floor banger with a slick featured appearance from British-Bangladeshi MC Surya Sen.
Reuben Aziz ft. BackRoad Gee – “me + me”
Entering a new musical phase, Reuben Aziz re-instates himself as an artist unafraid to push boundaries and merge genres, working closely with rising producer nathan. The 21-year-old offers full transparency through his lyrics written at a time when he felt isolated, aligning with a formidable verse from Backroad Gee, who was hand-selected for the track.
