Loyle Carner reaches for his rawest self, Nourished By Time announces his XL Recordings debut LP, and Kali Uchis hits new heights on her fifth studio album: Wonderlist is here!
Loyle Carner – “about time / lyin”
With a huge summer ahead — consisting of a Glastonbury The Other Stage headline slot, an acting debut and a fourth studio album — London’s sincerest spitter Loyle Carner shares a duo of heartfelt singles. “about time” is rich and inward, a depiction of fatherhood, whilst “lyin” is the most genteel and stripped back we’ve ever heard Carner.
Nourished By Time – “The Passionate Ones”
Continuing to be a pillar of towering creativity, the enigmatic Nourished By Time announces his debut XL Recordings album — due late August — with the release of fresh cut “The Passionate Ones”. It’s typically dexterous and off-kilter, with glances of ginormous humanity and boat loads of soaring refinement.
Kali Uchis – Sincerely,
Could this be the best collection of songs we’ve heard from Kali Uchis? It’s too early to say, but quite possibly. With her fifth studio album, Sincerely,, the global icon leans into naturalistic and resplendent sonic qualities, with her songwriting more potent and personal and her singing near flawless. Take the time — there’s a lot to unpack.
Tyla – “Bliss”
Ahead of her hugely anticipated trip to London for All Points East alongside Doechii, RAYE and JADE in August, South Africa’s current biggest musical export, Tyla shares a vibrant new single, “Bliss”. Genre-bending and energy, it’s a serene and stellar offering from the rising superstar.
Royel Otis – “moody”
Australian indie heroes Royel Otis once again show their charm and craft with first single on a new major record deal. “moody” is a statement of intent, brimming with an incandescent and effortlessly anthemic quality. A new era beckons.
Venna – “My Way”
Grammy Award winning saxophonist and producer Venna shares the quietly stunning “My Way”. It’s the first time he’s used his voice, and its beauty begs the question why he has never done so before. Musically deft and tonally serene, the South Londoner’s latest is pure bliss.
James Massiah – “Bounty Law”
Artist, poet and DJ James Massiah shares perhaps his most coherent musical project to date in “Bounty Law”. The eight-pronged body of music is personal and nocturnal, merging a variety of styles, with Massiah’s rapping narration impossible to not pin to the every word of.
Chaos In the CBD – “A Deeper Life”
Kiwi brotherly production duo Chaos In The CBD are the name on every one’s lips right now, and with this stunning debut album, A Deeper Life, they affirm the hype. Traversing through genres like a walk in the park, it’s a vibrant and immersive, refined and deeply captivating body of work.
Nectar Woode – “Only Happen”
As soulful and piercing as ever, British-Ghanian singer-songwriter Nectar Woode proceeds to refine her approach and provide intricate beauty with “Only Happen”. Produced by the excellent Jordan Rakei, Woode’s layered vocal swims warmly among the decadent backdrop.
Man/Woman/Chainsaw – “MadDog”
Leading London’s avant garde undergrowth, stellar six piece Man/Woman/Chainsaw unleash another jaw-droopingly creative gem. “MadDog” is blasé yet barnstorming, brimming with bohemian sonic choices and cinematic character.
Alison Goldfrapp – “Find Xanadu”
Still very much nestled into pop’s cutting-edge, Alison Goldfrapp announces her new album Flux will be released in August via her very own newly launched label A.G. Records. Teaser single “Find Xanadu” is an electro-pop banger, with glistening synths and soaring vocals.
Jords – “Reparations”
Croydon rapper Jords is building up steam ahead of the release of his June 6th-set new opus, “Mixtape J”. He unleashes new single “Reparations”, an emblem of everything that’s good about UK rap.
Isaiah Hull – “A IS FOR AFRICA”
Mancunian poet Isaiah Hull makes his Young debut with a stunning piece of societal commentary. “A IS FOR AFRICA”. Atop a hard-hitting and cinematic sonic palette, Hull delves into resonant and deeply impactful themes, commanding his own presence with aplomb.
holybones – “Everywhere Break”
Mysterious collective holybones are a striking new voice in the London electronic underground. “Everywhere Break” is centred around introspective spoken word and abstract musical texture, before breaking down into an emotive and head-boppable odyssey.
KILIMANJARO ft. LEILAH – “Good Shit”
Zambian-Scottish London-based creative KILIMANJARO is among the most exciting DJ/producer’s in the capital. His latest, “Good Shit”, is exactly what it says on the tin—bouncy rhythms, vibrant melodies, and an all round great time.
Mona San – “From the Ashes”
A fierceness blend of hyper pop, moody electronica and experimentalism, genre-bending talent Mona San sounds unlike anything else on their new EP, “From the Ashes”. The project’s title track is particularly affecting, with hypnotic glitched out vocals, lively rhythm shifts and immersive textures.
Quinton Barnes – “Sober for the Weekend”
Montreal-based artist Quinton Barnes is an enthralling listen. The second single shared from his forthcoming album BLACK NOISE, due early June, “Sober for the Weekend” is chaotic and challenging, with snappy flows atop a daring and disorderly instrumental.
KITSCHKRIEG x Dre Six – “Slipping Away”
“Slipping Away” sees Manchester rapper Kenzo Str8Drop and Dré Six trading honest, emotionally charged verses about the difficulty of escaping street life, even when success is within reach. The track is taken from KITSCHKRIEG and Dre Six’s collaborative album London’s Calling, which dropped yesterday.
Aime Simone – “GORE MODE“
Aime Simone unveils his compelling new video for “GORE MODE,” taken from his recent album REV. Filmed in Bagnolet, a Paris suburb where Simone resides and creates, the video offers an authentic and intimate setting for the vengeful protagonist, central to the album’s evolving mythos while exploring themes of transformation and reckoning.
Footsie & Strategy – Theatre of Dreams
Legendary grime producer Footsie has joined forces with Mancunian MC Strategy for a 10-track album, Theatre of Dreams. The instrumentals make the hair on your arms stand up, and the bars are witty and bodacious.
V.I.C – “VÄRIANT”
London rap star V.I.C flexes his sharp, conscious commentary across his new mixtape VÄRIANT. An enigmatic display of ambition and integrity, the young talent emerges both poignant and self-aware while exploring identity, development, resilience, and the perils of a young artist in London building foundations beyond his years.
Empara Mi – “On Call For You”
Alt-pop provocateur Empara Mi returns with ‘On Call For You’, the latest instalment of her unraveling conceptual album ‘Monsters & Masochists’. This self-written, self-produced seductive track dives into the soft ache of obsession, blending shadowy R&B, ethereal pop and cinematic soundscapes.
