Little Simz continues to set the bar with her sensational sixth album, Sabrina Carpenter stakes her claim for song of the summer, and Shame return: it’s Wonderlist.
Little Simz – Lotus
The peerless London polymath Little Simz returns with her broad, eclectic and deftly curated sixth studio album, Lotus. Boasting a varied featured cast — from Obongjayar to Wretch 32, Sampha to Yussef Dayes — the 13 prong record is full of quiet moments of retrospection and grand showings of Simz’s ever expanding artistic vision.
Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”
Pop princess Sabrina Carpenter stakes her claim for song of the summer with the dazzling sun-kissed anthem “Manchild”. With the superstar’s endoscopic charm shining through, the track is born to be swayed to (see Primavera in a matter of hours).
Lil Yachty – “Murda”
Lil boat is back with a stellar new outing. “Murda” comes via Lyrical Lemonade and hence has the gargantuan visual excellence of Cole Bennett at the helm. Yachty sounds focused and introspective atop a tight and turbulent sonic palette.
Nilüfer Yanya – “Where To Look”
Alongside exciting news of a new Ninja Tune-shared EP, “Dancing Shoes” coming on 2nd July, the indelible craft and emotionality of Nilüfer Yanya is alive and kicking on “Where To Look”. A moment of quiet mediation, a swirling sensory overload of melancholy and fervour.
Shame – “Cutthroat”
Post punk revolutionaries Shame are finally set to share their fourth album, Cutthroat. The record has been announced for 5th September via Dead Oceans, and comes accompanied by the teasing single title track, a raw and robust banger that snaps and sizzles.
SL ft. Sainté & Knucks – “Summertime”
Three of UK rap’s most charismatic characters join forces for short and sweet single “Summertime’. The latest in a run of singles from masked crusader SL, he enlists alt rap goat Knucks and king of Leicester Sainté for a brief but bouncy banger, with the three spitters teasing their charm atop the groove-laden beat.
Indigo De Souza – “Crying Over Nothing”
As ever, Indigo De Souza knocks you off your feet with her stunning musicality. “Crying Over Nothing” is plucked from a new record coming via Loma Vista in late July, a pop crossover moment of euphoric instrumentation and glistening melodies.
Frost Children – “CONTROL”
Sibling songwriters and producers Frost Children are sharing their third studio album, SISTER, in mid September and deliver a fiery teaser. “CONTROL” is disruptive pop at its best — hard-hitting yet intimate, grand in scope and theatrical in approach.
KiLLOWEN – “All 2 U”
London’s Garage-Rap sensation KiLLOWEN returns with new single “All 2 U”. Combining his signature blend of nostalgia and euphoria, KiLLOWEN delivers a summer-tinged “All 2 U” sampling the iconic “My Boo” by Ghost Town DJ’s. KiLLO has gone from strength to strength since his recent EP, “six missed calls”.
Luvcat – “Matador (Strings)”
Liverpudlian enigma Luvcat celebrates the track that broke her into the big time with a dazzling reinterpretation. A fresh “Matador” has dropped, a string-based arrangement that ups the ante, the cinema and the towering emotion of the cut.
aron! – “eggs in the morning”
Nostalgia fuelled and quietly charming, aron!’s new six track EP is like stepping back into a simpler time. The title track is a stand out, with softly serenading vocals and intricate acoustic guitar work.
Quincy Tell Em ft. Kilo Jugg & Cal1sto – “Oil Flow”
Leading UK rap producer Quincy Tell Em, famed for being M Huncho’s right hand man, brings together two rising stars in the trap-wave world for “Oil Flow”. Kilo Jung and Cal1sto are a match made in heaven, whilst Quincy’s beat is lucid and hard hitting.
LULU. – “Not There Yet”
Ivor Novello nominee LULU. shares another gorgeous single “Not There Yet”, via AMF Records, It’s vocally stunning, musically rich, and the singer-songwriter’s lyrical talent is on full show.
Still Blank – “What About Jane”
Yet another impressive new band, Still Blank bring a quiet dominance and mystical air to their debut single “What About Jane”. A moody amalgamation of folk and grunge, the cut is gorgeously performed and meticulously crafted… one to watch.
INJI – “Good Time Girl”
A bold new voice in dance-pop, INJI delivers a tech house banger that struts with Charli XCX energy and glitter-drenched attitude. “Good Time Girl” is fierce, funny, and unforgettable — a hook-heavy anthem that crashes the party and owns the playlist.
Nick Mulvey – “Dark Harvest”
Released today alongside his new album Dark Harvest (Pt. 1), this quietly stunning track sees the double Mercury Prize nominee at his most raw and reflective. Woven with earthy textures and emotional depth, “Dark Harvest” distills a journey through grief into something deeply human and quietly transcendent.
Hand Habits – “Wheel of Change”
The first taste of forthcoming album Blue Reminder (out Aug 22), “Wheel of Change” is a gorgeously raw, guitar-laced reflection on love and loss. With emotional clarity and sonic grit that echoes boygenius, Meg Duffy delivers a track that’s both tender and unflinching — a powerful step into a bold new chapter.
Lexa Gates – “Latency”
Soulful and steel-laden, Lexa Gates is a multi-faceted rap maverick. “Latency” is her latest gem, an infectious rap cut with snappy percussion, nifty sampling and effortlessly cool vocals.
Tanis – “Priority”
Boundary breaking artist Tanis returns with her brand new single ‘Priority’, turning a deeply personal realisation into a song that speaks to anyone who’s ever felt overlooked in love. Balancing cinematic production with heartfelt lyricism, ‘Priority’ captures the complexity of love and self-respect through a rich tapestry of sound, melding silky pop with textured harmonies and emotional depth.
Jords – “Mixtape J”
Croydon rapper and producer Jords further cements his legacy as one of the UK’s most authentic talents with a sprawling and personal 10-pronged mixtape. The project boasts features from the likes of Bashy, Kojey Radical and Jordy, and marks his first body of music as a fully independent artist.
DRIFT – AT THE PARTY
Revered French music producer Renaud Letang shares a new album from his new brainchild project, DRIFT. The record, AT THE PARTY, is a gloriously diverse collection of tracks that boast contributions from the likes of Connan Moccasin, Benny Sings, Chilly Gonzales and many more.
Hope ft. Ebubé – “Never Be”
British actor and rapper-singer Hope is back with a new single, “Never Be”. Borrowing the vocals of R&B rising star Ebubé, the track is a depiction of love and heartbreak.
charlieeeee – “BOY JOY!”
Artist and producer charlieeeee are back with a high energy, joy-laden new single “BOY JOY!”. The track is a celebration of trans awareness and see’s the artist bring charisma and craft.
Christian Lee Hutson – Paradise Pop. 10 Deluxe
A first deluxe in his catalogue, the nuanced folk of Christian Lee Hutson gets a further augmentation with the release of Paradise Pop. 10 Deluxe. Decadent guitar work and breathy vocals aplenty, it’s a must hear.
Odeal – “London Summers”
MOBO-winning R&B star Odeal is making his pledge for song of the summer with vibrant new single, “London Summers”. Warm vocals, colourful beat-smithery aplenty, it’s a whole vibe.
MLizzy – “Prince of the Vale”
Fast-emerging South London talent MLizzy continues to make serious waves across the UK rap scene with a menacing new single titled “Prince of The Vale”, reflecting both the gritty scenes of real road life and the complexities of personal relationships. Driven by woozy basslines, sharp kickdrums, and slick synths, the production creates a dark yet dynamic backdrop for MLizzy’s razor-sharp delivery.
