Jim Legxacy has his crowning moment (with the help of Dave), The Last Dinner Party make a cinematic return, and Blood Orange assembles a mouth-watering feature cast. Here’s Wonderlist!
Jim Legxacy ft. Dave – “3x”
Now three mixtapes in, it doesn’t feel overblown to call Jim Legxacy THE future of Black British music. His new project tells us such — in name and in style. Whereas his earlier work was built on mercurially collaging samples, this incredible new project delivers some of the sharpest, subtlest pop songwriting of the year. He also enlists UK rap heavyweight Dave for loosely polished and startlingly emotional cut “3x”.
The Last Dinner Party – “This Is The Killer Speaking”
British female fronted indie band’s are dominating right now. Wolf Alice, Wet Leg, now The Last Dinner Party are back to join the party. Announcing their sophomore album From The Pyre is due on 17th October, they unleashed “This Is The Killer Speaking”, a moody, cinematic Western-esque masterstroke.
Blood Orange ft. Caroline Polachek, Lorde, Mustafa – “Mind Loaded”
The imitable Dev Hynes unveils news of Essex Honey, his first album in six years under the Blood Orange alias. Inaugural single “Mind Loaded” is little short of mesmerising. With Caroline Polachek, Lorde and Mustafa all featuring, it’s a flawless piece of sonic fragility, elegantly composed and deftly performed.
Bricknasty – “Go Get That Blade”
The unmatched creativity of Dublin sonic racketeers Bricknasty strikes again. Opening up their new era with “Go Get That Blade”, the cut is a far cry from the bittersweet grooves of their early music, instead opting for an abrasive, challenging and deeply compelling approach that is limitless stylistically. The breakdown at the conclusion is breathtaking.
NCT DREAM – “CHILLER”
K-pop mega stars NCT DREAM flaunt her sonic variety on “Chiller”. Plucked from their now-released fifth full-length album, the track is a maximalist hip hop banger, with all members hitting the mark with their signature vocal approaches.
Leigh-Anne – “Been A Minute”
Little Mix alum Leigh-Anne raises her solo game once again with sensual R&B -meets-dancehall jam “Been A Minute”. Accompanied by a vibrant, celebratory music video, and sampling classic Masters at Work track “Work”, the single is slick, sticky and sultry.
Ruel – “I Can Die Now”
Australian charmer Ruel is back with an indie pop bop for the hopeless romantics out there. “I Can Die Now” has a bouncy tone, sharp melodic vocal work and meticulous production. Although the central message is a bit dramatic — “Since I’ve found you, yeah I’ve found you, I could die now.” Hm. Don’t die, please, Ruel.
Master Peace- “Harley”
Master Peace does a great job at reinventing himself and pushing his artistic capabilities — whether collaborating with AJ Tracey and Franz Ferdinand — or dropping boundary pushing new music. “Harley” is the latest example of his skill at finding his own lane; produced by the goat Dan Carey, the new cut is utterly infectious.
glaive – “Asheville”
Sparking the the underground scene to new fiery heights, mainstream disruptor glaive is leading the left-field charge on pop sensibility. “Asheville” is gloriously frantic yet tenderly performed, an angsty burst of electro-clash.
Lucy Dacus – “Best Guess | Live From Vevo Studios”
With the Vevo Studios ambient backdrop doing wonders, Lucy Dacus’ stripped back rendition of “Best Guess” sounds even better than the original. Taken from her wonderful recent album Forever is a Feeling, the boygenius singer-songwriter is as gently heartbreaking as ever.
Skullcrusher – “Exhale”
A stellar progression of her folkish core, Dirty hit signee Skullcrusher sounds dazzling on “Exhale”. Built around walls of ethereal synths and stirring strings, the track is a gorgeous glimpse into the singer-songwriter’s newly announced October due album, And Your Song Is Like A Circle.
Destin Conrad – “MR. E”
Grammy-nominated R&B singer-songwriter Destin Conrad further augments his excellent recent debut album with a colourful visual for fan favourite track “MR. E”. Matching the cut’s richness, character and depth, the vibrant video is a rewarding watch.
Amie Blu – “shadow”
South London singer-songwriter Amie Blu continues to release the best music of her career so far. “shadow” is a softly cinematic slow jam with impeccably controlled vocals and an opaque string-led sonic backdrop.
woody – “let me go”
New Parlophone signee, 22-year-old woody is showcasing a deep understanding of the songwriting craft. New track “let me go” is quietly brilliant, intimate and genteel, a thin piece of immersive folk.
Saga Faye – “Dance King”
Scandinavian newcomer Saga Faye is shaping up to be a breakout star this year. “Dance King” is a blissful gem, with flavourful grooves and an effervescent vocal presence. Very cutesy.
Archy Moor – “Robbery Rings”
Nigerian-born, Dublin-based rapper and artist Archie Moor continues to be an intriguing addition to the Irish cohort. A new project awaits later in the year, but for now we’ve been blessed with “Robbery Rings”, an atmospheric, old skool rap banger with a great bass line and snappy flows.
Deki Alem – “Mr Man”
With their new album Forget In Mass set to be unleashed on 8th August, Swedish group Deki Alem drop a third teaser single. “Mr Man” has trip hop colourings, some laid-back spoken word rap passages and an absolutely undeniable hook. Pure heat this one.
Lover’s Skit – “Bad Lyfe”
Another Swedish gem, Stockholm’s breakout duo Lover’s Skit have been making plenty of noise on the UK live circuit this year. Finally unleashing some heat, “Bad Lyfe” is disorderly and dramatic Death Grips-influenced idiosyncratic anthem.
Larry June x Cardo Got Wings – “50’s in the City”
San Francisco rapper Larry June has joined forces with acclaimed producer Cardo Got Wings for another full-length body of work, Until Night Comes. Standout cut “50’s in the City” has been augmented by a luxury-heavy visual.
Everything Is Recorded (DJ Koze Remix) – “Porcupine Tattoo”
XL Founder Richard Russell is keeping busy with his Everything Is Recorded project. If sharing a 40-track project Solstice Equinox a fortnight agowasn’t enough, he’s dropped a DJ Koze of “Porcupine Tattoo”, a stunning cut from his third studio record earlier this year. The less said the better on this one — let’s just say Koze puts his unique spin on it.
Nectar Woode – “When The Rain Stops”
British-Ghanaian singer-songwriter Nectar Woode has debuted her new EP “it’s like i never left”, a wonderful dissection of self through the most soulful of lens’. Lead single “When The Rain Stops” is particularly delectable.
They Are Gutting A Body Of Water – “Trainers”
They Are Gutting A Body Of Water — or TAGABOW to friends — are making plenty of noise in US indie right now. With new album Lotto set for 17th October, the band unveil “Trainers”, an oddly compelling and distortion heavy slacker rock delight.
We Are Scientists – Qualifying Miles
20 years on from their iconic debut album, indie heroes We Are Scientists are back with a homecoming ninth studio LP that harks back to the sound that made them. Qualifying Miles tackles grief and reflection through a playful and dynamic lens.
Hermanos Gutierrez ft. Leon Bridges – “Elegantly Wasted”
A masterclass of musicianship and mood creation, friends and tour mates Hermanos Gutierrez and Leon Bridges join forces for a swooning, sensational new single. “Elegantly Wasted” is a silky slick of Latin soul.
MLizzy – “Rebel”
Rapid-rising South London native Mlizzy continues to lead the way for contemporary UK drill with a new single that cuts deep into the realities of road life and the blurred lines of modern relationships. Built on woozy basslines, crisp kickdrums and eerie piano keys, the track sets the perfect backdrop for MLizzy’s sharp delivery and vivid storytelling.
BOU ft. Superlative – “Badness”
Mancunian producer Bou has become one of UK DnB’s hottest names. He drops an ambitious 31-track project “B-Sides Mixtape”, a sprawling and playful tape of back-to-back heaters. Superlative featuring “Badness” is a sure-fire standout.
JayO – “Turning Me On”
Back with his first track of 2025, British-Nigerian artist JayO drops “Turning Me On”. A nod to classic R&B with the sampling of Marques Houston’s “Clubbin’”, the new track is bouncing and sun-kissed, the North London at his smooth best.
Mr. Dutch – “Power Do Fit”
A confident statement of intent and bold reassertion of his presence in the scene, Mr. Dutch’s latest single “Power Fit Do” serves up a hard-hitting, Afro-infused beat underscored by a powerful military cadence, delivering a poignant message rooted in ambition, resilience and unwavering confidence via Mr. Dutch’s polished delivery.
