Kneecap announces their sophomore album with a barnstorming new single, fakemink slithers into sight with a slippery EP, and Thundercat links up with Lil Yachty and Flying Lotus: it’s Wonderlist!
Kneecap – “Liars Tale”
Belfast rap trio Kneecap announce what will be one of the biggest albums of the spring – their sophomore effort, FENIAN, out 24th April via Heavenly Recordings. First look comes courtesy of “Liars Tale”, a riotous, refined masterclass in how to make protest music sound rebellious and undeniably entertaining alike.
fakemink – “Mr. Chow .”
If 2025 was the year we got to know fakemink, 2026 is when he solidifies himself as a mainstay in the rap scene, not just the underground. The UK rapper doubled down on his OG sound with this new EP, “The Boy who cried Terrified .”, with songs like “Mr. Chow .” proving that he doesn’t have to dilute his distorted, cloud-rap sound. It’s a dark, menacing tune that pairs perfectly with his signature flow – fakemink is here to stay.
Thundercat ft. Lil Yatchy – “I Did This To Myself”
It’s been a long time coming, but the maestro himself has returned. Thundercat will share his fifth studio album, Distracted, via Brainfeeder on 3rd April. The record, his first in six years, will feature A$AP Rocky, Tame Impala, and an unheard collaboration with the late, great Mac Miller. We’ve got the first single too – a classic Cat cut with a rip-roaring Lil Yachty verse and additional production from Flying Lotus.
Elín Hall – “Tachylite”
“Tachylite” sees Elín Hall turning Iceland’s volcanic landscapes into tense, cinematic alt-pop, ahead of supporting Laufey on tour in March. Sparse, rhythmic verses build into moments of fragile beauty, and her voice rides the track’s brittle, lustful energy with micro-timed precision. Co-written with Jamie Woon and produced with Martin Terefe, it’s an intimate track that feels both delicate and dangerously alive.
Melanie C – “What Could Possibly Go Wrong?”
Pop icon and Spice Girls alum Melanie C has shared a second single plucked from her forthcoming ninth studio album, Sweat, due 1st May via Virgin Music Group. “What Could Possibly Go Wrong” is a soaring, atmospheric slice of pop nostalgia, with energy-building lows and euphoric highs.
MJ Cole ft. PinkPantheress – “Still Sincere”
UK garage tycoon MJ Cole is one of Britian’s finest producers. Last year, celebrating 25 years since his seminal Mercury Prize-nominated album, Sincere, he has continued the hype with a very special release. Enlisting modern dance fave PinkPantheress, Cole shares “Still Sincere”, a glistening, irresistible rework of his 1998 breakout cut, “Sincere”.
Two Shell – “The Nightmare”
Seminal enigmatic electronic duo Two Shell take a stylistic shift away from the darker ambience of much of their catalogue, dropping a heady, anthemic single, “The Nightmare”. The song title is a dichotomy of the tone – it’s celebratory, joyful, and draped in positivity, the cut kicks off a big year for the act, with a weekly residency at Phonox set to be a must-attend event this February.
Holly Head – “No Country As An Island”
Holly Head kick off 2026 with “No Country Is An Island”, a jagged, groove-heavy punk track that channels the urgency of Manchester’s underground. Razorwire guitars and a taut rhythm section underpin Joe’s sharp, politicised vocals, while the co-writing cameo from Westside Cowboy’s Paddy Murphy adds extra bite. It’s sweaty, propulsive, and built for both the pit and the dancefloor.
AJ Tracey ft. Blade Brown – “Ibiza”
Standing at the summit of UK rap, AJ Tracey isn’t ready to let up just yet. He proved his longevity with last year’s “Crush” featuring Jorja Smith and now he’s back with “Ibiza” with the help of Blade Brown and producer Carns Hill. This one’s all about bars over an ominous, hazy beat, with the pair of rappers telling us all about their riches and the fashion they’re into right now.
Nightmares On Wax – “You Bliss”
Coming off the back of his stellar mixtape, “Echo45 Sound System”, Nightmares On Wax is back with a new single: “You Bliss”. With the help of dub master extraordinaire Adrian Sherwood, the latest track is a jazzy return to George Evelyn’s reggae roots, with an addictive, jazzy sound that’s the perfect mix of laid-back soul.
Namasenda – “Cola”
Swedish pop princess Namasenda is cracking open a new single with “Cola”, her first since 2023. It’s a sleek rush of avant-pop; a track that fuses accelerated guitar arpeggios with elastic rhythms and a seismic low end, landing primely in a glossy mix of something (or somewhere) hypnotic and futuristic. Marking the start of a new era, “Cola” arrives alongside a hyper-stylised video that fully flexes Namasenda’s creative vision.
Bel Cobain – “Am I Dumb”
Except it’s not a question…Hackney-born singer Bel Cobain kicks off a bold new era with her latest single, “Am I Dumb.” It’s a confrontational, fast-moving track that dives into cycles of self-blame and emotional confusion, pairing Bel’s commanding yet fluid vocals with a pacy, percussive instrumental laced with eerie texture. Exploring the push and pull of toxic relationship dynamics – the leaving, learning, and inevitable return – “Am I Dumb” captures the anger and disorientation of grief in real time, marking a first glimpse of a larger project yet to be revealed. It’s set to be an exciting year ahead for Miss Cobain.
COUCOU CHLOE – “VENOM”
Coucou Chloe’s “VENOM” is tense, menacing, and physically charged. Rolling basslines push against restrained, languid vocals, while the track flirts with post-punk and lo-fi textures in a way that’s both hypnotic and unsettling. It’s a track that thrives on pressure and repetition, the kind you feel as much in your chest as in your ears.
Ms Banks – “WHY?”
South London’s Ms Banks is back with “WHY?”, the second single from her forthcoming debut album SOUTH LDN LOVER GIRL. A raw, heart-on-sleeve release, the track blends introspective vulnerability with a powerful reflection on Banks’ lived experience as a Black woman from south of the river. With slick production from OGB and AJ Productions, her vocal versatility shines as she questions, confronts, and challenges both herself and the world around her.
BNYX ft. Kid Cudi – “Everywhere I Go (Remind Me)”
Heavy-hitting producer and artist BNYX is making an interesting sonic shift this year, re-stepping the grounds of electronica for his latest release. Enlisting Kid Cudi for a stronger feature, “Everywhere i Go (Remind Me)” is an excellent new offering, nocturnal yet uplifting, full of rich, cascading instrumentation and edgy production choices.
DJ Harrison ft. Yazmin Lacey – “It’s All Love”
Grammy-nominated polymath DJ Harrison’s latest full length album, ElectroSoul, is a startling body of work, with heart, soul and sophistication on display throughout. Lead single “It’s All Love” borrows the artistic virtue and deft vocality of UK jazz favourite Yazmin Lacey.
JJerome87 – “Brush Me Like A Horse”
Frontman of Mercury Prize-winning band alt-J, Joe Newman has kicked off a new solo era with a debut single under his new moniker JJerome87. “Brush Me Like A Horse” is mature and cinematic in its approach, with grand composition that slips through sonic stages with ease, whilst Newman’s iconic vocal tone is still as imaginative and essential as it was within his band’s heightened successes.
Tooth – “The Age of Innocence”
The latest new band to emerge from London with a refined sound and aesthetic, rising quartet Tooth look and sound like they’re next up. Debut single “The Age of Innocence” is a rousing offering of anthemic vocals, snappy garage rock, and potent lyricism.
dexter in the newsagents – “stranger to love”
dexter in the newsagent is an ‘iykyk’ favourite, and today, she shares a new music video for her single “stranger to love”, lifted from her acclaimed debut mixtape “Time Flies”. A tender, emotionally open ballad, the track distils the project’s core themes of love, loss, and vulnerability. Directed by Claryn Chong, the visual moves through intimate, familiar corners of Dexter’s South London life, echoing the understated aesthetic of previous videos “eighteen” and “with u”.
Of The Trees x EARTHGANG – “Look Into My Eyes”
Of The Trees joins forces with EARTHGANG on genre-bending collaboration “Look Into My Eyes”, delivering a genre-defying fusion of cosmic soul, hypnotic lyricism, and cinematic bass design. It blends Of The Trees’ immersive sonic palette with EARTHGANG’s dynamic cadence—a striking collaboration that pushes the boundaries of both electronic and hip-hop traditions.
People I’ve Met – “For Hire”
People I’ve Met’s “For Hire” swaps the heartbreak of their debut single “Promise” for something livelier but still introspective. Breezy guitars and layered vocals carry the lyrical punch of Moses Martin, Chris Martin’s son, setting boundaries, making it feel like the messy, emotional aftermath of a breakup turned into a hooky alt-rock anthem.
Ellie Allen – “Get Even”
Rising UK singer-songwriter Ellie Allen firmly introduces herself with “Get Even” – elegant and warped in parts, the young talent fuses pop-minded harmonies with R&B flavours and glitchy instrumentation to establish a sound uniquely her own.
MUCHAS PROBLEMAS – “Take Me In”
Wanting to move from the shadows straight to the performance spotlight, multi-disciplinary artist MUCHAS PROBLEMAS (also known as Charlie Le Mindu) releases his first body of work with a self-titled EP. The lead single “Take Me In” is rave-ready, with a dark, foreshadowing beat that’ll make you feel like you’re already in a warehouse with a pair of sunnies on.
Boy in Space – “Who’s Crying When I’m Leaving”
Swedish singer-songwriter Boy In Space questions “Who’s Crying When I’m Leaving?” in his reflective new single, which arrives alongside the announcement of his debut album and fresh tour dates. Built on a delicate acoustic guitar, the track gradually swells with driving drums, puckering violins, and soft flourishes that balance his signature emotional pull with a growing pop-country influence. Lyrically, Robin Lundbäck explores the loneliness and detachment that come with a life in constant motion, and the quiet desire to find stillness and belonging.
Elle Shimada – LULLABY FOR THE RIVER IN MY BODY
Genre-defying violinist, producer, curator, DJ and multi-instrumentalist Elle Shimada drops off her new 14-track album LULLABY FOR THE RIVER IN MY BODY. Comically tragic yet fiercely hopeful plunge into grief, healing and rebirth—the album is an unapologetically raw body of work, with contributions from acclaimed artists such as Joe Armon-Jones, Jitwam, Pookie and Legzdina. The record moves through the seven stages of grief with naked honesty, embracing the ugly, beautiful mess of becoming whole before emerging into Chapter Two, Awakening of the River in My Body.
FRIEDA STAR – “Mothers and Sisters”
Frieda Star’s debut single “Mothers and Sisters” is a fuzz-soaked indie blast that balances jangly hooks with restless energy. There’s a rough immediacy to the guitars and vocals that nods to Been Stellar and Gurriers, but the band’s own personality shines through in every twist and turn, hinting at the live shows and EP to come.
