sombr’s star-studded ballad, beabadobee’s rousing album launching single, and Steve Lacy and SZA’s symbiosis: it’s Wonderlist.
sombr – “My Body Isn’t Ready”
sombr continues to be ever-present in the pop culture consensus with a personal new track, “My Body Isn’t Ready”. The raw and honest ballad is accompanied by a music video featuring two of screen media’s favourite new presences in Inde Navarrette and Josh Heuston.
beabadoobee – “Sun Has Set”
Following her previous album, This Is How Tomorrow Moves, reaching No.1 in Britain, beabadobee returns with the first single for her fourth album as one of London’s most impactful and striking songwriters. Pylon will be unleashed on 18th September via Dirty Hit and Interscope Records; its first single, “Sun Has Set”, is a swirling emotional escapade of rhythmic crashes, waves of anguish, and a sign of heavier, darker music to come.
Steve Lacy ft. SZA – “is it cool?”
It’s an A-list collaboration between two of US R&B’s most quintessential modern players. Our latest look at Oh yeah?, Steve Lacy’s forthcoming studio record going 17th July via RCA Records, sees the polymath join forces with the peerless SZA to great avail for this soulful and idiosyncratic jam.
Phoebe Bridgers – “Lost Boys”
The sweeping and melancholic beauty of Phoebe Bridgers has at last returned, like an old friend gently knocking on your door in the dead of night. Her long-awaited third studio album, Lost Weekend, will be released on 14th August, accompanied by a UK, EU and NA sold-out arena tour. For now, we’ve got “Lost Boys”, a first single of dazzling sadness and folky subtlety.
EsDeeKid – “RockWave”
The new video from Archie Erskine, the long-time collaborator of Liverpool’s masked anti-hero EsDeeKid, is sensationally good. And the music’s not bad either – EsDee gets on his “RockWave” with this dominant and daring new number, with slick arrogance and playful threat swirling around the booming instrumental.
Sophia Stel – “Molly in the Club”
Signed to A24 Music and gearing up for her most consequential chapter to date, Vancouver-based singer-songwriter and producer Sophia Stel is finding her sound more acutely with each passing release. “Molly in the Club” is one of her most stirring and compelling tracks to date, with its glistening nostalgia, ethereal texture and vivid lyricism.
Portraits Of Tracy – “Caught In A Jam”
One of the most adventurous and idiosyncratic talents to emerge in American rap in the last decade, it’s a breath of fresh air to see Portraits Of Tracy return to the fold. The enigmatic singer, rapper, producer and instrumentalist has announced a new EP, “Q: From Where Do Our Primal Instincts Originate A: MTV!”, which will drop on 24th July. The first teaser sees her “Caught In A Jam”, with heady sonics, tongue-twisting lyricism and striking vocal presence.
Mura Masa ft. Ledbyher – “Needja”
“Needja” is the kind of collaboration that you wouldn’t have thought about before hearing it, but once you have, it makes so much sense. Iconic Grammy-winning producer Mura Masa has unlisted one of the UK underground’s most important new wave players in Ledbyher for “Needja”, shared via his own Pond Recordings Label. Self-coined “emo-breaks”, you can understand why.
Frost Children – “Satellites”
Have you ever spent 24 hours running on no sleep in Tokyo? That’s the starting point for Frost Children on their new EP “Tweaker Poem”, which was created in a single sleep-deprived session. The project was done after they left New York when they discovered they had a stalker, built around the idea of obsession with an “idol”, exploring how admiration can tip into fixation. The lead single, “Satellites”, a high-energy electronic pop track, and its accompanying video introduce the EP’s first taste of that world.
This Is Lorelei – “Billy Came Back”
This Is Lorelei’s new album, The Singer in My Band, and the lead single “Billy Came Back”, were mostly made on the road. Written while Nate Amos was constantly touring, the album developed from long stretches of daydreaming on the road, where ideas formed without instruments before being properly assembled later. This new track in particular reflects that process, an entry point into an album that twists familiar songwriting ideas into something more fragmented, offbeat, and road-worn.
Nia Smith – “Hope In Us”
British soulstress Nia Smith is putting the “Hope In Us” with this sunshine-in-a-bottle song with the release of her Payback Is a Dog album, out today. Despite the slight melancholy as she expels her pessimism with love, she does so to a groovy melody — equal parts heartbreaking and toe-tapping, perhaps as Nia does best: making the mundane sound spectacular.
Cobrah ft. Grimes “Sign From God”
COBRAH links with Grimes on “Sign From God”, an energetic collab single that continues Cobrah’s Torn era that is made for the club with stripped-back direct songwriting. First previewed during Cobrah’s Coachella set, with its electronic production and clean, high-impact vocals, the track sits between Cobrah’s performance-led pop style and Grimes’ more experimental edge.
Joe James – “Papercuts”
Having garnered a huge cult following for his baritone vocals and sharp rhymes, Joe James drops off “Papercuts” from his upcoming debut album, The Ends, Never Ends. Being his favourite track off the record, the Southend rapper delves into the emotional and spiritual impact of capitalism over a hazy yet cinematic piano beat.
Quadeca – “Baby Steps”
Multi-faceted modern artist Quadeca is continuing to up the artistic ante with this quite gorgeous folk-tinged single, with irrelevance and immersion swimming through. “Baby Steps” is organic and intimate, with a subtle vocal performance and impressive sonic world-building. A far cry from anything he’s ever made before.
Blondshell – “Violins”
Blondshell is shredding “Violins” on this heart-wrenching rock ballad. Reverberating between grandeur and grit, turbulence and tenderness, this track becomes the heartpiece of her forthcoming album of the same title. She whispers and bellows over the song’s jagged melody, finding resolution in the form of a sonic crescendo.
Curbside Lambsear – “Man The Door”
A quietly gorgeous debut single, “Man The Door”, holds an experimental looseness and an emotional weight of a band far more experienced. Curbside Lambsear, a duo of Annabelle Mödlinger and Magda McLean (the latter of whom also plays in the avant octet caroline), look set to be a key presence in years to come with their stunning mix of droopy emo, twinkly indie folk and snappy sincerity.
BackRoad Gee ft. Pa Salieu – “Spin Your Block”
Six years on from their legendary collab on “My Family”, two of UK rap’s most striking performers, BackRoad Gee and Pa Salieu, join forces for a fresh heater, “Spin Your Block”. It’s a vibrant, Afro-infused summer jam, a sign of both artist’s impressive artistic progression in the years since their prior joint work.
Muireann Bradley – “Not Going Back”
Set to take over London’s MOTH Club, Irish singer-songwriter is “Not Going Back” on her latest single. On this track, the twangs and traditions of indie-folk music bubble right to the surface. Her husky, darkened vocals amble right over a twinkling melody.
Medium Build – “Armor”
Alt-country aficionado Nick Carpenter, aka Medium Build, is keeping his “Armor” on with this new vivacious track. Joyful and lit with an electric guitar buzzing through it, this track sees him leave behind his atypical bedroom-pop flows for something louder, larger and inevitably, lasting – all in the lead up to his September-releasing album King of Having Fun.
total tommy – “Winona Forever”
Australian indie-punk crooner total tommy is sounding more vital and potent than ever as she picks up steam in her new artistic chapter. Following the excellence of her 2024 debut album, bruises, the singer-songwriter and instrumentalist ups the emotional ante with “Winona Forever”, a swirling rock-fused jam with a killer hook and homage to the ‘90s cinema icon who shares the song’s title.
Sekou – “Does She Know”
One of Britain’s most apt new songwriters – with a show-stopping voice to match – Sekou is back with a five-track mixtape, “In A World We Don’t Belong Pt.2”, a follow-up and augmentation of last year’s first part. Stand out single “Does She Know” swoons and thrill, tuneful at will.
Chico Blanco ft. NAZZZ – “sunset”
Berlin-based Granada-born Chico Blanco shares new single “Sunset” featuring NAZZZ, a track that sits between club rhythms and soft vocals, inspired by the memories of being at a club dancing with a lover. The single leans into Chico Blanco’s nostalgic, Mediterranean-influenced approach to club music, while NAZZZ adds smooth, intimate vocals. It’s taken from his upcoming debut album AMNESIA, which continues his focus on dance-pop built around memory, imagined places, and shifting states of nightlife across Berlin and the Mediterranean.
Cristale – “No Harm”
Off the back of her braggadocios last single “Top 3”, Cristale is back with a different side to her with the song “No Harm”. Leaning towards a more introspective topic, the South London rapper talks self-awareness and growth as she navigates the difficulties that come with success.
Babymorocco – “Annoying”
Babymorocco hopes he’s not “Annoying” you on his latest summer anthem. The London-hailing pop disruptor shares his despair on this blitzy, sugary single peppered with lyrics that are like diary lines spilling over. Here, he tries to balance self-awareness with complaint and genuine vulnerability as he strives for affection.
KayMuni – “7AM”
Continuing to state his case on the UK rap space, Birmingham’s real rap prodigy KayMuni is finding his emotional flow on the potent and powerful “7AM”. Turning personal pain into authentic storytelling, the track is a throwback rap banger that further cements Kay’s seat at the UK scene’s table.
Mary Ann Alexander – “Too Much”
Rising Keralan R&B artist questions whether she’s “Too Much?” on this smooth, easygoing track – and new visuals just dropped. Weaving her love for India into the melody and design of its heritage, it’s a sizzling, swinging beat that bumps with that ‘80s soul flair.
Brennan Wedl – “Pretty Little Fantasy”
After being in the band Dazey & The Scouts, Brennan Wedl is now making the push to go solo. Her first order of business? Her single “Pretty Little Fantasy” off her debut self-titled album. It’s a rock song through and through, from the addicting guitar riff to the grand drums and her commanding vocals.
Amaria BB ft. Leigh-Anne – “Closure”
Jamaican singer-songwriter Amaria BB “Comes To Light” on her new EP, out today via AWAL – and she’s enlisted the help of fellow R&B soulstress Leigh-Anne to find “Closure”. On this sultry track, they test the bounds of their chemistry as they go flirt-for-verse throughout.
TaliaBle ft. Joe Goddard – “Endless”
Following up on her track “Dreams”, TaliaBle is in the mood for more with her newest song “Endless”. Produced by Grammy winner Joe Goddard, it’s got quite the epic, bouncy soundscape with very assured, strong vocals by the Tottenham-hailing rapper as she talks about the constant movement of tour life.
Paulie Swan – “Shiner (The Cape)”
Paulie Swan shares new focus track “Shiner (The Cape)” from the “Swans Today” EP, a self-produced cut shaped in his Edinburgh bedroom studio where he handles most of the instrumentation himself. Following early attention around the viral track “Me vs Mothra”, which sparked conversation on corners of the internet, the project builds on his blend of alternative folk, jazz, and indie textures, with a strong influence from film, animation, and his ongoing studies at Edinburgh University.
Ruby Roberts – “Bad Girl July”
With June almost over, Ruby Roberts beckons a “Bad Girl July”. It begins darker and sexier, lingering like a red wine in an East London bar, before lightening into a rosé with an uptempo melody, transitioning from blues to jazz. It marks a sonic pivot in the young singer-songwriter’s musical evolution, and this is set to take a turn for the better.
Øneheart ft. Europa – “hero”
Fresh from working alongside Ledbyher on an exclusive remix of “UP TO MY NECK IN U”, new single “hero” sees Øneheart continue to venture into new territory. Departing from his trademark ambient soundscapes, the young producer explores a heavier sonic palette, primed and ready to set dancefloors alight this summer.
Ari Lee – “Expiration Date”
Hong Kong-born, London-based singer-songwriter Ari Lee drops a new pop gem, “Expiration Date”. It’s an undeniable, catchy effort with crunchy guitars and soaring vocals.
Osaze & Marcus – “Splendid”
Rapid-rising duo Osaze & Marcus continue momentum with the official release of viral hit “Splendid”. What started as a playful dance challenge rapidly exploded across TikTok, with the melodic Afroswing anthem quickly propelling the two young talents firmly into the spotlight.
