beabadobee’s best album to date, Anderson .Paak and Cordae link up, and Jamie T thinks aloud: it’s Wonderlist!
beabadobee – “Write Me A Letter”
British modern pop royalty beabadobee unveils her fourth album, Pylon. It’s her most emotionally rich and musically sophisticated work to date, touching on everything from grunge to Midwest emo and anthemic pop. “Write Me A Letter” is the lead single, with a cascading hook, captivating vocal performance and gloriously angsty lyricism.
Anderson .Paak & Cordae – “A Good Day”
Two of US hip hop’s most dynamic names across the past decade plus, Anderson .Paak and Cordae have joined forces for a forthcoming collaborative album, Heavy Is The Crown, set to arrive on 23rd October. First taste of the project comes in the shape of “A Good Day”, a playful rap number with a quite hilarious music video attached.
Jamie T – “Tallahasse”
The inimitable Jamie T shares the second single of his forthcoming highly anticipated sixth album, Ghosts (100 Days of Morning). “Tallahasse” is among the most subtle and introspective songs that Jamie has ever released, sampling Canadian folk artist Leif Vollebekk’s track of the same title, spinning conversational verses that pay homage to his influences and contemporaries.
Kim Petras – “Autobahn”
The pop powerhouse is riding the “Autobahn” on her most recent pacy single. One of the five new singles on Rare N’ Deluxe, the deluxe edition of her album, the track hits the accelerator with slick production, infectious hooks and the kind of high-octane energy that makes sitting still feel impossible. It’s a rush from start to finish: fast, feisty and fervent.
Raveena – “Blissed Out”
The raven-haired singer-songwriter is feeling “Blissed Out” on this heartfelt love letter, penning the loss of her mother and the consequent grief. With her signature ethereal, surround-sound instrumentals and gentle lyrics, it becomes an almost-meditative, lullaby-esque single – like fazing out to faze back in. Colourfully psychedelic while carrying a subtle sombre hum; here, loss is painted like a beautiful mirage; in the way that Raveena does best.
Tove Stryke – “Me/You (always and forever)”
Tove Styrke is looking inwards on “Me/You (always and forever)”. A dreamy, ’80s-tinged new wave cut about the one relationship you can never escape, it sparkles with synths and hazy melodies. The Swedish pop powerhouse turns a late-night mirror moment into an ode to self-reliance, reflecting on being both your own worst enemy and your most loyal companion.
Actress ft. Rainy Miller – “Sheets”
Distinguished artist and producer Actress has returned today with a new body of work, Radical Frame, a textured and visionary project that nestles among his best. Lead single “Sheets” is a sprawling masterpiece with contributions from the ever excellent Rainy Miller.
Martin Luke Brown – “unlearning everything”
Sometimes the best way to know everything is by “unlearning everything” – at least that’s what Martin Luke Brown is expressing on his Life & Death etc album. Warm, fuzzy and humorous, on the record’s twelfth track, the indie-soul singer earnestly expresses the wisdom he’s gained in love and life, relationships and loss, and nights out versus cosy homecomings. Over sunny, jazz-like chords, this feels like a gentle, nostalgic stroll, humming with contentment.
Helena Deland – “How Do You Like Me Now”
Montréal experimental pop gem Helena Deland returns with a subtly sparkling new single, “How Do You Like Me Now”. Opening a new chapter after 2020 debut Someone New and 2023’s Goodnight Summerland, a first glimpse into Deland’s new era is a gentle ballad of the highest artistic echelon.
Lambrini Girls – “Bang Bang Bang”
As fiery, funny and fun as ever, punk duo Lambrini Girls are back with a bang – well, three of them. Their new single is typically explosive and intelligent, with earth shattering guitars, sharp lyricism and snappy, slick vocal delivery.
Deer park & Valeria Litvakov – “Better Than Mine”
One of New York’s most interesting musicians, Deer park, is once again showing an off-kilter sonic prose with the release of “Better Than Mine”, a wonderfully instinctive opus in collaboration with German experimental electronic enigma, Valeria Litvakov.
Freak Slug – “Wishing Bone”
Manchester-hailing musician Freak Slug is snapping her “Wishing Bone” with this indie-punk ballad. Starting off slow before ascending into a pacy, electric melody, her soft vocals sizzle and simmer over the melody, coming off as spiky and snarky while still sounding reserved – like performing optimism despite dealing with reality’s harshness.
Fireboy DML ft. JAZZWRLD & Thukutela – “IMALI”
Bridging the gap between West and South, Nigerian pop and R&B whizz FIREBOY DML is sounding his alarm with “IMALI” and enlisting the help of pioneering South African artists, JAZZWRLD and THUKUTELA. The second release from his upcoming album ZUKO!, he continues his firm mission of putting Afrobeats on the global map, and diversifying what that can sound like.
JGrrey – “believe”
Gorgeously vulnerable and dazzlingly performed, the latest single from JGrrey is simply sublime. Produced by Humble The Great, “believe” brings out the best in the hugely talented artist, plucked from her 16th October-set debut album, you, me and jen.
Chiedu Oraka – “Cocoa Butter”
The Black Yorkshireman is back and better than ever. After a huge year supporting The Streets and Coldplay, Chiedu Oraka returns with news of a new EP “Kwechiri” dropping on 18th November. First single “Cocoa Butter” is everything good about the Hull rap general – attitude-laden flows and smart lyrical play dictated through his endearing northern tones.
Gotts Street Park ft. Pip Millett – “Flowers”
Calling on soulstress Pip Millett, the Leeds-based musician trio are brushing through “Flowers” on this jazzy jingle. Gentle and groovy, the single is smooth and grounded, like a velvety glass of liquor on a sunlit day. Written to encourage resilience, patience and the hope (and promise) of brighter days ahead, Pip’s buttery vocals lather beautifully over a bluesy, subtle swing.
Pool Girl – “Melancholic Beach Town”
Take a wistful trip down memory lane on “Melancholic Beach Town” with Pool Girl. On this quintessentially coming-of-age record about outgrowing the places that made you, the Californian singer-songwriter layers lush harmonies over coastal, airy guitar tones, drifting alongside darker synths, soundtracking the strange — inevitable — in-between of your twenties.
Aaron Rowe – “Forever Now”
Irish singer-songwriter Aaron Rowe promises “Forever Now” on this lively love song. This folky ballad is destined to be sounded to wedding bells and soundtrack the bridal procession. Adorned with wavering strings and tender lyricism, the track captures the heady feeling of finding someone worth choosing, again and again. Romantic without veering into saccharine territory, it’s a heart-on-sleeve ode to lasting love.
Kwamie Liv – “No One Owns the Sunrise”
Danish-Zambian alt-pop artist Kwamie Liv delivers an emotionally vast, deeply affecting new single, “No One Owns the Sunrise”. Returning to music after six years after becoming a mother, Liv sounds divine atop a hypnotic, down-tempo backdrop.
Faye Meana – “All This Time”
It appears Faye Meana has been taking her time with love “All This Time”. On this bossa-nova boogie, Faye implores you to groove your way into letting someone in. Her soulful vocals flutter softly over a catchy chorus that catches the London singer-songwriter traces the tender moments between keeping your feelings under wraps and taking a leap of faith. It’s intimate, dreamy and euphoric, wrapped up in a loving whisper.
Deto Black ft. Bree Runway – “Daddy, I’m Going Out”
The girls are stepping out, and they’re declaring: “Daddy, I’m Going Out”. On this bold, bumping, electric celebration of dressing, moving and existing exactly as you please, the two singer-rappers drive the propulsive beat, making crystal clear their unapologetic chemistry. The track turns a familiar parental side-eye into a full-blown anthem for individuality. Bubbling with electro-pop, R&B-tinged brashness and brimming with attitude, this is the anthem for not asking for permission – and promptly ignoring the answer.
Good Health Good Wealth – “I Can’t Tell Ya”
Good Health Good Wealth’s new single “I Can’t Tell Ya” is the kind of song that immediately grabs you. It makes you want to stomp your feet, throw your hands in the air, sing along even though you don’t yet know the lyrics. It’s the latest single from the duo’s forthcoming debut album, The Disco Never Ends, due 16th October.
Laroie – “More Than Friends”
Dare to be “More Than Friends” on Laroie’s slow-burning track about when friendship starts feeling like – or actually blossoming into – something more. Like a nostalgic R&B ballad, fists clenched and beating against the heart or cradling the head in almost-anguish, Laroie’s lush vocal harmonies layer like late ’90s and early 2000s R&B, paired with a velvety melody that carries the sharp sting of heartbreak.
Kalisway – UNSTOPPABLE
Alternative R&B/funk gem Kalisway smashes back into the sound sphere with her highly-anticipated, captivating new album UNSTOPPABLE. Inspired by an eye-opening trip to Japan during a period of personal growth and emotional excavation, the LP captures a shift in perspective for Kalisway. With a renewed sense of confidence and creative freedom, the Toronto artist speaks without censorship – trusting her instincts, writing and producing with an honesty and vulnerability that flow throughout the project, marking the beginning of her most assured and defining era yet.
