Snoh Aalegra’s long-awaited new album, Kojaque’s ferociously creative return, and Sex Week up the stakes: it’s Wonderlist!
Snoh Aalegra – “Supernova”
Five years after her last album, Snoh Aalegra has released Legendary Love, a 13-track record inspired by a connection that left its mark despite not fully happening, and its focus single “Supernova”. With hints of 80s R&B and soulful melodies, the album features some pretty special collaborators, including Babyface, Nile Rodgers and Daniel Caesar.
Kojaque – “That’s Gonna Be Me”
Nearly a decade ago, he put Irish rap at the heart of the British conscience with his seminal project “Deli Daydreams”. Now, after building a catalogue ripe with experimentation and innovation, Kojaque is back with the beginning of a new era. “That’s Gonna Be Me” is punkish and hysterical, seemingly out of control but yet so sharp and focused. The video is one of the most creative you’ll see this year – impossible to take your eyes off. 2027 is looking like a big year for one of Dublin’s biggest modern musical exports.
Sex Week – “Ears as an Organ of Touch”
The coolest new duo in New York, Sex Week, has shared “Ears as an Organ of Touch”, the title track and first taste of their upcoming debut album, which will be out next February. An off-kilter mix of grunge and pop, the track is released with a self-directed video that moves, as the title suggests, between close-ups inside people’s ears and a room full of lights. The pair are also heading out on tour supporting NYC’s Pretty Sick this month.
Racing Mount Pleasant – “Great Destroyer”
Chicago seven-piece Racing Mount Pleasant really stand out among the new wave of boundary-pushing rock bands. Last year’s self-titled sophomore album was flawless, and now the band returns with another nostalgic, musically thrilling single, “Great Destroyer”. More to come next year from one of the most exciting acts coming out of the Midwest right now.
Venna ft. Odeal – “Lo Life”
After taking over a year off following his debut album MALIK, the Grammy-winning artist links up with Odeal for his comeback single “Lo Life”. Speaking on the difficulties of a failed relationship, it’s the South Londoner’s artistic restraint, hypnotic melodies and subtle jazz excellence that work so well with Odeal’s vibrant vocality.
Leon Thomas – “Trophy”
Smooth-talking, master of the slow burn, Leon Thomas, is in no rush to claim his “TROPHY” on his first release since his Grammy-winning year. This sensual R&B offering – his signature – the track pairs his effortlessly smooth vocals with soulful melodies and lush, funk-inflected production; it sounds like romance the Leon way.
Michael Uzowuru – total effort
He began his career as an Odd Future affiliate and then built up a peerless repertoire of production credits – from Frank Ocean’s “Chanel” and “Nights” to Steve Lacy and SZA’s “It is cool?” and Rosalia’s Grammy-winning album Motomami. Now, Michael Uzowuru has delivered his own debut album, total effort, released exclusively for purchase at totaleffort.com. It’s an album six years in the works, accompanied by a 304-page hardback book with a foreword conversation with Spike Jonze. This is creativity at its pinnacle.
Internet Girl ft. Ledbyher – “BIG SAN TONY”
Say YES to Internet Girl this Friday with the release of their 10-track album. It’s brought to a raucous close on “BIG SAN TONY”, featuring English underground favourite Ledbyher. With a guitar-heavy finale that leans into the trio’s punk and alt-rock sensibilities, the song feels like the closing credits to their coming-of-age story. LedByHer’s fresh, nonchalant bars add another voice to the chaos, as it fizzles out with Internet Girl leaving us with one final burst of irreverence and attitude.
Squid – “Narrator”
Ahead of headlining London’s Barbican on 5th December as part of Rough Trade’s 50th Birthday celebrations, one of Britain’s most prolific modern bands, Squid, releases a live album. CROWDS boasts music from each of their first three albums (Bright Green Field, O Monolith and Cowards), and is a reminder of the insatiable creativity that has taken the band to critical acclaim. The fourteen and a half minute rendition of “Narrator” is particularly thrilling.
Esme Emerson – “Baby, Goodbye”
Esme Emerson bids her “Baby, Goodbye” with the focus single from their new EP, “It’s All Just Noise”. A breakup song tinged with wit, the charming pop duo captures the wishful thinking of wanting to wake up from the nightmare of a relationship gone wrong. Co-written with The Japanese House’s Amber Bain and Chloe Kraemer, it’s a bittersweet pop escape that makes something of heartbreak feel liberating.
Daniela Lalita – “La Bestia”
Peruvian artist and producer Lalita is expanding her experimental universe with “TAC TAC”, her new five-track EP. “La Bestia” rounds off a project that moves between electronic and avant-pop sounds. Self-produced, the EP also features collaborations with artists like Mietze Conte, Dinamarca and Mura Masa.
WHATMORE ft. MAVI – “Money Man”
After a major summer on the road, New York’s WHATMORE returns with a double single. Particularly focusing on “Money Man”, featuring MAVI, the group channels nostalgia as a love letter to their hometown. It’s a soothing record that feels like the perfect soundtrack to close out the year, with an additional retrospective verse from the underground guest performer, giving the song a grounding and lived-in touch.
Sarah Kinsley – “The Look That Never Ends”
It’s hard to forget the feeling of “The Look That Never Ends”, but New York singer-songwriter pens it wonderfully on the newest addition to the expanded edition of her acclaimed EP, “Fleeting”. Built around a cinematic spoken-word passage, the track explores “a look between two people that encapsulates an entire memory, and a look we return to and chase in the aftermath of something ending.” Ahead of her upcoming tour with Carly Rae Jepsen, we imagine Sarah’s preparing for a few more never-ending looks.
Violet Grohl – “Metal Birds”
Following her performance on Later… with Jools Holland on Sunday, Violet Grohl has shared the first taste of new music since her debut album Be Sweet To Me. “Metal Birds” is the new single built around swirling strings and sustained atmosphere, and is part of the new The Hunger Games soundtrack alongside music from legends like The Cure and Smashing Pumpkins. Grohl is also heading out on a European tour with Beabadoobee later this month before returning to the UK with dates in Manchester and Glasgow in December.
Devon Again – “slug”
Devon Again lets her freak flag fly on “slug”, a gloriously off-kilter slice of alt-pop that revels in the messy business of humanness. Blending oddball synth-pop sensibilities with bursts of alt-rock pulses, the Colorado-born singer-songwriter pairs her playful, unpredictable sound with an unfiltered emotional candour that she’s become best known for.
Indigo Sparke – “Dream Song”
Giving us a final preview of her upcoming third album, There Is Light On The Horizon Line, Indigo Sparks releases “Dream Song”. Aptly named, the track is an ethereal, soft folk vibe featuring gentle, wandering bass and piano that serve as the perfect foundation for her balmy voice as the Aussie act recalls a dream she has about a past lover.
Active Systems – “The Parture”
Following September’s “The Red EP”, rising enigmatic producer Active Systems is back with a second release, “The Blue EP”. Growing on the ideas of loose and free-wheeling yet sharp and purposeful electronic textures, the new four-track is off-kilter and infectious – especially the spirited, swirling opener, “The Parture”.
Serious Klein – “Smack DVD”
Off the back of his last single “POLITICS” featuring West Coast rapper Mark Lux, Serious Klein returns with his latest album IT’S TOO LATE”. The legendary rapper gets into a hard-hitting rhythm with his track “Smack DVD”, enlisting the help of LA rapper Nana. Great distorted production, even better energy and, of course, top-tier bars.
Offset – “Why Not”
After taking a year off since his last full-length project, HAUNTED BY FAME, Offset is back with GMFU. On the standout track “Why Not”, the Atlanta rapper gets his Migos counterpart Quavo and Florida up-and-comer Loe Shimmy as they float on a spacey, aquatic beat as the triple threat flex their lavish lifestyle and fame. A definite chill anthem with a stellar performance from each artist.
Harvey Causon – “Videodrome”
British composer and vocalist Harvey Causon switches gears with his brand-new single, “Videodrome”. A timely reflection on malfeasance and its destructive patterns in our social, political, and digital spaces, the North Londoner leans into the darker, more warped affinities of his creative arsenal, encapsulating the angst and exasperation of society when brazen chauvinism and abuse of power become everyday occurrences to overlook.
Fee Gonzales – “Pay The Fee”
Connecting with GRAMMY-nominated producer Juke Wong once again, South London rapper Fee Gonzales returns with “Pay The Fee”. With signature spacey, eerie soundscapes and dark melodies setting the scene, Gonzales quickly commands the instrumental with his infectious, raspy vocals and vivid lyrics to full effect, allowing him free rein to authentically fire away while flexing his rising international status, the lavish results of his labour, and the self-assured pursuit of progression that continues to define him as a leader of the pack.
Eerf Evil – “Each One Teach One (It’s We)”
One of the most compelling voices in UK rap right now, South London artist, creative, and community leader Eerf Evil (aka Live Free) unleashes his debut solo album, It Could All Be So Simple. Seven years in the making, connecting a slew of producers, musicians, vocalists, poets, collaborators, and featured artists, it’s moments like “Each One Teach One (It’s We)” that encapsulates the hope, compassion, and self-awareness we need to create real change today. Dismantling the social and political systems that hinder culture as a driving force, especially within youth clubs and providing support for young people to choose their own path, Eerf Evil continues to supply the knowledge and opportunities to enable it.
Lizzie Berchie – “Fight For This Love”
East London soulstress Lizzie Berchie finds her strength in “Fight For This Love”, the latest single from her forthcoming EP, “Tender Is The Fall”. Drawing on neo-soul, jazz and R&B, she delivers an intimate reflection on love, longing and the courage it takes to hold on. Led by her honeyed vocals and a supple, jazz-inflected groove, the track is soulful in sound and tender in sentiment.
163Margs – “More Than Rhyme”
One of London’s hottest lyricists 163Margs returns with fresh visuals for the title track of his recent mixtape ‘More Than Rhyme’. Tapping the likes of Clavish and Bandokay, the tape takes the listener on a masterclass of rap, paying homage to the drill-leaning tracks that first put Margs on the map, whilst venturing into new territory and genres – showcasing his innate ability in crafting some of the most thought-provoking and versatile rap tracks these shores have to offer.
Cristale – “I’m Okay With Being Lonely”
Cristale gets comfortable with her own company on her new single “I’m Okay With Being Lonely”. The South London rapper’s guitar-led track reflects on losing people, learning to put herself first and figuring out the difference between being lonely and being alone. It also closes her debut mixtape, “Clear Intentions”, which is out now, a project with a combination of grime-influenced rap and vulnerable lyrics.
Amelia Coburn – “Metamorphosis”
Amelia Coburn can make a “Metamorphosis” of the operating theatre into a gothic freak show with the latest taste of her forthcoming sophomore album, Myself and Other Monsters, out next March. Inspired by Kafka’s novella, the North-East singer-songwriter transforms her experience of waking up after major surgery into a surreal meditation on illness, identity and bodily horror. Slow and thoughtful, inspired by the sounds of Tom Waits, Coburn makes a spectacle of the macabre, finding dark humour in the unsettling experience of feeling like a stranger in your own skin.
