Afrobeat savant Rema has shook up the whole scene with the surprise release of his sophomore album. HEIS is a mature and vibrant collection of cuts, full of dance floor bops, cultural celebration and cutting-edge craftsmanship.

Two of the internet’s hottest artists Ice Spice and Central Cee have given Tik Tok what they wanted and made a song together. It’s brisk and bouncy with short, snappy performances from both acts.

Sudanese-American creative Dua Saleh announces exciting news of a forthcoming debut album, I SHOULD CALL THEM, and shares a fresh teaser. “want” is a meeting pot of styles, full of attitude and emotion, Saleh’s characterful vocals commanding the electro-pop-meets-R&B soon backdrop.

Legend of the UK underground rap space Lex Amor is back with her first single for over two years. The North London polymath enlists rising MC BXKS for a slick feature, whilst Amor herself is typically flawless atop the glitchy, progressive and ambient production.

Sibling duo Wasia Project are amongst the most hotly-tipped acts in the alt pop atmosphere. On route to sharing a new EP, they drop off “Take Me Back Home”, a stripped-back Eilish-esque piano ballad that showcases stunning vocality and encompassing emotionality.

Cherished US sonic chameleon Toro y Moi has his eight studio album on the way, with our latest glimpse into the record upping the excitement ante. Bringing in Kevin Abstract and Lev for gorgeous contributions, the track “Heaven” is sun-kissed and nostalgic, a poignant package of purposeful perusing.

Detroit’s soaring trio HiTech are one of the most hyped artists around right now, and with good reason. Freshly announced as the support act for Nia Archives and Show Me The Body’s respective tours, the group have shared not one but two records, self-titled (2022) and DÉTWAT (2023) on DSPs. It’s phenomenally chaotic fun.

Dublin-based indie-punk-popper EFÉ is sharpening her craft of late with some anthemic goodness, with this new one amongst her strongest cuts to date. “2000SEVEN” is structurally interesting, daintiness meets distortion, the singer-songwriters vocals soaring above the hazy soundscape.

Continuing breaking new artistic ground, South London’s Sam Akpro impresses yet again with “Chicago Town”. Each release from him showcases a differing side to his creativity – this time out, it’s hazy, atmospheric, groove-laden and perusing, a cinematic and captivating trip.

Faye Meana is showing herself to be a fearless entity in the pop space. New one “Can’t Be Replaced” has a moody disco atmosphere to its synth pop core, Meana’s dreamy vocals gliding against the glistening instrumental palette.

West London’s very own Finn Foxell never fails to push the boundaries with his sound. On new single “Head Spin” he combines Alt-Punk, Indie and Rap to provide a refreshing sonic that he’s been developing across recent releases. The track see’s him tackle the trials and tribulations of being a mid-20-year-old in Britain touching on societal pressures and its side effects.

A huge breakout star this year, multi-faceted alt pop act Artemas cements himself in the vanguard of the industry with an impressive mixtape. “yustyna” is an embellishment of the sonic zeitgeist, the future sound of pop, with an surprising amount of emotional depth behind the glossy production.

The latest fabric presents comes from hotly-tippled Australian pair Confidence Man, who just broke the interview with their rousing Glasto set. “BREAK IT DOWN (ON THE BASSLINE)” is energetic and relentless, full of attitude and aptitude alike. Pure unadulterated vibes.

Former teenage sensation Liv Dawson is re-emerging with a clearer artistic vision and a mature sound. She shares shimmering garage bop “Does It Even”, the first impressive cut from forthcoming EP.

Swedish-based folk crooner Hazlett continues a run of stirring singles with the release of “Shiver”. Atop serene and subtle acoustic backdrop the singer-songwriter delves through right and wrong with gentle musings.

Alt pop riser Kaeto is releasing her debut mixtape in September, and has unveiled a fresh cut from the project. “U R MINE” is an elegant and electric journey, building into a stunning, euphoric climax.

Sunny dance-pop goodness returns from Rose Gray with this sublime heater. “Free” is trance-tinged and anthemic, a purely blissful track that rises and falls at all the right moments.

Singer-rapper Rio Rainz is proving himself to be a bankable name in the UK alt space. “BAD!” is cheek-laden and charismatic, with Rainz showcasing his dextrous vocal presence atop a lively instrumental.

Continuing to build his reputation as the leading gatekeeper and lynch pin in UK rap, the BBC RADIO 1 Rap Show host Kenny Allstar unleashes the official video for “Hypocritical”, enlisting London’s most naturally intriguing rapper’s, 5EB, to deliver his innate lyricism atop a refreshing soundtrack packed with choppy percussive elements and synth notes for a track primed and readied for summer motives. This new single is further proof of Kenny’s ability to tap the hottest talent and combine them in unexpected new formats.

Following serious acclaim across her latest EP Something In The Rye, London-born vocalist Lyza Jane continues the heat with new visuals for “Up Above”. Another powerful statement on love and intimacy, the rising talent’s smooth wordplay touches on reflection and otherworldly connections, while the monochrome, VHS video jumps between scenes of Lyza’s past and present in LA – signifying her own growth and spotlights the key moments that sparked her creative and ethereal journey.

Critically-acclaimed London-based, Brisbane/Meanjin-born singer-songwriter MF Tomlinson shares a gorgeous cover of Big Thief’s “Mary”. Unique and captivating, it’s a highly rewarding listen.

British Punjabi visionary underground phenomenon Raf-Saperra ups the levels again following one of the most exciting cross-Atlantic collaborative projects of the year, 5 Deadly Venomz, via Fatboy Records/ Mass Appeal, tapping up GRISELDA’s Conway The Machine, Dave East and Big Body Bes, fusing his indigenous Bhangra sound with some of the most critically-acclaimed rappers in the rap landscape right now. Hot on the heels of his trip to Paris Fashion Week, providing the intro and outro soundtracks for KidSuper’s SS25 show, Raf-Saperra has now dropped off an official video for “Rolling Thunder” — produced by Taj Aulakh— featuring Conway The Machine, one of American rap music’s most striking rap figures. A fiercely independent artist paying tribute to a genuine cross-cultural scene and making waves across the fashion spaces, Raf-Saperra’s emergence as a key new name in the London landscape will no doubt continue to rise over the coming years. 

High flying Mexican artist Girl Ultra has shared her new EP “blush” via Ninja Tune imprint Big Dada. Concocting a vivacious mix of garage, pop, rock and dance tendencies, it’s an effortless and endoscopic listening experience.

A melodic masterclass fusing eclectic jazz and inner-city soul, “Synchronicity” instantly displays Ashley Henry’s creative progression as standout. Drawing potency from his classical training, the stylish sound waves take shape through rolling breakbeats and ascending harmonies, creating a smooth canvas for the rising talent to flaunt his powerful piano acrobatics with typical elegance. Pushing contemporary jazz to blazing new heights alongside his own label Royal Raw Music, Ashley’s deep-rooted influence and visionary conviction mark him as one of the most exciting musicians emerging across London and beyond.

Hot on the heels of last month’s shimmering single “Superstar”, Toronto’s emerging R&B/ Funk star Kalisway continues to create musical landscapes through raw sounds and natural emotions, surfacing with another funk-ridden, ethereal gem, laying the perfect foundations for her forthcoming project titled A Kid From Toronto. The new title track combines skippy percussive elements and nostalgic synth notes, laying the perfect bed for Kalisway’s smooth yet powerful lyricism. “A Kid From Toronto” serves as another timely reminder of the Canadian’s innate skill in creating a sense of vintage nostalgia, whilst planting herself distinctly in today’s effervescent culture. A certain one to watch over the coming months.

Genre-defiant trio Frozemode have their second body of work on the way, but first share a teaser single, “Kurama”. The three members go back to back over a heavy hitting, morose instrumental palette.