Release date: July 7, 2023 Genre: Hip-hop From: US Label: Group Bracil Why you should listen: I discovered CAPRIISUN at his London headline show earlier this year, and was pretty blown away by his intricate, abstract writing. Callilope captures all his vivid storytelling in a project that is sonically cohesive, with production from the likes…

Release date: June 9, 2023 Genre: Post-Punk / Alternative From: UK Label: Warp Records Why you should listen: Punchy, layered, textured and incredibly well produced, Squid’s sophomore album takes their sound in a new, more refined direction. Having been introduced to them via their 2021 debut Bright Green Field, I’ve been enamored by their ability…

Release date: September 8, 2023 Genre: Jazz From: UK Label: International Anthem Why you should listen: Spiritual, tribal jazz for your ears, Alabaster dePlume’s Come With Fierce Grace is a stunning album that meanders between stunning wind instrumentation, poignant drumming and groovy basslines. Along with a whole team of talented musicians (the list is too…

Release date: September 15, 2023 Genre: R&B / Neo-Soul From: UK Label: Forever Living Originals Why you should listen: Cleo Sol has been at the forefront of some of the most impactful and beautiful soul music over the last few years. Rose in the Dark and Mother will go down as classics within the genre in my…

Release date: September 8, 2023 Genre: Free Jazz From: US Label: Impulse! Records Why you should listen: The free jazz quintet are back with an incredibly dense, intricate and tribal new album, one which continues their legacy as one of the most innovative jazz groups making music today. Protect Your Light is just sublime, with…

Release date: September 3, 2023 Genre: Electronic From: UK Label: Republic and Polydor Records Why you should listen: If you prefer CMYK / debut album-era James Blake, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. One of the punchiest, experimental and tribal albums since that masterful debut album 12 years ago. Playing Robots Into Heaven is full of memorable…

Release date: April 14, 2023 Genre: Electronic From: UK Label: 555-5555 Why you should listen: Because this is a groundbreaking album in the field of AI. London-based artist patten has been at the forefront of some of the most innovative electronic music over the last decade or so, and his interest in learning about how…

Release date: September 3, 2023 Genre: Jazz From: UK Label: Native Rebel Records Why you should listen: Little is known about Kofi Flexxx, though they are signed to Shabaka Hutchings label Native Rebel. I have a suspicion it may be Shabaka himself, considering the intense, rhythmic, and tribal sound of this project as a whole,…

Release date: September 5, 2023 Genre: Electronic From: UK Label: Domino Recording Co Why you should listen: Tirzah has been at the forefront of some of the most innovative electronic / soul music to come out of this country, so every new release is an exciting one. Produced by the enigmatic genius Mica Levi, trip9love​.​.​.​?​?​?…

Release date: September 8, 2023 Genre: Jazz From: UK Label: Brownswood Recordings Why you should listen: Yussef Dayes’ debut album is an emotive, intense and beautiful exploration of life, love, and home. Throughout the 19 tracks, the incredible drumming talent, with the help of Rocco Palladino on bass, Charlie Stacey on keys/synths, Venna on saxophone…

Liv.e’s musical growth as an artist has been inspiring to watch over the years. Girl In The Half Pearl, released earlier this year will likely go down as one of my favourite albums of the year. It’s a striking and experimental neo-soul album, with clear electronic and dance influences that are sprinkled throughout a smooth…

Every Noname album is an event. Partly because she doesn’t release music frequently (Sundial is her first album in 5 years following the excellent Room 25), and there’s always some kind of controversy around her. She’s a socialist, that much is clear, and is always critical of the economic and political systems around us. A…

For those who don’t know, Manchester have an exciting and rapidly evolving and growing electronic and hip-hop scene. Space Afrika, Blackhaine and Rainy Miller are a few examples of artists that are making a mark with their varied and dynamic production. Iceboy Violet is well in that conversation, especially after their masterful 2022 mixtape The…

Richmond, Virginia rapper Fly Anakin is a bit of a legend in the underground hip-hop scene. I’ve reviewed so much of his music, where to start? Using the search bar on the website is my suggestion. He makes an excellent partnership with Connecticut producer Foisey, already releasing the fantastic Skinemaxxx (Side A). This time around,…

As far as unique rappers go, it doesn’t get any more surreal and dystopian than New Jersey-based Fatboi Sharif. I’ve been following the talented emcee since 2020 after the release of his excellent album Gandhi Loves Children with producer Roper Williams, and has since put out incredible project after incredible project – Cyber City Society…

Berlin-based Italian industrial electronic / experimental club musician Shapednoise has released a thumping new album titled Absurb Matter. Despite him producing and releasing music for quite a while now, this is my first introduction to the talented artist, drawn by the various collaborations throughout this project. It’s quite a memorable and punchy body of work,…

For those who don’t know, I’m half-Swiss. I’ve lived in this beautiful country for 16 years, going through school like any other kid, until graduating school at 18. 10 of those years were spent in the French part, in the Swiss Riviera, home of the legendary Montreux Jazz Festival, founded in 1967. Going as a…

Los Angeles-based pianist, composer, and producer Diego Gaeta has released a new album titled Fearlessly Accessing The Divine Spirit Of Freedom From Here On Out, a stunning new release that captures his talents as an artist perfectly, with jazz compositions that are colourful and utterly mesmeric at times. His piano-driven compositions are complemented by incredible…

Ekiti Sound is genuinely one of the most exciting artists coming out of the continent of Africa in recent years. The genre-pushing, experimental electronic, afrobeat, jazz and hip-hop musician, from Lagos, Nigeria by way of London has been making waves in recent years with releases such as his 2019 debut Abeg No Vex. He is…

Blue Lake’s music is a meditative listening experience. The Texan-native, now based in Copenhagen, Denmark, has released a stunning body of work titled Sun Arcs, a 31 minute journey through 8 tracks of warm, immersive compositions, with the following instruments all played by Jason Dungan – 48-string zither, Acoustic guitar, Keyboard, Pump organ, Cello, Clarinet,…

London-based Speakers Corner Quartet have spent years trying to hone their craft, while simultaneously being a vessel for inspiration and musical development for many others. Consisting of Biscuit on flute, Kwake Bass on drums & percussion, Raven Bush on violin, and Peter Bennie on bass, the group have spent years collaborating with some of the…

New York-based drummer and producer Anysia Kym has released a collaborative album with South London-based Jadasea titled Pressure Sensitive. Anysia Kym has been making some of the most futuristic electronic music for a little while now, with her striking productions taking elements from club, rave, drum n bass among other electronic genres, as well as…

Kassa Overall’s talents have led him to release what is hands down his cost complete album to date. The Seattle-born and raised drummer, producer, rapper and bandleader has released some great music in the past too, including the exceptional 2020 album I THINK I’M GOOD. Always trying to push boundaries of mood shaping in jazz…

Goya Gumbani’s music has always invoked this smooth, soulful and introspective tone within his music. Since 2020, and especially that year (with releases such as HGR Presents: A Thousand Months, Truth Be Sold EP with Oliver Palfreyman, Steps Across the Pond EP with Bori and The Lesser-Known with Kiina), he has planted his flag firmly…

Occasionally, a band will come through, releasing an album that has me absolutely obsessed. This year so far, bar italia is that band. After releasing a series of shorter albums with Quarrel in 2020 and Bedhead in 2021, they have now shared what feels like their breakthrough project. If I’m honest, I don’t know much…

Wrocław, Poland jazz group EABS has been making some of the most forward-thinking jazz music in years. I’ve been a fan since 2017’s masterpiece Repetitions (Letters to Krzysztof Komeda), an album I got on vinyl and also got signed at an intimate release party in Central London back then. I have had the pleasure of seeing…

London-based Italian producer Chewbeats has teamed up with fellow producer and keyboard maestro Joel Dawe for a brand new project titled Circles. For those who don’t know, Chewbeats has been a part of the burgeoning beat scene in London, creating hard-hitting yet soulful beats with warm and inviting basslines, something he continuously improves with every…