Released: May 17, 2024 Genre: Alternative / Jazz From: London, UK Label: Warp Records A few thoughts: South London-based artist Wu-Lu has been an integral part of the thriving independent jazz and indie scene for a few yers now, with 2022’s LOGGERHEAD being his most defining project to date. He defies categorisation, fusing genres and…

Released: April 19, 2024 Genre: Soul / Jazz From: London, UK Label: Alberts Favourites A few thoughts: Jonny Drop has been a defining figure within the London funk and soul scene in recent years. Smooth and soulful releases like The Only Sound and The Expansions’ Mosaic EP are examples of his ever-expansive compositions and sounds.…

Released: March 22, 2024 Genre: Jazz From: London, UK Label: International Anthem A few thoughts: Talented jazz composer and saxophonist Cassie Kinoshi has released a new project alongside her ensemble seed. titled gratitude. Recorded for the most part at the Southbank Centre in London, a commissioned piece that was recorded in March 2023. It features…

Released: April 5, 2024 Genre: Hip-Hop / Electronic From: Phoenix, Arizona, USA Label: Self-released A few thoughts: By Storm (formally Injury Reserve) member RiTchie has been one of my favourite vocalists in recent years. His introspective and vulnerable lyricism about his own mental health and state of mind is admirable, with a passion on the…

Released: May 3, 2024 Genre: Jazz From: Leeds, UK Label: Gondwana Records A few thoughts: Jasmine Myra’s music is stunning, with incredible compositions that are intricate and deep with emotion. Her 2022 album Horizons debut showcased her talents as a composer and arranger effortlessly, and with her sophomore album Rising, she pushes her sound and…

Released: May 2, 2024 Genre: Hip-Hop From: London, UK Label: 10k Global A few thoughts: JADASEA has been on my radar for quite a few years now as one of my favourite London-based rappers, creating some special albums showcasing his introspections and insights on life on varied, eclectic and futuristic production. Too Many Tears is…

Released: March 28, 2024 Genre: Electronic / Techno From: Munich, Germany Label: Ilian Tape A few thoughts: Skee Mask has become one of my favourite electronic producers through his 2018 album Compro. With dark, atmospheric, and punchy grooves and beats, the producer has created some of the most interesting electronic compositions on that album that…

Released: April 5, 2024 Genre: Electronic / Post-Punk From: London, UK Label: Warp Records A few thoughts: Electronic music pioneers Mount Kimbie have never shied away from experimenting with their sound, with each album they’ve released since their 2010 album Crooks & Lovers being more experimental and eclectic than the other. The Sunset Violent is…

Released: March 22, 2024 Genre: Electronic From: Gary, Indiana, USA Label: Planet Mu A few thoughts: The Gary, Indiana electronic and footwork legend Jlin has released her first album in 7 years with Akoma, an eclectic, genre-pushing project that continues to prove why she’s one of the most talented and important voices in electronic music.…

Released: February 23, 2024 Genre: Hip-hop From: London, UK Label: Young A few thoughts: John Glacier has been making some of the most innovative and exciting hip-hop coming out of London in the last few years, with incredible projects like SHILOH: Lost For Words still being on heavy rotation today. The Hackney-born artist has since…

Released: March 21, 2024 Genre: Electronic From: New York, USA Label: 10k A few thoughts: Anysia Kym has been making some of the most innovative and interesting electronic music I’ve heard in recent years. Pressure Sensitive with Jadasea last year was a moment, as both artists brought out the best of each other, with the…

Released: March 22, 2024 Genre: Hardcore punk From: Buffalo, New York. USA Label: Revelation Records A few thoughts: As far as fun, hardcore punk albums go, This Is All We Ever Get may be the best release of the year yet! The Buffalo, New York five piece create heavy, melodic and infectious riffs that create…

Released: March 15, 2024 Genre: Electronic / Experimental From: US / Belgium Label: Difficult Sounds / Viernulvier Why you should listen: NAH is an experimental electronic artist, spending his time between Philadelphia, US and Antwerp, Belgium and i creating some of the heaviest, most overwhelming and disorienting music for a while now. TOTALLY RECALLED is…

Released: March 15, 2024 Genre: Electronic / Footwork From: US Label: Hyperdub Why you should listen: Chicago-born and raised Heavee has been a mainstay within the footwork scene in the city. Unleash is his Hyperdub debut, a striking album that features jittery effects and swirling, melodic synths, with footwork’s 160 template as the backdrop to…

Released: March 15, 2024 Genre: Jazz From: US Label: Native Rebel Recordings Why you should listen: ganavya’s music feels transcendant in many ways. Emotionally potent and always with so much soul, her music is utterly hypnotic, and her new album like the sky I’ve been too quiet is among her most poignant and stunning so…

Released: March 13, 2024 Genre: Experimental hip-hop From: US Label: Tygr Rawwk Records Why you should listen: Beans, previously of Antipop Consortium has teamed up with Finnish electronic producer Sasu Ripatti aka Vladislav Delay for a striking, futuristic new album titled ZWAARD. With disorienting and dynamic production throughout, the album is an almost overwhelming listening…

Released: March 8, 2024 Genre: Punk From: the Netherlands Label: Strap Originals Why you should listen: Groningen-based band Real Farmer have come through with an electrifying, energetic and hard-hitting debut album with Compare What’s There. Literally appeared in my Apple Music recommended new releases the other day, I was initially drawn by the aesthetic album…

Released: February 14, 2024 Genre: Hip-hop / Experimental From: US Label: POW Recordings Why you should listen: Enigmatic emcee Fatboi Sharif has teamed up with frequent collaborator Roper Williams for a 10-minute single / EP titled Something About Shirley. It features Fatboi Sharif’s usually eclectic and dystopian world-building lyrics about monsters in the closet, poltergeists…

Released: March 8, 2024 Genre: Experimental / Jazz From: US Label: Anti- Records Why you should listen: Moor Mother’s music and art defies categorisation. Unapologetically anti-colonial and anti-capitalist, the Philadelphia-based multidisciplinary artist has been creating some of the most striking, political and experimental music I’ve listened to in the past few years – whether we’re…

Released: January 26, 2024 Genre: Hip-hop From: US Label: Backwoodz Studioz Why you should listen: New York rapper, producer and talented creative person Duncecap has come through with a dynamic, disorienting and introspective new album titled Pay or Dispute. Mostly self-produced, with additional beats from Quelle Chris and Headtrip, the album is a colourful and…

Released: March 1, 2024 Genre: Jazz-fusion From: Australia Label: Heavenly Recordings Why you should listen: Melbourne-based jazz-fusion band Mildlife have been at the forefront of some of the most exciting music coming out of the city for a while now. The group, consisting of Adam Halliwell, Kevin McDowell, Jim Rindfleish and Tom Shanahan, have released…

Released: March 1, 2024 Genre: Punk / Alternative From: US Label: Epitaph Records Why you should listen: I have been a fan of Philadelphia-based punk band Mannequin Pussy since their exceptional 2019 album Patience. Consisting of Colins Rey Regisford on bass, samples, vocals, Kaleen Reading on drums and percussion, Marisa Dabice on guitar, vocals and…

Released: February 23, 2024 (original recordings between 1977 – 1985) Genre: Ethio-jazz / Blues From: Ethiopia Label: Mississippi Records Why you should listen: Souvenirs is the first vocal album from Emahoy Tsege Mariam Gebru, a beloved Ethiopian nun, who has written some stunning compositions about wisdom, loss, mourning, and exile. Featuring Emahoy’s moving vocals and…

Released: February 9, 2024 Genre: Electronic From: Senegal Label: Blanc Manioc Why you should listen: Senegalese electronic artist Ibaaku has released a dynamic, cacophonous and absolutely riveting new album titled Joola Jazz. Tribal and raw in its energy, Ibaaku is able to create an immersive listening experience with frantic compositions. The harsh and abrasive opener…

Released: February 22, 2024 Genre: Electronic / Hip-hop From: UK Label: 10k Records Why you should listen: elijah maja is a London-based multidisciplinary artist electronic and hip-hop artist I’ve been familiar with for a few years now, having worked on some impressive visual exhibitions as well as collaborating with the likes of MIKE, Goya Gumbani…

Released: February 2, 2024 Genre: Jazz From: South Africa / Switzerland Label: As-Shams/The Sun Records Why you should listen: Skyjack are a jazz collective of members from both South Africa and Switzerland who have released a stunning new album titled Light Cycle. This is my first introduction to the band despite this being their third…

Released: February 16, 2024 Genre: Soul / Contemporary R&B From: Sweden / UK Label: Eglo Records Why you should listen: Fatima has been an integral part of the growing soul and R&B scene in London over the last few years. With releases such as 2014’s Yellow Memories and 2018’s And Yet It’s All Love, the…

Released: February 8, 2024 Genre: Dub / Psych rock From: UK Label: On The Corner Records Why you should listen: Champagne Dub are a collective of UK-based musicians who make this mystical, psychedelic and dub music that is an immersive and incredibly poignant listening experience. They consist of mr noodles on vox and percussion, Ruth…

Released: January 11, 2024 Genre: Hip-hop From: UK / US Label: Broken Ear Why you should listen: One of my favourite producers working today has teamed up with a hip-hop legend and I’m all here for it! Kiina has been responsible for some of my favourite hip-hop beats as of recent, especially his extensive work…