Released: November 2, 2023 Genre: Hip-hop From: US Label: 10k Why you should listen: Brooklyn-based artist Niontay has been making a name for himself in 2023, releasing his debut album Dontay’s Inferno, an album I’m yet to properly check out, as well as contributing to quite a lot of great art this year. Demon Muppy…

Released: November 8, 2023 Genre: Hip-hop / Experimental From: UK Label: Self-released Why you should listen: London-based artist KOFI has released a new 2-track EP titled WIMTBTI​/​THE VIEW. It’s one of his more experimental releases to date, with two tracks that have more of an atmospheric, soundtrack-like quality to it. “WIMTBTI”is a drumless beat that…

Released: November 6, 2023 Genre: Hip-hop From: UK Label: Self-released Why you should listen: South London emcee KOFI has released a new project with talented London-based producer Tony Bontana named Bo-Fi Vol.1. With disorienting soul samples, sometimes heavy beats and KOFI’s usually dense and intricate raps. The 6-track project has some pretty cool moments, such…

Released: October 6, 2023 Genre: Hip-hop From: UK Label: self-released Why you should listen: London-based emcee and overall talented artist KOFI has been making some of the most interesting hip-hop coming out of the city in recent years. Inspired by the experimental and ever-evolving sound of the underground hip-hop scenes from both the States as…

Released: October 13, 2023 Genre: Hip-hop From: US Label: Knowhatimean / Fused Arrow Records Why you should listen: Seattle, Washington emcee AJ Suede and Brooklyn, New York producer steel tipped dove have teamed up on a short but punchy new collaborative project titled Reoccurring Characters. AJ Suede has been one of the most exciting and…

Released: November 3, 2023 Genre: Electronic From: UK Label: Ninja Tune Why you should listen: London-based electronic-music legend Actress has released an incredible new album titled LXXXVIII. His projects, as with 2020’s Karma & Desire, have always had vast and eclectic soundscapes, as he meanders between harsh, throbbing basslines on tracks like the opener “Push…

Released: October 31, 2023 Genre: Hip-hop / Experimental From: US Label: Self-released: Why you should listen: Enigmatic and experimental hip-hop artist Fatboi Sharif has teamed up with the legend Bigg Jus for a new 4-track EP titled Insomniac Missile Launcher. The production, handled by Bigg Jus as Justoleum Kingspitter, is heavy, abrasive and disorienting, enabling…

Released: October 28, 2023 Genre: Hip-hop / Experimental From: Singapore / UK Label: LIVE AT THE CLINIC (LATC) Why you should listen: Singaporean emcee and wordsmith Mary Sue has teamed up with talented London-based producer psychedelic ensemble. for an incredible new album titled CACOPHONOUS DIGRESSIONS, A RECORD OF A MOMENT IN TIME. This is my…

Released: October 20, 2023 Genre: Electronic / Soul From: UK Label: Young Why you should listen: Finally! After 6 long years since the release of his debut Process, the South London vocalist has released his highly anticipated sophomore album LAHAI. Just hearing his voice again on record is enough for me, but LAHAI is an…

Released: October 20, 2023 Genre: Bossa Nova / Jazz / Funk From: Brazil Label: MR BONGO Why you should listen: This is my first introduction to Ana Frango Elétrico, and boy oh boy am I loving their music! The Rio de Janeiro artist, along with their incredible group, have released an infectious, feel-good album with…

Released: October 20, 2023 Genre: Hip-hop / Indie From: UK Label: Scenic Route Why you should listen: London-based emcee and spoken-word artist Natty Wylah has come through with a short but sweet new EP titled WILLOWISP. The textured, rich and colourful production throughout the project is stunning and utterly mesmerising, handled predominantly by Finn Billingham.…

Released: October 20, 2023 Genre: Electronic / Jazz From: UK Label: 555-5555 Why you should listen: London-based electronic artist patten has been making groundbreaking, futuristic music this year, having released the first text-to-audio AI samples album in Mirage FM. His unique approach to making music and incorporating AI has been fascinating to me. All the…

Released: October 6, 2023 Genre: Hip-hop From: US Label: Tan Cressida / ALC / Warner Why you should listen: Earl Sweatshirt’s music sounds as free as it’s ever been, not constrained by expectations, but just pure poetry in motion. VOIR DIRE is his new collaborative project with producer-who-doesn’t-stop-working The Alchemist and features 11 fantastic tracks…

Released: October 13, 2023 Genre: Hip-hop From: US Label: 10k Why you should listen: MIKE has consistently dropped incredible album after incredible album since 2017’s MAY GOD BLESS YOUR HUSTLE. I’ve been consistently covering his music since War in my Pen, and to me he hasn’t missed yet. Burning Desire is his new album, and…

Released: October 6, 2023 Genre: Electronic From: UK Label: Self-released Why you should listen: Oliver Palfreyman, also known as O.PAL, has released a short but memorable 2-track EP titled Ossify. I have been a fan of this man’s work for years and years, and seeing him continue to push the boundaries of what beats can…

Released: September 27, 2023 Genre: Hip-hop From: US Label: Self-released Why you should listen: Jersey producer Roper Williams brings some of the most talented emcees working today in YL, AKAI SOLO and Fatboi Sharif (with additional contributions from Pootie), to create an 8-track project that’s incredible, titled Infinite Victory Loop. The dreamy and sometimes sleepy…

Released: September 22, 2023 Genre: Electronic / Techno From: US Label: Because Music Why you should listen: Berlin-based Philadelphia artist LSDXOXO has been making some of the most exciting electronic music for the past few years. Delusions of Grandeur (D​.​O​.​G​.​) EP is his new 7-tack project, and features some of his most exciting, catchy and…

Released: October 6, 2023 Genre: Electronic / Experimental From: US Label: Warp Records Why you should listen: Jasper Marsalis aka Slauson Malone has always been one to experiment with guitar-driven atmospheric soundscapes, while being also experimental with his beatmaking. He’s been one of my favourite artists from the underground hip-hop and experimental scenes that have…

Released: October 6, 2023 Genre: Jazz / Hip-hop From: US Label: Concord Jazz Why you should listen: Richmond, Virginia jazz quintet Butcher Brown are back with an expansive and immersive new album titled Solar Music, following 2020’s #KingButch and 2022’s Butcher Brown Presents Triple Trey featuring Tennishu and R4ND4ZZO BIGB4ND. The group has been at…

Released: October 6, 2023 Genre: Modern Funk & Soul / Beats From: US Label: Stones Throw Records Why you should listen: LA-based underground beatmaking legend Mndsgn has come through with a new album titled Snaxxx, a follow-up to his excellent 2019 album Snaxx. I have been a fan of this man’s work for so many…

Released: September 22, 2023 Genre: Ambient / Electronic From: US Label: Awe Why you should listen: Already a legendary figure within the electronic music scene, Laurel Halo has come out with a surprising new album titled Atlas. With contributions from Benedik Giske on saxophone (tracks 1, 10), Lucy Railton on Cello (all tracks except 6,9),…

Released: September 29, 2023 Genre: Neo-soul / Jazz From: UK Label: Forever Living Originals Why you should listen: Cleo Sol’s second album released within a month is titled Gold and is yet again an emotive immersive experience that really touches on her talents as a singer and songwriting. With reflections on her own experiences and…

Released: August 16, 2023 Genre: Hip-hop From: UK/US Label: Blah Records Why you should listen: London-based emcee Bisk and Chicago-based producer Spectacular Diagnostics have come through with a short but sweet new project titled DIORETIX. The tracks are short but punchy, with lush, textured and heavy production throughout, with Bisk flowing effortlessly throughout. I’m not…

Released: June 12, 2023 Genre: Hip-hop beats From: US Label: 694479 Records DK Why you should listen: Legendary Richmond, Virginia producer Ohbliv continues his streak of incredible beat tapes with the release of With All Things. The 7-track beat tape is full of vibrant, colourful moments that combine some drum-heavy, neck-snapping beats such as “Tell…

Released: September 22, 2023 Genre: Spiritual Jazz From: UK Label: Brownswood Recordings Why you should listen: Spellbinding, beautiful and reflective as it is soulful, colourful and important, muva of Earth’s debut align with Nature’s Intelligence may be one of my favourites to come out this year. Everything about it is stunning. The clear Alice Coltrane…

Released: 22 September, 2023 Genre: Hip-hop From: US Label: ALC Why you should listen: The Alchemist has been on an incredible run of production some exceptional albums. This time around, he teams up with two NYC-based emcees, Wiki and MIKE, who, as solo artists have both released some incredible, introspective hip-hop albums to the world.…

Released: September 22, 2023 Genre: Electronic From: UK Label: Hyperdub Records Why you should listen: Loraine James’ new album is an extraordinary journey into the mind of one of the most innovative producers making music today. After loving 2021’s Reflection and 2022’s Building Something Beautiful For Me, it was natural I’d be super excited to…

Released: August 25, 2023 Genre: Jazz From: US Label: International Anthem Why you should listen: I’m not going to lie, this album made me a little emotional. Having been a fan of jaimie branch’s music for quite a few years now, hearing the news of her passing was extremely saddening to the world of jazz.…