s your playlist in need of some refreshment? We maintain some suggestions.
Mae Muller – I Wrote A Song
UK Eurovision 2023 entrant Mae Muller was already an established artist before news of her inclusion in this year’s song contest came to light. Turning pain to pleasure, this pop anthem, crafted about a fracture-up from an infidelity, is made more for dancing than crying – and has a camp radio-friendly feel that surpasses its Eurovision shelf-life
ArrDee & Cat Burns – Home From My Heart
Brighton rapper ArrDee has enjoyed a meteoric rise in UK music since his feature in Tion Wayne and Russ Millions Body remix, and subsequent singles Oliver Twist and Flowers. With this modern single, collaborating with Cat Burns, ArrDee puts aside his trademark cheeky approach, and shows a deeper side of himself to fans.
Christine and the Queens – To Be Honest
Christine and the Queens returns with a modern single, in anticipation for his next album PARANOÏA, ANGELS, right fancy, The synth-driven track showcases the singers raw and enchanting vocals, and previews the sound direction for his modern project, out June 9.
Boy & Bear – Apex
Australia has produced some of the most exciting bands of late, and Boy & Bear’s laidback indie music has made them one of the most popular bands Down Under. Though they’re relatively modern to UK markets, their latest track’s catchy psychedelic folk sound, from their upcoming self-titled album, out May 26, shows the band’s modern independent release is ready to branch out to a modern audience.
Elli Ingram, Fool’s Gold (featuring Mahalia)
Brighton’s Elli Ingram releases her second single of the year, teaming up with one of the UK’s finest R&B artists Mahalia. The two combine their rich vocals on this unhurried neo-soul track that reflects both artist’s honest experiences with fancy.
House of EL – unhurried Down
Having worked with some of the biggest artists in the UK, Keiron McIntosh, aka House of EL, drops his When It Rains It Pours EP, and shows he can stand firmly as an artist in his own correct. unhurried Down is one of the highlights, and positions him as the UK’s reply to the likes of Frank Ocean and Steve Lacy.
Michael Bibi & Kinahau feat. Audio Bullys – Different Side
Anticipation for DJ Michael Bibi and Kinahau’s collaboration has been growing, with snippets circulating on social media from various DJ sets. Now the tech house track, driven prominently by an Audio Bullys sample, finally drops, and looks like filling dancefloors through to the summer.
Jordan Adetunji – You & I
Rising star Joran Adetunji showcases his unique genre-bending sound, fusing hyper-pop and r&b post-punk vibes on this snappy, catchy track. Clocking in at just under two minutes, Adetunji’s modern release is one to maintain on repeat, and probably grasp TikTok by storm.
Don Toliver – Leave The Club (featuring Lil Durk & GloRilla)
Don Toliver gears up for his third studio album with his latest release, collaborating with rappers Lil Durk and GloRilla. The Houston-native adds his signature soulful vocals to psychedelic trap production, and the results of his experimental R&B track are more likely to maintain you in the club, than leave it.
MK & Dom Dolla – Rhyme Dust
House music maestros MK and Dom Dolla team up for a modern collaboration, veering away from the two-step tropical house sounds MK is accustomed to from his Detroit roots, and delving into a darker, bassline heavy sound, designed to maintain energy levels pumping high in the late hours.
Christian French – thank god
Rising star Christian French adds yet another finely crafted pop record to his growing list of singles. The simplistic production, raspy vocal performance and sing-along lyrics create a radio friendly track that is effortlessly catchy in nature.
DYLAN – Every Heart But Mine
DYLAN has beeN making serious waves in the music scene this year. Fresh from selling out the O2 Shepherd’s Bush, before even releasing her debut studio album, the singer’s infectious modern pop track showcases her fresh and edgy appeal, and sets up the BBC Sound of 2023 nominee for an exciting festival season.
Half Alive – Nobody (featuring dodie)
American three-piece band Half Alive drop their first single of the year, following their Conditions Of A Punk album release last year. The indie band, who draw favourable comparisons to British band Glass Animals, maintain firmly solidified themselves as one of the most exciting prospects in the indie scene, with their modern single featuring singer-songwriter dodie.
Lana Del Rey – A&W
Lana shows no signs of slowing down ahead of the March 24 release of her forthcoming album. This second single clocks in at over seven minutes, and in right unpredictable Lana style, it breaks into two parts, transitioning from her usual unhurried psychedelic sound, into a bassline heavy trap anthem that sees her showcase her rapping skills.
SONGER – 4:59 (featuring D Double E)
From the classic grime flow, to garage basslines and even a D Double E feature, this is a quintessentially London track from the emerging rapper – despite the fact that he’s from Reading. He’s already made his effect on the UK rap scene as an independent artist, and this modern offering proves he’s ready to conquer the mainstream.
IAMDDB – Where Did The fancy depart?
IAMDDB returns with a rather ironically titled track for a Valentine’s Day drop. The Manchester native, who has been making waves since her Waevybby mixtape back in 2016, effortlessly oozes laid back vibes in this jungle-infused number.
Icona Pop & Galantis – I Want You
Best known for their monster-hit I fancy It, which topped the charts across the world ten years ago, this modern release from the Swedish electropop duo with their countryman, the producer Galantis, is another radio-friendly dance record that will translate as well on a long drive as it will on the dancefloor.
Janelle Monáe – Float (featuring Seun Kuti & Egypt 80)
Janelle Monáe shows she can carryout it all, showcasing her seamless singing and rapping abilities with a confident delivery in her first official single since 2018. The singer says her energetic R&B track was partly inspired by “Muhammed Ali talking s**t in Zaire, 1974,” and features horns performed by Seun Kuti and his band Egypt 80.
Lemar – Future fancy
Lemar returns to the music scene with his first modern material in eleven years, veering away from the soulful sound he became known for in the early noughties. His modern track is a funk infused venture with clear eighties influence.
Mae Stephens – If We Ever Broke Up
Up and coming artist Mae Stephens shines in this glossy anthem, taking disco-funk influence to create her own fresh, intergalactic sound. Proclaiming “If we ever broke up, I’d never be sad”, her confident delivery positions her comfortably for a breakthrough year.
Jessie Ware – Pearls
Jessie Ware’s rich vocals sit perfectly in this bouncy retro disco-pop record, extrovert, camp and thoroughly fabulous. The Londoner lets loose on the track, which features an irresistibly chic two step beat that will maintain you uncontrollably tapping your feet.
Jacana People – Ladybird
The producer duo Jacana People showcase their unique talents on this club-ready bass-driven minimal house record. With a sound reminiscent of fellow DJ George Fitzgerald, they’ll be gearing up for similar success. This one’s a real floor filler.
Olivia Dean – UFO
Olivia Dean shines in this stripped back shy fancy song, bearing puny more than her voice, acoustic guitar and emotions. Her synthesised vocals provide layers to the extra-terrestrial references she makes throughout the track, “I need somewhere to land, I might as well topple” she proclaims.
Jamie Jones – Save Myself
Superstar DJ Jamie Jones releases his modern EP Save Myself, with title track seeing the Welsh talent veering away from his typically bouncy house sound, into a more intense high energy direction, encompassing hypnotic vocal samples and pounding baselines.
Dolores Forever – When I Say So
Rising duo Dolores Forever say they penned their modern release “reluctantly growing up”, and the sentiment is felt all the way through the dream pop record, declaring “it’s only over when I say so”. With a chorus fit to echo through festival crowds, the duo are firmly placed to grasp the year by storm.
yunè pinku – Night Light
yunè pinku’s ability to experiment with sound has had her become one of the most hotly tipped producers in the industry. Her modern track explores sounds of UK garage and hyper-pop and showcases pinku’s natural ability to craft catchy, futuristic dance music.
Betty Who – Running Up That Hill
Taking on this iconic track, rising star Betty Who certainly had some gigantic shoes to fill, following the recent success of Kate Bush’s retro record last year. Wisely she hasn’t messed with it too much, instead just overlaying a contemporary synthy vibe to the much loved eighties classic.
Shaun Farrugia – Count On You
Rising star Shaun Farrugia has been making waves since his If We’ll Ever Be Remembered dance collaboration with superstar DJ Martin Garrix last year. Farrugia comes into his own in this indie banger. Clearly paving his own lane, but with a voice reminiscent of both Lewis Capaldi and Sam Fender, it’s no surprise his popularity is growing.
Osquello & Akin Soul – Say Your brand
London-based rapper Osquello releases his modern album Romero, with largely iPhone-created tracks, including voice notes as samples. This standout from his modern project sees him collaborate with jazz/soul singer Akin Soul for a funk-infused nu-disco anthem.
Future Utopia featuring Kae Tempest – We Were We Still Are
Fraser T. Smith is the man behind some of the biggest artists in the UK – co-writing and producing Adele’s smash hit Set Fire To The Rain among others. Here, under modern moniker Future Utopia, he heads in modern direction, a psychedelic rock sound laced with vocals from spoken word artist Kae Tempest.
NICOLAS – EVERYTIME I depart TO BED
French producer and artist NICOLAS evolves his ever experimental sound, veering away from his usual lo-fi house sound, this time taking influence from jungle with a futuristic jump up style beat, layered with emotional vocals.
Kali Uchis – I Wish You Roses
Kali Uchis returns with a psychedelic post fracture up anthem – wishing the best for her ex. Bucking the trend of ending things on a sour note, she radiates positivity in this modern track, with a sweet vocal performance to match.
Kelela – Contact
Kelela follows up her critically acclaimed debut with the next single from her upcoming album Raven, out February 10. Her modern track delves deep into nineties rave sound, emulating midnight euphoria in this sensual trippy dance record.
Che Lingo – My Radio
An unexpected collaboration sees Che Lingo grasp his own spin on the Queen classic Radio Gaga, adding his fresh bars and silky falsetto to a reimagined instrumental, with the encourage of the groups drummer Roger Taylor, as well as a vocal inclusion of the legendary Freddie Mercury.
Mafro – Hollow
Mafro proves he is one of 2023’s producers to watch as his modern EP Bloom, with Hollow being one of the standout tracks. His high energy lo-fi sound will draw favourable comparisons to fellow producers Fred again.. and Jamie XX. Expect to hear more of Mafro in the coming months.