Fontaines D.C.’s tease of Dopamine Chamber, Angèle and Caroline Polachek are sonically in sync, and Petra announces her mercurial, massive talent: it’s Wonderlist!
Fontaines D.C. – “Tongue”
Ahead of the release of their hotly anticipated fifth album, Dopamine Chamber, dropping in a fortnight on 16th October via XL Recordings, Irish heavyweights Fontaines D.C. have unleashed a second single, “Tongue”. Following in the dark, daring direction of the first glimpse, “Marianne”, the second single is a sparse, stark and intoxicating masterclass of atmosphere and articulation.
Angèle ft. Caroline Polachek & SebastiAn – “Love Triangle”
Angèle, SebastiAn and Caroline Polachek recorded “Love Triangle” in a house in Hollywood, the new single from Angèle’s upcoming album. It’s a clubby pop track about desire, jealousy and, obviously, getting yourself into a situation that is never particularly favourable. Angèle sings in English while Polachek switches between French and English, with SebastiAn’s production giving the song an appropriate late-night feel. It’s the final single from Angèle’s new album INSTINCT, which will be out 16th October.
Petra – “Zeppelin”
Escape reality momentarily with Petra’s “Zeppelin”. A hushed avant-pop ballad that feels like slipping into a dream you’re not quite ready to wake from, the Slovakian-born singer-songwriter sings in starlight, light and shimmering over a dainty pop-folk melody. Now based in London, the emerging artist crafts eerie, surrealist pop from the darker corners of a subconscious that always leaves room for something bright – equal parts whimsical and unsettling.
Radio Free Alice ft. Rachel Brown – “Big Ideas”
Continuing to be one of the most consistent and exciting bands on the planet, Radio Free Alice build steam for their 30th October set debut album, What’s In Between, with a slower, intimate ballad, “Bad Ideas”. Borrowing the gorgeous vocals of Water From Your Eyes’ Rachel Brown, the new single is the most meditative and vulnerable we’ve heard of the band, and they sound all the better for it.
PISS – “blocking a scene you can’t remember”
Anyone who has seen PISS live will tell you – this is a special, special band. The Vancouver four-piece – led incredibly by vocalist Taylor Zantingh will share their forthcoming debut album, you made me / skin on linen, on 30th October, and have shared the toweringly impressive, devastating single, “blocking a scene you can’t remember”. Beware, it’s not an easy listen, but it is an essential one.
Pip Millett – “Mad”
Manchester’s Pip Millett returns with “Mad”, her first new music since 2024. The song finds Pip trying to make sense of the end of a relationship, with the vocals sitting just over soft strings as she meditates on the emotions that come with it. It’s the second in the new trilogy of singles from Pip, and she’s also heading out on a UK and European tour this month, including two sold-out nights at Hoxton Hall.
Joesef – “Seperate”
Marking a new era since his last album Permanent Damage, Josef is back with his latest single “Separate”. Having previewed the track over a series of intimate club nights across Glasgow and Edinburgh, the track feels right at home through headphones on the way home, as it does on the dance floor with its electronic soundscape.
Lene 3000 – “Swamp intro”
Norwegian riser Lene 3000 is making some of the most interesting avant pop you’ll hear this year. We’ve just been blessed with a new full-length album, Greatest Swamp Hits, which is wonderfully weird and deftly curated. “Swamp Intro” alone is another to need a lie down after.
Ugly – “Nat Cora & The Nations”
“Nat Cora & The Nations” is the latest single from Cambridge six-piece Ugly, taken from their debut album The South Facade. It’s a fast guitar track with loads going on, from intricate guitars to different members swapping vocals, and an experimental music video to match their lyrics. The band have been working on the album for almost three years, developing the songs together along the way, and we can’t wait to hear it complete.
Kofi Stone ft. Mahalia – “Sicily”
Originally a continuation of his previous LP All The Flowers Have Bloomed, Kofi Stone’s newly released The Last Flower To Bloom album now stands as its own body of work. “Sicily”, featuring Mahalia, highlights the Birmingham-raised artist’s signature strong style, with a chilled, jazzy beat serving as the optimal backdrop for the two artists’ smooth vocals and infectious, nonchalant cadence.
Victoryland – “The Ugliest Girl On The Beach”
Have you ever thought about what it means to be “The Ugliest Girl On The Beach”? Well, with the deluxe release of his album My Heart Is A Room With No Cameras In It this December, the songwriter is penning difficult thoughts to the sound of sonic sunshine. With dark lyrics – bordering on the sinister – this wit-laden track shimmers with glittering guitar pop melodies; ruthless strumming patterns, vocals that near wail and chaotically capturing drums. It’s like scribbling your messy diary thoughts to the tune of a coming-of-age anthem.
Ciarán – “Houston”
Ciarán, formerly known as Bearface from BROCKHAMPTON, wants to “find a way to be with you”! The artist is back with “Houston”, the new single from his debut solo album Róisín, an R&B guitar track with soft vocals and gospel-like chords that are more distorted towards the end.
Spike F*ck – “Getting Sober”
Melbourne artist Spike F*ck makes something familiar of “Getting Sober”. In this jittery, devotional track from his debut album evidence out today via Sacred Bones, it oscillates between a scattered vocal delivery and catchy pop melody. Bubbled to the beat of a new-wave soul sound, Spike confronts addition, recovery and the patterns that remain long after. The substance may be gone, but the soul remains.
Madra Salach – “Ribbon Factory”
Madra Salach is tearing through the “Ribbon Factory” with this raucous step into the band’s punkier side. Put to the test on the road for over a year, the track crackles with a rawness that can come only from being played to a room full of people longing for the same. Swirling with a siren-like hum, pacing with tough strumming patterns, and tension-twanged vocals, its anger and despair give the chaos some serious weight, making for something unmistakably Irish in spirit and subtly seething in its message.
Sasha Keable – “Options”
British-Colombian soulful star Sasha Keable continues to be one of the most revitalising singer-songwriters around with her latest single, “Options”. Written with Eddie Lopes (Sienna Spiro, Olivia Dean), the track explores a breakup in a sexy, sultry and melancholic way, while Keable’s vocals sound as rich and captivating as ever.
Wyatt – “Morning”
Four-piece Wyatt is back with a single to help you rise in the “Morning”. Happy and hopeful, cheerful and charming, over folk swing-like percussion and the twinkle of guitar strings, they sing the song of love in all of its beauty. Sparkling with naivety, the simple lyrics are made large by its melodic vivacity.
Harvey Causon – “Last Gasps”
North London composer, producer, musician, and vocalist Harvey Causon delivers one of his most compelling performances to date across his new single and visual, “Last Gasps”. Directed by Genevieve Reeves, the stunning visual journey centres on a ballroom duet between British choreographer Connor Scott and his mother, Angela. As they move together, the dance becomes a portrait of their evolving dynamic, capturing the closeness and vulnerability that exists between parent and child as time begins to reshape their roles.
Phoebe Green ft. Katherine Parlour – “I Don’t Play It Cool, I Play It Steaming”
Things are heating up on “I Don’t Play It Cool, I Play It Steaming”, an unapologetically over-the-top alt-pop duet between Green and Picture Parlour’s Katherine Parlour. Born from a long-running joke that the pair should one day make a “big gay” duet, the track sees them trade vocals with all the yearning, melodrama and theatrical flair the premise demands – camp, romantic and wonderfully excessive.
Nao – “Eugene”
Autumn, both the season and the new album from singer-songwriter Nao, is upon us (just about), and she’s returning to her jazz roots — but not without calling out for “Eugene”. One of the lead double singles from her forthcoming record, she pens a heart-ruffling, toe-tapping love letter to the late singer D’Angelo, one of her greatest musical inspirations.
Slumber – “On & On”
“On & On” is the newest release from East London band Slumber, taken from their debut EP “SLUMBER BREAKS AMERICA! (ATTEMPT #1)”. Sitting somewhere between The Strokes and Sports Team, it’s got that gritty, guitar-heavy sound that makes you want to hear it live. The band have already sold out MOTH Club, and they’re heading back to The George Tavern in November for three headline shows at the venue where they played their first-ever gig, so definitely one to keep an eye on.
Clutter – “Pop Rock Sugar Rush”
Swedish four-piece Clutter announce themselves to the world with their debut album Sugar Rush. One of the highlights is definitely “Pop Rock Sugar Rush”, an energetic, indie-punk tune that’s supercharged by rapid, fuzzy rhythms and heavy guitar strums. Talking about friendship and staying aloof, those softer lyrics contrast nicely with the punk sounds and heavy cries as the song reaches its climax.
Tia Gordon – “Feel”
Tia Gordon has us questioning what we “Feel” when a friendship falls apart on this neo-soul cut. Produced by edbl, the track wraps Tia’s introspective songwriting in warm live instrumentation, turning the aftermath of a lost connection into something quietly affecting. It treads a fine line between tender and bite, offering a strong sense of conviction while resting in the soft underbelly of jazzy chords and swing-like percussion.
Quavo ft. Future – “BA”
Still one of US rap’s most bankable stars, Quavo is back with an impressive new full-length record, QRÖMELIFE, executively-produced by Pharrell Williams. Future-featuring lead single “BA” is punchy, powerful and playful.
Welly – “Skinny Boy”
Welly takes aim at the modern indie boy on “Skinny Boy”, a raucous collision of dancefloor euphoria and punkish irreverence. Inspired by seeing city clubs packed tight with carbon copies – ratty moustaches and Tate Britain tote bags included – the track imagines the Kinks’ Ray Davies fronting Underworld and is produced by Ed Buller, the producer whizz behind Pulp and Suede’s 90s records. And though Welly may have been dragged kicking and screaming into a proper studio, the result sounds gloriously DIY.
The Ovines – “Better On My Own”
Ahead of their debut albumLondon Reign, out next Friday, The Ovines give us one last cut to tide us over with “Better On My Own”. Produced by Jason Stafford at The Libertines’ revived stomping grounds in Margate, it’s a sharp and high-energy rock single that’s headlined by groovy guitar riffs and punchy rhythms, as lead singer Matt offers his two cents on enjoying your own company.
Øneheart Ft. Baobei – “don’t Need to Know”
Electronic youngstar Øneheart returns with incendiary new heater “don’t Need to Know” featuring UK producer and artist Baobei, the second offering from Øneheart’s forthcoming album, naturecore, due 20th November. Pensive piano trails burst into a glitchy, high-tempo electronic sprawl, while rising UK talent Baobei’s urgent, thoughtful declarations of shedding an older version of yourself and finding out what the next one looks like balance the rising percussive elements and synth stabs.
Master Peace – “New Boyfriend”
South London artist Master Peace is uncompromising and stylistically varied on his new second album,if you don’t love me, who will?. The focus track “New Boyfriend” has a euphoric dance tinge, with his lyricism risque and playful.
Osaze & Marcus – “Splendid (Russ Millions Remix)”
Fast-rising brotherly duo Osaze & Marcus continue to make serious waves across the UK and beyond, unveiling a brand-new remix of the viral hit “Splendid” featuring one of the UK’s most revered rappers, Russ Millions. Coming hot on the heels of their recent remix alongside Nigerian star ODUMODUBLVCK, the hugely popular Afroswing anthem has already catapulted Osaze & Marcus firmly into the spotlight, amassing millions of views and streams in the process.
Tyde – “SUMMER TYME”
Multi-faceted Leicester native Tyde continues to fly the flag for UK R&B with his captivating new seven-track EP SUMMER TYME. The new project signals the next stage of Tyde’s evolution, showcasing a fresh direction for an artist who has quickly become one of the country’s most promising independent success stories.
