Our music recommendations: What we’re listening to, from Dua Lipa to Olivia Dean
Is your playlist in need of some refreshment? We have some suggestions.
Dua Lipa - Dance The Night
The pop superstar is still in her disco era as she provides a contribution to the Barbie soundtrack that could easily have been a bonus on her Future Nostalgia album. Infused with funky baselines, it continues Dua’s winning formula of sassy dance floor sounds.
Olivia Dean – Carmen
Dean releases the third single from her upcoming album Messy. The London-born singer brings her jazz and soul influences into play in this love letter to her grandma, who moved to the UK from Guyana as part of the Windrush generation. Dean displays her emotion with silky smooth vocals.
Guvna B - U Get Me (feat. Ghetts)
The London rapper brings back the original sounds of grime with well-known act Ghetts in a baseline-heavy earworm, featuring Noughties-esque flows packed with punchlines.
KAYTRAMINÉ – Rebuke
American rapper Aminé and Grammy-winning Canadian producer KAYTRANDA team up together for the second instalment of their KAYTRAMINÉ collaboration, with KAYTRANDA’s laid-back production perfectly complimenting Aminé’s soothing vocals, topped off with an intoxicating guitar riff that will get stuck in your head)
Girl Ray – Up
Girl Ray releases the third single from upcoming album Prestige, a funky disco anthem laced with eighties-like synthesizers, and a toe-tapping instrumental with a searing electric guitar finish. Written about all the emotions that come from a fledging romance, the tracks irresistible beat makes for instant replay factor.
Frozemode – Stick Dat
London-based band Frozemode only launched their debut single in December 2022, but the trio have already made waves with their genre-defying sounds, and their new track is no different. Their new track sits somewhere in-between post-punk and drum and bass, with the bands ferocious delivery creating a high-energy head bopper.
Foo Fighters – Under You
Foo Fighters release the second single from their Here We Are album, out June 2. The second instalment from the upcoming LP is a summer ready singalong anthem, packed with and aggressively catchy hook that feels like a return to their Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace era of material. The track and its thumping instrumental will no doubt boost excitement for their new album.
Blur – The Narcissist
Ahead of new album The Ballad of Darren (out July 21) and their Wembley Stadium debut, Britpop legends Blur are mounting a comeback with a brand new track. The band, led by frontman Damon Albarn, manage to keep elements of their popular Nineties sound, with searing guitars and thumping drums, but also play with synthesisers for a modern twist. It’s the perfect warm-up for a massive year for the band.4:21WTLT entry
James Arthur – A Year Ago
Middlesbrough singer-songwriter James Arthur returns with his second single of the year, with the former X-Factor winner producing a triumphant break-up ballad, serenading an ex-lover he misses, over acoustic guitar chords light enough to absorb all the emotion in Arthur’s powerful belting vocals.
Jorja Smith – Little Things
Jorja Smith releases the follow-up to her Try Me single, starting with a jazzy piano intro that leads into an unexpected, but extremely welcome funky house anthem that you just can’t help but bop your head to. Though it’s easy to get lost in the groove with the rhythmic basslines, Jorja’s stellar vocal performance ensures her voice is still centre stage on the track that should keep her fans moving through the warmer months.
Queens of the Stone Age – Emotion Sickness
California rockers Queens of the Stone Age return with new material for the first time in six years, after teasing fans on social media this week. The bands catchy latest effort, accompanied with searing guitars and funky basslines is the perfect summer addition to your rock playlist, and lands just in time for their sold out UK shows next month.
Kah-lo – fund$
Grammy-nominated Nigerian born Kah-lo returns with a thumping electronic anthem, exuberating sass in every bar, with tongue-in-cheek money-making one liners, in what seems like a clever play on Cindy Lauper’s Girls Just Wanna Have Fun. Kah-lo clearly wants to have funds, and her energetic track may get you in the same mood.
Charlotte Plank - White Noise
Charlotte Plank continues to be one of the most exciting prospects in pop with her latest track bringing the sounds of jungle into the mainstream in a fun and radio-friendly way. The singer has already had a big year, following up a recent collaboration with Rudimental, and continues her genre-defying form in an impressive way.
Thundercat & Tame Impala - No More Lies
Thundercat teams up with Tame Impala for their new release, which fuses Thundercat’s funk-soul approach with Tame Impala’s psychedelic rock sound with dreamy results. The duo complements each other seamlessly in this collaboration, which is a treat for both fan bases.
Skepta & Jammer - Mas Murder
One of the most unexpected releases of the week sees Skepta, known for his UK rap and grime tracks, team up with fellow Boy Better Know rap collective member Jammer on a thumping house record on their newly found label. Skepta has taken to dance music since his surprise set at Ibiza’s DC-10 last year, and his new release shows there’s more to come.
Yusuf / Cat Stevens - King of a Land
Yusuf / Cat Stevens releases his aptly titled track in time for the King Charles coronation, with the sweet-natured acoustic record acting as a manifesto of what it would be like to be king. The uplifting track, featuring children in the backing vocals, is a welcome addition to his discography ahead of his Glastonbury performance this year.
Bree Runway – Be The One (with Khalid)
Pop sensation Bree Runway has been teasing her collaboration with Khalid on social media for over a week, and the new track does not disappoint. A modern love song, fusing acoustic guitar chords with an R&B infused instrumental, the track is another example of Bree’s exciting genre-defying nature.
George FitzGerald – Mother (feat. SYML)
George Fitzgerald continues his form as one of the UK’s most dynamic electronic acts. His new release, with SYML, takes listeners on a melodic journey. His combination of lo-fi house production and ethereal synths are enough to make you want to dance and relax simultaneously.
Ed Sheeran – Boat
Ed Sheeran releases the second single from his highly anticipated Subtract (-) album, and the singer pours his emotions into the largely acoustic ballad – pulling at guitar strings and heart strings with equal measure. His track battles themes of depression, and Sheeran creates a bright performance out of what must have been a dark moment, that will resonate deeply with listeners.
NOISY - DESIRE
Worthing-based trio NOISY play with their heavy drum ‘n’ bass and jungle inspiration in this new release, evoking sweat-drenched nightclubs. Their track manages to put a mainstream appeal on the underground sounds, with catchy and radio-friendly results.
Foo Fighters - Rescued
Just over a year after the death of the band’s long term drummer Taylor Hawkins, Foo Fighters mark their return with an album announcement (But Here We Are, out June 2). Their first single, a hint of what’s to come, is one of their most emotional yet, offering rage, sorrow and acceptance.
Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Lost In The Sunshine
Pop legend Sophie Ellis-Bextor gears up for the summer with this euphoric new record, with her unique vocals paired with a dreamy bass and piano-laced instrumental that will have you longing to get lost in the sunshine as the warmer weather starts to slowly thaw us out.
Rita Ora - Praising You (feat. Fatboy Slim)
Rita Ora makes a sensational return, announcing a follow up to her 2018 Phoenix LP. The first single of her new album campaign is an upbeat house inspired anthem, heavily sampling Fatboy Slim’s Praise You, and adding a fresh perspective to a dance masterpiece.
Aitch - Round 2
Fresh from a BRIT award-winning start to the year, Manchester rapper Aitch returns to the scene with his first track of the year. With his ever punchy lines, this year’s Parklife headliner showcases his signature tongue-in-cheek personality with a gritty delivery, laying out his ambitions over a nostalgic noughties hip-hop beat.
Lewis Capaldi - Wish You The Best
Lewis Capaldi drops his latest single from upcoming album Broken by Desire to be Heavenly Sent due May 19. In true Capaldi style, the Glasgow singer bares all in this post breakup piano ballad, airing out his heartbreak while showcasing his uniquely powerful vocals.
Nemzzz – Nemzzz Type Beat
Manchester rapper Nemzzz has built an aura of hype since his 2021 breakthrough Elevate, and his 2MS freestyle, which dropped last year, solidified his position as one of the UK’s brightest young talents. With his new track, Nemzzz continues his form, with cleverly formed one liners over a drill-infused trap beat.
Jorja Smith – Try Me
Jorja Smith returns with her first track of the year, with the Walsall-born singer veering away from her signature R&B sounds steering into a deeper, drum heavy sound, complimenting her smooth and raspy vocal performance. The orchestral instrumental breaks add to the tracks mystique – with Jorja Smith at her experimental best.
LAUREL – Change
Singer-songwriter LAUREL taps into the sounds of summer with her latest release, a euphoric indie-pop record, with the Southampton natives light and airy vocals complimented with the sounds of sweet flute playing.