Is your playlist in need of some refreshment? We have some suggestions.
Olivia Dean – UFO
Olivia Dean stars in this stripped-down, shy love song, featuring little more than her voice, acoustic guitar, and emotions. Her synthesized vocals add layers to the otherworldly references she makes throughout the song: “I need a place to land, I might as well fall,” she proclaims.
Jamie Jones – Save Myself
Superstar DJ Jamie Jones releases his new EP Save Myself, the title track featuring Welsh talent moving away from his typically bouncy house sound into a more intense, energetic direction, with hypnotic vocal samples and pounding baselines.
Dolores Forever – If I say so
Up-and-coming duo Dolores Forever say they’ve written their new release “growing up reluctantly”, and the sentiment is palpable throughout the dream pop record, declaring “it’s not over until I say so”. With a chorus echoing through the festival crowd, the duo are firmly positioned to take the year by storm.
yunè pinku – Night light
yunè pinku’s ability to experiment with sound has made her one of the most tipped producers in the industry. Her new track explores sounds of British garage and hyperpop and showcases Pinku’s natural ability to create catchy, futuristic dance music.
Betty Who – Running up that hill
Rising star Betty Who took on this iconic song and certainly had some big 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 adding a contemporary synthy vibe to the beloved 1980s classic.
Shaun Farrugia – Count on you
Rising star Shaun Farrugia has been making waves since his dance collaboration If We’ll Ever Be Remembered last year with superstar DJ Martin Garrix. Farrugia comes into its own in this indie banger. He’s clearly blazing his own trail, 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 name
London-based rapper Osquello releases his new album Romero, featuring mostly iPhone-created tracks, including voice notes as samples. The highlight of his new project is him teaming up 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 UK’s biggest artists. He wrote and produced Adele’s big hit Set Fire To The Rain, among other things. Here he goes in a new direction under the new name Future Utopia, a psychedelic rock sound interspersed with vocals from spoken word artist Kae Tempest.
NICOLAS – EVERY TIME I GO TO BED
French producer and recording artist NICOLAS evolves his always experimental sound away from his usual lo-fi house sound, this time incorporating jungle influences with a jump-up style futuristic beat layered with emotional vocals.
Kali Uchis – I wish you roses
Kali Uchis returns with a psychedelic post-breakup anthem – best wishes for her ex. Bucking the trend of ending things on a sour note, she exudes positivity in this new song, with a sweet vocal performance to match.
Kelela – Contact
Kelela continues her critically acclaimed debut with the next single from her upcoming album Raven, out February 10th. Her new track delves deep into the rave sound of the 1990s, mimicking midnight euphoria in this sensual trippy dance record.
Che Lingo – My radio
An unexpected collaboration sees Che Lingo put his own spin on the Queen classic Radio Gaga, adding its fresh bars and silky smooth falsetto to a reimagined instrumental, with the help of group drummer Roger Taylor, as well as a vocal recording from the legendary Freddie Mercury.
Mafro – Hol
Mafro proves himself one of the 2023 producers to watch with his new EP Bloom, with Hollow as one of the standout tracks. His energetic lo-fi sound will once again draw favorable comparisons to fellow producers Fred.. and Jamie XX. Expect to hear more from Mafro in the coming months.
Alison Goldfrapp – Digging Deeper (featuring Claptone)
Nineties legend Alison Goldfrapp is back with new music for the first time since 2017 – collaborating with DJ and producer Claptone to create a club-ready house track laced with eighties synths and reverberating bass lines. Alison describes herself as “gliding effortlessly through the air” in the making of her new record, so get ready for a journey.
Miley Cyrus – Flowers
Miley Cyrus is back and with her new song she’s ready to show the world that she’s independent again! Three minutes of self-love and discovery, Miley proves she can make it on her own in this upbeat anthem.
Sam Smith – GIMME (feat. Jessie Reyez and Koffee)
This collaboration is an unlikely match for Sam Smith, but with the help of Jessie Reyez and Koffee, the artist continues to experiment with their sound, this time taking on dancehall influences for this sultry track leading up to their album Gloria, out January 27 . .
Young Marco – What you say
Starting with a sample of Imogen Heap’s classic Hide and Seek, Young Marco transforms the famous acapella track into a hardstyle dancefloor filler. With playful eighties synths and the sing-along factor of the vocals, this is the perfect addition to Young Marco’s setlists this year.
WILDES X The Flaming Lips – True love
Slow and hauntingly stunning, WILDES teams up with The Flaming Lips to produce a dreamy psychedelic rock anthem. Her powerful and reverberating vocal performance could make her the British answer to Lana Del Rey.
Shania Twain – Dizzy!
Shania Twain kicks off the year with a rodeo in this crossover anthem between Nashville and pop. The Queen of Country shows she still has that signature charm her fans have come to love as we prepare for the release of her album next month.
JW Francis – Going Home to a Party (Sunday Best Recordings)
The latest from the New York bedroom pop artist is a catchy and cozy indie offering, with flowery acoustic guitar riffs, laid back vocals and bubblegum synths creating a sweet euphoric experience, looking forward to warmer days.
Skrillex, Fred again.. & Flowdan – Rumble
Dubstep pioneer Skrillex has never been shy about experimenting with different sounds, and once again with the help of fellow producer and DJ Fred, they’re releasing a new bass-heavy record. Aided by the vocals of London MC Flowdan, the two producers create a shaky dubstep/trap record that is best enjoyed at full volume.
Hold Your Beat – Mandidextrous & Selecta J-Man ft. Inja & A Little Sound
The return of Boomtown Fair last year caused great excitement among fans. The creators of the festival put together a series of songs that played during the opening and closing of the festival and after great demand, Boomtown finally released an EP of it. This heavy jump-up DnB track is sure to get their nostalgic ravers buying tickets for this year.
Central Cee – LET GO
Central Cee has become a master at reworking a familiar instrumental into a fresh new song, and the West London rapper works his magic again with Passenger’s Let Her Go. The results are a watered-down version of an indie classic that has already sparked massive interest on TikTok.
Frans The Kid – SNOW
France’s The Kid is cleverly timing his release as UK temperatures plummet – and the bilingual rapper stays cool as ice in this song. Switching seamlessly from English to French bars with his usual heavy flow and Essex twang, this shows why he is one of the most exciting British raps.
YEИDRY – KI-KI – (featuring ENNY)
Dominican rapper YEИDRY brings the Latin heat to this bouncy reggaeton offering, featuring a verse from British rapper ENNY, with her seamless bars adding a London twist to an already vibrant track. This one will keep you moving during the holidays.
Maceo Plex – Now World (Solomun Remix)
Solomun remakes famed DJ Maceo Plex’s 2020 hit Nu World and transforms it into a 1990s euphoric anthem, featuring piano breaks and yearning vocal samples, while delivering the signature production and melodies the international DJ is known for.
Metric – Everything Comes Crashing (CVCHE Remix)
Metric’s original alternative rock track All Comes Crashing has been revived with a dancefloor filler remix by CVCHE, transforming a punchy guitar and synth-heavy track into a dreamy euphoric dance record.
Bree Runway – Pick Your Poison (feat. Stormzy)
Bree launches her WHOA, WHAT A BLUR! EP featuring a guitar-laden love song in collaboration with Stormzy, a break from her usual energetic songs. An unexpected combination that creates a sweet ballad, with Stormzy’s deep, rich vocals layering the chorus and Bree taking on both vocal and rap duties.
Orbital – Ringa Ringa (the ancient pandemic anthem)
Orbital’s release comes in the form of a revamped and experimental version of the playground number Ringa Ringa Roses. Infused with 1990s acid trance influence reminiscent of the days of Hacienda, the duo have transformed a childhood classic into a dance floor filler.
Lucy Deakin – BITTER
Rising star Lucy Deakin brings back the sound of teen pop rock with her song – describing the trials and tribulations of a breakup. Deakin combines roaring guitar chords, heavy basslines and a confident vocal performance to create a solid sing-along song for the bedroom.
Benz–Alors Alors
British-Moroccan rapper Benzz follows up his Je M’appelle hit this year with another sampled track, this time featuring the now-iconic instrumental piece from Stromae’s Alors on Danse and infused with the sound of London Drill – featuring tongue-in-cheek lyrics with a Central Cee-like delivery.
UPSAHL – Kickflip
UPSAHL has reached new heights this year – now with a cool 1 million followers on Tiktok. She ends the year with a Sagittarius EP release, with Kickflip showcasing the singer’s polished vocals, silky-smooth production and edgy aesthetic that solidify her as a performer to look forward to in 2023.
Lana Del Rey – Did you know there is a tunnel under Ocean Blvd?
Lana Del Rey has always had a natural talent for crafting sultry and dreamy nostalgic pop, and she delivers the goods once again in the title track of her new album, due out March 10. Her lyrics play on themes of love and low self-esteem, “love me until I love myself,” she proclaims – the perfect mix of sad and beautiful.