Our music recommendations: What we’re listening to, from Ed Sheeran to Paris Paloma
Is your playlist in need of some refreshment? We have some suggestions.
Ed Sheeran – Eyes Closed
Ed Sheeran returns with the first single from his from his Subtract (-) album, a pop ballad tinged with the acoustic feel of his earlier work, a fitting emotional tribute to his close friend Jamal Edwards, who died in February 2022.
Surya Sen & Mafro – Care Less
Pioneering London producer, rapper and DJ Surya Sen returns with a rap laden floor-filler packed with catchy lines rooted in protecting your energy, laced over an infectious dance beat that is sure to start the party.
Paris Paloma – labour
Paris Paloma has already built a loyal following with her dark-pop folk sounds, and her new track follows suit, with her enchanting vocals and powerful lyrics, taking listeners through a journey of a toxic relationship.
Frankie Beetlestone – Slowly Break My Heart
Sheffield newcomer Frankie Beetlestone cleverly creates an upbeat energetic indie-pop stomper from lyrics that describe the complexities of loving someone who doesn’t love themselves. One to make you dance and cry at the same time.
Tora-i - Palace
East Londoner Tora-i returns with her soul-infused latest release, penned around self-discovery and building yourself up “brick by brick”, in her own words. The saxophone-laced instrumental will be stuck in your head after one listen.
Anish Kumar - Praise
Rising electronic artist Anish Kumar’s new release is aptly titled, considering it fuses jazz and gospel influences, and heavily features a choir sample. The track highlights Kumar’s ability to continue to push boundaries in his field.
Lewis Capaldi - How I’m Feeling Now
Lewis Capaldi continues to gear up for his new album with another track from Broken by Desire to Be Heavenly Sent, out. Capaldi showcases his raw and powerful vocals on this vulnerable uplifting acoustic ballad.
Hozier – Eat Your Young
Hozier returns with a three-track EP Eat Your Young, with the title track showing the Irish singers ever experimental nature, with his enchanting track fusing elements of rock and blues with orchestral instrumentals, for what is an edge your seat listening experience.
The Cheap Thrills – Reborn
Liverpool’s music scene has been producing exciting talent for years, and band The Cheap Thrills have built a loyal following in Merseyside – picking up a headline show at Liverpool’s O2 Academy. Their energetic indie-rock track, packed with searing guitars and an infectious chorus, shows the band is ready to reach new heights – just in time for festival season.
Sabrina Carpenter – Feather
Former Disney-star Sabrina Carpenter has been well established as an artist in the US for some years – but is still making ground in the UK. The American singer is set to pick up on her BBC Live Lounge momentum with her new track, a dreamy post break-up anthem, that’s showcases her smooth vocals and quirky personality.
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 break-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 new 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 new single, in anticipation for his next album PARANOÏA, ANGELS, TRUE LOVE, The synth-driven track showcases the singers raw and enchanting vocals, and previews the sound direction for his new 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 new to UK markets, their latest track’s catchy psychedelic folk sound, from their upcoming self-titled album, out May 26, shows the band’s new independent release is ready to branch out to a new 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 slow neo-soul track that reflects both artist’s honest experiences with love.
House of EL - Slow 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 right. Slow Down is one of the highlights, and positions him as the UK’s answer 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 new release is one to keep on repeat, and probably take 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 keep you in the club, than leave it.
MK & Dom Dolla – Rhyme Dust
House music maestros MK and Dom Dolla team up for a new 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 keep 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 new 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, have firmly solidified themselves as one of the most exciting prospects in the indie scene, with their new 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 true unpredictable Lana style, it breaks into two parts, transitioning from her usual slow 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 mark on the UK rap scene as an independent artist, and this new offering proves he’s ready to conquer the mainstream.
IAMDDB – Where Did The Love Go?
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 Love It, which topped the charts across the world ten years ago, this new 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 do 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 Love
Lemar returns to the music scene with his first new material in eleven years, veering away from the soulful sound he became known for in the early noughties. His new 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 have 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 love song, bearing little 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 fall” she proclaims.
Jamie Jones – Save Myself
Superstar DJ Jamie Jones releases his new 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 new 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 take the year by storm.