Sophia Stel announces her debut album, Rachel Chinouriri takes a dark turn, and Rema is as undeniable as ever: it’s Wonderlist!
Sophia Stel – “I Do”
Over the past few years, Vancouver’s Sophia Stel has risen from the bountiful left-field corners of contemporary pop, defining and developing her icily immersive sound, signing to A24 Music in the process. Now, her most significant moment to date awaits: the release of her debut album – playfully self-coined as the greatest album of all time – will be unveiled on 16th October. The latest teaser track, “I Do”, is uplifting, incisive and essential listening.
Rachel Chinouriri – “Make believe”
On Rachel Chinouriri’s newest single, sometimes it’s better to “Make believe” than confront reality. Darkening and slightly dangerous, but sultry and soft, the singer-songwriter pens those underlying feelings that bubble below the surface in romantic relationships. Dripping in woozy melodies against staccato percussion that stirs a simmering tension, the track finds Chinouriri turning romantic delusion into something deliciously intoxicating.
Rema – “Oh No”
Sometimes, you just know a song’s going to be a hit as soon as you hear it. This new Rema track “Oh No” is one of those. Produced by Rvssian, it’s a flirty and playful single with a catchy hook that stays with you, fusing kompa, reggaeton, dancehall and afropop to make it impossible not to dance to.
Barry Can’t Swim x Sammy Virji – “I Could Be Madonna”
Classic and contemporary, the new collaborative cut from two of the UK’s finest modern DJ/producers is a treat of heady euphoria. Scotland’s finest Barry Can’t Swim – on a hell of a run right now – enlists the house-y sensibilities of fellow favourite Sammy Virji with “I Could Be Madonna”.
Bricknasty – “honey bee”
Following on from their last single “bobinov” and a pretty busy summer in general that saw them debut in North America as well as an SXSW appearance earlier in the year, BRICKNASTY are back with “honey bee”. It’s a song that explores the push and pull of intimacy, as the Dublin-based collective blends alternative sensibilities with hip-hop rhythms.
Emma Ogier – “Keep You”
Gently performed and vividly depicted, Emma Ogier’s “Keep You” is a delicate and divine slice of balladic folk. Paying homage to Joni Mitchell’s seminal “Coyote”, it’s a narrative of raw romanticism and honed-in honesty, aided by Ogier’s stunning voice and backed by a mesmerising naturalistic background.
H.LLS ft. Claudia Valentina – “GODIN”
One of the most exciting collectives lurking around the UK undergrowth right now, H.LLS feel months away from a major breakthrough, with each passing track and collaboration seemingly better than the last. Joining their collab canon is Claudia Valentina on the gorgeous yet ominous electro-rap outing, “GODIN”.
Curbisde Lambsear – “Avril”
London duo Curbside Lambsear make their EP debut this Friday with “Put Rings On All My Fingers To Weigh Down My Hands”. The complex focus track, “Avril”, is all clipped drums, warped synths, jagged guitars, and deadpan vocals. There’s a bit of Gilla Band in the abrasion, while the vocals have the same directness as Nilüfer Yanya.
Keo – “Bird On The Wire”
Keo slow things down a bit on “Bird On The Wire”, a softer turn from the London four-piece. Built around a soft guitar line, the song is about the moments after the end of a relationship, when there’s not much left to do except accept it. Their debut album Put A Smile On For Me is out later this month, with “Bird On The Wire” showing a much more stripped-back side to the band.
This Is Lorelei – “The Kid With The Crown”
This Is Lorelei, aka Nate Amos from Water From Your Eyes, is back with “The Kid With The Crown”, the final single from The Singer In My Band, out this week. It’s a folk-rock number with guitars influenced by the Beatles’ sound; the video takes things to a demolition derby, following a group of kids cheering on their favourite racer. Nate Amos has described the song as the album’s “untied shoelace”, which feels about right.
FKJ ft. Labrinth – “Little Little Voice”
FKJ and Labrinth are tuning into the “Little Little Voice” on this soulful new cut from FKJ’s latest album Tyber. Live instrumentation melts into woozy electronics as Labrinth’s rich vocals glide across FKJ’s intricate production, creating something that feels both wonderfully hazy and elusively hypnotic – a dreamy sonic melting point where jazz, soul and electronic sound reside, beckoning you to groove alongside its alluring melody.
Do Nothing – “The Nail”
Do Nothing are back with “The Nail”, the latest taste of their upcoming album Friend World. It’s got everything you want from the Nottingham band: funky grooves, ferocious guitar work and a chorus that’ll probably get stuck in your head. Lyrically, the song gets into God, self-image and the idea of how boring it would be to be holy or special all the time, loosely inspired by the England men’s football team. Friend World will be out in November, and if this track is anything to go by, it looks like it will be a pretty fun one.
Dermot Henry – “(I Wish I Was) Ennio Morricone”
Yet another young folk gem plucked from obscurity to quickly become a genre staple, Dermot Henry is quietly spectacular. His latest single, “(I Wish I Was) Ennio Morricone”, is emblematic of everything that works so well about him and about the wider folk style right now – deft vocals, feeling-fuelled lyricism, labyrinthine guitar work. Just gorgeous stuff, really.
Twisted Teens – “When We First Met”
This is a good year for Twisted Teens, the New Orleans-band return with “When We First Met”, the first taste of their third (yes, third) album of 2026, The Holy Cross Tigers, landing in November. The 113-second track is a high-octane take on a relationship that’s already gone, while the video goes full medieval MMA with a bunch of armour thrown around.
Emil James – “Crime Pays”
South West London singer-songwriter, rapper and instrumentalist Emil James has returned to the alternative music space with a punk-infused, politically potent banger, “Crime Pays”. Atop a sharp and engaging musical backdrop, James questions who really pays for crime – those who sit at the bottom of society’s food chain, or those atop it.
Eliza Rose – “Undercover Lover”
Hackney-born DJ and music producer Eliza Rose releases “Undercover Lover”, taken from her new EP “ARCADIA: PLEASUREDOME”. The track, produced by Sega Bodega, comes with a video filmed in Southend-on-Sea, following Eliza and a friend as they swap the club for a day and night by the seaside.
Dylan – “to love and to lose”
Acclaimed singer-songwriter Dylan has raised the artistic and emotional stakes tenfold on her first new music of the year, “to lose and to lose”. Cinematic, complex and deeply compelling, the single is some of the most personal songwriting in Dylan’s canon and has some stirring production choices to match.
Yves Tomas – “Crashing Waves”
Bristol-to-London DJ/producer combines technical excellence with endearing emotion with the release of his new offering, “Crashing Waves”, via Interlink Records. Written for his partner, who was battling cancer at the time and has now been clear for over two years, the track celebrates their relationship wonderfully, with all profits being donated to Macmillan Cancer Support.
Eerf Evil ft. Maverick Sabre – “Know Yourself”
South London’s Eerf Evil returns with his brand-new offering “Know Yourself,” tapping Maverick Sabre to offer a considered meditation on self-knowledge, personal development, and the pursuit of clarity. A telling composition that feels at once deeply personal and universal, the ensemble of jazz-infused melodies, soulful instrumentation, and honest lyricism continues to cement The Silhouettes Project co-founder as one of the scene’s most compelling storytellers.
Blair Davie – “You Like Ugly, Don’t You Babe?”
On their new EP, “You Like Ugly, Don’t You Babe?”, Blair Davie gets beautifully vulnerable. A five-track, rhythm-led collection of heart-tugging songs, Blair finds strength in being truly seen. With their roaring title track, Blair threads love, identity and transformation into the tapestry of rich instrumentation and raw, expansive vocals — tender one minute and thunderous the next.
Active Systems – “Gabbol”
Emerging electronic talent Active Systems has come out of nowhere to drop a technically thrilling debut EP, “The Red EP”. After a debut Houghton performance last month, the project illustrates an eclectic and complex production acumen, with four very different, equally effective compositions. Opener “Gabbol” stands strongest.
Quavo ft. T.I – “Backwards”
One of US rap’s most undeniable presences, Grammy-nominated artist Quavo has announced that his Pharrell Williams-executively-produced latest full-length album, QRÖMELIFE, will be unveiled on 2nd October. The latest single, “Backwards”, borrows the vocal aptitude of T.I..
lylla – “BRAIN RENT FREE”
London-born singer-songwriter, producer and DJ Iylla is carving out a space in the city’s alt pop underground with an immersive and innovative approach. With a three-track EP, “HEAVEN MADE”, set for release on 26th October, the polymath has shared a new teaser track, “BRAIN RENT FREE”.
Galantis – “1234”
Swedish producer, DJ and artist Galantis has arrived with his synth-pop take on Feist’s “1234”, the newest offering from his upcoming project “The Devil’s Tax Return: Vol 1”, set for release this autumn. Taking the song into his own hands, Galantis breathes new life into the 2007 hit, adding his own signature layer of euphoria and cinematic goodness.
Elise Elvira – “Postcard”
Swedish alternative pop riser Elise Elvira is back with a twinkling, wistful new single, “Postcard”, shared via United Masters. Yet another Scandinavian singer-songwriter delivering the goods right now, the emerging talent brings a nostalgic tinge to personal lyricism, while her vocals are nothing short of dazzling.
niina – “high by the sea”
Lisbon-based producer and vocalist niina is gearing up to share her hotly anticipated sophomore album. The third teasing track comes with “high by the sea”, a vivacious, bubblegum pop and playfully hedonistic club-ready cut.
Mr. Beale – “Skin”
Talented rising artist Mr. Beale is back with a swooning, soulful electro track. With delicate vocal resonance, progressive synth-led production and vivid, emotive songwriting, the track sprawls out dazzlingly across more than five minutes of runtime.
