beabadoobee is soaring into her new era with a helping hand from The Marías, James Blake chronicles Trying Times, Sienna Spiro is back with her first song of the year, and Kacey Musgraves’ dry spell is (finally) over: it’s Wonderlist!

beabadoobee ft. The Marías – “All I Did Was Dream Of You”

beabadoobee is back with a new era – notching up the angst from the looks of it. Following her wonderful cover of Elliot Smith’s “Say Yes” as part of War Child Records’ Help(2), she shares an atmosphere-laden, grunge-entwined indie-rock jam, “All I Did Was Dream Of You”. Accompanied by a cinematic video, the cut also features The Marías. 

Kacey Musgraves – “Dry Spell”

Eight-time Grammy-winning country juggernaut Kacey Musgraves has announced that Middle of Nowhere, her sixth studio album, will be unveiled on 1st May. Our first glimpse into the record is “Dry Spell”, a witty, nostalgia-drenched anthem of sexual frustrations and desire-fuelled annoyance, with the singer-songwriter’s classic, comedic and cutting storytelling at the forefront.

James Blake – Trying Times

James Blake’s newest chapter is one steeped in emotional candour and quiet apprehension. With Trying Times, which features recent singles “Death Of Love” and “I Had A Dream She Took My Hand”, the album captures the full range of Blake’s artistry overall, let alone his wonderfully haunting voice and confronting lyricism. Across this project, the Mercury Prize and Grammy Award-winner crawls and tiptoes through the fragile space between closeness and solitude in an uncertain era, tracing the fault lines of contemporary life. As a sense of overwhelm seeps into the album’s themes and sonic ambience, the record settles into that delicate balance between optimism and unease.

Sienna Spiro – “The Visitor”

After weeks of teasing, much to the internet’s longing, British singer-songwriter Sienna Spiro finally welcomes “The Visitor” – her first single of 2026. It took nine attempts and the help of producers Michael Pollack and Omer Fedi, to bring this quietly profound meditation on impermanence and the feeling of moving through life as a temporary presence to life. An emotional crescendo lathered with that gorgeous Sienna rasp, this track transforms a deeply personal heart-tugging into a compelling universal truth.

Blue Lab Beats – “Champions League”

No one blends jazz, hip hop and electronic music like the GRAMMY-winning Blue Lab Beats duo, making them unique among the UK scene. Their new release, “Champions League” combines layered instrumentation with a catchy, pitched-up vocal chorus, while featuring UK rapper FourNine delivers lyrics about perspective, relationships and faith. This release blends experimental jazz influences with modern hip hop production, while reinforcing their reputation for supporting rising UK talent and creating innovative and genre-blending music.

Kibo – “ShubzOnline”

Freestyle favourite and underground legend Kibo continues his hot streak with another loose and fiery cut. “ShubzOnline” comes with a slick animated video, and sees the Leicester general bringing his flawless flow and playful lyricism atop a variety of rhythmic backdrops.  

Ms Banks – SOUTH LDN LOVER GIRL

South London rap star Ms Banks is back with a mic drop moment (or a few) for her long-awaited debut album SOUTH LDN LOVER GIRL. Radiant with confidence yet threaded with vulnerability, the project explores love, identity and growing up as a second-generation African woman in South London. She diaries this complex, layered experience by formulating articulate lyrics, infectious melodies and Afrobeats-infused production, showcasing Ms Banks at her most open, innovative and assured. 

Tom Misch – “Days Of Us”

Tom returns with a moment of whispered beauty. With “Days Of Us”, the artist delivers one of his most unadorned and heartfelt performances, allowing the emotional gravitas of the song to shine through. Opening with a stunning arpeggiated saxophone motif from Kaidi Akinnibi, the album’s sole featured artist, the track moves with a grounded and natural ebb and flow; sweeping violin lines intertwining with delicate guitar textures and luminous closing licks. On “Days Of Us”, Tom uplifts a gentle hope, serving as a poignant and beautiful conclusion to his forthcoming album Full Circle.

Baby Queen – “Feel Something”

Sharing a second glimpse of her forthcoming new album, Baby Queen wants you to “Feel Something”. It’s a swirling indie-pop anthem that opens with ’80s-inspired melodies erupting into propulsive drums, bass grooves and soaring guitars. A feature written early in the album process, the track explores the intoxicating pull of forbidden love, capturing the tough tension and emotional rush that comes with wanting someone you can’t have.

Maverick Sabre – “8 Stages”

It’s said there are five stages of grief, but Irish singer-songwriter Maverick Sabre is daring to go beyond. He returns with his first single of 2026, “8 Stages”. Built around a whispering guitar lead, the soulful, blues-fused track finds Maverick revisiting fading memories and lost connections, capturing the whispering, quiet ache of relationships left unresolved. Thoughtful and introspective, in the way Maverick does best, and “8 Stages” is a reminder to value the present moment.

Kojaque – “Antihistamine”

Did anyone say happy St Paddy’s weekend? One of Dublin’s best, Kojaque is back with his first taste of new music since his debut album PHANTOM OF THE AFTERS. “Antihistamine” continues his exploration as a sharp-tongued social commentator, using music as an antidote, a pill of join, to the world’s irritations. “I think people need an alternative to the current hellscape,” he says. “There needs to be an escape, there needs to be another narrative, there needs to be joy and music, joy as an act of rebellion.” In classic Kojaque style, ever the cinematic experimentalist, the track comes with incredible visuals in the form of a self-directed video. 

Hetta Falzon – “Switch It Off”

Manchester-based singer-songwriter Hetta Falzon is an artist who brings sincerity and skill in abundance. Her debut EP, “Henrietta”, flaunts just that, with gorgeous melodic work and vulnerable lyricism on constant show. Focus track “Switch It Off“is emblematic of everything that works about Hetta’s sound.

WHATMORE – “2000s Pop Punk Rnb”

One of the most exciting new US rap collectives, WHATMORE, are really showing their range and growth with these two new singles, “Still Loiteringgg” // “2000s Pop Punk Rnb”. The standout of the pair is the latter, with its unique blend of stylistic decisions, and the group’s different vocalists bringing their own distinct flavour to the heartfelt, sample-heavy instrumental backdrop.

Violet Grohl – “595”

Hot on the heels of announcing her debut album Be Sweet To Me, set for release on May 29, American singer-songwriter Violet Grohl now unveils its latest preview, “595”. Inspired by a vintage T-shirt advertising a phone sex line, the track plays like a tongue-in-cheek, sexy slasher – packed with jolts of noise and a sticky chorus stitched together from the alt-leaning sounds of the ’80s and ’90s that shape her musical DNA. For the noughties kids, it’s exactly the kind of track Freaky Friday’s Anna Coleman would blast in the basement.

Charlie Jeer – “Mona Lisa (Mahalia Version)”

Charming saxophonist Charlie Jeer enlists the support of his friend and collaborator Mahalia for the sultry “Mona Lisa” remix, lifted from his debut EP Everything Is Temporary. Fresh off a sold-out London headline show, the classically trained multi-instrumentalist reimagines this Latin and jazz-laced track with Mahalia’s buttery vocals and signature R&B rasp. The collaboration transforms the song into a sensual back-and-forth, call-and-response.

Samara Cyn – “oooshxt”

A distorted, bass-heavy beat mixed with punchy-penned lyrics, emerging rap force Samara Cyn is back with blistering new single “oooshxt”. The lead single from her upcoming EP Detour, the track finds Samara exploring darker, more experimental territory. It borders on primal and animalistic – a subtle warning that, from Samara, there’s more on the way…”oooshxt”.

Alewya – “City of Symbols”

Ethiopian-Egyptian singer-songwriter Alewya releases her second single, “City of Symbols”, alongside the announcement of her debut album ZERO. Blending eclectic Ethiopian rhythms with the booming basses of underground London club sounds, the track finds Alewya setting the tone for a project rooted wholeheartedly in the intricacies of one’s identity and culture. Executive produced by British DJ Shy FX, ZERO moves energetically through R&B and electronic melodies while paying homage to the roots of Black electronic music.

Blessing Jolie – “Regular Shmegular Girl”

Your twenties are meant to be a mess, and singer-songwriter Blessing Jolie chronicles them on her debut album 20nothing. It’s a candid coming-of-age diaristic body of that work that explores heartbreak, growth and the often turbulent realities of navigating this decade. Blending R&B, pop and nu-metal influences, the record showcases Jolie’s powerful voice and sharp, witty songwriting. This release arrives alongside her new single “Regular Shmegular Girl” – which this project proves she’s far from – a bold, genre-blurring standout that captures her potential and playfulness.

Fiona Lee – “Not My Friends” 

This raw single from Fiona-Lee captures the complicated feeling of growing apart from people you once trusted and the fear of loneliness. With powerful vocals and honest, intimate lyrics, the song explores themes of betrayal, self-reflection, and learning to set boundaries. Blending alternative pop with very personal songwriting, Fiona-Lee delivers a confident yet intimate recording, proof of her ability to turn her own experiences into a compelling story.

Dua Saleh – “I Do, I Do”

LA-based Sudanese-American artist Dua Saleh is giving audiences the first taste of their forthcoming album Of Earth & Wires, with “I Do, I Do”. Blending pop balladry with cultural influences, the track is influenced by the oud, a traditional Middle Eastern instrument closely tied to Sudanese folk music. Lyrically, Saleh draws on Sudanese proverbs and colloquialisms to explore deeper themes of societal collapse, survival and identity. With its atmospheric production and reflective storytelling, Saleh takes from their heritage and creates thought-provoking songwriting.

Teen Suicide – “Spiders”

“Spiders” is the latest single from the Teen Suicide’s forthcoming album Nude Descending Staircase Headless. A big change and evolution in the group’s sound, moving from their signature lo-fi style towards a fuller studio production while retaining the emotional intensity that defines their music since the beginning. Led by Kitty Ray’s vocals, the new song moves between dreamy verses and big, explosive choruses, perfectly reflecting the rawness of the band’s evolving indie rock sound. The single is proof of the group’s continued growth, while they stay true to the visceral songwriting that has earned them a devoted following.

Rostam – “Like a Spark”

The soaring lead single from the GRAMMY-winning artist’s upcoming third studio album American Stories, “Life a Spark” is a haunting glimpse into Rostam’s richly layered world. Blending elements of Americana with traditional Persian musical influences, the track is expansive and personal, reflecting the artist’s need to weave his cultural heritage and introspective storytelling into his distinctive sound.

Pearl & The Oysters – “Wide Awake”

The latest single from the duo of Juliette Pearl Davis and Joachim Polack, “Wide Awake”, marks a subtle shift in the band’s sound, moving away from the glossy synth textures of their previous records towards a warmer, more analogue feel, inspired by 1970s artists such as The Beach Boys and Todd Rundgren. Written in the aftermath of the Los Angeles fires in January 2025, the track mixes bright, sunny melodies with lyrics that explore grief, uncertainty and the fragility of the world.

Antony Szmierek – “The Heron”

Manchester-born poet and producer Antony Szmierek is starting the year on a high note. His new track, “The Heron”, is a disco-infected house cut fuelled by Szmierek’s distinctive spoken-word lyricism. Inspired by encounters with a heron along the banks of the River Mersey, the track explores themes of patience, self-reliance and finding calm in an overwhelming modern world. Blending  a beautiful piano, pulsing bass and poetic storytelling, this new track is the perfect showcase of Szmierek’s ability to fuse electronic music with his thoughtful lyrics. 

Lowertown – “Big Thumb”

Cool New York duo Olivia Osby and Avsha Weinberg unveil “Big Thumb”, taken from their upcoming album Ugly Duckling Union. Blending lo-fi indie with folk and jazz influences, the track pairs Weinberg’s hazy vocals with Osby’s melodic harmonies and harmonica. Inspired by found newspaper clippings and fragments of writing, “Big Thumb” reflects on feelings of uncertainty and directionlessness among younger generations. With its loose, atmospheric sound and contemplative lyrics, the single perfectly highlights Lowertown’s ever evolving songwriting and their distinctive genre bending style.

Ellie Allen – “LOVEBOMB”

Delivering an incendiary club confessional, Ellie Allen emerges in superior form across her new single and self-directed visual for “LOVEBOMB.” The young singer-songwriter and performer quickly turns toxic affirmations into a newfound ferocity and self-assurance as she taps into the chaos of modern romance.

KiLLOWEN ft. Kwengface – “Sexy”

Garage-Rapper KiLLOWEN delivers his new heater alongside Kwengface for a collaboration that we didn’t know that we needed. ’Sexy’ is a club-ready summer banger to brighten up the Friday mood.

Sunday (1994) – “Shame”

Channelling the alternative sound of the 1990s, Sunday (1994) draws clear inspiration from favourite bands such as The Cranberries and The Cure in latest track, “Shame”. Written after watching the film Heavenly Creatures (1994), the single explores the darker side of devotion, inspired by the story’s unsettling themes of obsession and delusion – very relatable! With its melancholic atmosphere and thoughtful lyrics, “Shame” expands the sonic world of the band’s Devotion (Deluxe) release, which adds three new songs and marks the conclusion of Sunday (1994)’s EP era, bringing their pre-debut catalogue to an impressive eighteen tracks.