Cristale ‘Daily Duppy’ (GRM Daily)
This is crowning Daily Duppy from rising rapper Cristale. Her flow and the bars it wraps around are mind-blowing. Taking a football theme, she spins it into tales of navigating beefs, family ties and the rap game, with a commanding performance and clever wordplay, even incorporating backslang. Expect her to take the UK rap scene by storm.
DJ Pitch ‘Agrippa’ (All Centre)
DJ Pitch’s All Centre imprint specialises in unconventional club tracks. This latest cut is an intriguing release that epitomises that MO. Starting with spiking bass throbs and slightly muffled rave stabs, it opens out into eerie noise that’s like electronic steam whistling from a kettle and an unsettling fairground-esque melody, before bringing both together with fidgeting foundation layers. Only brave DJs will draw for this one, but we bet it’d fuck up a dancefloor in the right setting.
Buy it here
Mixtress x Pete Cannon ‘Blinded By The Lights ‘23’ (RCA/Locked On)
Ever since audiences got their first wheel up of Pete Cannon and Mixtress’ raucous rework of The Streets’ ‘Blinded By The Lights’ during the latter’s Boiler Room late last year, speed-lovers everywhere have been waiting for the final cut to drop. And here it is! With the blessing of Mike Skinner himself no less. Weaving old skool hardcore and buoyant breaks through the morose-synths and soft vocal sample of the original — the pair reimagine the emotionally-tinged 2004 classic as a bouncy club anthem. Gun fingers at the ready!
Buy it here
Oneohtrix Point Never ‘A Barely Lit Path’(Warp)
As the lead single from Oneohtrix Point Never upcoming full-length record on Warp Records, ‘Again’, this track is less ‘A Barely Lit Path’ and more a red carpet rollout lined with flashing bulbs - welcoming listeners in to experience the inner-workings of the project this producer/composer extraordinairela’s “speculative biography.” Typically cinematic, OPN toys with clashing - at times harsh - hardware elements, weaving through poignant nods to classical; intricate piano keys build in severity below a haunting vocal that grows less and less discernible as the track progresses to the point where, by its crescendo, it resembles more of a synth. A real high point is halfway through the track, as he swaps out the chordophone for a space-age 303, that creeps in tempo quickly from 80s sci-fi to all-out trance euphoria. It’s easy to see why OPN has become Hollywood’s soundtracker of choice, we dare you not to level up your walk to Tesco this evening with this one.
Buy it here
Simo Cell ‘polite rudboi’ (TEMET)
It’s hard not to get a little spring in your step on news of a Simo Cell release. The reason for this may be that the TEMET boss may have a plethora of skills in his production-arsenal - but we put it forward, another reason is that Simo Cell just gets us. ‘polite rudboi’ from new album ‘Cuspide Des Sirènes’, as the name suggests, is brimming with juxtaposition; pairing eerie percussion with a cheeky pitched-up vocal — the track builds into a bouncing face-off between a near-terrifying compressed bassline and effervescent atmospheric synth. The perfect soundtrack to your dancefloor existential crisis.
Buy it here
Lawrence Hart & Mera Bhai ‘Jus U’ (Attack Decay Sweet Release)
This surprise drop from Lawrence Hart and Mera Bhai is a stonker, and heard on any club soundsystem, is sure to cause some serious dancefloor damage. ‘Jus U’ is a blend between raucous London club energy with a spattering of South Asian influence, recorded on the Mridangam, a 2000-year-old Indian instrument finding its way into a rapid breakbeat.
Buy it here
Y U QT ‘Let It Go’ (LG105)
Y U QT are on a consistent run right now with their garage-leaning scorchers, and ‘Let It Go’ is no different. Released in August after much anticipation, this new single was made on a bit of a whim. The pair admitted to “completely changing it up” just days before its release using a set of new synths and drum machines to achieve that whimsical, high-energy club feeling.
Buy it here
DEEJAYSAVETHECHILDREN ‘rumpypumpy@thejazzbar’ (Womp Krew)
Australian producer DEEJAYSAVETHECHILDREN’s appropriately named recent track fuses jazz with jungle for a memorable release on down under collective Womp Krew. A horn heavy sample with a smooth n’ funky bassline eases us into euphonic snare-filled breakbeats, complemented by sampled dance instructions. Around the midpoint, the track's tempo decelerates and sensual vocalisations precede the swapping of finger-plucked bass rhythms for hoarse, ruffneck basslines. Selectors better assemble quickly to grab this gem while it’s still a free download!
Download it here
Natanya ‘Raining Tomorrow’ (AURA X MOVES Recordings)
Rapidly rising neo soul talent Natanya is making sure her voice is heard - and stays heard. Following a string of well received singles like ‘Foolish’ and ‘Angel’, in the wake of an upcoming EP announcement her most recent release sees her celestial vocals backed by otherworldly nu-jazz production. Ascendant harmonisations introduce the chorus, where introspective, poetic lyrics meet heavenly chords and a swinging, addictive drum beat.
Buy it here
TWEAKS ‘Don’t Speak (Remastered)’ (Seet Deh Records)
Florida-born multidisciplinary artist TWEAKS’ latest release under their very own production company Seet Deh begins with a familiar train station announcement. Synth stabs, claps and rising rhythms then pave the way for their far out vocalisations of ‘Everyday together’. The track's pace picks up, as delayed chimes and a rapid, softly thumping beat propel it further and further through its sonic tunnel. It’s a track that embodies the type of forward thinking manipulation of soundscapes that has become almost synonymous with TWEAKS’ brand.
Buy it here
Big Kani ‘Frequency’ (Self-released)
Big Kani self-released 'Frequency' after a poll on his IG Stories offering followers the choice between three dubs to release for Bandcamp Friday. 'Frequency' brings elements of house, dub and techno together with a distinct UK sound. It features skittering hats, a hypnotic, processed vocal sample and the most simple-but-effective bassline. Who doesn't love a good wub? The track has been doing the rounds ever since its release, with support from Jossy Mitsu, Emerald & more.
Buy it here
Glimmerman ‘Step Mode (Sputnik One's 2 Step Mode Edit)’ (First Second Label)
Sputnik One steps up in an all Irish affair, giving Glimmerman’s ‘Step Mode’ a garage refix. The Dublin producer, in his own words, has been rinsing it for months and provides the perfect transition between tracks with and without swing.
Buy it here
Shanti Celeste & Hodge ‘Whispers (Rave Mix)’ (Peach Discs)
Shanti Celeste and Hodge link up once again to deliver a sizzling single as a precursor to their ‘Bounce’ EP on the former’s label. The track brings together the slick drums, euphoric chords, whispered vocals repeating “tell me something nice” and the familiar Korg M1 organ lead to conjure a summery sunshine feeling that is slowly slipping away.
Buy it here
Eartheater ‘Pure Smile Snake Venom’ (Chemical X)
In her first release of 2023, Eartheater does what she does best, AKA making atmospheric bangers. Innovative producer Sega Bodega joins her on the production, pairing Eartheater’s angelic voice with a mutating drumbeat. Recorded after a week’s session in Paris, we’re excited to hear the rest of the album.
Buy it here
Earl Sweatshirt and The Alchemist ‘Sentry’ feat. MIKE (Warner Records)
In a surprise release, Earl Sweatshirt returns to The Alcehmist’s productions in what could be yet another cherished joint album. Giving us a taste of what's to come, ‘Sentry’ uses a lofi bass riff with a gospel vocal loop creating texture within the track. With a featuring verse from frequent collaborator MIKE, both MIKE and Earl rap softly yet solidly, matching each other's rhythm on top of following the same topic of family in their verses. This emotional-embedded track comes in alongside the celebration of the 10th anniversary of Earl’s ‘Doris’.
Buy it here
Zack Fox ‘dummy’ (Parasang)
Zack Fox - the comedian and rapper - has taken a new direction in this single. Dipping his toe into house music, Fox raps over a sharp hi-hat drum beat with some choppy synth chords. Merging hip hop and house with his still witty lyrics, Fox has released a single that you’ll be “going dummy” for.
Buy it here
