Press play on the latest edition of NOTION NOW, the playlist featuring the freshest tracks you need to hear.

'Nettles’ by Ethel Cain

Offering an eight minute journey that feels both intimate and confessional, Ethel Cain is leaning into her innermost instincts as a masterful singer-songwriter on 'Nettles'. The track is drenched in ambient sounds and atmospheric vocals, which swell and rise into a soundscape that’s immersive and beautiful. Bright and bittersweet, her harmonious voice carries the weight of the imagery she’s drawing, allowing ‘Nettles’ to bloom into something powerful and clear. Gearing up to the release of her third studio album, Willoughby Tucker, I’ll Always Love You, she is proving herself yet again as one of the most vital and visionary voices in music today.

‘Matador (Strings)’ by Luvcat

Former NOTION cover star Luvcat is back and better than ever with a reinvigoration of her debut single, ‘Matador (Strings)’, in celebration of its one year anniversary. “This song is about a torturous love affair and I still feel it in my guts when I sing it, there’s always been a strange magic to it for me,” the artist shares.

‘DEAD’ by Sudan Archives

Her first song since 2022’s Natural Brown Prom Queen, Sudan Archives is back with the disorienting and experimental, ‘DEAD’. She maintains the technical ingenuity of her previous album, incorporating the dexterity of her violin playing with explosive club rhythms and sprawling soundscapes.

‘Forever’ by George Riley & Mura Masa

Teaming up for a sun-soaked collaboration with Mura Masa, ‘Forever’ is the latest release from club kid and R&B afficionado, George Riley. Emanating sunshine, warmth, and the easy energy of a summer breeze, the track marks a bold new chapter for the artist. Known for her playful, quick-witted lyricism, the track leans into joy and sensuality, delivering a mid-tempo dance pop anthem that pays homage to the classics of the early 00s. If this is the sound of George Riley’s summer, we’re all in.

‘Manchild’ by Sabrina Carpenter

‘Manchild’ is a tongue-in-cheek anthem for navigating today’s romantic landscape by ubiiquitous pop figure, Sabrina Carpenter. The catchy, no-nonsense track was produced by Jack Antonoff and frequent collaborator Amy Allen, who allow her wit and femininity to shine. Sabrina headlines Primavera Sound Barcelona tonight.

‘Lion’ by Little Simz & Obongjayar

Multi-award-winning Little Simz joins forces with Obongjayar for ‘Lion’, fresh off of the equivocal rapper’s new album, Lotus. Turning rage and betrayal into a record that spans punk, jazz and samba, it would seem the Islington native is thriving without her former producer Inflo, who she’s taking to court for allegedly failing to repay a £1.7 million loan.

’Times Like These’ by Addison Rae

Addison Rae just released her debut album, alongside a music video for the standout track, ‘Times Like These’. A medley of influences from the early ‘00s, one of this generation’s most notable celebrity rebrands just got that little better, as she reworks elements of trance, breakbeat and disco into 12 tracks of camp-pop perfection.

‘I CARE’ by Turnstile

Fresh from their new album NEVER ENOUGH, ‘I CARE’ is a shimmeringly upbeat indie and jangle-pop track from Turnstile that has that same ‘throw your hands in the air and dance like a maniac’ energy The Smiths carried throughout the ‘90s. As for the record, it’s the Baltimore band at their most experimental. The album was highly anticipated and already looks like it’ll be one of the most celebrated this year.

‘Anticipate’ by El Michels Affair & Clairo

An El Michels Affair and Clairo collab is the link up we never knew we needed this week. Combining the New York outfit’s pyschedelic funk with the superstar singer’s sherbert-sweet harmonies, the single is an easy-going introduction to the band’s new record, 24 Hr Sports, which is set to come out in September.

‘The Rope’ by Wunderhorse

Following a sold-out UK tour, including a date at Alexandra Palace, Wunderhorse have released ‘The Rope’, which is both haunting and emotionally charged. Blending grunge and indie rock elements, the raw vocals and atmospheric instrumentals help to explore themes of inner turmoil and vulnerability. The single also follows the band’s debut performance on Jools Holland.