- Words Liam Cattermole
Get stuck into all the fresh new tracks you need to hear this week, featuring Kenya Grace, Nia Archives, Nemzzz and more.
‘It’s not fair’ by Kenya Grace
‘It’s not fair’ sings Kenya Grace on her new single, reminding us of the emotional commotion that comes with a break-up. Over a dreamy liquid DnB instrumental, she recalls all the red flags of a previous relationship, questioning whether they still think about her and if she really cares anyway.
‘Unfinished Business’ by Nia Archives
“For a long time, I thought I wanted to be loved / but then I realised, I just don’t want anyone to make me feel unloved,” says Nia Archives before launching into frenetic breaks and an angelic refrain. The Bradfordian’s ‘cry in the club’ ethos is in full swing on ‘Unfinished Business’, thrusting jungle into places few would have thought the genre could ever sit in.
‘ETA’ by Nemzzz, Luciano
After countless rumours and teasers, which included a still unreleased collab with Headie One and Clavish, Nemzzz has finally dropped his debut mixtape, DO NOT DISTURB. Filled with post-drill gems and Jersey club bangers, the 11 songs showcase all that we’ve come to love about Manchester’s fastest rising star. ‘ETA’, featuring German rapper Luciano, sees the wordsmiths’ trading bars at a rapid rate, bodying the Ace Spectrum ‘I Don’t Want to Play Around’ sample with their dexterous flows.
‘I Guess’ by Lizzy McAlpine
Taken from Lizzy McAlpine’s eagerly awaited third studio album, Older, ‘I Guess’ is an overwhelmingly beautiful single that the singer-songwriter produced in Los Angeles. Raising the hairs on the back of your neck, Lizzy’s voice dissects the emotional conviction it takes to love someone and the turmoil that potentially comes with it. She’ll also be embarking on a UK/Europe headline tour this Autumn, where dates have been newly added due to overwhelming demand.
‘Enough (Miami)’ by Cardi B
Cardi B is her unapologetic self on new single, ‘Enough (Miami)’. “Opps linking up, I’m like what in the fuck?” she reasons with all the attitude we’ve come to expect from the NYC native, who takes it upon herself to reignite the top tier beef she has with fellow hip-hop queenpin, Nicki Minaj.
‘CHROMA 002 L.A.V.A’ by B.D.B, BICEP, Benjamin Damage
Bicep – AKA Andy Ferguson and Matthew McBriar – follow up on their inaugural CHROMA release with the squelchy techno banger, ‘CHROMA 002 L.A.V.A’. A collaboration between the duo and fellow electronic stalwart Benjamin Damage, the track gives fans further insight into the faster and more club-focused sounds the Belfast boys are experimenting with at the moment.
‘Ghosts’ by Yung Lean, Bladee
When Yung Lean posted a cryptic photo to his Instagram two days ago, few would have thought that it was the cover art for a collab tape with Bladee. Titled Psykos, a surreal ode to existentialism, the Swedish artists trade verses that weep with anxiety and self-reflection. On ‘Ghosts’, the duo relay their woes over crashing drums and sharp guitars, providing all the elements of a perfect, post-apocalyptic anthem.
‘Push N Shuv’ by Lava La Rue
Linking up with Karma Kid for some psych-funk goodness, Lava La Rue’s back with an impeccably stylish ooze on, ‘Push N Shuv’. The first single from her long-awaited and highly anticipated debut album, STARFACE, the lascivious lyricism, natural groove and occasional cowbell hark to art-punk provocateurs Talking Heads while maintaining the unapologetic self-expression they’re known for.
‘Empty And Silent’ by Mount Kimbie, King Krule
The third single from Mount Kimbie’s fourth album, The Sunset Violent, ‘Empty And Silent’ is a tongue in cheek story of rejection and mundanity. Featuring King Krule’s unmistakable tones, the soundscape sits in a melancholic space: solemn and psychedelic, the track closes out the record in oneiric fashion.
‘My Future’ by Poppy Ajudha
Returning after a short-lived hiatus, Poppy Ajudha’s genre fluid style is on full display in her new single, ‘My Future’. A celebration of bringing her hopes and aspirations to life, the track stands as one of her most authentic self-expressions to date, combining art-pop and neo-soul with the danceable energy of DnB.