We had a new Prime Minister this week. Remember that? We’ve also had a number of new musical offerings, a much more exciting prospect – including a welcome return from Rihanna. Here’s some of the best of this week’s releases.
Rihanna – Lift Me Up
It’s the Ri-turn of Rihanna and whilst, admittedly, it’s part of the soundtrack for the forthcoming
Black Panther sequel, it’s nonetheless worth shouting about. Rihanna’s first solo single in six years, it comes ahead of her headline show at the Super Bowl half-time show next year. A new album on the horizon? Stranger things have happened.
Matt Maltese – Mother
When we saw Matt Maltese a few weeks back, he explained his new track ‘Mother’ was about considering the wider implications of a breakup not just on the couple involved, but the wider family who came to know and cherish their blood relative’s partner too. It’s a sad premise, but then again, that’s what Maltese does best – and sometimes that is a-okay. I’m not crying, you are.
Dapz on the Map – Bring It Home
His debut album, out today, might be called
Landed but in truth Dapz on the Map wants it to be more of a take-off. The Birmingham rapper already has a significant slate of releases, but is hoping to cement his name even further on the scene with his self-title “grime n’ b” sound. In other words, put himself on the map.
Read our full interview with Dapz on the Map here.
Razorlight – You Are Entering The Human Heart
Indie darlings Razorlight have an album announcement of their own. It was last year the band revealed they were back working together. And now today’s release, ‘You Are Entering The Human Heart’, is one of the very fruits of such labour. It comes ahead of a new
Razorwhat? The Best Of Razorlight, due on 9 December, which will feature 11 of their best tracks and another new number, ‘What Violence?’.
Westside Gunn (feat. Black Star) – Peppas
One of the standout tracks from Westside Gunn’s latest drop – the tenth and final instalment of the New York rapper’s Hitler Wears Hermes series. With strong verses from the heavy-hitting Black Star duo of Yasiin Bey and Talib Kweli, it epitomises the skilled inclusion of other big names in this feature-heavy record.
Read our full review of 10 here.
Mount Kimbie (feat. Kai Campos) – Satellite 9
Something a little different here, with this glistening electro-inflected tune from Mount Kimbie. One of two tracks released by the duo today, it comes ahead of their curiously titled, if a little mysterios,
MK 3.5: Die Cuts | City Planning album, set for release on 4 November via esteemed Warp Records.
Veps – A Show Of Hands
Norwegian band Veps sound a lot more mature than their barely-out-of-school years. The quartet are already creating a buzz in their native Norway and with their debut album,
Oslo Park (what could be more Norwegian-sounding than that?), set for release in November, they’re definitely some up-and-comers worth keeping your ears out for.
Bavé – Show Me Love
Another Scandinavian for the list. Reminiscent of Blood Orange and with clear references from the likes of Prince and Hendrix, Bavé has a frankly beautiful falsetto range, delivered over a glistening instrumental. One for late night vibes, undoubtedly.
Jackie Hayes – August
Cranking up the gears somewhat, whilst remaining moody by another means, this time with Chicago’s Jackie Hayes. Her debut album
Over & Over, out today, follows her well-received 2021 EP,
There’s Always Going To Be Something, which saw high praise from the likes of BBC’s Jack Saunders and Apple Music’s Matt Wilkinson. ‘August’ embodies the kind of grunge, punk and post-hardcore that fans are slowly but surely starting to follow Hayes for.
Holly Humberstone – Can You Afford To Lose Me?
A brand-new track from Holly Humberstone,
‘Can You Afford To Lose Me?’ has been released as part of a collection of songs that chart
the BRIT Rising Star’s musical journey thus far. It might seem odd for a release to already be marking the
Best Of a mere 22-year-old artist, but her early ascendancy very much took hold during lockdown. This collection of tracks, including this new offering, is both a signing-off of an old chapter, and the beginning of a new one.
That’s it, folks. Enjoy your weekends.
