Written by Stephanie Kleanthous
Design by Stephanie Kleanthous, illustration by Emily Nash
Introducing our new Sounds of the Month playlist and accompanied article to keep you up to date with new releases by our favourite artists. Below is just a sneak peek, you can listen to the full playlist here.
p-rallel & Greentea Peng – soulboy (IZCO Remix)
Greentea Peng’s distinct, soulful vocals meshed with the vivacious saxophones compliment this jungle mix by London-born DJ & producer, IZCO. The original track is perfect for a chilled day of pretending it’s still summer with its reggae and dub vibes but IZCO has definitely given us reason to have it back on repeat this Autumn – maybe in your mate’s living room once that 10pm curfew hits.
Shygirl – FREAK
Shygirl and fellow NUXXE artist, Sega Bodega, created this sexual, upbeat track making it her first solo of 2020. If there’s a song to make you miss being in the dance instead of at your 6-seated table, it’s Freak. Earlier this year Shygirl performed at Boiler Room for International Women’s Day and supported Mura Masa on his tour. Her music empowers women to own their sexuality and not wait around for men to take action. She “won’t ever meet your mum but your daddy’s on the phone.”
Bel Cobain & Lex Amor – At The Bay (prod. by illiterate)
Bel Cobain is a Hackney born and bred artist with soothingly hypnotic vocals, often making me forget all of my problems or landing me deep in my feelings. Teamed up with Lex Amor’s mellow rapping style we’re influenced to “keep all of the aggression at the bay” in the face of woes.
This single was the first from The Silhouettes Project, a Hackney-based community scheme, who are pushing to “save our spaces” by “shining a light on those artists in the shadows and protecting our space against gentrification”. They have much more lined up for their album of collaborations and you can look out for their billboard in Dalston.
slowthai ft. James Blake & Mount Kimbie – feel away
This is a dreamy collaboration for me and I listen to it every day. The piano, fairly stripped back production by Kimbie and James Blake’s vocals elevate the rawness and melancholy of the lyrics. The haunting video of slowthai and his baby turning into an edible cake left me craving the deeper meaning. He stated, “this song is about the doubts we have whether it be within friendships, your partner or with our family. It’s about putting yourself in the other person’s shoes so you have a better understanding of the situation.”
Sly Diggers ft. Thieta – Spells (prod. by Joe Corfield)
Multifaceted Birmingham artist, Sly Diggers, raps about a romance he’s had to turn his back on and cut off. His flow and intrinsic lyricism fused with Manchester-born Thieta’s mesmerising vocals and emotional chorus will definitely have you thinking about all those failed talking stages that slipped away.
Pa Salieu ft. BlackRoad Gee – My Family
I’ve had this on repeat since it came out. Pre-drinks for the pub at 5pm? Perfect. Going for a run? You’re covered. Blessed with the aux at an afters? Bang it on. Long car journey to escape the impending doom of the apocalypse? Ideal. Pa Salieu has been on the rise over the past couple of years and emerged from Coventry. He broke through this year with his track Frontline and has continued to dish out heavy tunes. I did a lot of my lockdown cooking to his NTS show from back in May which is Afrobeats and Dancehall-filled.
Blood Orange & 박혜진 Park Hye Jin – CALL ME (Freestyle)
East London-born Blood Orange and South Korean DJ and producer 박혜진 Park Hye Jin recreated Jin’s original song CALL ME with this new freestyle. Blood Orange’s heavenly vocals compliment the track massively with tranquil visuals he shot himself while riding through New York. Jin also released a new EP in June titled How Can I which indulges in multiple genres such as house, techno, trap and more.
Finn Foxell – Coming In 3s
West London rapper Finn Foxell has just dropped his new EP Talk Is Cheap and this has to be my favourite track from it. His deep, calming tones work beautifully with the spiritual essence of blessings coming in 3s. Foxell’s one to watch and supported slowthai on his tour last year, had a Boiler Room livestream set during lockdown as well as his own headline show at Peckham Audio back in March.
You can listen to the full playlist on Spotify here.
