Black Honey — ‘Fire‘
Forever one of the most creative bands in the game (and always on an impressively tight budget), Black Honey have delivered yet again with an animated video for their empowering slowie, ‘Fire’. A track of staunch determination, it grows stronger with every parp of those horns, a full army of badass, pyrotechnic-launching bosses assembling in all their nipple-tasselled glory. It’s a little bit out there, but the sentiment is clear — “I know exactly what I deserve.” As the fifth puzzle piece to their ‘Written & Directed” chapter, it’s the perfect closing credit.
Dora Jar — ‘Polly‘
When an artist describes their own work as “a fucking anthem”, it’s normally worth sitting up to listen. ‘Polly’ doesn’t disappoint — glitchy, staccato vocals and a hip-swinging chorus that conjures up images of a 2000s rock girl band utopia, sent straight from Sunny California. If Tumblr met Etsy and started a LiveJournal, it would likely sound like this.
ATO — ‘Muscle Twitch‘
Pulling in elements from a rich diaspora of rap, ‘Muscle Twitch’ is the first dose of Leeds artist ATO’s new project, exploring what it means to be Black-British through a northern lens. Both vulnerable and versatile, his work is the bridge between emo-rap and future RnB, set to strong visuals that speak of his growing ambition as a world-builder. File him under your ‘ones to watch’ – by the time this EP drops late summer, his name is going to be everywhere.
Lime Garden — ‘Sick & Tired‘
In keeping with their namesake, Brighton newbies Lime Garden certainly know how to balance the sharp sting of citrus with a breath of fresh air. Terrified of the pressures of impending adulthood, ‘Sick & Tired’ flips coming-of-age angst on its head with an unspooling retro groove, recognising the unknown and learning to lean into life’s quirky possibilities. The real world might be beckoning, but their future isn’t one to worry about.
Bombay Bicycle Club — ‘Terrapin Station‘
Struggling to get through those last few weeks of term? Enter Bombay Bicycle Club with a solid contender for vibey study playlist of the year. A 16-minute, colourful take on The Grateful Dead track (and a celebration of National Turtle Day), ‘Terrapin Station’ floats along on a blissful current, waving its fin in anticipation of the glorious lazy summer that is to come. Hang on in there — better days are on their way.
Listen to all these tracks and more on our BRAND NEW playlist.
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