Sabrina Carpenter – ‘Espresso’
Spare a thought for Barry Keoghan who, if Sabrina Carpenter’s new single is to be believed, is going to find it very hard to catch a wink of sleep for the foreseeable. “Now he’s thinking ‘bout me every night / Oh, is it that sweet?” the pop star purrs nonchalantly. “Say you can’t sleep, baby I know / That’s that me espresso.” It’s an effortlessly addictive piece of slinky, lowkey pop – and likely to get Coachella grooving this weekend.
Dua Lipa – ‘Illusion’
Dua’s big year of fun continues to gain pace with the latest taste of ‘Radical Optimism’. ‘Illusion’ is a bold dance-tinged bop that comes to life with a chorus that marries squelchy synths and chiming bells commanding you to the dancefloor. “Don’t you know I could do this dance all night?” Lipa teases at one point, and soon, it feels like we’ll be joining her.
The Deep & Hunjiya – ‘Shygirl’
Shy girls assemble – electronic artist The Deep and indie-pop star Hunjiya have just written your new anthem. From the whispered “shy girl” backing vocals to the gently wobbling bassline, everything about this collab feels soft, sweet and perfect for hiding from more intimidating voices to. It’s also incredibly relatable for any introverts who’ve spent more than a few minutes by themselves at a party “asking myself when will this end”.
Willow – ‘b i g f e e l i n g s’
“I have such big feelings / Can’t shut ‘em down or let ‘em out,” warbles Willow semi-operatically on this new piano-led track. It’s much lighter and brighter than the star’s last album, teasing a jauntier new era with the upcoming ‘empathogen’. Regardless of what follows, it won’t be long until you’re lightly chanting, “Yes, I have problems” along to this track.
Halima – ‘Ways’
Lagos and London-raised, Brooklyn-based rising star Halima explores feelings of lust on ‘Ways’, a song that fuses modern production with sounds linked to her Nigerian heritage. It’s a winning mix, creating something familiar but fresh and unpredictable. Over the top, Halima tells another, “You keep me up through the night”, sounding resigned to her new sleepless fate.
