Bringing you a pick of the month’s best releases, Maria Hanlon presents 10 tunes that have hit her decks – and got a reload – in August. Starring Louis Culture, Tora-i, Richie, Lynda Dawn, Kofi Stone, Surya Sen, Mysie, £MONZO, nikhil, BINA., Tara Lily, LEMZI, Ferrenzo, Irini Mando & Yiigaa….
Louis Culture, Tora-i, Richie
Babe
Different Recordings
For fans of… Frank Ocean, Finn Foxell, Jeshi
Why listen… Louis calls this one of his favourite songs yet, and I’d have to agree!
South London’s Louis Culture is back with brand new music following the release of his project, ‘I Can’t Wait To See U Again’ in April. Louis’s latest single ‘Babe’ features Tora-i and Richie and has a warm, groove-heavy and nostalgic vibe alongside his signature vocals. Speaking about ‘Babe’ on Instagram Louis said: “One of my favourite songs I’ve ever made, been rinsing every form of this song for the past year and I’m glad it’s finally here in the hands of you all. I hope it adds light to your life like it has to mine.”
Lynda Dawn
Where You Are
First Dawn Records
For fans of… Ego Ella May, Yazmin Lacey, Adi Oasis
Why listen… This track is perfect for the final few summer days.
Lynda Dawn has just dropped ‘Where You Are’, the first single from her upcoming EP, ‘11th Hour’. The track touches on the themes of love, unity and yearning and features a gorgeous and groovy production. The track came out on August 8th just in time for the last of the summer sun, so make sure to have this on repeat whilst you soak it up. As we eagerly wait for ‘11th Hour’ you can catch Lynda Dawn live at the Barbican Centre on October 4th presented by Touching Bass.
Kofi Stone
King David Flow
Tru Community
For fans of… Loyle Carner, Barney Artist, Nix Northwest
Why listen… Kofi Stone returns with brand new heat that you’ll need on repeat.
Birmingham’s Kofi Stone is back showing us why he’s one of the best in the game right now. ‘King David Flow’ lands after ‘You’ll Be Okay’ and has a nostalgic tone reminiscent of 90s hip-hop whilst still sounding super fresh with Kofi’s signature sound. Kofi’s famous flows are always meaningful and this time is no different as his lyrics captivate you from the first line. The rapper is about to embark on his biggest tour yet, kicking off in Sweden on October 30th and ending in London at Koko on 27th November.
Surya Sen
Sunshine
Attention Deficit Records
For fans of… Bonobo, Caribou, Maribou State
Why listen… Surya Sen gifts us with his first drop of the year, the shimmering ‘Sunshine’.
Surya Sen is a British Bengali producer and rapper from North London. This year has seen his focus on his production talent with his latest release ‘Sunshine’. The track is different from his usual sound, it’s much slower and more atmospheric showing us how versatile he is. The release comes after a busy summer performing at Glastonbury, Reading and Leeds Festival and Brockwood Festival to name a few. I’m already looking forward to seeing what the rising star does next.
Mysie, £MONZO
PHASES
ONErpm
For fans of… Thundercat, Sampha, SBTRKT
Why listen… ‘PHASES’ is your new fave tune for when you want to feel empowered and uplifted.
South London’s Mysie has shared her latest single, ‘PHASES’ which is taken from her upcoming debut mixtape ‘CONTROLLA’, due 27th September. The brand new bop features up-and-coming SW London rapper £MONZO. Mysie shares: “’PHASES’ is the ultimate city girls anthem. It’s about standing your ground and letting go of those hot and cold situationships. I reached out to South London’s finest, £MONZO, after discovering her PGG Freestyle and knew she would absolutely finesse this.” You have to check out the music video for this too.
nikhil
Sunrise
nikhil
For fans of… Steve Lacy, Meron T, Safiyyah
Why listen… nikhil is back with a beauty, showcasing his sound with this sultry single.
nikhil is a DIY alternative indie R&B artist carving out his own lane with his unique fusion of genres and beautiful vocals. ‘Sunrise’ begins with an R&B vibe but features a drum and bass drop in the middle, keeping us on our toes and showing that nikhil can span many genres so brilliantly. He says on Instagram: “I’m so excited to share this one coz it feels even more like me than the last time I released something and said that! I guess I’m unlocking my world more and more every day and so glad u guys can be on this journey.”
BINA.
Self Assured
TLD Records
For fans of… Jaydonclover, RADA, Harve
Why listen… The production on this combined with BINA.’s beautiful vocals make this such a stand out track.
Following on from the success of her last single ‘Dopamine’, BINA. is back with another Subculture-produced single ‘Self Assured’. The track has so many layers and elements to it making it mesmerising and causing you to hear something new everytime you listen. BINA. says the track is about; “fantasising about a crazy night out with my friends; about what might happen if [she] said yes to more party invites, lol!” She adds, “I’m not much of a party girl, I like to hang out in smaller groups, or by myself. So on occasions when I do go out to parties, I often have to psyche myself up, charge my social battery so I can keep up. So this song is an ode to my part-time party people”.
Tara Lily
Breathe Now
Tru Thoughts
For fans of… TYSON, muva of Earth, Bel Cobain
Why listen… ‘Breathe Now’ spans many genres creating a totally unique sonic soundscape.
‘Breathe Now’ is Tara Lily’s latest single built around a classic 90s jungle sample with trumpets, keys and vocals layered on top. The result is a captivating soundscape spanning jazz, electronica, trip-hop, and alt R&B and of course Tara’s recognisable vocals. The track is taken from her highly anticipated forthcoming debut album ‘Speak In The Dark’ releasing 27th September 2024 via Tru Thoughts. Speaking about the album Tara says,“It’s a journey of high-energy, intense songs and deep, slow, mournful ballads.”
LEMZI, Ferrenzo, Irini Mando
Crestfallen
Treblelek.
For fans of… KAM-BU, Nia Archives, Bel Cobain
Why listen… LEMZI’s new tune ‘Crestfallen’ takes him into a new space sonically and I’m loving it.
LEMZI has linked up with singer/songwriter, Irini Mando and award-winning producer, Ferrenzo for the impactful ‘Crestfallen’. The song is a fusion of jungle, hip-hop, soul & R&B resulting in a different style and sound to what we’ve heard from LEMZI before. The song was previously released as an instrumental called ‘Come Thru’ from Ferrenzo’s Jungle N’B tape in 2023 before becoming ‘Crestfallen’. LEMZI continues to impress with his unique talent and versatile sound, long may it continue!
Yiigaa
Lose Control
Yiigaa
For fans of… Karen Nyame KG, LEGZDINA, Hagan
Why listen… Yiigaa has one more summer tune for us, the vibey ‘Lose Control’.
The super talented Yiigaa has just shared ‘Lose Control’ off the back of ‘Rewind’ a collaboration with Karen Nyame KG. The new track is dance-floor ready and full of energy as it fuses together different genres. Speaking about ‘Lose Control’, Yiigaa says, “It inhabits everything I love about dance music, inspired by the global sounds of Afro house, Baile funk, dancehall and soultronic.” With a steady stream of much-loved releases up until now, I’m already excited to see what the rest of the year holds for Yiigaa.
Words:Maria Hanlon @mariahanlon Listen to The Voices Breakfast Show with Maria Hanlon on the 1st & 3rd Friday of the month 9-11am on voicesradio.co.uk.