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 September. Starring Cleo Sol, Jorja Smith, J Hus, Eliza Rose, MANIK MC, Mysie, dialE, p-rallel, Douvelle19, Safiyyah, Doov & Ego Ella May…
Cleo Sol
Self
Forever Living Originals
For fans of… Joy Crookes, Celeste, Arlo Parks
Why listen… Cleo Sol is back with her brand new album, featuring the dreamy, downtempo ‘Self’
Cleo Sol has just dropped her album ‘Heaven’, following on from her 2021 album ‘Mother’. ‘Self’ is the first song on the album, a jazz-infused cut about self-development and working on yourself before trying to change the world, setting the tone for the tracks that follow. Cleo’s signature soulful vocals are stunning and this track showcases them perfectly.
Jorja Smith, J Hus
Feelings
FAMM
For fans of… Mahalia, Drake, Sinéad Harnett
Why listen… Two of the UK’s finest have teamed up to make your new fave bop
Jorja Smith has released her highly anticipated second album, ‘falling or flying’. The album showcases a diverse sonic landscape and sees Jorja Smith team up with the one and only J Hus for ‘Feelings’. The track surrounds the themes of friendship and self-identity and is the collaboration we didn’t know we needed!
Eliza Rose
Take You There
WMG (on behalf of ONE HOUSE X LIMITED)
For fans of… Interplanetary Criminal, Cody Currie, The Martinez Brothers
Why listen… Eliza Rose is one of the most exciting artists on the scene right now and her latest single will show you why
Eliza Rose is keeping us on our toes with every release, capturing the attention of both underground and mainstream music fans alike, something that’s hard to do. Her latest release ‘Take You There’ just dropped alongside a special rework by Detroit’s very own Omar S. The track comes after ‘Better Love’ and ‘Pleasure Peak’ which dropped earlier this year. Eliza says, “‘Take You There’ and ‘Better Love’ always come together as a pair, a bit like two-sides of a coin showing how in underground dance music you can have both these slick, summery cute moments, as well as these more mad, chaotic ones. It’s important to me as an artist to touch both sides.”
MANIK MC
Neon
MANIK MC x OPULOUS
For fans of… The Silhouettes Project, Finn Foxell, Natty Wylah
Why listen… This is the perfect head bopper for those rainy days
MANIK MC is a rapper who needs to be on your radar. He took a little break but is back on the scene with ‘Neon’, produced by pal Harvey Gunn. This track is about where he grew up, between Finsbury Park & Hackney. His musical influences vary from British hip-hop pioneers Klashnekoff and Skinnyman, to US icons Outkast and The Roots. Speaking about ‘Neon’, he says on Instagram “This is one of my favourite tracks I’ve ever made, I hope you feel it too.”
Mysie
DOUBLE DUTCH
Mysie Recordings
For fans of… Rachel Chinouriri, George Riley, Biig Piig
Why listen… You won’t be able to stop playing ‘DOUBLE DUTCH’ once you hear it!
South-East London’s Mysie has just released her brand new single ‘DOUBLE DUTCH’. The song is an anthem of self-reliance. Speaking about the track Mysie says, “I wrote this song in a moment of realisation that I needed to let go of the dead weight holding me back”. ‘DOUBLE DUTCH’ was produced by Oscar Moos and follows on from recent releases ‘PLAY’ & ‘CTRL’. Mysie’s 2023 releases continue to showcase her fresh sound, mixing Jersey club, pop & indie with a heavy dose of electronica.
dialE
Scrape The Sky
dial who
For fans of… Jelani Blackman, Ezra Collective, Silhouette’s Project
Why listen… If you haven’t heard of dialE yet, get on it before everyone else does!
Emerging from east London, DialE is a new and refreshing artist who takes inspiration from multiple genres including drill, afro swing, alt R&B and jazz. His storytelling is deep and purposeful and the production in his tracks always perfectly compliment his voice. ‘Scrape The Sky’ is the outro to his tape ‘dear dialE’ which has dialE reminisce on the area he’s come from and reflect on where he’s going in life. The project dropped on September 15th and is a positive project to encourage listeners to keep going, no matter what’s going on in their lives.
p-rallel
It’s A Lundun Thing
4ZA Music / Black Butter Limited
For fans of… Conducta, IZCO, DJ EZ
Why listen… DJs you’re going to want to get this on your USB ASAP!
p-rallel continues to make his mark on the UK dance scene and he’s treating us to another absolute banger with ‘It’s A Lundun Thing’. The track is a reimagining of Scott Garcia’s 1997 classic, tailor-made for a new generation of UK garage fans. The tune is the lead track on p-rallel’s upcoming mixtape and has been highly anticipated since its first debut at his Boiler Room back in May. The track has a visualiser which captures London’s vibrant music scene perfectly, check it out.
Douvelle19
Green Light
D19
For fans of… Higgo, Y U QT, salute
Why listen… This song is warm and vibey, the perfect autumnal tune
Newport based DJ/ producer Douvelle19 has just released ‘Green Light’ which features the vocals from South-east London R&B producer and singer Harve, taken from the upcoming EP ‘When I Dream’ due early 2024. Speaking about the meaning behind the track Douvelle19 says, “It’s about the gentle battle that humans participate in together on the dance floor, it turns you around, either towards yourself or another. Green Light is a teaser, and tempts you with an idea of ownership but really it encapsulates your agency and freedom as a listener, as a body.”
Safiyyah, Doov
No Pressure
Safiyyah
For fans of… JGrrey, Jaz Karis, Loie
Why listen… This track will be stuck in your head for days to come, it’s a beauty
Safiyyah is back with a stunning new track featuring rapper Doov. ‘No Pressure’ is a drill infused R&B track that has a catchy hook and upbeat vibe to it. The track is about falling for someone but trying to not make it obvious. The track combines piano, percussion, guitar along with consistent trap drums that create a mesmerising beat that Safiyyah flows effortlessly on. With a steady flow of releases this year, we’re hoping for more music from Safiyyah soon.
Ego Ella May
Undone
Ego Ella May
For fans of… Blue Lab Beats, Allysha Joy, Yasmin Lacey
Why listen… This track is simply stunning and needs to be added to your playlist right now
South London musician Ego Ella May marks the end of her ‘FIELDNOTES’ collection with the soulful new single ‘Undone’. The track was produced by Lvther and is a musical safe space gesturing towards new beginnings. Ego Ella May says; “It’s about letting go of control, ditching the facade that so many of us find ourselves latching onto, the question of what would happen if we simply left it all behind and started again… It’s possible!”
Words: Maria Hanlon (MH)
Listen to The Voices Breakfast Show with Maria Hanlon on the 1st Friday of the month 9-11am on voicesradio.co.uk
You can also listen to the UD Selects Mixtape 2023 playlists on the UD YouTube channel
