Bringing you a pick of the month’s best releases, Maria Hanlon presents 10 tunes that hit her decks – and got a reload – in May. Starring p-rallel, Sam Deely, MRCY, Joy Crookes, KingCrowney, Ben DSP, Lizzie Berchie, VC Pines, JONES, WheelUp, Victoria Port & Olympia Vitalis…
p-rallel, Sam Deely
Blessings
Nevermind Recordings
For fans of… IZCO, Conducta, Fredwave
Why listen… p-rallel & Sam Deely link up for this nostalgic UKG banger built for summer.
DJ and producer p-rallel has teamed up with Sam Deely on the upbeat club anthem ‘Blessings’. The vibrant, dancefloor-ready track is set to feature on p-rallel’s second release of the year, ‘SELECTA’, a four-track EP dropping at the end of summer. Blending elements of house, garage, hip-hop, and soul, the EP promises p-rallel’s unmistakable style throughout. He’s already making major moves, with a sold-out Nevermind Recordings showcase in Manchester, a headline set at The Cause in July, and big festival appearances lined up including Glastonbury. It looks like 2025 will be another huge year for the super talented DJ and producer.
MRCY
Flicker
Dead Oceans
For fans of… Anderson .Paak, Leon Bridges, Sault
Why listen… MRCY are a London-based duo you need to know.
MRCY is made up of producer Barney Lister and vocalist Kojo Degraft-Johnson. Hailing from different ends of England their music sounds both timeless and cutting edge. ‘Flicker’ drops ahead of their new project ‘VOLUME 2’, which came out on May 30th. Speaking about the track, MRCY says, “‘Flicker’ is about putting too much energy into people who don’t give it back. It’s that feeling when you realise you’ve been pouring into the wrong cups – people who wouldn’t do the same for you.”
Joy Crookes
Carmen
Insanity Records
For fans of… Frank Ocean, Arlo Parks, Celeste
Why listen… Joy Crookes’s soulful new single needs a place on your playlist.
Joy Crookes returns with a powerful new single titled ‘Carmen’ which was released on May 16. The track is bold and vibrant, blending Joy’s distinctive voice with punchy percussion and meaningful lyrics. Speaking about the track Joy says: “It’s for the women that I really admire and care about who have been diminished because of the way they look or the way their brains work or the fact that they have suffered from mental health issues and the fact that they actually have an opinion on something and aren’t just designed for men!”
KingCrowney
Movements
Raising Records
For fans of… Louie Vega, Crackazat, Atjazz
Why listen… ‘Movements’ is the perfect soundtrack for your summer.
KingCrowney is a trumpeter and rising star in London’s deep house music scene. He’s just released the stunning ‘Movements’ on Raising Records, showing us why he’s one to watch. The boundary-pushing producer teamed up with Irish-born, London-based vocalist Carrie Baxter for this one. Carrie brings a rich, intimate tone that perfectly complements Crowney’s sonic landscape. He’s already hinted at more music on the way and I can’t wait to hear it!
Ben DSP
These Times
On Your DSP’s
For fans of… Mac Miller, Little Simz, Manga Saint Hilare
Why listen… Ben DSP is the rising star rapper you need to be across.
Ben DSP is a bilingual rapper who blends UK rap and dance sounds with honest, relatable lyrics and skippy flows. His latest release ‘These Times’ is an early 2000s-inspired banger about the loneliness you can feel when focusing on achieving your goals. Ben says “I was listening to a lot of Neptunes/Pharrell at the time we made this song, which I think is quite obvious! I loved the beat Blueboy made so much that the song came together in under an hour.” Ben DSP has a big summer ahead including playing Little Simz’s Meltdown Festival on June 19th.
Lizzie Berchie
Happiness
Tru Community
For fans of… Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Lauryn Hill
Why listen… This empowering and soulful new track from Lizzie Berchie will be on heavy rotation once you hear it.
Lizzie Berchie is a singer-songwriter and producer born and raised in east London. Fusing her childhood influences of R&B, neo-soul, jazz, reggae and highlife, Lizzie creates her own unique and infectious sound. Coinciding with the release of her EP ‘Night Shift‘, Lizzie has shared ‘Happiness’ as the project’s latest single. Uplifting and brimming with self-confidence, ‘Happiness’ serves as the EP’s closing track and is about overcoming struggles and uncertainty. Everything Lizzie has released so far has been incredible, and I’m excited to see what she does next.
VC Pines
Chasing The Dragon
Club Carousel
For fans of… King Krule, Steve Lacy, Glass Animals
Why listen… VC Pines’s latest offering is not one to be missed.
VC Pines aka Jack Mercer is totally immersed in a well of alternative soul, poetry and punk performance. With his unique sound and impressive vocals, VC Pines remains one of London’s most exciting artists. ‘Chasing the Dragon’ is the latest cut from his new EP of the same name which came out on May 9th. Speaking about the track VC Pines shares, “Chasing the dragon is about love that you can’t let go of despite it being the reason for your suffering. You’re addicted to this person yet you know they’re no good for you, and you’re no good for each other.”
JONES
Sunshine
Unity Records
For fans of… Sade, Cleo Sol, Sault
Why listen… As the title suggests, this song by JONES sounds like pure sunshine.
East-London’s JONES radiates warmth in her latest release ‘Sunshine.’ The track came out on May 16th, just in time for summer. ‘Sunshine’ sees JONES team up with Aaron Taylor to write this gorgeous soulful track about letting the sunshine in. Speaking about the song on social media JONES says: “Hope this song will bring a smile to all the ears and hearts that might need it.”
WheelUp, Victoria Port
Duality
Tru Thoughts
For fans of… Last Nubian, Allysha Joy, musclecars
Why listen… You need to treat your ears to the delightful ‘Duality’ from WheelUp and Victoria Port.
WheelUP emits ‘Inner Light‘, with his new album which radiates soulful house, global grooves and funky broken beat. The eighth track on the album is called ‘Duality’ and features Victoria Port, who’s collaborated with WheelUP previously. Victoria’s vocals are soulful and smooth and weave in & out of WheelUP’s production perfectly. Speaking about the stunning new album WheelUP shares: “The project represents a musical vibration that aligns with my own inner light.”
Olympia Vitalis
Angel Patience
Torriano Entertainment Group
For fans of… Amy Winehouse, J Dilla, D’Angelo
Why listen… Olympia Vitalis’ vocals on her latest release demand your full attention.
Olympia Vitalis is a West-London-based soul singer, known for her unique vocal style and distinctive songwriting. Having sung in a gospel choir for seven years, Olympia’s sound draws inspiration from improvisation and jazz vocal techniques. Her unique voice is channeled into her lyrics, focusing on subjects that are close to her heart and centered around social, cultural and personal issues. Her most recent release ‘Angel Patience’ is a deep and meaningful track showcasing her incredible vocal talent and reminding us why she was picked for UD’s Incubator Programme in 2024. A star in the making.
Words: Maria Hanlon @mariahanlon Listen to The Voices Breakfast Show with Maria Hanlon every Friday 9-11am on voicesradio.co.uk.
