Bringing you a pick of the month’s best releases, Maria Hanlon presents 10 tunes that hit her decks – and got a reload – in October. Starring ROZZZQWEEN, Ego Ella May, Mom Tudie, Taves, BUSHROD, Barney Artist, Yiigaa, Kadeem Tyrell, Obongjayar, DoomCannon, Lizzie Berchie, Tara Lily, King Krule, Mysie & SOXX…
ROZZZQWEEN
Family Ties
ROZZZQWEEN
For fans of… Amy Winehouse, Adele, Yazmin Lacey
Why listen… ROZZZQWEEN continues to shine and show us why she’s one to watch with ‘Family Ties’.
ROZZQWEEN’s ‘Family Ties’ highlights her remarkable vocals over rich, layered production. The track strikes a delicate balance between vulnerability and strength, with both her delivery and lyrics resonating deeply. It explores the bonds that hold families together, even when everything else changes. In true ROZZQWEEN fashion, ‘Family Ties’ is bold, personal, and crafted with such talent that it’s a song you’ll return to again and again. I’m excited to see what ROZZZQWEEN works on next!
Ego Ella May
We’re Not Free
Believe UK
For fans of… Yazmin Lacey, Allysha Joy, Lynda Dawn
Why listen… Ego Ella May delivers a beautifully tender track, showcasing her signature soulful vocals.
Released earlier this month, Ego Ella May unveils her new single – a reflective piece about the struggle to distance herself from the harsh realities of the world, only to realise it’s impossible. The track carries echoes of Marvin Gaye’s ‘What’s Going On’ and blends that with Ego’s unmistakable, soulful vocals. It’s a beautifully poignant release that feels both personal and universal. Speaking about the song, Ego Ella May shares, “I hope it sparks conversations around collective care, about holding our politicians accountable, about not losing hope, and about stewardship.”
Mom Tudie, Taves
Don’t Hate Me
Lordship Loft Recordings
For fans of… The Silhouettes Project, Quinn Oulton, Ezra Collective
Why listen… The collaboration between Mom Tudie and Taves is a must-listen!
Mom Tudie joins forces with Nigerian singer-songwriter Taves, who’s quickly making waves with his unique fusion of Afropop, R&B, and folk. Together, they’ve created ‘Don’t Hate Me’, a soulful collaboration that blends Taves’ smooth vocals and conversational lyricism with Mom Tudie’s signature rhythmic production and finely detailed instrumentation. The track sees Taves reflecting on mistakes made in a relationship, his honesty and emotion perfectly complementing the moody, textured soundscape. The result is a seamless meeting of two distinctive styles – intimate, reflective, and sonically rich.
BUSHROD
Safe and Secure
BUSHROD
For fans of… Loyle Carner, Frankie Stew & Harvey Gunn, Tom Misch
Why listen… BUSHROD makes his return with heartfelt lyrics and effortlessly smooth flows.
BUSHROD is back with his brand-new EP ‘3 Point Turn’, a five-track project born from moments of frustration, change, and self-doubt. The third track, ‘Safe and Secure’, pairs a laid-back hip-hop beat with BUSHROD’s introspective and heartfelt lyrics. Speaking about the project on social media, he shared, “If you’ve ever tried to move forward when everything felt stuck, this EP is for you.” BUSHROD has also announced a headline show on November 20th at Dream Bags Jaguar Shoes, where he’ll perform the EP alongside special guests – it’s not one to miss.
Barney Artist
This Mean I Love You?
They Don’t Know
For fans of… Jordan Rakei, Loyle Carner,
Why listen… Barney Artist shares his brand new beauty ‘This Mean I Love You?’
Barney Artist has released ‘This Mean I Love You?’ from his new album ‘They Changed When I Did’. The track delves into the vulnerability and uncertainty of falling in love, with Barney’s smooth, soulful vocals flowing effortlessly over a warm, mellow production. He captures the delicate tension of questioning emotions while navigating a budding relationship. The album, written and produced by Barney Artist alongside Jordan Rakei and Imraan Paleker, is a beautifully crafted body of work that’s well worth exploring.
Yiigaa, Kadeem Tyrell
Moonlight
Yiigaa & Supernature
For fans of… Josie Man, Mahalia, Elsa
Why listen… Yiigaa and Kadeem Tyrell just delivered the collaboration we didn’t even know we were waiting for.
‘Moonlight’ by Yiigaa and Kadeem Tyrell is a smooth, soulful late-night track you’ll want on repeat. The song radiates intimacy and warmth, with Yiigaa’s ethereal vocals perfectly complementing Kadeem Tyrell’s velvety tone. Together, they create a sound that feels effortlessly romantic and instantly captivating. The collaboration strikes a balance between timeless and fresh, sitting beautifully within Yiigaa’s Kindred EP – co-produced by her longtime collaborator J.Ar.J.
Obongjayar
Give Me More
Obongjayar
For fans of… Bakar, Ezra Collective, Little Simz
Why listen… Obongjayar makes a powerful return with the radiant ‘Give Me More.’
‘Give Me More’ marks a return for Obongjayar, blending playfulness with a sense of positivity. His distinctive voice effortlessly glides over the production, making the experience of surrendering to love feel both vulnerable and empowering. The track has already been a highlight at his live shows. Speaking about it, Obongjayar says, “We’ve been playing this song live for a while, so I’m excited for us all to be able to enjoy it now!” ‘Give Me More’ is the first single from his upcoming album ‘Paradise Now & Forever’ out November 20th – a record you won’t want to miss.
DoomCannon, Lizzie Berchie
Real Love
Jazz re:freshed
For fans of… Rebecca Vasmant, Ego Ella May, Yazmin Lacey
Why listen… ‘Somewhere In Between’ captures DoomCannon at his most soulful and authentic as he teams up with Lizzie Berchie.
DoomCannon has released the final single from his new album ‘Somewhere In Between’, which is out now. The track features the incredible Lizzie Berchie, making for a truly perfect musical pairing. Speaking about Lizzie on socials, DoomCannon shared, “Having been a fan of Lizzie’s for so long, as soon as this song was done I knew who it was destined for! Her pen game is incredible and she loves talking about love – which, honestly, mandem, we need to do more!” ‘Somewhere In Between’ marks DoomCannon’s second studio album, showcasing the visionary composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist at his most personal and emotionally resonant yet.
Tara Lily, King Krule
Tropical Storm
Tru Thoughts
For fans of… TYSON, Louis Culture, Brian Nasty
Why listen… Tara Lily and King Krule unite on a mesmerizing, dreamlike track.
British-Bengali musician Tara Lily teams up with King Krule on ‘Tropical Storm’, the lead single from her project Quiet Nights (Early Takes), out Friday, 7th November. Tara describes the track as “a lucid dream playing in our minds again and again.” She reflects on the project, saying, “Quiet Nights are some of the early sketches from a deadly quiet and beautiful period of time. For me, it was a time of stripping back, grounding myself, and channeling something raw and real.”
Mysie, SOXX
DUN DI DUN
Mysie Recordings
For fans of… BINA., Sampha, SBTRKT
Why listen… Mysie’s latest release with SOXX needs a place on your playlist.
Mysie is a multidisciplinary artist, producer and songwriter whose genre-bending sound blurs the lines between electronic dance and alt pop music. She’s just shared her new single with SOXX called ‘DUN DI DUN’ which is a sonically playful and boundary-pushing track. Speaking about her latest release Mysie says, “It’s about the chaos that comes from mixing business with friendship while having zero boundaries.”
Words: Maria Hanlon @mariahanlon Listen to The Voices Breakfast Show with Maria Hanlon every Friday 9-11am on voicesradio.co.uk.
