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 May. Starring Conducta, Mysie, Footsie, Sir Spyro, Meron T, Damian Raush, Mungo’s Hi Fi, Prince Alla, KAYTRAMINÉ, KAYTRANADA, Aminé, Pharrell Williams, Arlo Parks, Phoebe Bridgers, Safiyyah, Sam Binga, Bakey, Redders & RADA…
Conducta
3FALL
Kiwi Records
For fans of… Sammy Virji, Higgo, Overmono
Why listen… Conducta is one of the most exciting producers on the scene right now and ‘3FALL’ demonstrates why.
Conducta’s recent release ‘3FALL’ showcases another side of his production as he draws on a darker side. Whilst it still remains rooted in UKG, he adds in new sounds, layers and tones moving between breaks, UKG & more. Speaking about how the initial idea formed, Conducta says, “This song actually came to me on a plane – I was looking out of the window, sat in the exit seat, taking everything in. Then I got my laptop out and started messing with melodies. I wanted to make something that would soundtrack gliding through the air at night.” Glide on.
Mysie
PLAY
Mysie Recordings
For fans of… Rachel Chinouriri, George Riley, Biig Piig
Why listen… Mysie is someone who needs to be on your radar this year, listen to ‘PLAY’ to get a taste of what’s to come from this rising star.
‘PLAY’ was written with long-term collaborator Gold Spectacles, and arrives with the news that a larger body of work is on the way for Mysie. Mysie continues to carve out a lane of her own releasing exciting new music and keeping us on our toes. Mysie says “PLAY is about connecting to my inner child. It’s about being fearless and disregarding the rules. To be able to play, is to be able to be free without overthinking every move.”
Footsie, Sir Spyro
Charizard Freestyle
Studio 55
For fans of… KAM-BU, D Double E, Novelist
Why listen… Footise has teamed up with Sir Spyro to create the head bopper you didn’t know you needed.
Footsie has joined forces with the legendary Sir Spyro for ‘Charizard Freestyle’. You can hear Sir Spyro’s signature production style as Footsie lays down quick slick bars on top making the pair a dream team. This is both Footsie’s and Sir Spyro’s first release in a while and we can confirm it was definitely worth the wait. The track has an accompanying music video that is worth a watch. East London stand up!
Meron T, Damian Raush
Livin
Cacao Records
For fans of… Eliza Rose, Codie Currie, Liv.e
Why listen… Meron T’s soulful voice on Damian Raush’s house production is a match made in musical heaven.
Meron T is a rising star with a distinct voice and powerful lyrics who we’ve been keeping an eye on for a while now. Her sweet, soulful vocals pair perfectly with the groovy house backing beat from Damian Raush making this a summer anthem. ‘Livin’ is Damian’s debut release on Cacao Records and is a must have for any house music lover. This release will have a lasting effect on you, making you want to play it again & again.
Mungo’s Hi Fi, Prince Alla
Only Love
Scotch Bonnet Records
For fans of… Congo Natty, Prince Fatty, Brother Culture
Why listen… Mungo’s Hi Fi have teamed up with Prince Alla to update a reggae classic, ‘Only Love’.
Mungo’s Hi Fi have returned with their first release in a long time and this time teaming up with Prince Alla on ‘Only Love’. It’s almost as if they knew they needed to release something as we enter the warmer months. The biblical voice of the Jamaican veteran singer, Prince Alla, sounds fresh on a sweltering revisit to his 1979 Bertram Brown production, ‘Only Love Can Conquer’. Arriving just in time for summer, this sun drenched track needs a place on your playlist.
KAYTRAMINÉ, KAYTRANADA, Aminé, Pharrell Williams
4EVA
Venice Music
For fans of… Anderson. Paak, Bruno Mars, GoldLink
Why listen… Aminé & KAYTRANADA have collaborated on their debut project Kaytraminé, and they’ve got Pharrell Williams for a slinky and colourful track titled ‘4EVA’.
This project has been in the works for nearly a decade and we are so glad it’s here! The pair first linked up in 2014 after Aminé released a bootleg remix of K’s song ‘Not At All’. KAYTRANADA then offered to make Aminé some of his own beats, leading to the pair collaborating on three songs for Aminé’s 2015 mixtape ‘Calling Brio’. The visuals for the project are beautiful and the music video is a must-see!
Arlo Parks, Phoebe Bridgers
Pegasus
Transgressive Records
For fans of… Joesef, Pip Millet, Lava La Rue
Why listen… The dream duo Arlo Parks and Phoebe Bridgers team up for the stunning new single ‘Pegasus’.
‘Pegasus’ is Arlo Parks’s latest release taken from her forthcoming second album, My Soft Machine, which is due on May 28th. The song features Bridgers singing delicately within the chorus and the fourth verse. “’Pegasus’ is about experiencing the warmth and lightness of good love for the first time,” said Parks. “It also explores how the absence of chaos and the presence of real connection can be a little bit terrifying after a long time of not having it.”
Safiyyah
Lisbon
Safiyyah
For fans of… JGrrey, Jaz Karis, Loie
Why listen… Safiyyah returns with a beautiful new sunny single, ‘Lisbon’.
London’s rising R&B star Safiyyah is back with her stunning single ‘Lisbon’. Safiyyah’s vocals are stronger than ever on this track as it feels sun drenched and sultry. This is her first release of the year and we’re hoping she’s got more in the works! Safiyyah spoke about her inspiration behind the track on her socials, “The beautiful city inspired me to create something unique to my feelings and close to my heart.”
Sam Binga, Bakey, Redders
Dem Boiz
Pineapple Records
For fans of… Conducta, Interplanetary Criminal, Y U QT
Why listen… It’s hard to not move to this one from Sam Binga, Bakey & Redders and they collaborate on ‘Dem Boiz’.
Trio Sam Binga, Bakey & Redders have come together to make banger ‘Dem Boiz’. It’s energetic, and gets you hooked straight away with its catchy UKG sound. Sam Binga and Bakey dropped a 2-tracker on Pineapple Records. The second track is called ‘Block & Delete’ which is a high energy 160BPM number featuring Emz. Both tracks bring the energy and heat ready for summer. It seems like Sam Binga, Bakey & Redders are all on the rise and we can’t wait to see what’s next.
RADA
End Me
RADA
For fans of… BINA., NiNE8, Safiyyah
Why listen… Rising star RADA releases the dreamy ‘End Me’ which you won’t be able to get enough of.
‘Burn Me’ is RADA’s first release of the year, it comes after previous single ‘Tightrope’. The vocals on ‘Burn Me’ are dream-like and totally transport you into RADA’s world as you listen. The production fuses together electro with R&B to create something unique and fresh. RADA is quickly becoming one of the most exciting new artists of the year and we hope there’ll be more music on the way later in the year.
Words: Maria Hanlon (MH) @mariahanlon Listen to Maria Meets on the 2nd Friday of the month 3-5pm on voicesradio.co.uk.
You can also listen to the UD Selects Mixtape 2023 playlists on the UD YouTube channel…
