Creatively uninhibited, an artist with a clear sense of freedom at the helm, but whose intentions are deeply rooted in Faith. Jared Franco carves out a slick original lane in modern Christian hip hop and alternative pop, with the tribal rhythms, deep bass and soulful tones of Grace.

AcousticChristianFolkFolk PopSongwriter

Capturing a moment through art and music – stylishly fusing genres and poetic images, for an instance designed to represent the seconds of divine glow experienced just before the sun sets. Heinrich Wood elevates a growing repertoire, with the catchy and immersive escapism of Golden Hour.

Folk PopPopSongwriter

Sons Of Legion have delivered a gorgeous performance of a huge AI hit this month, and have done so with real vocal nuance and feeling – with real, organic, unplugged musical skill. It’s a song that’s catchy enough to do them justice as a talented live band – and the live band aspect is a huge part of why AI music creation is anti-art and culture, but that’s another conversation. (Keep pushing the AI Bands, no need for grass roots venues, no opportunity for real talented humans to build a following or a career.)

Featuring an equally fuzzy set of visuals, representing the sheer joy and unity of the track, this is easily one of the most unorthodox but interesting and likeable new releases of the summer so far. J_basco rolls through the stages of the track with fearless attention to evolution and detail, but the opening moments far from depict that intention.

DanceLatinProducerTrip Hop

Atmospheric progressive metal of extensive meandering soundscapes – an EP of genre-fusing takes both dissonant and harmonised, beginning with a nine-minute epic that feels like multiple tracks in one. Swedish composer and musician David Blomgren creates under the project name Valfreyja, and The Rose Of Rebirth is a multi-coloured, chaotic and conceptually profound look at the artistic freedom that drives his approach.

Alt MetalAlternative MetalDeath MetalJazzMetalProgressive Metal

Standing tall on a great sense of groove, carefully blending a strong acoustic riff, organic musicianship and funky rhythms – a spacious and soulful, catchy mix, with a clear sense of evocative depth at its core. Exit12 highlight the wonder and beauty of their uniquely genre-fusing and immensely impressive album Condition: Human, with the perfectly distinct, engaging and frankly euphoric Known.

Folk PunkFolk RockMetalNew MetalNew RockPop RockRock