The darkness of mental health turmoil and a careful, creative fusion of gritty UK rap, DnB, pop and even metal – a refreshingly honest, engaging and original take on AI-assisted production… Alexis Auno captures the essence of mental health treatment and the severity of its failures, with this gripping collection of songs inspired by his fourteen-year-old daughter.
Hip Hop
Straight to the point but a mood and delivery highly impressive at the same time – a single blow, built around a warped lo-fi soundscape that feels like a trap ambiance pouring through the walls from the club next door. Add in fast-flowing vocals and storytelling that’s rhythmically focused and lyrically smart, and Rome takes no time at all to engage and entertain listeners, with the striking simplicity and skill of Verse 1 Freestyle.
Huge summer vibes and a colourful anthemic groove back up this Creole single for the Haitian Soccer team of 2026. H the Nudist pairs Gospel vocals with afrobeats and hip hop, for a catchy and smooth celebration that’s instantly uplifting.
It’s an aptly contemporary sound from Bru-Kin, an accompanying video further celebrating the youth culture and movement that inspired the composition, and the final mix is essentially a careful blending of hip hop, electronic and Congolese production and rhythm.
Far from the end of KUNAL’s time in modern music, this single simply marks the finale of a four-year chapter of life and learning that has been this creative output and mood.
Big beats and catchy rap vocals – an old-school riff and an up-tempo vibe that’s fit to lead this floor-filler vocal outpouring from Tephlon James and K!ng Kane. That’s It is nostalgia and crisp modern energy united, as the duo bring good vibes and carefree romantic desire back to hip hop and pop.
Fresh bars from KZKelly bring poetry and personal reflection to centre stage. Let it bounce features a deeply vulnerable outpouring from the rapper and artist, and is backed by a classic hip hop flow and a uniquely ambient, synth-wave-style production that’s ethereal and bright.
Catchy electro-trap with colourful production and gentle melodies, all running unison with sharp bars and a modern rap flow that effectively fuses genres. Bandido Shén lights up a clear sense of character and songwriting ability, with the changing dynamic and sharp, smart earworm of a hook that is TOO TUFF.
Nostalgic big rap and boom-bap vibes captured with a certain raw edge of real indie garage music. NekU$AkeN blends something like old-school hip hop with the comedy, character and rhythmic bounce of Bloodhound Gang, for the X-rated anthem Living Like Larry 2.0.
Summer-style vibes with the big-band energy and smart, snappy rap flow to boot – Darco Polo captures attention with ease, blending contemporary and classic qualities, as well as genres, throughout the likes of his addictively entertaining Give Me More.
Sharp bars and smart storytelling, a clean fusion of contemporary references and personal anecdotes – something motivational and evocative, from the stylish indie corner of Hollywood.
New music from the distinct indie corner of organic production that is Willie Alex – Leave Me Or Love Me builds up a secure and recognisable sense of identity, with a selection of layers that feel like both an alternative electronic loop and a live indie rock performance.