First Listen Fridays (1/5/2026) – Vince Staples, KNEECAP, and More New Music

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Welcome back to First Listen Fridays! This week IndustryMe Editors Tom and Kloe are coming in hot with some killer new tracks. Whether you’re in your R&B bag this weekend, want to take your rage out with some epic rap tunes, or are looking for a bit of pop punk, we have you covered. This week, Kloe confirms that the new Halsey deluxe album brings some fantastic tunes, whilst Tom highlights the return of Isiah Rashad and NUBIA.

Tom’s Picks

KNEECAP FT. Kae Tempest – Irish Goodbye

This Irish trio released their 3rd studio album today, but we are highlighting a song released earlier in the week. They team up with Kae Tempest, who made one of my favourite albums of last year, for the closer to the record. The eerie synths match the melancholic themes of the track that are delivered very solemnly by all involved. Losing those we love, especially a mother, is such a hard thing to go through, and this song delivers that feeling in such a human and poetic way.

Buy the track here.

NUBIA FT. August Twelfth – Over and over

Purple List 2026 alumna, NUBIA, has just dropped a new EP, ‘BIG GRR‘, and I can’t wait to delve into it. However, a team up with August Twelfth caught my eye, and it makes for a great summer vibe. The sounds of the sea, mellow drum playing, and her bright vocals are a juxtaposition to this declining relationship. August then comes in, and wow, his vocals grab your attention, alongside those energetic Amapiano-esque kick drums. What a great collaboration, I look forward to seeing if the rest of the project matches this high standard.

Ceebo – Parable Of A Skinnyman

After the release of one of 2025’s standout U.K. rap projects, ‘blair babies‘, we get the first Ceebo single of 2026. The bassy production from Zino Milly and Chefbkay is very dramatic, as our lead flows nicely, touching on his newfound attention and family. It feels very much like a freestyle, and he delivers with such a commanding presence. This feels like the intro to his next chapter, which I and others can’t wait to hear.

Isaiah Rashad FT. SZA – BOY IN RED

Arguably TDE’s most underrated member, Isaiah Rashad has given fans his first new album in almost five years. The most high-profile of the features, SZA is the label’s biggest star post-Kendrick, with Fantom Power and KTC providing some wavey production. The harmonising in the background, as Rashad delivers his words in a mellow accent, is a delight to the ears. This is a great hip-hop/R’n’B crossover, with both giving their A-game. We need more of these, please!

Buy the album here.

Jax Jones & D Double E – Sidewinder

One of club music’s biggest producers of the 2010s, a grime OG, and a song named after one of the most iconic raves, sign me up. That bass is naughty, as D Double’s iconic budda-bup-bup is repeated over this garage beat. While I would have loved an actual verse, this is a naughty instrumental, and hey, I’m sure we can get a vocal version in the future.

Buy the track here.

Kloe’s Picks

The Beaches – Should’ve Known Better

Killer Canadian musicians, The Beaches, bring their sugary pop-punk sound to a new level with their new single. A follow-up to their stellar tongue-in-cheek album ‘No Hard Feelings’ comes a cut in a similar vein, with an anthem about being broken up with. They have their snarky, sharp lyrics they’re known for which really set them apart. “Four kids, a dog, and a Vegas wedding / It’s a picture of heaven.” Their swagger and self-awareness are second to none.

Tiara Thomas – Distractions

If you’re a fan of R&B and powerhouse songwriting, Tiara Thomas is your girl. The award-winning singer brings a dramatic yet stripped-back single that pairs her husky voice with high-tempo drums. The tight, repetitive beat sets the pace for her acknowledgement of avoidant relationship styles. This will be on repeat all weekend. Her new album ‘Make It Make Sense‘ is out now, and I highly recommend it.

Vince Staples – Blackberry Marmalade

I see Vince Staples, I hit play – it’s that simple. The Long Beach spitter offers up his first track from his upcoming album ‘Cry Baby’ with a surprisingly rock-infused track. Anti-establishment and full of vitriol for the racism that plagues society, he lets his anger run free on the track. It is not for the faint of heart, but he subtly addresses the realities of Black struggle in the most brash way possible. This is about to be his most radical album yet, and I am here every step of the way. 

Buy the track here.

Halsey – Carry the Weight

Pop Princess, Halsey, has the perfect voice for radio. Paired with her emotional intensity and conceptual storytelling, they add several new tracks to the critically acclaimed album, ‘The Great Impersonator‘. It’s ‘Carry the Weight’ that has struck me upon first listen, which feels very Hayley Williams, roaring with angst and jaded feelings. It’s a show stopper.

Buy the track here.

JPEGMAFIA – babygirl

JPEGMAFIA continues his epic run with a new track that is an adrenaline-fueled fusion of rap, rock, and punk. His new album ‘EXPERIMENTAL RAP‘ drops later this month, and this song sets us up nicely for what’s to come. Experimental and sharp, his high energy sees him rapping at super-speed, for the ultimate head-banger to kick-start your weekend.

Follow IndustryMe on Instagram, Threads, X, or YouTube. Press play on our First Listen Fridays playlist below to enjoy all our top picks. Don’t forget to follow the playlist on Spotify below or on Apple Music.

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