First Listen Fridays (13/3/26) – Maverick Sabre, Chase & Staus, and More New Music

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It’s that time of the week again, First Listen Fridays! This week, Editors Tom and Kloe have their hands full picking the best tunes to share with you. This week, Kloe urges you to delve into Caroline Romano’s catalogue, or perhaps the wonderful Ebubé. On the other hand, Tom thinks Anieszka has a song you should definitely check out. Let’s dive in.

Tom’s Picks

Maverick Sabre – 8 Stages

Having had a packed year with a new album and collaborations with the likes of Hedex and Kofi Stone, this artist still has plenty more to say. Co-produced alongside Ben McKone, the distorted, chipmunked background vocals, alongside the bassy synths, electric guitar, and percussion, make for an intriguing production. Reflecting on the loss of those gone and those no longer here, the chorus particularly brings this feeling to the forefront. This artist continues to show his vocal abilities and penmanship, 14 years on from his debut LP.

James Blake FT. Dave – Doesn’t Just Happen

Today marks the release of a brand new James Blake album, and the track that immediately grabbed my attention was this one. These artists have made plenty of great collabs, but never on one of James’ projects. That changes today. Those 140-esque keyboard playing makes for a slightly unnerving, but mesmerising beat. Dave gives a solid verse with plenty of wordplay, while Blake’s background vocals and chorus lines are the finishing touch. The blaring synths and melody towards the end close this one out nicely.

Buy the track here.

Anieszka – Conscience

Four years after her last EP, this singer returns with another soothing EP. The standout of the new tracks from ‘A Moment in Love‘ is ‘Conscience‘, which showcases her angelic vocals and tranquil production. This artist really knows how to flex her singing abilities over great Spanish guitar, synths, and drums. Anieszka just knows how to hook the listener in, and I will be coming back to this one again and again.

Chris Lorenzo & Kah-Lo – In This Bih’

Birmingham’s Chris Lorenzo has been dropping non-stop bangers since 2013, and that trend isn’t stopping today. He teams up with someone who is a dance vocalist veteran at this point, Kah-Lo, for an electro-esque slammer. The bass is loud, the ad-libs and vocals are an earworm, and this will certainly get you on your feet.

Buy the track here.

Natalie Jane – sabotage

This future pop-star has been making plenty of noise over the last few years, and ‘sabotage‘ is another slice of pop goodness. That keyboard melody grabs your attention immediately, as well as the bass licks. Jane then gives a passionate display, as she discusses heartbreak and how she’ll ‘never love again’. Truly, this is a showcase of how to make memorable pop.

Buy the track here.

Kloe’s Picks

Caroline Romano – Cruel and Unusual Punishment

For fans of alt-pop, I urge you to give Caroline Romano’s new EP ‘It Took Me Falling‘ a listen. The six-track tour of her heart is a luscious listen from an unstoppable future star. However, it is the first track from the project that has really stuck with me. ‘Cruel and Unusual Punishment‘, like the title suggests, is the songstress laying it all on the line, admitting to hurting herself by looking up her ex’s new girlfriend. It’s bitter, but so relatable.

SINN6R FT. Lancey Foux – Pattern

Signed to the same record label that has given the UK underground its spotlight recently, the next wave of underground rap stars seems to be coming from XV Records. SINN6R is next up, and has packed his new album with dizzyingly infectious trap. Short songs give us vignettes of a chaotic, punk lifestyle. I’ve taken a particular liking to his collab with Lancey Foux, which is anarchy but with bars. Sign me up.

Buy the album here.

Ebubé – A Mile In My Mind

Rising talent Ebubé has made his mark with his new project, ‘A Mile In My Mind‘, which feels like a turning point for this artist. A founding member of the R&B group No Guidnce, he has embarked on a solo career that explores his reflective side. The titular record stands out for me on first listen and is a perfect love song. He is trying to convince his partner that he won’t stray, and she should trust him fully: “Walk a mile in my mind then you’ll see from my eyes.“

Chase & Status FT. Pozer – Through The Pain

This track goes hard. The inimitable Chase & Status have reloaded with a gritty track that shows Croydon’s Pozer at his best. Rapping at breakneck speed with the utmost energy and bravado, this will kick your weekend into high gear. The MOBO award-winning drill artist joined Chase & Status for two club parties last week, where they performed the track for the first time.

Buy the track here.

YONAKA – Miss Millennial

Brighton-based YONAKA have returned with ‘Until You’re Satisfied‘, the newest LP from the gritty alt-rock band. Whilst there is plenty to be enjoyed on this record, including the popular ‘Hit Me Where I’m Sore‘, I recommend the angsty ‘Miss Millennial‘ for your listening pleasure. If you need to let some rage out, turn this one up full blast.

Buy the album here.

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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