First Listen Fridays (25/9/26) – Sugababes, Madonna & Charli xcx, and More New Music
September is coming to an end, Halloween is now on the horizon, and the fantastic new music keeps on coming. This week on First Listen Fridays we have a big collaboration from Madonna and Charli xcx, the return of the Sugababes, Bree Runway, and Lizzie Berchie, and more. Let us get into the music.
Madonna & Charli xcx – Danceteria Afterhours
We start today with a huge collaboration between one of the biggest pop stars ever and one of its most recent standout names. A remix of the track from Madge’s most recent album, the production has a bit more energy this time out. Charli provides a verse about her rave upbringing that gave her a start in the music world, in a blunt and direct delivery. Considering the recent ‘BRAT‘ era and both artists’ crossovers with the likes of SOPHIE, it feels like adding her was a great choice. A worthwhile remix and a bit of education for the featured guest’s origin.
Buy the song here.
Tom Morello FT. KNEECAP – Unconquered
The former Rage Against The Machine guitarist is back with a new LP under his own name, with this track catching my eye. Considering his and KNEECAP’s shared politics and activism for Palestine, the crossover makes sense, but does it sound good? Yes is the simple answer. The guitar riffs are clean, yet explosive; the perfect backdrop for our guests to provide passionate anti-imperialist verses. Tom Morello goes all in on the guitar, bringing this great number to a close.
Buy the track here.
Bree Runway – BAGS OF YEN
What a glroious day it is for Black pop music (shoutout the new albums from Jae Stephens and Tinashe), and adding to the mix is new Bree Runway. While she has released bops with Honey Dijon and DETO BLACK, this is her first solo release in almost a year. That guitar playing is bloody brilliant at the start and really sets the atmosphere, before the percussion comes in. Bree then comes in with a confident and braggadocio performance. The autotune is then used nicely on the chorus to make it extra catchy, before the thumping drums come in after. An anthem to showcase this artist knows who they are, this is a welcome return.
FKA MASH FT. Fatso 98 – Disco Bouncer
Today marks the release of the debut record from South African DJ and Producer, FKA MASH, who has plenty of great dance tracks here. My pick is ‘Disco Bouncer‘, that starts off with metallic drums and a wavey keyboard melody, before a tinny drum pattern comes in, alongside some bass. The synths also sound so goregous and euphoric, that you will want to head straight to the dancefloor. We then get some wobbly bass that will blow your speakers off, just adding to a track that gets better and better as it goes on. I love when these longer cuts just add on to a song as it goes along, making for an intriguing experience, that shows why repeating the same drop is not necessary. Alongside Fatso 98, this is sure to shutdown the clubs, wherever it is played.
Buy the track here.
Sugababes – Ghost
Yes, a new Sugababes album is on the way, and this is the next single. Those electric guitars at the start certainly get your attention, as does the percussion. The lyrics reference previous partners still having the trio on their minds, and as per, they harmonise nicely on the chorus. Each verse is also sung very well and the use of the synths adds a bit of 80s flair to this track. Then we get a top notch breakdown which is matched by the wavey synth, and the guitars come for round two. Shoutout the top notch production of Jon Shave, but the girls know how to make an addictive anthem.
Yseult – ONE MORE TIME
This artist is back with a double release, and while you should definitely check out ‘Superstar‘, this one is my pick of the two. There is a sprinkling of R’n’B of yesteryear, with the glistening synths and roaring guitars, courtesy of herself and Harry Charles’ production. But that soaring singing in the background is glorious, and once our lead takes the mic, she commands your attention. The vocals are off the scale, showcasing someone who knows they have that special something. This may take some influence from the past, but this is a star of today.
Lizzie Berchie – Favourite Girl
It is time for new Lizzie Berchie, and boy does she deliver. Your eased in by the soothing guitar, before the equally smooth vocals of our lead do exactly the same. An ode to the one she loves, this is a showcase of quality vocals, nice ad-libs, and Gaetan Judd’s production. This is some top quality neo-soul, with Berchie once again showing why this singer is one the best in the genre right now.
MPH – Warlord
And we close out today with some UKG goodness from one of it’s biggest current names. Those booming synths and kick drums get the party started, before the repeated vocals ease you into a wobbly drop. The U.K. bass/EDM influence on this one will have you skanking the night away, and coming back for more at home. That second drop goes in a different direction with a more melodic sound, keeping you on your toes till the very end. With indoor rave season now here, this is sure to blare out the speakers of a former warehouse near you.
Buy the track here.
Follow IndustryMe on Instagram, Threads, X, or YouTube. Press play on our First Listen Fridays playlist below or via YouTube Music to enjoy all our top picks. You can also check out previous editions here.
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