First Listen Fridays (7/8/26) – FLO, Ellie Goulding, and More New Music
August is here, and summer’s end is on the horizon; however, First Listen Fridays doesn’t stop delivering great music picks. Whether album cuts from the new FLO, Q, and Overmono records or a U.K./U.S. crossover from JGrrey and Erick the Architect, there is plenty of new music to cover your tastes. So sit down, grab a drink, and get your headphones ready for some musical goodness.
FLO – I can’t be high around you anymore
The sophomore album from FLO is finally here and is packed full of great R’n’B and club anthems. While this is a stacked record, I can only pick one song, and while narrowing down was hard, I have gone with this number. The funky old-school R’n’B-influenced sound alongside those gorgeous vocals is a top-tier start to the track that has you hooked immediately. Every member comes in and delivers great singing about running into the one they want, and the consequences. This KingJet beat is just so much fun with the soaring synths, addictive drum patterns, and keyboard melody. Following the breakdown, with some great background harmonies, we get another blast of that great chorus. There are plenty of other great moments on this record, so go listen to the whole thing.
Buy the track here.
Q – déjà vu darlin
Another artist releasing a new body of work today is one of our Purple List picks, Q. The new track I have chosen starts with dolphin noises and a pleasant synthy keyboard melody, an odd but effective combination. Our lead then comes in with his breathy vocals as he reflects on being fed up with history repeating itself. I love the incorporation of vocal effects and blaring synths to keep the production moving, as he brings more passion and energy in the second half. You feel the intensity of feeling throughout this track, making for one of the great moments in this album’s story.
JGrrey FT. Erick the Architect – bedbug
The debut album from this South Londoner is finally on the way, and to celebrate, she has dropped a new single. That mellow hip-hop beat with wind chimes feels like a classic Griselda beat from Maths Time Joy, before our lead comes in with a punchy flow. I love the mixing of the pacey and more singey-flow, showing this artist’s multifaceted abilities on the mic. Erick the Architect then comes in with a chilled-out delivery and plenty of London references. A nice collaboration that takes influence from the U.S., but still keeps it rooted in her hometown.
Overmono FT. Jaz Karis & Mahalia – Mialon
A collaboration I did not see coming, but was excited to hear: Bristol duo Overmono teamed up with two of the U.K.’s best in R’n’B for this one. The trip-hop-influenced sound has a somewhat melancholic, Driver-soundtrack-esque tinge to it that is calming. At the start, the vocals are warped and faded into the background, feeling like another key component in the production. Both Jaz Karis and Mahalia sound great and are used effectively in a track that feels like we are walking through a dystopian future. A really cool crossover that uses these singers’ vocals credentials in an intriguing way.
Buy the track here.
Ellie Goulding – Ravers
Ellie Goulding is no stranger to a dance anthem, having worked for the likes of Calvin Harris and DJ Fresh. Now, she has her own solo rave banger, and it does indeed slap. The old-school vocal sample is a nice intro, before that plonking keyboard melody comes in alongside the autotuned vocal melody. The blaring synths and pounding drum beat make for an exciting drop before the singer floats over the beat. Set to shut down a night place venue near you, get this in your playlist before the DJs do.
Buy the track here.
Terrianne – Midlands Girl
It has been a busy week for this Purple Listed artist after performing at the cricket, and they also released a new song. The song reflects on where she comes from, in spite of wanting to move to London to boost her career. The pop-rock production feels fitting for a reflection on the dreams and also loneliness of pursuing stardom. I do enjoy the commentary on the rudeness on the tube, compared to the more community nature of being from the Midlands. The relatability is certainly a factor for my enjoyment of this song, but from a musical perspective, it sticks in your head as well.
fingerbleed – 433
Only the third song released by this artist, yet the quality sounds like someone who has been in the game for a while. That pleasant, mellow guitar playing mixed with glistening synths and touched-up vocals is a nice intro. Then, the pounding drum beat comes in and will have you on your feet. Clearly, this is a multi-faceted talent who knows how to get the best out of every aspect of the music. Creative and thrilling, I can’t wait to hear more from fingerbleed.
Buy the track here.
Jorday – Falling
And we close out with the first release of this year from Jorday. The instrumental feels primed for summer, with a vibrant vocal from our lead to match. A song about the simple pleasures of ‘Falling‘ for someone, the keyboard melody and steel drums really match the mood. Hopefully the first of a few releases this year, but this artist has started off his year with a late summer anthem for the lovebirds.
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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