First Listen Fridays – Arlo Parks, sombr, and JEDSOUL (6/2/26)

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Welcome back to another round of First Listen Fridays, your number one source for all the hottest new music. IndustryMe Editors Tom and Kloe agree that this week packs a serious punch, with new records from the pop, jazz, rock, rap, and R&B spaces. No matter what genre you enjoy, there’s something for everyone this week.

Tom’s Picks

Arlo Parks – Heaven

Having dropped the first single from her upcoming new LP, ‘2SIDED‘, earlier in January, Arlo Parks gave us another taste of that upcoming record on Monday. ‘Heaven‘ is much more melancholic and somewhat nostalgic in its sound from Baird, courtesy of the lightly-strummed bass and echoey background vocals. Our lead delivers her comforting, breathy vocals that match the beat to a tee, before the pounding drums hit on the chorus alongside the piano. Lyrically, it feels like we are seeing someone amongst a crowd coming to terms with a relationship’s end. Certainly a change in sound, but this singer still delivers the goods.

Buy the track here.

Nxdia – Cool

Having first caught my attention with tracks like ‘Feel Anything‘ and ‘Boy Clothes‘, this artist continues to excite. Following on from their debut mixtape, ‘Cool‘ has soothing and catchy vocals from its lead and chilled, but impactful production from Joe Kearns. The simple tale of two people catching each other’s attention on a night out is done very effortlessly, and the ‘ooo’ in cool is an instant earworm. The bridge in particular hits very nicely on the backend, making for some great indie/alternative rock.

Izzy Escobar – Gangster’s Wife

An artist who knows how to light up a stage, Izzy Escobar drops the acoustic version of ‘Sunny in London‘ today. It does contain a new single, with ‘Gangster’s Wife‘ bringing that late-night jazz club energy you’d expect. There are vocal acrobatics, great background vocals, and top-tier musicality that showcase an artist who knows their stuff. Great stuff, and I can’t wait to delve into the rest of the EP.

JEDSOUL – COME AROUND

He may have only started singing last year, but JEDSOUL is an artist who has been in the game for a while. That tranquil guitar playing and melodic synths are really pleasurable on the ears, and when the drums kick in, things really fall into place. This artist’s vocals and harmonising with his own background vocals are absolutely sensational. I’m sure with this kind of aura, the singer will have the woman he wants ‘COME AROUND‘.

Buy the track here.

Zero FT. Riko Dan – Dubplate Fly

A man who knows how to make skanking tunes, whatever the genre, Zero is back with a new EP. Comprised of dubstep bangers, ‘14ZERO‘ is comprised of tunes old and new, including this one with iconic MC, Riko Dan. Those deep tones match the wavey synths before the beat drops, and the fast-paced delivery comes in. The enunciation of the last words on each line during the chorus is a particularly nice moment, as is the wobbly synths on the second drop. Once again, this producer reminds us that he can’t miss.

Buy the track here.

Kloe’s Picks

J. Cole, Tems, Future – Bunce Road Blues

The real is back, the Ville is back! Cole fans are well fed today with a two-disc album of his alleged final release ‘The Fall Off’. Whilst I haven’t had time to listen to the entire record yet, I have to shout out this track. Future, Tems and Cole over an Alchemist beat? Say less. Also check out Safety that feels like 90s Nas, ‘The Let Out‘ production is astounding, and ‘Poor Thang’ has a bar I’ve been thinking about all day: ‘I know the more I gotta struggle is the more I gain’.

Buy the album here.

Mack Keane – Ordinary Feelings

Funk master Mack Keane has released his first single of 2026 and it’s utterly infectious. The L.A native has every listener getting their two-step on when listening to this track. A new album is on the way after a superb 2025 for this musician, where his work with DESTIN CONRAD earned him a Grammy nomination. I’m looking forward to see what more he brings this year.

Carrie Baxter – Change

Irish breakthrough artist Carrie Baxter is a name you should know. Her newest track ‘Change’ is an emotionally rich, gospel-inspired single that has a chorus that will give you goosebumps. Deeply introspective with a voice to rival any current star, Carrie is preparing for her forthcoming album ‘Seven’ dropping next month. I for one can’t wait.

sombr – Homewrecker

If you want a fun, bright yet bittersweet record to mark your weekend then look no further. I’ve liked sombr since I first heard ‘back to friends’, and love that he has developed a signature sound. The song is extremely catchy, like many of his records. The up-and-comer is currently touring Europe, hoping to capitalise on his Grammy nomination and breakout year in 2025.

Freya Skye – golden boy

Breakout pop star Freya Skye has followed up her Top 40 hit ‘silent treatment’ with an electric new track from her newly released EP ‘stardust’. A compelling up-and-coming artist on the Top 40 scene, this Buckinghamshire songstress has hopped from junior Eurovision competitor, to Disney starlet, to storytelling solo artist. If you like the likes of Olivia Rodrigo’s songwriting, you’re going to appreciate Freya Skye. On this scathing track, she lays all her anger bare on a self obsessed ex in some feel good pop revenge. Glorious. 

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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