First Listen Fridays – Jaz Karis, GIVĒON, and More New Music (15/5/26)

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Sadly, Kloe Paton will no longer be writing with us, so it will just be myself, Thomas Atkinson, who is part of First Listen Fridays. However, there will still be guaranteed bangers and fresh new music to soundtrack the week ahead. Whether Tarju Le’Sano and Hollie Gautiér showcase some of the best of The Purple List or some great R’n’B from Jaz Karis and GIVĒON, you are spoilt for choice. Let us get straight into the music!

Tarju Le’Sano, SANITY, and Nick Cole – FLOWSTATE

The first release from one of our 2026 Purple List alumni sees him team up with fellow 93:00 Collective member, SANITY. Nick Cole’s production has an old-school Wu-Tang, samurai-film-influenced sound that has a real bounce on the bass. Both trade bars back-to-back with fiery flows that really hit the sweet spot. This is an example of two top-tier rappers who know what time it is and have something to say with their bars.

Jorja Smith – What’s Done Is Done

Jorja Smith is back with another banger to kick off the warmer season. That melody at the start feels like old-school grime, but P2J’s production has more of a funky/UKG influence that will have you 2-stepping. There is a bit of autotune here on Jorja’s vocals, and like the background vocals on the chorus, it has a positive impact. The direct and calm delivery and tale of a relationship/situationship that has gone on too long over this beat will be a surefire winner.

Buy the track here.

Fat Dog – Go F**k Urself

Having first discovered these guys on a Glastonbury livestream last year, I decided to delve into their first release of 2026. The melody was a lot more poppy than I anticipated, but lead singer Joe Love manages to ride it nicely. The lyrics seem to be very critical of someone and are delivered with a real viguor, which the title also suggests. A great anthem for that person who has really been getting on your nerves.

Buy the track here.

GIVĒON FT. Kehlani – SAVE SOME FOR ME

This R’n’B megastar is back with a deluxe to the record he released last year. There are five new tracks and exciting collabs with Sasha Keable and Leon Thomas, but I have gone with this one. Fresh off their recent album release, Kehlani joins him on this classic piano ballad. Both sound absolutely sensational and harmonise so well on the chorus. The guitar is used nicely when our guest comes in, and they flex those vocals and high notes. R’n’B is in a great place right now, and this track proves it.

Buy the track here.

Jaz Karis – Life is Unfair

You can always rely on Jaz Karis to make a lovely slice of summery R’n’B. The first taste of her upcoming new EP, ‘Twenty Something‘, is a straight-to-the-point call out to an ex that they have messed up. The guitars on this track really meet the moment, with Prodigal Sons giving it a bit of an edge. On the delivery front, it is very calm, yet there is passion and sweetness in their vocals. Certainly, this feels like a slight change of pace for this artist. I’m intrigued to see if the rest of the EP tries something new.

Buy the track here.

Hollie Gautiér – 2Way Heartbreak

Another one of our Purple List alumni to drop today is Hollie Gautiér, who dropped her brand new EP, ‘After Hours‘. Alongside great singles like ‘Blue Mercedes‘, we have some fresh material like ‘2Way Heartbreak‘. Alongside Duncan Pym, this is a mellow 2-step number that sees our lead realise that both people are at fault in this situation. The more relaxed production allows Hollie to showcase her singing ability, which is just as important in dance music as any genre. A good way to start this project.

Buy the track here.

AMARIA BB – Break Me Off

The Spanish guitar on this new one from AMARIA BB will get you in that zone. This artist has such a soothing vocal delivery as she seduces this person. Further to this, they know when to switch up their pitch, a vocal flexibility of someone who knows what they are doing. The sound changes up towards the end; maybe a classic preview of what is coming next? Either way, this is a singer who is a master in seductive rhythm and blues.

Remi Wolf – Dancing With Myself

From the soundtrack to the new TV show, ‘Off Campus‘, Remi Wolf gives fans their first taste of solo music in a bit. This gives pop songwriting over a funky indie-rock instrumental, with a performance full of passion. Providing relatable songwriting for the recently or long-term singletons, the guitar solos in particular will have you headbanging all night long. A great anthem for just getting through life when things are on the downturn.

MOMO. FT. Nina Miranda – Canto de Aldeia

Brazilian multi-instrumentalist MOMO. is someone whom I wasn’t aware of before today, but I am now glad to be acquainted with. Nina Miranda has a calming presence on the vocal front, and together they provide a very pleasant blending of indie, folk, and tropical sounds. This feels like the perfect piece of music to have on when walking through nature, a forest, or a village, as the title suggests.

Buy the track here.

Murex – Massacre

And we conclude with the debut single from Murex. That keyboard melody will have you instantly hooked while the vocals are just the right kind of catchy and kooky to have you engaged. Definitely inspired by the hyperpop era, this artist has ability, range, breath control, and a desire to make something different. This is a pretty good start, and we will be keeping our eyes on this multi-dimensional future star.

Buy the track 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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