First Listen Fridays – New Music to Know – 10th October 2025
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First Listen Fridays is back! This week, we have some sensational songs picked out to get your weekend underway. With new music emerging from Mobb Deep, BLK ODYSSY, and Oklou, IndustryMe Editors Tom and Kloe had their work cut out to pick just ten top tunes. However, we believe we’ve got a perfect playlist for you, covering multiple genres and suiting all tastes. Let’s jump right in.
Tom’s Picks
Mobb Deep FT. Jorja Smith & Nas – Down For You
Posthumous releases are always something I have a bit of skepticism over, usually made for profit, rather than the art. However, I can say that this bucks the trend. From what will be the final Mobb Deep record, immediately you are hit by the sample of ‘Adagio For Strings‘, which Havoc uses nicely to create atmosphere. Jorja Smith delivers on the chorus, while Havoc, Nas, and a verse from the late Prodigy deliver odes to their main girl. Nasir Jones even interpolates a verse from his feature on Mobb Deep’s ‘It’s Mine‘, with a modern spin. I’m excited to hear the rest of the album, but this is a great single that shows how to make a respectful posthumous record.
Bob Vylan – Sick Sad World
The punk duo return with their first release post-Glastonbury, packed with political commentary and great riffs from Bobbie. The song certainly speaks on people’s worries about the world, delivered by Bobby’s fiery and slightly sarky vocals. The track just hits the nail on the head with its commentary about propaganda in the media, and feels primed to start a few mosh pits at live shows.
Buy the track here.
Oklou & FKA twigs – viscus
With a deluxe edition of her debut record, ‘choke enough‘, on the way, we have this huge collab to give us a taster. Alongside Danny L Harle, the keyboard-led production has a real bounce that has immediately hooked. Both artists sound angelic and float over these sounds with ease as they talk about their insecurities. This is a great example of experimental pop music with purpose, that is equally addictive and meaningful.
Buy the track here.
Skepta & Finessekid – Sirens (From Ireland)
Fresh off the success of his work with Fred again.., Skepta is, once again, showcasing who is next up. Always one to work with the rising stars, he calls up one of this new wave of U.K. trap music, Finessekid, for this wavey banger. This is full of punchy bars from Skeppy and Finessekid who meet the assignment appropriately. On the production front, this has that grime energy, with some silky-sounding trap drums from killthissonny and Lee. A nice change of pace, and a reminder of the versatility of Joseph Adenuga.
Buy the track here.
Solomon Fox FT. Duckwrth – Starry Eyes
With his debut album out today, the multi-faceted Solomon Fox has plenty of new music for you to hear. I have picked out this collaboration with Duckwrth, another artist you need to get to know. Those guitar riffs at the start are very nice, matching the grungy delivery of the vocals. This has real anthemic vibes that showcase both artists’ abilities to create a hit that knows when to give energy, and when to calm it down a bit. A nice taste of what I’m sure will be an exciting LP from Fox.
Buy the track here.
Kloe’s Picks
Celeste – Time Will Tell
Whilst we attempt to patiently await her new album, ‘Woman of Faces‘, Celeste teases us with yet another touching single. Showcasing her unparalleled and distinctive vocals, she has penned a heartbreaking track overflowing with emotion. This is one of the U.K.’s finest vocalists and an underrated songwriter, with an ability to distil and articulate such complex feelings of love’s ups and downs. I cannot wait for the full length record to land.
Ruthven – Kiss Goodnight
In his most up-tempo offering yet, South London based artist Ruthven presents a disco-infused single that I can’t stop replaying. His project ‘Rough & Ready‘ dropped this time last year, and saw him shoot into conversations by industry tastemakers as an underdog to watch. Now, as he gears up for a European tour, he has yet again delivered. This record is steeped in soul, and the production is second-to-none. It’s groove-laden will make you want to get up and dance.
Buy the track here.
TiaCorine FT. Flo Milli – Lotion
The rap game better make way for TiaCorine, as she is making major moves with her new album ‘CORINIAN‘ which dropped today. This artist has caught my eye through previous collaborations with the likes of JID, and has been making exceptional tracks with prominent producers like Kenny Beats and Hit-Boy. From her lyrical prowess to kaleidoscopic range of aesthetic styles, the new album is a tour of her mind-boggling inner world. ‘Lotion‘ is a stand-out track, with the American songstress exuding bold as brass confidence over an 80s inspired freestyle record. Audacious and feel-good, she teams up with fellow lyrical lady Flo Milli as they bounce off one other in a wonderful way.
Jermain Reese Jr. FT. Girlfriend – Can’t Explain It
Bursting onto the scene with a standout single, Jermain Reese Jr. is an R&B up and comer to take note of. As the title of the single suggests, this is an almost unrecognisable flip of Tamia’s ‘So Into You‘. This creative confidence shown by this young artist to retouch such a beloved classic is impressive. Plus, the collaboration with alt-rap starlet Girlfriend made me take notice. An exciting artist in their own right, Girlfriend has been on my radar since her Tierra Whack collaboration earlier in the year. Together, they’ve delivered a great starter single for a blossoming young star.
Buy the track here.
BLK ODYSSY – HEARTBREAK
In traditional BLK ODYSSY style, we have a moody, impassioned track to adore this week. We hear the Austin-based artist defiantly take a stance against heartbreak from this point forward. This spellbinding single was co-written with Paramore’s Zac Farro, and you can hear the indie-pop production soaring amidst a blend of soul and funk. His work continues to be exploratory, genre-bending and of very high quality.
Follow IndustryMe on Instagram, Threads, X, or YouTube. Press play on our First Listen Fridays playlist below to enjoy all our top picks. Read last week’s picks here. Don’t forget to follow the playlist on Spotify below or Apple Music.
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