First Listen Fridays – New Music to Know – 12th September 2025

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Welcome back to First Listen Fridays, IndustryMe’s weekly instalment showcasing the freshest tunes music fans need to know. Editors Tom and Kloe have sifted through the latest drops and pulled together ten top tracks that we can’t get enough of and think you’ll love to. We have new tunes from Jordan Ward, Dave East, and Gorillaz this week, so without further ado, let’s jump straight in.

Tom’s Picks

Gorillaz FT. Sparks – The Happy Dictator

After recently celebrating 25 years as a band, the animated foursome are back for their upcoming ninth studio album. This satirical take on authoritarianism feels very relevant in these current times. The 80s-esque synth-pop sound is a welcome change in direction from the last record, with Sparks making for excellent contributors. Gorillaz have been good with political commentary in the past, and with this soundscape, I look forward to hearing more from this era.

Kali Uchis FT. Ravyn Lenae – Cry about it!

Now this is an exciting collaboration. The production, with its glittery sound and fast-paced drum rhythm, has a very nostalgic quality to it. Kali brings the ballad vibes here, asking this person to do as the title suggests. In the second half, Lenae’s soothing vocals are a short but sweet contribution that brings things all together. A nice taster for the deluxe edition of Uchis’ latest record.

piri & tommy – someone

This duo made our Purple List a few years back, and they continue to deliver bangers. That electric guitar and synthy-keyboards really set the scene, as does a rare tommy vocal contribution. This indie-pop sound is certainly a new approach, but when done right, I won’t be complaining. piri comes in and does her thing, making for a great showcase of these two vocally. Not what I was expecting, but a very nice surprise.

Rochelle Jordan – Sweet Sensation

After a four-year wait and some very nice KAYTRANADA collaborations, the new Rochelle Jordan LP is weeks away. Before that, this new track delivers in showing what an attention-commanding vocalist she is. But that production, with the funky keyboard playing and that loud bass in the background? I love it. Big props to KLSH and DāM-FunK on the instrumental front. This will certainly be on repeat for the rest of 2025, and beyond.

Anna of the North – Waiting For Love

Anna is a pop artist who has plenty of acclaim and famous collaborators, but for some reason hasn’t crossed over to the charts. It appears she is gearing up for a new album cycle, and ‘Waiting For Love‘ packs a memorable chorus, earworm of a beat, and that fun factor. The lyrics point to despair over not getting reciprocated love, with the Norwegian singer showing her passion for this. This one will certainly get stuck in your head.

Buy the track here.

Kloe’s Picks

Sentury – Forever

Jodeci, Boyz II Men, 112, Jagged Edge, and Dru Hill – those were the R&B glory days. Just as I was almost giving up hope of finding something similar in today’s music, Sentury have swung in with some swoon-worthy ‘grown-man’ R&B. The Houston quartet hone in on their dazzling harmonies to give us a passionate showcase of modern soul. This single is hot off the heels of their recent #1 Billboard Adult R&B Airplay hit -‘Only Human‘. This single is proof we need to take note of Sentury, their vintage cool is here to stay.

Jordan Ward – JUICY

If you’re seeking a laid-back vibe this weekend, I present to you a perfect anthem. Jordan Ward has been a rising star for a while, but this highly anticipated return has solidified him in my mind as a firm favourite. From supporting JID and Smino to collaborating with pop megastars like Mariah Carey, this youngster’s talent is his humility and the world is starting to take notice. Don’t let the song title fool you, ‘JUICY‘ is teeming with emotion and heart.

Genesis Owusu – PIRATE RADIO

For fans of the alt-rap ingenuity of BROCKHAMPTON or JPEGMAFIA, I present Genesis Owusu. This Ghanaian-Australian is a true experimentalist, channeling his life experiences into mind-boggling tracks that once heard are never forgotten. His newest track ‘PIRATE RADIO‘ is a politically charged, chaotic, and brilliantly executed banger. If you need a track to fire you up this weekend, this is it.

Geo Baddoo – Silver Lining

Let’s slow things down with a bit of calming R&B, shall we? Sounding like sunshine and Sunday morning in a song, British songstress and producer Geo Baddoo has a romantic, soothing single that showcases her vocal talent in all its splendour. Admittedly, this is the first I’ve heard from the Somerset-born artist, but I am impressed. “I just want a lovers rock like Janet Kay.” she sings, as the song gives a nod to ’70s lovers rock music.

Dave East FT. Neek Bucks – Desperation

Hard-hitting and gritty, Dave East rarely disappoints. This is the rapper’s first single from upcoming project ‘Karma 4‘ and is street storytelling at its finest. Line upon line, he is spitting realness with bars that make you pause and reflect. He’s truly locked and loaded, and reflecting on the desperation he will never shake from growing up in the trenches. Harlem’s rap up-and-comer Neek Bucks puts in a great performance here too – “I know a good chef, he lean with his left like he James Harden.“.

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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