First Listen Fridays – New Music To Know – 8th August 2025

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Welcome back to First Listen Fridays. This is the home of the hottest drops in music, as IndustryMe Editors Tom and Kloe deliver a top ten list that showcases the very best of new releases. This week, we have UK rap up-and-comer V.I.C, new music from Sasha Keable, and a banger from Disclosure & Anderson .Paak . In short, whether you’re in your feelings or simply looking to add to your summer playlist – we have a song you’re sure to love.

Tom’s Picks

Disclosure & Anderson .Paak – NO CAP

This electronic duo always knows how to get the best out of their collaborators, and that is certainly the case from the first listen. That bass carries the track alongside the mesmerising drum beat, bringing a late-summer slammer to get you moving. Anderson is clearly having fun here with a carefree flow that sees him trying to lure you all to the dancefloor. The synths after the chorus provide the cherry on top to a fun and groovy dancefloor anthem.

Kali Claire – Weak

This one has a bit of melancholy and end credits vibes, but that UKG sound makes it fit for this gorgeous weather. Kali Claire has been consistently making good material for a while, and this new one is no different. There is a tale of longing for someone, reverberating vocals that show off her singing qualities, and a punchy beat. While there is a tint of sadness to the message, you may still find yourself grooving (a cry dance maybe?).

Amaarae & PinkPantheress – Kiss Me Thru The Phone pt 2

There has been plenty of hype for this new Amaarae album, with this track a collab that I was intrigued to hear. As two female talents who know how to blend pop and dance music, expectations were high, and it delivers. The beat is somewhat tranquil to start with, but that bass and the wavey synths bring a groove. Both artists sound great, showcasing their vocal chops as they detail having conversations with an admirer. These artists fit perfectly together, even harmonising at points, for this absolute bop. Oh, and the beat drop at the end, lovely closer.

Denon Reed & Star.One – kryptonite

This Birmingham producer has been on a run of late (including a VIP of his latest hit, ‘Let Him Go‘, out today). But he teams up with the very much underrated producer duo, Star.One, for this mix of wobbly bassline with some garage influence. Those vocals from Shayan and the sound are classic bassline, and make for another track that will have the gun fingers out. Denon is the guy in bassline now, and that ain’t changing anytime soon.

Sasha Keable – can’t stop

One of our Purple List 2025 picks is certainly having a great year and has finally dropped the ‘act right‘ EP. We’ve loved what Sasha has delivered thus far, and this track is no different. Brimming with those top-class vocals, confidence, and a beat that provides the energy, but still allows the lead to shine. There are plenty of nice touches like the ad libs, the brass, and the background choir vocals. This artist keeps doing the business, and 2025 is the year that she is finally getting her well-deserved flowers.

Kloe’s Picks

Nate Smith FT. Jermaine Holmes, Charlie Hunter, and DJ Harrison – JUKE JOINT

Where are my D’Angelo fans at? I have something for you. Three time Grammy nominated drummer Nate Smith has delivered a hypnotic single full of soul that you should definitely check out. Omitting a Sunday morning feeling, this dreamy track has elements of jazz woven throughout with a J Dilla-like drum break. Boasting further collaborative credits from Childish Gambino and Jon Batiste, Nate gives us a taster of his full length project, ‘LIVE-ACTION’, dropping later this month.

V.I.C – 40 Doors

UK rap fans should keep their eyes on the young V.I.C, especially if you’re tuned into the UK versus US narrative that’s currently playing out. The MC channels his underdog energy fully into new single ‘40 Doors‘. Here, he is using doors as a metaphor for everything he has to get through to be on top. Delivering gritty and sharp rhymes, its no surprise that he’s received cosigns from BBC Introducing and is set to perform at Reading and Leeds Festival.

Rex & The Rhythm – Without You

LA musician Rex & The Rhythm is a multi talented instrumentalist, singer/songwriter and producer. A true musical maestro who can blend many sounds into his a new style – Rex has dipped his toe into psychedelic soul, alt-pop, and hip-hop. In this track however, he curates what could’ve been a traditional heartbreak anthem into one with serious groove. Despite touching on darker topics such as grieving a lost love and the vices we turn to in order to comfort ourselves, this track still has a feel good energy that you simply can’t press skip on.

Naomi Scott – Cut Me Loose

With a compelling groove and voice to die for, Naomi Scott is entering a new era. Exuding an 80s vibe, the former Disney starlet just performed this track at Lollapalooza and wowed the crowds. Don’t be fooled into thinking this is a feel good jam – this song is sad, raw and painstakingly honest. It gets dark – ‘I take the masochism straight’ she sings. This is an insanely catchy, dark single that marks a turning point in her discography.

Siren Society – If It Was Me

Is the girl band/boy band obsession something we left in the early noughties? Siren Society don’t think so. They have just dropped a deliciously infectious single. This is an ultimate pop guilty pleasure listen that I have had on repeat. The foursome are the output of Netflix’s ‘Building the Band’ an X-Factor-esque reality show that brings independent artists together to form groups. Despite never having heard of the show or these artists before this track – I must admit I am now all ears.

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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