#IMDiscovers: The April/May Edition
It’s been a while, but we’re back with a bumper IMDiscovers. The weather has certainly improved and festival season is upon us. Whether you’re in the garden or the living room, get yourself comfortable as we have some fantastic music to get you excited for the holidays.
ENNY-We Go Again
Ever since she blew up with ‘Peng Black Girls,’ ENNY has proven again and again that she is a top-tier rapper. With her new EP, ‘We Go Again‘ we get plenty of great music from the fast-flowing ‘No More Naija Men‘ to ‘Champagne Problems‘ which criticises those who box her into a certain type of rap. Including a feature from Loyle Carner, this project highlights her talents and shows why she is a name to be reckoned with.
Mnelia-Closure Tapes
Following her recent sold-out show, Mnelia drops her first EP in three years. Across these ten tracks, we get some sensational R’n’B with smooth vocals. Whether on her own on the mellow ‘Revelation‘ or alongside guest stars like Kwengface on ‘White Lies‘, she gives you that good stuff. The remix of ‘Genesis‘ sees her collaborate with Miraa May, Bellah, and Joyce Wrice to end this sensational EP on a high. It’s everything you want in an R’n’B EP and more.
Rebecca Winter FT. Wale Turner-12:44
Fresh off the release of her comeback single ‘Me First‘, Rebecca Winter returns with a chilled summer vibe. The smooth vocals over this dreamy Afrobeats production are great and complimented nicely by Wale Turner’s guest appearance. It’s catchy as hell and there’s even a remix with Sy Ari Da Kid if you needed another excuse to listen again.
Kelli-Leigh-Never Dance Again
It’s been a busy start to 2023, but Kelli-Leigh has finally dropped her first solo release of the year. Having been promoted as one of Radio 1’s tracks of the week, it’s clear to see why. It’s an absolute dance anthem with its pounding, club-ready house beat and the vocals hit all the right notes as well. Another absolute banger from the South London singer and surely not the last you’ll hear in the coming months.
Jaz Karis-THERAPY
Following up on the success of her ‘DEAR JAZ‘ EP, Jaz Karis continues to be one of the U.K.’s hottest R’n’B talents. ‘THERAPY‘ documents a crumbling relationship, which Karis details in her clean and pristine singing. The melodic and guitar-backed instrumental is pleasant on the ears, making for yet another smooth R’n’B jam. Having ended 2022 as a star in the making, 2023 is set to be another successful year.
Amaarae-Co-Star
Having already racked up over a million streams on Spotify, people are already loving ‘Co-Star‘. And what’s not to love, from the club-ready instrumental to the velvety tones of the Ghanaian singer. This stomper is set to lock off the dance of anywhere it’s played this summer and continues to show her artistic versatility.
rum.gold-U Street Anthology
The new album from rum.gold is a great follow-up to his 2021 album ‘Thicker Than Water‘. The soulful and beautiful ‘Water My Heart‘ featuring Mereba was a great taste of things to come on this record. New songs like the funky ‘The Candy Lady‘ are just as good, highlighting those top-notch vocals and the instrumentation on display. rum.gold is a raw talent and this LP once again displays why he is an artist to be on your radar.
Ragz Originale-radio silence
The grind doesn’t stop for Ragz Originale who continues to be an essential voice in the world of R’n’B. Fresh off a performance on the COLORS platform, this new single is a short, but sweet love song. It’s an absolute earworm that you want to play again and again. With a new album set to drop on June 30th, stay locked in for more mellow R’n’B to come your way.
Reggie Betcon-Sadboy, Vol. 1
Two years after his last record, Reggie Betcon is back and ready to show how he’s been feeling. The first volume in a potential series is full of stories from the rocky relationship anthem ‘Call‘ to the drill-infused ‘Streets‘. This man has clearly been on a journey and these eight tracks showcase his storytelling abilities and genre versatility.
Joesef-Let’s Stay Together
After releasing his debut album and touring the world, you would have thought Joesef would be taking some time out from new music, But, boy you’d be wrong as ‘Let’s Stay Together‘ came and showed there is still plenty of gas in the tank. It’s another great ballad with crisp vocals that know when to add a bit of oomph. He’s touring the U.S. now, but the Purple List singer ain’t done with 2023 just yet.
Turno, Skepsis & Charlotte Plank-Rave Out
Charlotte Plank is one of the most in-demand vocalists in the dance world right now and for good reason. Fresh off her first top 40 hit she collaborates with D’n’B stalwart Turno and U.K. Bass icon Skepsis on this latest banger. It’s another fresh piece of pop-inspired Drum N Bass that is sure to have you skanking all summer long.
Darla Jade-Buy More Time
It’s been a busy 2023 for Darla Jade, but this is her first solo single of the year. Quickly following her recent live EP, it’s an anthemic pop song about wanting more time. The track is fun, catchy, and a bop which is exactly what you want in a poppy song. With festival season upon us, you’ll be seeing plenty of this Stoke-on-Trent local in the coming months.
JeRonelle-Regret & Reflect
Having had a three-year break from music, JeRonelle has returned in style in 2023. Over this EP, he displays some sensational vocals that are sure to woo those he’s talking about in the music. Whether on the finger clicking ‘Stuck‘ or the stripped-back ‘Down Bad‘, he echoes pure talent.
Xenia Manasseh-Temporary Love
Bringing a lowered and direct delivery to the world of R’n’B, Xenia Manasseh is making waves. This first solo release of the year has wavey production matched by her vocals which have been mixed in an intriguing way. With an album on the way, expect this to be a taste of what is to come.
Jorja Smith-Try Me/Little Things
Jorja Smith is set to release her sophomore record in September and has teased it with two new singles. ‘Try Me‘ gives you the more downbeat, emotional side to her music, while ‘Little Things‘ gives us a funky dance anthem. They show two sides to this multi-faceted talent and show why she is one of the biggest stars in the U.K. R’n’B scene.
Spragga Benz-Another Friend
Having already collaborated with numerous artists this year, Spragga Benz gives us a solo effort this time. This Reggae cut with electronic elements is perfect for the summer sitting on a beach with a beverage in hand. The track is pure vibes and is sure to soundtrack any occasion during the best season of the year.
Zoe Wees-Don’t Give Up
Zoe Wees finally follows up her last single with the powerful ‘Don’t Give Up‘. This anthem is a song of resolution and fighting on in times of desperation and hardship. Her emotive expression and the uplifting production are perfectly matched and make this music that will get those going through a rough time something to smile about.
Cali Rodi-Friends Again
This 2023 Purple List member delivers a ballad about deciding whether to make that next step. It documents moving from friends to a potential relationship, with the dreary piano matching this theme. But, what makes this track stand tall is Rodi’s vocals that echo the emotion she is feeling. It’s a stand-out track which is sure to go down well at the live shows.
Mariam Davina-Because Of You
After reaching the semi-finals of The Voice in 2021, Mariam Davina finally releases her new album. ‘Because of You‘ highlights those soulful vocals over some great synthy R’n’B, which has a great chorus. It is definitely memorable and sure to be one to sing along too, showing that Davina is set to release some great music.
Taite Imogen-Here
Having released music sporadically over the years, ‘Here‘ marks the first solo release for Taite Imogen since 2019. The production sounds gorgeous with its bouncy synths and Imogen herself has great breathy delivery. Here’s hoping that we get plenty more music from her in 2023.
Make sure to check our last IMDiscovers here.