#IMPicks: The Best of Q2 2025
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We’re a bit late on this one (apologies), but the second quarter of 2025 raised the game. While Q1 gave us some good material, we had some fantastic songs and projects between April and June that showcased some big artists in pop, rap, R’n’B, and more. Some of this material are early contenders for record and song of the year, including a certain album that got a lot of love. With the summer months coming to an end and autumn upon us, let us look back at what our writers were loving in Q2.
Rochelle Rose (Writer)
Best Songs
5: Venna – My Way
Finding out that the talented saxophonist Venna could sing was not on my bingo card this year. This artist dropped the first three singles from his upcoming debut album. Despite all the tracks being perfect, ‘My Way’ stood out. This song was as special as it was the first time we heard his delicate, soulful talent. Co-produced by Will Commodo, the blend of delicate keys, deep bass, and his signature saxophone creates a soulful, jazzy vibe that wraps around you. All the instruments create a perfect emotive and introspective sound, melting into one another. The lyrics are a relatable story of love and yearning for connection. It brings together smooth vocals with atmospheric production, showing this artist is ready to show off his multifaceted talent. The LP drops in September, and I know it’s gonna be the perfect record to mellow out to.
Buy the track here.
4: Little Simz FT. Moses Sumney & Miraa May – Peace
Little Simz delivers a deeply introspective and heartfelt message on finding peace and yourself despite life’s ups and downs. There’s a sense of strength and hope in this track about never giving up on yourself. It’s relatable, honest, and has a sadness to it. The gentle guitar strings and looped vocals set a meditative mood.
Moreover, the sparse instrumentation gives room for Simz to go deep and be vulnerable about her feelings. “Yo, it can be draining getting through each day / And sometimes we ain’t got the capacity / All I’m really needing is clarity.” This line captures her emotions and desire for peace. The rapper delivers this in a spoken word style, letting us reflect on the emotional weight of the lyrics. The bass and strings towards the end, before Moses Sumney and Miraa May’s verses, create a dreamy vibe. Ultimately, this is about her search for clarity and balance through internal turmoil.
3: Joey Bada$$ FT. Loaded Lux – MY TOWN
‘MY TOWN’ was fueled by a back-and-forth with West Coast rappers Daylyt and Ray Vaughn after Joey supposedly threw shade at Kendrick Lamar. The beat, produced by Kirk Knight, flips a sample from Cam’ron’s ‘Welcome To New York City’ and mixes moody vibes with heavy drums and deep bass. It’s way more modern and cinematic than your typical boom bap. Loaded Lux jumps on the track too, adding that classic NYC flavour.
Halfway through, the drums slow down, giving the lead room to hit you with more bars before the beat picks back up. Lines like, “I heard the streets call you “Quill” / No wonder why your feathers ruffle.“ is a slick shot at Daylyt. Joey also says, “I’m the real bogeyman, y’all should be afraid,” questioning Kendrick’s rep and saying he’s the one to watch. After laying low since ‘2000’, this track reminded everyone this East Coast spitter still got it.
2: Little Simz – Free
On ‘Free’, Little Simz delivers a deeply introspective, heartfelt message on letting go of fear and allowing love to give you true freedom. The song blends rhythmic drum kicks with soulful strings, creating a low-key Motown vibe. There’s a subtle eeriness to the instrumental, with delicate vocals drifting in and out, reflecting the emotional weight of the lyrics. Producer Miles Clinton James delivers warm instrumentation, blending jazzy keys and gentle guitar over choir-style vocals. Simz’s calming tone and thoughtful lyricism, over the low-tempo sway, offer a moment of self-reflection and solitude. The rapper’s flow weaves perfectly throughout and matches its conversational energy. Overall, the emotional depth in her storytelling reminds us of a universal desire to be free.
1: Clipse – Ace Trumpets
The legendary hip hop group Clipse, featuring rap duo Pusha T and Malice, made an unexpected comeback with ‘Ace Trumpets’. In their signature braggadocious style, they go bar for bar about their wealth and the reality of the streets. But this wasn’t just any reunion; it was a nostalgic moment, with Pharrell on production, keeping that signature Clipse energy. It mixes that futuristic and bassy sound but still keeps that gritty, refined Neptunes feel.
They both glide through it effortlessly, with clever wordplay, but fans were especially hyped over Malice’s verse. Lines like, “Never leavin’ home without my piece like I’m Mahatma.” use a double entendre symbolising ‘piece’ as slang for a gun and ‘peace’ to symbolise Gandhi. Considering Malice’s spiritual transformation, it’s a cold contrast of his past life and the life he chooses to follow now. This track feels like the trailer before the movie, just enough to get us excited for what’s next.
Best Albums
5: Willyynova – TIBET ASANTE
I was first introduced to Chicago rapper Willyynova earlier this year through TikTok. After hearing his viral track, ‘WE GOOD LUV‘, I was impressed by the polished production and poetic lyricism. There’s something intentional in the way he picks his beats. Those looped, soulful samples create a hypnotic, moody vibe, perfect for slower days. Furthermore, the artist goes beyond the drumless rapper label in ‘TIBET ASANTE’. Tracks like ‘SLEEZEPARDONED‘ bring in more drums, showing he’s got range. In addition to this, he opens up about his journey, the darkness and hope, and creating a space for self-exploration. Overall, this record blends honesty and soulful textures whilst balancing themes of beauty, darkness, and hope.
4: Westside Gunn – 12
Westside Gunn gave the streets exactly what they needed with this project. His work rate as a rapper is incredible, dropping polished samples, crazy wordplay, and vivid storytelling in every release. When you’re this good, you might as well keep dropping consistently. The album sticks to his signature style, rapping about the streets like it’s a movie. Gunn’s sample choices are elite, making every track cinematic and immersive. The eerie, mysterious sampling on ‘ADAM PAGE‘ matches the dark stories being told. He covers themes like wealth, luxury fashion, and classic films to make it authentic. The wordplay is also sharp with a gritty feel, especially on tracks like ‘VEERT’. In conclusion, ‘12’ gives us vivid imagery, cultural references, and double entendres. It’s another project from the rapper that deserves appreciation.
3: Wiz Khalifa – Kush + Orange Juice 2
As a true Wiz Khalifa fan, there was no way I wasn’t gonna like the follow-up project to ‘Kush & OJ’. This was one of the best mixtapes from the blog era, and ‘Kush & OJ 2’ felt like a trip down memory lane. The production is familiar, the features are good, and the smooth flows hit. It also shows off his classic, laid-back, confident energy that we always love him for. The lyrics stick to what we know and love from Wiz: laid back, confident, and enjoying life. It’s the rapper’s smooth delivery that makes his music hit every time. Tracks like ‘5 Star’ have a smooth bassline and remind you of 90s G-Funk. Gunna’s melodic delivery adds a nice contrast. I really appreciate revisiting an era I felt connected to growing up.
2: kwn – with all due respect
This Purple List 2025 member is taking R&B to the next level with polished production and soulful, distinct vocals that have earned her a global fanbase. This EP has 9 tracks blending 90s R&B with a modern twist. From delivery to production, everything feels intentional and perfectly executed. With features from Kehlani and U.K. trio FLO, it’s clear she’s evolved as an artist and set the tone for her breakthrough. ‘back of the club‘ opens with a slow, nostalgic vibe that instantly sets the mood. The airy production, warm textures, and classic bass kicks create an effortlessly sensual feel. This project is seductive, smooth, and shows off kwn’s creative independence. If you’re sleeping on her, this is proof you’re missing out.
Buy the EP here.
1: Little Simz – Lotus
This album felt deeply personal and honest. The vulnerability is heavy and feels more intimate compared to previous projects. It’s like she’s letting us know she’s in her healing era, moving closer towards peace. Simz opens up about grief, loneliness, and emotional resilience. Her sonic palette has evolved and she’s seamlessly mixing more genres into her music. On ‘Lion‘, she draws inspiration from Afrobeats legends like Fela Kuti. Further to this, the artist collaborates with artists outside rap, like jazz drummer Yussef Dayes and R’n’B singer Sampha. The live instrumentation from Miles Clinton James on ‘Only’ gives it that funky groove, alongside melodic vocals from Lydia Kitto, adding to its vibrancy. Something about this LP solidifies her position as one of the best rappers in the UK.
Buy the album here.
Jon Chew (Writer/Actor)
Best Songs
5: Ethel Cain – Nettles
There may be no more intriguing artist circling the outer edges of mainstream pop stardom right now than Cain. Off an off-kilter exploration of her dark side in the bold ‘Perverts’, the singer now presents her polar opposite. It’s an elegy to Americana, entrancing in its breadth, scope, its violins, banjos, and synths. ‘Nettles’, off the new project ‘Willoughby Tucker, I’ll Always Love You’, surfaces a thorny love for her country that many may find hard to locate nowadays.
4: Moses Sumney & Hayley Williams – I Like It I Like It
Moses Sumney has always been a bewitching artist of soul. In ‘I Like It I Like It’, all the Sumney
hallmarks are present: that seductive falsetto and the flitting between genres like jazz and hip-hop.
But what takes this song towards a point of ecstasy is the enlistment of an unexpected fellow
American: Williams, the face of rock band Paramore. Not only does she sound completely
different and at home on a decidedly R&B track, but both these divine voices make sweet love
together. All at once, we enter nirvana in a slow, special jam.
Buy the track here.
3: caroline FT. Caroline Polachek – Tell me I never knew that
Caroline Polachek may be 2025’s favourite muse, with collaborations ranging from These New Puritans to the ‘Death Stranding 2‘ soundtrack. But this pairing with the brilliant English rock collective caroline, off their album ‘caroline 2’, that stands out. Together, these luminous stars twinkle across the gorgeous experimental rock universe in a ballad for all time. All these voices swerve through and with one another like petals floating in a vessel of trumpets and electric guitars. They sound born for union, culminating in
the constant refrain of “It always has been / It always will be,” that is passed from one unrecognisable auto-tuned singer to another.
Buy the track here.
2: Little Simz FT. Michael Kiwanuka & Yussef Dayes – Lotus
There are numerous songs that could land on anyone’s favourite list from Little Simz’s ‘Lotus’. My choice would be the immaculate title track. Starting with a gorgeous harmony of voices, Simz works with Michael Kiwanuka on the vocals and Yussef Dayes on the drums to chart her life story in the most thrilling manner.
Much has been made of the acrimonious break-up with long-time producer Inflo, but ‘Lotus’ takes on so many more enemies. Simz begins in an introspective, minimalistic space, as she raps, “If self-love means putting me first / It’s the greatest love story on earth.”. But she soon swims through an orchestral whirlpool, using her lessons and trauma to heal through an exquisite choice of words. That’s before the last two minutes of instrumentation that interplays between heavenly voices and Dayes’ rippling drums to present an artist reborn and in charge. If this is Simz reincarnated, we are all privileged witnesses to hip hop’s chosen one.
1: Maruja – Look Down on Us
The year’s most ferocious outburst gives a long, deserved middle finger to a pungent establishment. Mancunian jazz-rock foursome Maruja have been churning out head-catching music through EPs like ‘Tír na nÓg’ and ‘Connla’s Well’. But in ‘Look Down On Us’, they speak to the moment in the most glorious of ways. This is a 10-minute punk rock epic that includes two sax solos and swells of grit and grime as lead vocalist Harry Wilkinson uncages rage and reason in equal measure. This is a fist wrapped in a song, awakening the legacy of The Sex Pistols and The Clash. Yet, even in this arena, there’s a middle interlude where Joe Carroll’s saxophone allows for an unexpected, graceful respite from the fight. It sets the stage for ‘Pain to Power’, the upcoming debut album that promises to hit hard and beautiful.
Best Albums
5: spill tab – ANGIE
For this summer heat, there’s nothing more refreshing than a can of spill tab. The Thai-born, American-based Claire Chicha uses her ambiguous background to create ‘ANGIE’, a complex cocktail of chill. With zero f***s given, this artist alternates between the neo-soul vulnerability of ‘Adore Me’ to explosive industrial electro-pop concoctions like ‘PINK LEMONADE‘. She uses everything at her disposal, including flitting between English and French, in a release that’s slinky, sexy, and cool.
Buy the album here.
4: Mei Semones – Animaru
‘Animaru’, the debut album from American-Japanese singer Mei Semones, is the most playful record I’ve heard this year. This is, incredibly, a bossa nova/jazz/indie-rock/J-pop record that is chock-full of glee. Semones sounds like she’s living her most blessed life by scatting her way through golden nuggets like ‘Tora Moyo’ and ‘Zarigani’. In the title track, the artist plucks the guitar, speaks-sings, and employs violins and crashing cymbals to create this ode to self-reclamation. This is a joyous, Amélie-eque, whimsical walk through life.
Buy the album here.
3: McKinley Dixon – Magic, Alive!
How does Virginia rapper McKinley Dixon follow up his brilliant ‘Beloved! Paradise! Jazz!?’? By employing his genius layering of instrumentation, wordplay, and craft. He shoots the breeze and tells the story of three friends exploring life after the death of another. ‘Magic, Alive!’ is a triumphant declaration of the child within. There is so much to unpack in this musical tapestry. ‘Sugar Water’, featuring Quelle Chris and Anjimile. It is a propulsive track that feels like a gospel choir, rock band, and rapper got together on a porch to figure out how to raise Dixon’s friend from the dead. In ‘Recitatif’, the lead packs nine lives into one mind-meld, working with Teller Bank$ to move from somber to bombastic, from flute to bass guitar. All this, and more, inside a power-packed 35 minutes that gets more intricate and breath-taking with every listen.
Buy the album here.
2: Samia – Bloodless
If Emily Dickinson picked up a guitar and a twang, she wouldn’t stray too far from what Samia fashions in the lyrical, luminous ‘Bloodless’. The American folk-pop chanteuse swirls some fantastic melodies around observations about losing oneself, friendships, and their hold on the world.
‘Bovine Excision’ lays the ground for the whole concept, since the phrase nods to the bloodless killing of cattle, in an intense exploration of fighting against expectation. “Picking leeches off white underwear / Neck, back, inscrutable stare / I wanna be impossible.“, Samia declares as the band lifts off to an entrancing climax. ‘Carousel’ treads softly before launching into a maelstrom of bashing drums and acoustics. Meanwhile, ‘Proof’ is simultaneously delicate and yet so deliciously catty. She plucks the guitar while crooning “You don’t know me b***h.“.
Samia continues to draw from the lineage of artists like Rilo Kiley and Sheryl Crow, but her third album arrives with a new ooze of charisma. ‘Bloodless’ reminds me of a quote the singer embodies to a tee: “Writing is easy. You just open a vein and bleed.“
Buy the album here.
1: These New Puritans – Crooked Wing
This is your invitation to step into the year’s most ethereal, holiest of grounds built by the Barnett twins from Southend-on-Sea. ‘Crooked Wing’, the band’s fifth album, is the most exquisite chamber of music that Jack and George have made. Hymns are held with as much mournfulness as reverence in this project.
‘Bells’ literally employs church bells that reverberate through a town to create a soundscape of organ drones and laments that conjure the very best of Sigur Rós. The twins then flip into something urgent like ‘A Season In Hell’, a driving track that apparently uses two pipe organs and two hundred drums to disturbing effect. Even Caroline Polachek shows up to lend her light to ‘Industrial Love Song’, a high-concept duet between two cranes on a building site. As bat-s**t insane as that sounds, the back-and-forth is feathery and evocative. This LP is a dense paradise of sound that lives in the heart long after the final ache-filled note.
Buy the album here.
Kloe Paton (Deputy Editor/Writer)
Best Songs
5: Leon Thomas – NOT FAIR
I’m a sucker for a great R&B record, and Leon Thomas provides these in spades. I’ve been vocal about his underrated talent; however, his recent project ‘MUTT‘ proved it to the industry in what seems to be his breakthrough year. ‘NOT FAIR‘ is sensual, teasing, and tantalisingly addictive.
4: Aaron Taylor – Without Ya!
Discovering Aaron Taylor has been a blessing. Romantic, heartfelt, and poignant – his music manages to strike a chord in its vulnerability. Singing about that ache of living without your true love, this single has a super catchy hook that you won’t get out of your head.
Buy the track here.
3: Sipprell & edbl – Somewhere You Can Fly
Fresh, warm, and groovy – U.K. producer edbl has an array of spectacular and genre-bending tracks on his new drop, ‘Archives Mixtape’. However, this single, armed with lush percussion and uplifting lyrics, has earned a permanent spot on my summer playlist.
Buy the track here.
2: Estelle – Roses (Now’s the Time)
The feel-good tune of the quarter, Estelle is blossoming in her new era. Full of gratitude and life-affirming celebratory sounds, I have had this on replay whenever I need a pick-me-up.
1: Mádé Kuti – Life As We Know It
Throw this song on at any party to get everyone on their feet, no questions asked. The grandson of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, Madé is carrying the torch for his family, making socially conscious, infectious tracks that break rules and feel great.
Buy the track here.
Best Albums
5: Aminé – 13 Months of Sunshine
Carrying on that bright, feel-good energy that he built with KAYTRANADA in their 2023 collaboration, the Portland rapper delivers a fresh selection of sweet anthems in this solo feat. Despite the singles suggesting otherwise, this album houses some reflective deep cuts as he faces his insecurities and mental battles. It’s a well-rounded, balanced project from the unique MC – by far my favourite album from him yet.
Buy the album here.
4: Wretch 32 – HOME?
In a long-awaited comeback record, British-Jamaican rap leader Wretch 32 brings us back to the basics with ‘HOME?‘. It’s a deep exploration of what home and belonging actually mean. He’s exploring themes of displacement and the lifelong search for inner peace in a world of destruction. As he grapples with identity throughout this project, the best of Black British voices join him – Little Simz, Kano, and Skrapz, to name a few. This LP has so much to unpack and is a record I know I’ll still be getting more from listen after listen for the rest of this year.
Buy the album here.
3: Kali Uchis – Sincerely,
On one of the most anticipated album drops of the year, Miss Uchis did not disappoint her loyal fans. The multi-talented songstress wows with her signature Spanglish charm in a healing, delicate ode to motherhood, self-love, and whirlwind romance.
Buy the album here.
2: Rome Streetz and Conductor Williams – Trainspotting
Rome Streetz snatched the crown with this one. Pairing up with trusted collaborator and producer powerhouse, Conductor Williams, the Griselda duo delivers top-tier bars and elite beats that hit different. Without taking anything away from Streetz, I do have to give a special shout-out to Method Man with one of the best features I’ve heard in a long time from any rapper, period. ‘Ricky Bobby’ is my favourite track on the project and deserves a thousand listens.
Buy the album here.
1: Little Simz – Lotus
This record was worth the wait. The golden girl of U.K. rap, Little Simz has dropped a poignant, passionate, and ultra-personal project. Her fans expected nothing less. Alongside some talented friends – Sampha and Obongjayar, to name a few – the razor-sharp MC is a phoenix rising from the ashes. She delivers a reflection on personal trauma and evolution. This is an album of the year contender.
Emily Teague (Writer/Promoter)
Best Songs
5: Little Simz – Free
This song has been on heavy rotation for me since its release (the only reason it isn’t higher is that I’ve overplayed it). As usual for Little Simz, the production and instrumentation are flawless and distinct. She is up there as one of my favourite vocalists today.
4: Mark Ronson and RAYE – Suzanne
As a long-time fan of Mark Ronson, I’d be happy to give any of his tracks a listen. I’ve always loved how he can spotlight the artist he is working with so well; he’s a perfectionist when it comes to finding elements of a track to suit every artist. ‘Suzanne‘ fits this completely; however, I think he had an easy task with exceptionally talented vocalist RAYE.
3: Some Remain – ‘Feel Low‘
This track is a great example of pulling from a variety of influences to create a new sound. I enjoyed finding parts within it that I associate with grunge, post-punk, and alternative rock. Some Remain have definitely gained a new fan.
Buy the track here.
2: Sparks – Hit Me, Baby
I said this at the time of release, and I’ll say it again: this track is insanely catchy. I love the bridge as well as the build-up of sound. It’s mesmerising how great the band is at mastering their distinct sound. For me, this particular track stayed with me weeks after my initial listen, something that I look for in good music.
Buy the track here.
1: Bad Milk Blood Robot – Humanity (The Herd)
The psychedelic sounds within this song are what first drew me to it. I also really enjoyed the narrative within the track and the lyrical complexity. I notice more and more bands are creating songs that have insanely interesting lyrics, which is something Bad Milk Blood Robot excels at.
Buy the track here.
Albums
5: The Cure – Mixes Of A Lost World
I decided on this remixed addition of ‘Songs Of A Lost World‘ because of its creativity. It’s very easy for artists to bring out later versions of a good record and not bring anything particularly interesting to the table. However, I think the incredible lineup of featured artists, along with a real shift in tone, made this remix worthwhile.
Buy the album here.
4: Pigs x7 – Death Hilarious
I’ve been following this sludge metal band for a while now. I’ve always found them to stand out amongst current releases within the metal scene. Their latest album delivers the rawness that I love about the group.
Pre-order the album here.
3: Little Simz – Lotus
By far my favourite artist in hip hop right now, Little Simz has once again delivered a great record. From the samples she uses to the production quality, her presence is unmistakable. Highlight tracks for me are ‘Free‘ and ‘Lonely‘.
2: Ezra Furman – Goodbye Small Head
As a long-time follower of Ezra Furman, I was thrilled with her latest release. The tenth track, ‘Strange Girl‘, is a real highlight. I hope she receives the praise she deserves and continues to shape her uniquely brilliant soundscape.
Buy the album here.
1: Sparks – MAD!
When first listening to this record, I was apprehensive. When bands I have a lot of respect for release new music, I’m worried it’ll disappoint me and change my perception of them. This album was not one of these cases. ‘MAD!‘ is packed full of everything that makes Sparks the experimental legends they are, whilst still feeling fresh and modern. A great listen through and through.
Buy the album here.
Thomas Atkinson (Editor-in-Chief/Writer)
Best Songs
5: Addison Rae – Fame is a Gun
I have largely been left with middling thoughts about the output from this artist, but I must say this track is a banger. A bouncy pop beat courtesy of Luka Kloser and Elvira Anderfjärd built off a great keyboard melody, matching the use of autotune on Addison’s delivery. When that chorus comes into play and those higher notes are hit, it is euphoric and hits the sweet spot. If we get more material like this, we may get a good project in the future.
4: Self Esteem – Cheers To Me
There is a lot of great material on the new record, but this one is the song that is stuck in my head. That techno-pop beat starts off subtle, before building in intensity at the same rate as Taylor. The performance provides passion and confidence as she sings about her love for someone who is not putting in the same effort. This is a great piece of ballad-esque pop with moments like the echoing background vocals on the bridge, the cherry on top.
3: Blood Orange FT. The Durutti Column, Tariq Al-Sabir, Caroline Polachek & Daniel Caesar – The Field
I have spoken already about my love for this track on First Listen Fridays, so I will be quick here. The tranquil D’n’B production is perfect for a walk in nature, and all artists shine on the vocal front. Truly a beautiful piece of music that leaves me excited for the release of ‘Essex Honey‘ this week.
2: Lizzie Berchie – Moonlight
I’ll explain later why this EP is superb, but for me, ‘Moonlight‘ is the stand-out. We have spoken a lot about vocal performances, but this singer’s showing here is sensational. That production is so smooth as well, allowing Lizzie to deliver the first-class performance she does. Packed to the brim with passion and an off-the-scale aura, this is a short but sweet moment to be savoured.
1: Little Simz FT. Wretch 32 & Cashh – Blood
I was very close to picking ‘Peace‘ here, but this song wins out from an LP full of great music. The dynamic of the brother and sister played by Wretch and Simz is performed amazingly, really selling their roles. The haunting piano-led instrumental with the eerie-echoey background choir vocals is perfect, as well. We must also mention Cashh’s contributions on the chorus as doing the business. The most intriguing and impactful song on the record, Simz continues to show her skills as a rapper.
Best Albums
5: PinkPantheress – Fancy That
This latest mixtape from the Bath-born artist is her best body of work thus far. She continues to highlight her quality use of samples, whether on ‘Illegal‘ with Underworld’s ‘Dark and Long‘ or the noughties pop gem ‘Starz In Their Eyes‘ by Just Jack on ‘Stars‘. There is also the variety in sounds, whether on the bassline-inspired ‘Tonight‘ or the blending of pop and garage on ‘Romeo‘. This project is short, but sweet at 20 minutes, and yet feels in synergy, making for a fun ride from start to finish. Pink continues to be an exciting artist, who you can’t wait to see what she does next.
Buy the mixtape here.
4: Black Country, New Road – Forever Howlong
Many wondered what direction BCNR would go in following the departure of lead vocalist, Isaac Wood. We got a taste of this new era with ‘Live at Bush Hall‘, but this new album cements this version of the band as something special. The vibes are more tranquil and less abrasive, as Georgia Ellery, Tyler Hyde, and May Kershaw take turns to talk about friendship, nature, and random topics like vitamins. Each vocalist has a unique vocal perspective, and sounds gorgeous over folk, rock, and baroque pop. This band may be less chaotic than before, but they are still as quirky and unique as before.
Buy the album here.
3: Lizzie Berchie – Night Shift (EP)
Having spoken about this in my review already, this is a masterfully crafted R’n’B and neo-soul release. Berchie’s delightful singing and songwriting is music to the ears and makes for an engaging tale, however you interpret its message. Those soothing instrumentals complement our lead nicely, and this is yet another example of why this artist is one of the U.K.’s best in this field.
2: Self Esteem – A Complicated Woman
How do you follow up a top-notch album like ‘Prioritise Pleasure‘? Like this! The 3rd studio album from Rebecca Taylor provides emotion, power, and some great music. Blending techno-pop bangers like ‘69‘ and ‘Mother‘, to the rock-inspired Nadine Shah collab ‘Lies‘, this record delivers. This artist continues to deliver personal and poignant records that provide some tongue-in-cheek moments. A very real and very human LP.
Buy the album here.
1: Little Simz – Lotus
If this artist isn’t already in your top rappers of all time, she should be after this project. Following her very public fallout with former producer Inflo, this kicks off in style with the impactful diss of ‘Thief‘. This record does look at this topic on other occasions, but sees Simz look inwards at herself, and who she is. ‘Peace‘ does this in abundance with its grungy guitar and beautiful vocal contributions from Miraa May, alongside Moses Sumney. Furthermore, ‘Free‘ remains a great single with those angelic background vocals and that vibey, yet soothing production. Truly another classic from one of this country’s most consistent poets, she doesn’t miss a beat at the moment.
Read our Q1 picks here.
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