London poet and producer James Massiah lands with a limited edition 7-inch. Blurring genres like the Great Smog of London, Massiah deftly mixes electronic, hip-hop, and spoken word. His latest release, ‘Holland Park/Hot Winter (Dreaming About Being Closer)’, features beats by Shimz343 and aloisius. Lyrically, Massiah is a force to be reckoned with. His words dance and weave, painting vivid pictures of urban life, culture, and the nuances of human relationships. This is genius.

News about a release from Surprise Chef always pricks up our ears. The Coburg cinematic soul outfit will drop their fourth album, entitled Superb, on 16th May via Big Crown Records. With a change to their creative approach, the quintet turns up the heat in their music. Trading in meticulous writing and recording techniques for a looser and less planned approach to bring more levity to the process comes through in spades. Take a listen below.

Joy Guidry’s new music is always welcomed; her latest single, ‘Hold and Be Held’, is no exception. In its 4.35-minute stretch, Guidry gently draws you into a peaceful haven of ambient jazz, like a whisper. The inspiration drawn from Nikki Giovanni’s poem, “This World Is Not A Pleasant Place To Be,” adds another deep layer. Giovanni’s words reflect the complexities and struggles of existence, and Guidry captures this sentiment beautifully without ever needing to utter a single lyric. As the first offering from her forthcoming album via Jaid Records, this track serves as a tantalising appetiser.

Holy moly, Stereolab has graced us with some new music! The acclaimed Anglo-French art-pop band has unveiled “Instant Holograms on Metal Film,” their first new album in a whopping 15 years. The album will be released on 23rd May on the band’s label Duophonic UHF Disks and Warp Records. There’s not much else to say other than sit back and let the enchanting sounds of Stereolab work their magic below.

Here’s one to get excited about: International Anthem recently announced Horizon, a collaborative album by Resavoir and Matt Gold. Horizon is the product of longtime friends. Initially inspired by a love for ’60s and ’70s Brazilian music, their project evolved into a rich body of work fueled by a mutual admiration for guitarist Luis Bonfa and songwriter Milton Nascimento. They used a nylon string guitar as a foundation for their collaborations. Listen to the album opener, ‘Canopy’; the track was the first piece they created together. Opening with bright acoustic chords, before the song slowly unfurls into a slinking groove with bird sounds, strings, and fluttering leads from soprano saxophonist Tim Bennett.