October: 9 urban releases you need to hear this month

James Vincent McMorrow 'I Lie Awake Every Night' (Believe Recordings / Caroline)

Dubliner James Vincent McMorrow was sampled on Drake’s last album and now returns with his own new LP ‘We Move’, on which he aimed to “write songs like Neil Young but produce them like the Neptunes”. On ‘I Lie Awake Every Night’, he confronts his eating disorder for the first time with sonic splendor.

9/10

Izzy Bizu 'Diamond' (Sony Music)

‘Diamond’ is undoubtedly one of the highlights from singer Izzy Bizu’s new album ‘A Moment Of Madness’. Sassy in its own mid-tempo ballad-meets-swing style, Bizu’s distinctive r’n’b tone drips into your ears; it’s so heavenly, in fact, it’ll make you feel like you’re eating honey and nuts drizzled over a deep-fried fritter.

9/10

KDA feat Tinashe 'Just Say' (Ministry of Sound)

Following up the chart-topping single ‘Turn The Music Louder (Rumble)’ featuring Katy B and Tinie Tempah, London-based producer KDA turns to US r’n’b newbie Tinashe for his latest collaboration. Laced with a lovelorn vocal and inspired by trusty UK funky and Latin-infused house, ‘Just Say’ finds KDA working a less obvious but still club-worthy formula.

8/10

Mac Miller 'Dang!' (Parlophone)

With over a million video views in a week, there are a lot of eyes on Mac Miller’s new material, especially since the album features Kendrick Lamar, Robert Glasper and more. Single ‘Dang!’, which stars man of the moment Anderson. Paak, is soulful hip-hop shit with brass and laid-back keys that feels made for cruising to.

8/10

Sinead Harnett feat Grades 'If You Let Me' (Rinse)

Taken from Londoner Sinead Harnett’s latest four-track EP on Rinse, this is contemporary r’n’b delivered with that sultry twist she’s trusted to bring every time. Fans of Harnett will be saluting this hook up with Grades and with further cuts with JD Reid, Kaytranada and Snakehips, this is baby-making electronica that works for any season.

8/10

Tory Lanez 'Flex' (Mad Love)

Considered one of the hottest rapper-singers to have emerged over the last 18 months, there’s no denying that Canadian Tory Lanez carries some similarities to Drake, Partynextdoor and a bag of others. But ‘Flex’ is just another firing example of his vocal prowess, bringing the hard with the smooth. Taken from his debut LP ‘I Told You’, this works for both lovers and fighters.

7/10

Aluna George feat Dreezy & Leikeli47 'Mean What I Mean' (Island Records)

With a second album coming in the autumn, Aluna George have been enjoying a good run.
Their latest cut, ‘Mean What I Mean’, is a powerful track with club swagger and an aesthetic that’s more in line with the DJ Snake sound of the past year than it is their own material. With female rappers Dreezy & Leikeli47 also empowering the track even more, there’s plenty to like here.

7/10

Yemi Alade 'Want You' (Effyzzie Music)

If Rihanna got her hands on ‘Want You’ you’d be hearing it everywhere, but this independent release needs to be sought out. Currently the most-viewed African female artist of all time, MOBO-nominated r’n’b singer Yemi Alade should enjoy more global success with this instantly amiable club-destined release.

7/10

JoJo feat Wiz Khalifa 'Fuck Apologies' (Atlantic Recordings)

The beginning of this record, which features Wiz Khalifa explaining the expletive-laden title, is enough to have us worried – and then, as JoJo’s vocal creeps in, we’re reminded that the former teen star took that voice right to the top in the mid-00s with platinum-selling releases. Alas, you don’t need to do a Miley to make yourself heard. Stop swearing and do the damn r’n’b pop thing, please.

6/10