September: Six artists you need to check out this month

Sophia Loizou’s music is tinged with influence from the 90s heyday of rave music, pushed into new contexts that feel fresh and vital. Via impeccable sound design, pirate radio samples and thunderous breaks, she explores themes of technological anxiety and the degradation of humanity in tense, haunting soundscapes. ‘Shadows Of Futurity’ featured on Houndstooth’s ‘In Death’s Dream Kingdom’ comp, while recent EP ‘Irregular Territories’ took jungle in new directions and is her most stirring music to date.

‘Irregular Territories’ is out now on Cosmo Rhythmatic

Louf’s Valby Rotary was one of our favourite labels of 2017, and the likes of Gilles Peterson and Mall Grab gave its early releases huge rotation. Now the Leeds producer is stepping out with an EP on Rob Da Bank’s Silver Bear label. Over four deep, spaced-out tracks he shows a knack for warped synths, sci-fi motifs and cosmic keys. It’s cerebral, with the deft details and delicate grooves that fans of Workshop-style house will love.

The ‘Times Were Simpler’ EP is out on Silver Bear this month

Musical misfits Agar Agar are breathing new life into electro, pop and techno with their infectious, tongue-in-cheek energy. Clara Cappagli and Armand Bultheel met and started making music together at École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, marrying Clara’s sensual lo-fi vocals to Armand’s hypnotic synth work. They’ve found fans in the US and in Europe and are known for immersive, abstract visuals both at shows and in their videos.

‘The Dog And The Future’ album is out this month

[Photo credit: Dillan Rais]

When Elderbrook headed to Brixton last year to record vocals for house duo Camelphat, he couldn’t have known he was about to make one of the biggest records of the year – and a future Grammy winner. Since then life’s changed for the 25-year-old multi-instrumentalist. New track ‘Sleepwalking’ has been remixed by Jamie Jones and looks set to do just as much damage as ‘Cola’. After sold-out shows at XOYO in London and The Roxy in LA, catch him at Reading & Leeds this August.

‘Sleepwalking’ by Elderbrook is out now on Parlophone

Rapper Denzel has talked about the mosh pit and hardcore punk scene being as much of an influence on his music as hip hop, and his hybrid style is on show on fierce tracks like ‘BANGIN’ and ‘Chevi’. The resultant dark, trippy vibe singles him out as one of the most exciting new talents in British rap. On recent single ‘Melty’ he teams up with singer Keyah/Blu for a sparse, 90s r’n’b-indebted cut on which his lackadaisical flow shines. We’re on tenterhooks to see what he does next.

‘Baphomet James’ EP is out now on Set Count Worldwide

Sam Bangura’s career has moved up a few notches since moving to London in 2012. He runs NorthSouth records with friends Harry McCanna and Dale Mussington, and is London party Half Baked’s newest and youngest resident. His ability to weave together everything from reggae and funk to hypnotic minimal lends his rolling sets a sense of soulfulness.

Catch Sam at tINI And The Gang Ibiza on September 18