Firmly nestled within the experimental realms and drawing upon a myriad of influences within house, techno and breaks, this two-tracker from the Tibasko boys offers a hypnotic trip through their fascinating sonic palette. ‘Still Rushing’ incorporates layers of trippy melodic vocals, whilst ‘System Error’ employs high-intensity broken beats to keep the mood lifted. It’s a six minute record designed to elevate energies.

Buy it here

Laced with mind-bending acid riffs, heartstopping broken beats and some seriously out-of-this world samples — this spaced-out, futuristic EP marks Bristol producer Gallegos’ debut on London-based label Curving Track. And what a debut. With his foot firmly on the accelerator from the get-go, first track ‘0832am’ employs grinding lasers and bubbling basslines to create an eerie — if sometimes even uncomfortably spine-tingling — soundscape. While ‘Stop Continue’ wildly oscillates between low key, delicate synths and erratic vocal samples — to create a track that is as satisfying as it is bewildering. Title-track ‘Sycophantic Maniac’ kicks up the tempo, with thundering kick drums and those naughty little shakes that will have you shaking your hips to your impending doom — joined by a high-speed, rave-heavy rework from Angel D’Lite. Far out man.

Buy it here

Star on the rise, 19-year-old Yunè Pinku delivers an alternative interpretation of rave with her four-tracker ‘Bluff’. Infused with all of our favourite dancefloor staples — think atmospheric synths, hearty piano stabs, high-energy breaks and blistering basslines — but with an introspective twist, layered beneath her smoky vocals. The approach makes an EP that feels just as applicable to soundtrack a wind down in your living room as it does for a 5:AM hug-a-thon with your mates in the club. It’s as pensive and gloomy as it is euphoric and jubilant. Y2K dance sounds with a modern twist.

Buy it here

We’ve come to expect nothing less than sounds that evoke deep-orange sunsets, sexy sax riffs and sumptuous vocals from the Mancunian Balaeric don. Teaming up with Private Joy, Ruf Dug delivers both a street soul and reggae version of his new single — vocal and instrumentals included. Despite Ruf Dug’s insistence that he “doesn’t remember creating the beat” for the street soul version, it's all meticulous percussion and trickling synths. A warm, blissed-out nod to the zen and classical inflection of Vladimir Cosma’s ‘Sentimental Walk’. While the reggae version is infused with a delicate off-beat, caressing the vocal for the perfect sundowner (or sun upper?).

Buy it here

Copenhagen-based DJ and producer Main Phase offers up a masterclass in dark, dubby UK bass with his debut on Manchester-based imprint Hardline. Fluctuating from stripped back breaks and bouncy drums in ‘Who That’ to full-blown, five-finger shaking bassline in ‘Ghosting In The Rave’ — this five-tracker spans everything from up-tempo, boisterous peak-time bangers to trippy, filtered depths of closing time. Naughty.

Buy it here

Celebrating 20 years of existence, Eat Your Own Ears released a six-track compilation EP this month featuring some EYOE all-stars. From Four Tet’s ‘Scythe Master’, which harks back to his classic sound with floaty, ethereal guitar arpeggios and rolling pads, to Mount Kimbie’s nonchalant ‘SE15’ which builds and layers over the course of three minutes, this six-tracker spans two decades of the seminal label and captures the sounds that have helped to shape it over the years.

Buy it here

This dynamic six-track record from jungle heads THUGWIDOW and Bruised Skies marks the 12th release on SHERELLE and NAINA’s Hooversound label. Described as “music for everybody, to think to, to dance to”, ‘BLIMEY’ finds the meeting point between hardcore and ambient, subtle and cut-throat, a soundscape for the late night or early morning afters. With additional edits from Club Glow member Denham Audio and drum ’n’ bass maverick Response, this EP comes together in its final moments as the tempo moves progressively upward.

Buy it here

‘Unit 18’ is the latest release from Deaf Test founder Ploy, a three-track EP dedicated to the home of his party series at London’s Venue MOT. Influenced by and paying homage to the club, ‘Unit 18’ boots off with the vocal-led ‘Stinky’, a high-NRG rave track taking from the choppy elements of soundsystem culture. As Ploy describes it, this EP is made for “various times of the early hours in our sweaty venue” with his own take on different styles, each swooning in and out of dark, twisted experimentation that leaves this record feeling like a leftfield feat.

Buy it here

Lil Silva transports you to a new musical realm with his debut album ‘Yesterday Is Heavy’. Straight from the jump the opening track ‘Another Sketch’ creates an encapsulating sound that is instantly gripping. You only need to go as far as track two to arrive at the next album highlight, ‘Be Cool’ featuring Little Dragon. A collaboration that truly couldn’t fail, as Yukimi Nagano produces a vocal clinic, delivering catchy verse on top of Silva’s encompassing production. Other album highlights include the elegant ‘Colours’ and excellent ‘To The Floor’, featuring BADBADNOTGOOD.

Buy it here

Lil Uzi Vert hits us with more futuristic, genre-defining rap with their latest project ‘RED AND WHITE’ which we never believed would reach a world outside of SoundCloud. Track one, ‘SPACE CADET’ is typical Uzi, but doesn’t even seem remotely similar to their previous work. They seem to constantly reinvent themselves, driving a new and fresh sound, with the Uzi identity still strong throughout. ‘ISSA HIT’ brings a strong dosage of the rage Uzi constantly brings with his work, while the more reserved ‘FLEX UP’ has undertones of the work of the late Lil Peep and Juice WRLD that feels good to hear once more.

Buy it here

The sixth instalment of Afrobeat powerhouse Burnaboy’s catalogue yet again fails to disappoint. Burna signs off on a letter to love, pain and resilience with ‘Love Damini’, claiming “that’s how I like to sign all my letters”. Album highlights include J Hus featuring on yet another banger with Burna, in the form of ‘Cloak and Dagger’, and the link up with J Balvin on ‘Rollercoaster’ sees two kings of their genres collaborate to create a fusion between Afrobeat and Latin Urbana, which almost feels genre-defying. Yet again, Burna Boy creates a body of work which sees the collision of exceptional lyricism, storytelling and production. Making it a must-listen this summer.

Buy it here

Wiz Khalifa steers clear of the big-name collaborations that seemingly litter the rap genre and creates a body of work which feels exciting, independent and genuine. Track 2 ‘MVP’ is sharp and funky, and seems completely original to anything currently being produced in the rap industry. The album is diverse — you only have to switch from ‘Memory Lane’ to ‘High Maintenance’ to ‘Like You’ to understand the variation within.

Buy it here