Coming into the last real month or so of summer everyone seems to be packing in the hits just in time for the fall/autumn tour schedules to start pouring in. Luckily my playlists keep receiving the blessings so no complaints from me here! Check out some of the tracks that have been on rotation over the past week.

ARCANE ROOTS - Off The Floor
I feel like I've been waiting for Arcane Roots to bring out Melancholia Hymns for a lifetime now. I'm just clutching at the strings they're giving us in the form of singles. The latest track being "Off The Floor" and the transitions in this gem - oh my. Arcane Roots have always had a knack for getting many different levels together in one song.


EVERYTHING EVERYTHING - A Fever Dream
Yes, yes, yes. I didn't even realise that I'd missed them so much these past couple of years until I heard this new music from them. Over the years as a band Everything Everything's sound has become a bit more performative and their songs much fuller instrumentally, and this track - along with the fantastic "Can't Do" - is no different. The operatic vocals in the intro and fade out just add to the subtle production layers added throughout.


MR JUKES - Grant Green
I actually found out about Mr Jukes' new record via Facebook and it wasn't until I had already listened through the debut a few times that I found out that Mr Jukes was actually Jack Steadman's (Bombay Bicycle Club's frontman) new solo project. I've always loved Bombay's sound and I was shocked to find out that something this far afield from that had come from the frontman. Either way, I'm loving the new album and hoping I get to see it live in September for his solo tour.


TYLER, THE CREATOR - 911/Mr. Lonely
After listening to the new record Flower Boy I'm still not 100% which song is my favourite but for now I'd say that it's between "911/Mr. Lonely" and "Pothole" for my most played. Tyler has been on the back burner for me for the longest time and it wasn't really until mid-2016 that I actually started seriously listening. However, after this latest album I'm happy to say his music will be constantly on rotation.


TRASH - 81
This song actually led me search whether they had any gigs coming up this year (they do by the way - free show at The Lock Tavern, check the Dice FM app for tickets). It's been a while since I heard music like this played live and after hearing "DIIV - Dopamine" a few days ago it's been on my mind quite a bit. TRASH are a new discovery for me and after seeing them live in a few months, hopefully I'll be able to say more for their music as a whole.


BONZAI - I Feel Alright
After writing about her last EP last year here and finally seeing her live at this year's Parklife Festival I'm still not sure what I'd call Bonzai's "sound" but I do know, whatever it is, I like it. This song, although much poppier than some of her older material, still packs that signature Bonzai punch and actually does make you feel good.


MEG MAC - Ride It
THESE. HARMONIES. Meg's voice has always grabbed my attention and after listening to her new debut album Low Blows this song is probably the one that caught my attention the most. The instrumental had a bit of a Duffy vibe about it but the vocals are something that only Meg Mac could've pulled off. After discovering her music a couple of years ago she's always been an up-and-comer that I vouch for consistantly but with this debut, I think my words are wasted. Just listen for yourself.


PVRIS - Half
I know this actually got leaked a couple of weeks ago but I've been listening to it a lot since then and thought it deserved a mention. All three singles from PVRIS' new record so far have been visually and lyrically intriguing and displayed a tremendous amount of growth from the band. To be honest I haven't heard a song yet and not wished I'd written it myself first. This record is shaping up to make it onto my top ten albums of 2017 list.


Sidenote: Aminé released his debut album earlier today and I'm currently halfway through it - enjoying so far but haven't listened to the whole thing so didn't want to choose a favourite yet. Currently bopping my head to "STFU" though.

Every year I put out a list of my favourite albums to come out that year but I never show love for the best EPs I've heard. Seeing as there's been a crazy amount of good music to come out this year (particularly in the later half), I figured I couldn't simply talk about LPs.

Here's a rundown of some of my most memorable EPs this year, in no particular order...

BONZAI - Lunacy
It took me a little while to get into this one. For the longest time I just kept listening to the first song "I Did" and ignoring the rest, simply because they didn't capture me as much as the first. However, after returning to it more recently I can definitely appreciate how innovative Bonzai is and how many intricate details have gone into making just these few tracks. This EP would go OFF live!



JORJA SMITH - Project 11
I spoke about Jorja a little bit on the BBC Sound of 2017 longlist but not too much on this EP. The only criticism I can give to this EP is that they should have put "Where Did I Go?" on it too. Other than that, I love her voice, I love her sound, and I'm excited to hear something unforgettable on her full length debut.


TASH SULTANA - Notion
I was very lucky to come across this one. It all sort of happened by chance; one minute I was listening to Bloc Party or whatever new thing I downloaded on my Spotify that week, and the next minute I was halfway through "Synergy". I have to say I was so impressed that I had to put it on repeat. At first the track sounded like some kind of Foals live interlude but when Tash started singing it was a whole different energy. Loved this find.



TOM MISCH - Reverie
After having heard and loved Tom's debut I have to say, it had some influence on my thoughts of the EP. Tom still has that signature sound but I guess once you hear a full length, an EP is just never quite the same. Still, as always a fabulous vibe, great features and perfect for road trips - I just wanted more of it!



CAN'T SWIM - Death Deserves A Name
This and Seaway might just be my two favourite "rock" discoveries this year! I love this EP. Chris' voice is really memorable and backed up by the band's fantastic songwriting abilities - I can definitely see exciting things around the corner for them. Especially now that they're signed to Pure Noise - most of my favourite pop punk/rock comes out of this label so I know they're in good hands.



ELLA MAI - Time
This was a Shazam discovery - I heard her song "No Rush" being played and when I listened to her EP some time later I was wildly impressed. Particularly at the fact that she was British, I had no idea from her singing voice - a part of me is always proud when I find great British talent. With artists like Jhene Aiko and Tinashe kind of taking a backseat in the mainstream at the moment, this is the perfect time for a voice like Ella's to rise up.



ARDYN - The Valley 
First thing I thought after hearing the title track was "this reminds me of so many different artists - Kins, Junip, Nick Mulvey, etc..." but at the same time, this is something wildly different. This EP really caught me and I love the lead singer's voice, such a fascinating tone and edge to it - it really adds a uniqueness to the songs. I could happily have listened to a full record from Ardyn and hope to soon.



RAYE - Second
After discovering her through the BBC Sound Of list I had a listen to the EP. After hearing the single "I, U, Us" I could hear that Raye had a voice with the potential to move pretty easily across genres, and so when I heard the second song on the album "Shhh" I was already expecting the EP to have a lot of different influences. Unfortunately it played it a little safe on the rest of the songs but safe was still skillful.



SHAKKA - The Island
Okay, here's a voice that definitely didn't play it safe! I've had my eye on Shakka for a couple years now but never really latched on until listening to this EP. He's done a lot with just a few tracks - dropping tracks with multiple influences, from dancehall to trap to soul, I expect I'll be hearing a lot of him in years to come. I'm gobsmacked he's never been on a BBC Sound Of longlist.

FLUME - Skin Companion
Flume's just been great this year all round. Skin was great and this EP was certainly a companion that held it's own. If the album needed more tracks some of these could have been great as interludes. I've been a fan of Flume since the self-titled so it's always great to hear new music where his production skills have grown - he's undeniably become a household name now. This EP couldn't have come from anyone else.