It's been a busy few weeks in the lead up to Autumn/Winter and as always artists are popping up everywhere - this year in particular - but there have been a few that have stuck in mind long after first listen. The same ones that I've been quick to recommend any time people have asked me for new music.


AZADI.MP3
Who is AZADI.mp3? In just over two minutes of being introduced to AZADI.mp3, it's almost impossible to place her in any single genre or even a particular box. There is nothing, out of the UK or beyond, that I've heard that sounds like this. If this debut is anything to go by all that I can confidently say is that AZADI.mp3 will be keeping us on our toes both through visuals and vocals. Keep your eyes peeled on AZADI's Instagram for updates on her next release. The next visual will be a collaboration with Liverpool collective LEECH and I have no idea what to expect.


DAVID GOTSOUND
Place the tongue and cheek, quick witted lyricism of Dizzee Rascal atop a modern take on a Garage beat and you have my first impression of David GotSound. After listening to the album in full I'd say it definitely gave me a deeper look into David as an artist and a person. The real and relatable lyrics heard on his EP The Human Condition remind me of how Ghostpoet shines a light on his personal life. David's music is honest and true to his nature, I'm expecting exciting things from his corner next year.



KLLO
On a hazy bus trip back from a night out at about 3am, I'd fallen asleep on the bus and awoken to find Spotify radio spinning "Dissolve" quietly in my ears. Not much of the journey stuck in my head afterwards but the next morning finding that song again was the first thing on my mind. Instrumentals reminiscent of a stripped back Trophy Wife but vocals harking back to old school UK Garage - it was surprisingly refreshing to hear.



ZILO
Another social media discovery for me here - whilst scrolling through Instagram I caught just a snippet of vocals from Zilo's latest album The Nature Of The Beast advertising her most recent set of shows at the Servant Jazz Quarters. Unfortunately I couldn't make it down to the gig myself however after listening to the album I am more than sure that I'll be seeing much more of her in the near future. Neo-Soul vocals over mostly Hip Hop beats, what more could I want?



VICKTOR TAIWÒ
Last month I was lucky enough to be able to attend Anaïs' debut solo show in London whom, if you haven't heard of yet yourself, you should definitely do some research into because her sound is silky smooth goodness. However, at this show I wasn't aware that Vicktor would be the support act and when he stepped on stage, he looked young and a little but unsure of himself, but as soon as the first note came out of his mouth the whole room was stunned to silence. His album Joy Comes In Spirit will have you captured for the entire duration.



AMA LOU
Another Instagram catch, whilst scrolling down the new feed, I came across Ama Lou's - by now very well known - COLORS set and remembered thinking that it was strange that Clarks (the footwear company) were endorsing music all of a sudden. After listening to the EP on Spotify I can't tell you how much I overplayed it. It's the same way I felt about Ella Mai when she first came onto the scene. There are a hell of a lot of female R&B voices that we're hearing right now and good ones at that. I just hope that Ama Lou's doesn't get caught up in the mix because the grit in her voice is something that's missing front a lot of our front-runners right now, particularly in the UK.

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.