NEW MUSIC MONDAYS. Sensational new music from James Blake, Bruiser wolf & SheefyMcFly, Mickey Factz, Cities Aviv and more…

James Blake – Trying Times

(Good Boy Records)

James Blake’s seventh studio album is his first major statement as a fully independent artist, marking a significant return to the skeletal, soul-drenched electronic production of his early career. Written between London and LA, the project explores the search for empathy and connection amidst global and personal chaos, ditching high-gloss pop for intimacy. The standout track “Death of Love” features Dave, bridging Blake’s ethereal, choir-like vocals with grounded UK rap to create a definitive Urban Alternative anthem for 2026.

Ms Banks – SOUTH LDN LOVER GIRL

(Believe UK)

After a decade of culture-shifting singles, Ms Banks finally delivers her debut full-length coronation, serving as a love letter to the sounds of the South London diaspora. The album is a vibrant fusion of sharp-edged UK Rap and sun-soaked Afropop, highlighting her unique ability to pivot from gritty street-level bars to infectious global melodies. Featuring Tiggs Da Author and Zinoleesky, it’s a celebration of Black British identity that positions her as a dominant force on the global stage.

E L U C I D & Sebb Bash – I Guess U Had To Be There

(Backwoodz Studioz)

This collaboration pairs one of the most abstract poets in hip-hop with the minimal, atmospheric production of Swiss architect Sebb Bash for an uncompromising art-house experience. The album is a dense examination of urban entropy and personal history, trading traditional song structures for complex, often cryptic imagery that demands a focused listen. With a core-shaking appearance from billy woods, the project serves as a masterclass in the kind of avant-garde hip-hop that thrives on the edges of the mainstream.

Tinariwen – Hoggar

(Wedge)

The Saharan pioneers of “desert blues” return with their tenth studio album, a deeply atmospheric record that bridges West African traditions with hypnotic electric grooves. Hoggar leans into a more vulnerable, acoustic core compared to their previous work, focusing on themes of resilience and displacement with a newfound sense of space. A haunting collaboration with José González on “Imidiwan Takyadam” creates a cross-continental folk-soul meditation that is essential for any global-focused alternative playlist.

Bruiser Wolf & Sheefy McFly – PUSH & PAINT

(Fake Shore Drive)

Released on “313 Day” to honor Detroit’s cultural legacy, this project pairs Bruiser Wolf’s singular “pimp-rap” delivery with Sheefy McFly’s colorful, off-kilter production. Wolf sounds like a 70s soul singer trapped in a modern rapper’s body, delivering street tales with a level of technical precision and poetic wit that is unmatched in the game. It’s an eccentric, high-concept piece of Michigan art-rap that perfectly captures the charismatic and unpredictable energy of the Detroit underground.

Cities Aviv – EVEN COLDER SPRING

(D.O.T. (dot-audioarts))

Memphis innovator Cities Aviv continues to push his “sample-delic” vision with an immersive, lo-fi journey that feels like a beautiful, late-night fever dream. The album uses warped soul and R&B loops to construct dense soundscapes of nostalgic displacement, where his own vocals act as another layer of texture rather than a traditional guide. It’s an atmospheric and challenging statement that prioritizes mood over simplicity, cementing Aviv’s place as a vital voice in the continuation of experimental Southern hip-hop.

Buddy – House Jam

(Independent)

Compton’s Buddy finds a new sense of artistic freedom on this organic, improvisational project, marking his first full release since moving away from the major label system. House Jam feels like a spontaneous weekend session among friends, ditching polished studio aesthetics for a loose, soulful West Coast bounce that welcomes jazzy spontaneity. Featuring guest spots from SiR and Jiréh, the record captures a “group hang” vibe that celebrates creative liberation and the raw joy of pure musicality.

Blessing Jolie – 20nothing

(Independent)

 A stunning debut from the Nigerian-American singer and guitarist that perfectly embodies the “Genre-Blind” ethos of modern Urban Alternative music. 20nothing weaves indie-R&B and alternative soul into a vulnerable exploration of identity and the messy beauty of personal evolution in the digital age. Featuring production from Monte Booker, Jolie’s voice shifts effortlessly through delicate harmonies and powerful hooks, signaling the arrival of a major new voice in the global soul conversation.

KiLLOWEN – addicted 2 nostalgia

(Isekai / Broke)

London’s KiLLOWEN masterfully blends UK Garage rhythms with alternative rap in this high-energy reflection on the emotional clarity of mid-twenties life in Britain. The mixtape moves seamlessly between euphoric, dancefloor-ready production and conversational lyricism, capturing the bittersweet feeling of looking back while moving forward. With lead singles like “motion sickness” featuring Songer, the project highlights his knack for crafting highly relatable, story-driven tracks that bridge the gap between the club and the lounge.

Mickey Factz – The Plague

(Museum Mick)

The veteran lyricist returns with a cerebral, 8-track manifesto that trains his sharp wit and technical precision on the state of the industry and society in 2026. The Plague is a lyrical masterclass, featuring dense rhyme schemes and social commentary delivered over dusty, soulful production that honors the boom-bap tradition while looking ahead. Collaborations with Shareef Keyes and Hitman Holla add depth to an album that demands a focused, front-to-back listen from hip-hop purists and intellectuals alike.