Beyoncé, Renaissance

Favourite songs: HEATED, ENERGY, CUFF IT, PURE/HONEY, MOVE, COZY, ALIEN SUPERSTAR, I’M THAT GIRL

This album took everybody by storm in summer and triggered the inner Beyhive in most of us. The bodacious beats and homage to the ballroom scene and style (think FOX’s Pose) had us by the throats, dancing to our hearts content with true main character energy. The new side of Beyoncé in this part one, out of a reported three-part album, has been a wonder to witness as the Houston-native proves yet again how great of an artist she is. With a cohesive line-up of tracks, Renaissance awakes the alter ego, it unlocks all energy, and puts a spell on the repeat button only as Beyoncé knows how.

SZA, SOS

Favourite songs: Notice Me, Seek & Destroy, Used, Kill Bill, Ghost in the Machine, Snooze, Shirt, Low, Smoking on my Ex Pack, Conceited, Nobody Gets Me

Perfection. No notes. Experimenting with genres whilst keeping to the roots of her beautiful pen, SZA cements her comeback album following the streamlined success of 2017’s CTRL. You can read our thoughts on the power of CTRL here as the singer-songwriter continues her reign with the successor, SOS.

Wizkid, More Love Less Ego

Favourite songs: Flower Pads, 2 Sugar, Wow, Pressure, Deep, Plenty Loving, Slip N Slide, Everyday, Bad To Me

The Nigerian superstar’s latest LP oozes sensuality with its ultra-smooth Afrobeats and complimentary features from Ayra Starr and Skepta to Shenseea.

FKA Twigs, CAPRISONGS

Favourite songs: honda, tears in the club, papi bones, jealousy, carless, ride the dragon, pamplemousse, oh my love

See our album review here and bask in the creativity and flair of each of Twigs’ music videos representing East London culture, dancehall and 80s pastiches.

Wet Leg

Favourite songs: Wet Dream, Chaise Longue, Too Late Now, Being in Love

In their guitar album, the duo prove that punk is alive and well, carrying the rebel spirit of Bikini Kill and Le Tigre – but with more buttery vocals (“would you like us to assign someone to butter your muffin?”).

Burna Boy, Love Damini

Favourite songs: Kilometre, Last Last, Whiskey

Burna begins the fist half of his sixth studio album with the soulful kiss of heartbreak, but still signing off Last Last with “Shayo”, a Yoruba name that means “to be happy”. His tender vocals and earnest lyrics became a signature soundtrack for 2022, while his blend of Afrobeats, dancehall, rap and R&B have defined a signature night out in London, where you’ll hear everyone singing along.

Knucks, Alpha Place

Favourite songs: Los Pollos Hermanos, Send Nudes, Leon the Professional, Checkmate

Knucks’ intimate rhymes were indulged to me by my boyfriend on sexy night time drives and I never looked back. His debut album explores his coming of age in London, growing up in his estate, and the scorching zeal he has for his art.

Megan Thee Stallion, Traumazine

Favourite songs: Anxiety, Her, Plan B

The Hot Girl Herself bodies every thing she verses in. From exploring her struggles with mental health in ‘Anxiety’ (comforting the listener that “bad bitches have bad days too”) to her 90s inspired Plan B (which samples Jodeci’s 1995 hit “Freek’n You”), Meg proves once again that she has both the range and work ethic to boot.