King Princess
Prophet
The weird thing about King Princess is that she was essentially queer pop royalty before releasing even one EP. She has still only officially released nine songs, but something about her combo of slicked-back hair, syrup-soft vocals and effortless swagger is making teens lose their minds. On new track Prophet, it’s easy to see why: pairing deep, breathy vocals with soulful, jazz-inflected production, the 20-year-old shows she has far outgrown internet hype.
Sam Smith
How Do You Sleep?
On the one hand, Sam Smith has the kind of properly good voice that can pull off any song in any style he chooses. On the other, he continuously releases ballads that sound like warm glasses of milk, and only discovered racism a few years ago. That said, everyone knows that if your career reaches an impasse, the best thing to do is get Max Martin to help you write a huge pop smash, and release a video with a dance routine. Here, Sam does both. I’m not sure if he’s managed to claw things back just yet, but it sure is catchy.
Shura
The Stage
“Done with music, babe / We don’t wanna dance,” sings Shura on new song The Stage, honey-smooth vocals gliding over sparkling, psych-pop guitar. It’s a sensual departure from the squelchy, 80s synth tracks she was putting out back in 2016, but a welcome one nonetheless. It does, however, raise one question: between the glacial groove and her new love of wide-brimmed hats, how close is Shura to becoming the nation’s leading Prince tribute?
Hayley Kiyoko
I Wish
Haven’t we all had that one ex-lover who completely did us over, forcing us to cast a spell on them with our coven of witches before spontaneously breaking out into a tightly choreographed dance routine accompanied by a slickly produced, moody pop jam? No? Well this new one from Hayley Kiyoko will show you exactly how it’s done. A masterpiece. Which will also make you want to immediately watch The Craft.
Skrillex ft Alvin Risk
Fuji Opener
If you too want to feel as if you’re at a K Cider-scented sixth-form house party in 2008, then please take a listen to the new tracks from Skrillex’s surprise EP, Show Tracks. Fuji Opener especially sounds like something my first boyfriend would have played after asking if I was “into dance music”. At least – as scientists discovered earlier this year – his music has one use: it can also be used as mosquito repellent.
