Raw, atmospheric and emotionally unguarded: this week’s rock bops move between Singapore cinematic pop-rock and Milanese post-punk, two artists working entirely on their own terms and arriving somewhere genuinely distinctive. ProgAtom – In Every Heartbeat ProgAtom serve up a wonderful Norwegian symphonic rock piece: a piano ballad that…

Defiant, atmospheric and built on storytelling that refuses to play it safe: this week’s hip-hop bops move from protest anthems to mythology quests to late-night R&B confessions, all of it made entirely on independent terms. Deptford Sound Collective – Miss U #Tupac Deptford Sound Collective’s “Miss U #Tupac”…

Soul-drenched, piano-led and unflinching in its emotional honesty: deep house bop of the week is one of the most genuinely affecting singles to come out of London’s independent scene this year. Reigns – Everybody Falls Apart Sometimes Reigns’ “Everybody Falls Apart Sometimes” is a stunning piano-led ballad: co-written…

Soulful, intimate and deeply felt: this week’s R&B bop is the kind of track that reminds you why the genre exists. Jaz Vernon – YKTV Jaz Vernon serves up a stunning contemporary R&B comeback: multi-instrumentalist roots, and a vocal performance that makes two years away feel like deliberate…

Dark, danceable and unexpectedly cinematic: this week’s synth pop bops range from slow-burning queer electro-pop to Y2K breakbeat dreamscapes to a sci-fi portal story six years in the making, all of it built to move you. Valentina McQueen – On My Knees Valentina McQueen serves up a stunning…

Cerebral, textured and built for active listening: this week’s electronic bops reward headphones, patience and a tolerance for organised chaos. Night Wolf – Kickback (ft. The Fods) Night Wolf’s “Kickback” is a gorgeous trip-hop rework: marimba, strings and a Sunday-morning vibe that make it one of the most…

Warm, honest and quietly devastating in places: this week’s indie folk bops are the kind of songs that make you stop what you’re doing and actually listen. Foxy Leopard – Same Old Sermon Foxy Leopard’s “Same Old Sermon” is a stunning piece of cinematic alt-country: raw resonator guitar,…

Soulful, dramatic and emotionally serious: this week’s rock bops run from blues-soaked swagger to symphonic crescendos to a Pride Month courtroom Americana single, all of them built to last. Sarah Brunner – Miss Kentucky Sarah Brunner’s “Miss Kentucky” is a brilliant queer Americana single: a voiceover from Justice…

Some shimmering alt-pop this week, perfect for the ‘almost but not quite summer’ vibes. Basically my fave genre at my fave time of year. So let’s dive right in. Enjoy! Cas du Pree – Prism Cas du Pree’s “Prism” is a brilliant alt-pop single: danceable, sharp, and built…