Oculate UK: This Week In Music

A lot can change in a week. For example, in the past seven days an iconic figure has risen from among us, showing to the world they are truly special... divine even.

That's right folks... PinkPantheress has dropped a new album!

A single single couldn't be picked from amongst the crop, but there's been a cornucopia of corkers from Loyle Carner, Nectar Woode, Venna, CMAT, bb, Jords, Betty & more.

For a longer listen, do tuck into Fancy That by PinkPantheress, or REKKI by SamRecks.

Find our full rotation in the playlist at the bottom.

Welcome to This Week In Music!

PinkPantheress - Fancy That

New PinkPantheress album? Fancy That! She's only gone and bloody done it. The queen of the handbag shuffle returns with her first project since 2023's Heaven Knows. So, how's it sounding overall? In short (and it is quite short) - absolutely brilliant. The samples are coming thick and heavy, and the musicianship has only gotten more impressive. We're going to enjoy diving into this in more depth over the coming weeks, but the early standout number goes to the dutty sample flip on Stars.

Loyle Carner - about time & lyin

Ahhhhh, here he is. The loveliest man in UK rap returns, dropping off another couple of gems in the wake of a new album and tour announcement! With about time & lyin, we're up to 4 new tracks in the last month?! Loyle Carner doesn't release all that often, but when he does, he doesn't mess about. He's certainly heading in a new direction with these offerings. He's still providing his beloved baritone ramblings, but the accompanying production skews further into something resembling indie. It sounds like a natural progression for him. We've loved what we've heard so far this year, and we can't wait for more! Did you manage to secure tickets for the upcoming tour? hopefully !

Nectar Woode - Only Happen

Would you look at that, one of the most exciting voices in UK soul & pop has just dropped a song! We refer of course to the wonderfully talented Nectar Woode. This writer caught her performance supporting Nao at Brixton Academy recently, and let me tell you, Nectar Woode is supremely talented. Her newest offering Only Happen is her first since her Head Above Water EP last year. It's a soulful, jazz-possessed number, with a full showcase of Nectar's honey-sweet voice. To put it in writing for the first time, we anticipate a very bright future for this rising star.

Venna - My Way

Oh Venna, you never cease to blow me and the imaginary crowd in my bedroom away; we’re all here quite literally giving you a standing ovation on your latest track My Way. Tender, sensual, transcendental…how many more words can I find to describe a truly stellar sonic experience, because the South London saxophonist and producer is worthy of each and every one. And if the track’s dreamy instrumentation wasn’t enough, ‘My Way’ see’s Venna unveiling his own touching vocal ability on a track he marks a “testament to never stop searching, even when you feel like you’ve found everything you were looking for”. Absolutely noted Venna, I’ll start by searching for the repeat button.

CMAT - Take A Sexy Picture Of Me

Ireland's pop princess is on a roll! We had Running/Planning in the round-up mere weeks ago it feels, and now the indomitable CMAT is back with Take A Sexy Picture Of Me. Inspired by awful body shaming CMAT experienced after festivals and TV appearances, no better refute can be the exquisite talent she exhibits on this track. Raising awareness for an important and awful issue that many, particularly women, continue to experience, and sounding incredible while doing it - big up CMAT. That's 2/2 bangers from her upcoming project so far... keep 'em coming!

bb (feat. Jeshi, Maverick Sabre, ayrtn, cityboymoe, Korby, Rosier, Causier, Jahni, Lola) - Need To Know

It’s definitely not April 1st, yet I feel like I’m being fooled with this absolutely colossal collaborative release from bb, Jeshi, Maverick Sabre, artyn, cityboymoe, Korby, Rosier, Causier and Lola. I had to double take when I saw this lineup, as I didn’t think I’d be seeing all these names on my screen at once, let alone collaborating in a neat, spectral 4-minute package, but hats off as Need To Know really works. While you can’t expect to hear a traditional verse-chorus-verse moment from each of the artists, the collaborators' sonic compatibility permeates this release working to create a fast-paced, flickering soundscape ready to soundtrack any late night drives you might be taking this weekend.

Jords - Reparations

Elevate me to the heavens why don’t you Jords? If things are looking down, they’ll most certainly be looking up once you lock into the South-London lyricist’s newest offering Reparations. Commanding attention with this joyous and hearty release, Jords is setting the bar for how he means to go on ahead of his J Mixtape dropping next month. And it doesn’t end there as he adds another layer of meaning to the track with its cover art, of how he turned down a visit to Buckingham Palace, putting it valiantly that "it is important to acknowledge the lack of recognition for the need for reparations from the Monarchy".

Betty - happiness

Would you look at that! We've got another rising-star in our midst! Enter Betty... with a name many might associate with grandmas, or icons donning red gowns (again, not the Pope, I mean Betty Boop), the London singer has been going from strength to strength. She hasn't all that many songs out, but a unique visual identity, high profile co-signs, and last year's Mind Over Matter EP, have all contributed to a rapidly increasing fan base. Her latest, happiness, is a punk-ified indie-pop doozy, with charming lyrics and sweet vocals in abundance. Her vibes are simply immaculate, check out Betty when you get a chance!

SamRecks - REKKI

"Everything he does is soooooo clean!". Some might know the reference (I'm only 75% sure I quoted it right). It was a description of Central Cee from a rather overexcited fan. At risk of embodying that same energy, well... everything SamRecks does is soooooo clean! The man might have some of the sharpest visuals in the game right now, and the bleedin' polymath does them all himself?! That's an annoying level of talent. Beyond the looks, the songs are equally well formed, with UK Rap receiving infusions from afrobeats, jersey club, and a myriad of other interesting additions. REKKI feels like the concretisation of all SamRecks' excellent work over the last few years. Definitely worth a spin from start to finish - congrats, Sam!

Check out the above, and honourable mentions, in the playlist below:

Written & Curated by Matt Sharp and Amalia Castle.