Debuting on BBC Radio 1’s Future Dance with Sarah Story show, ‘I Guess We’re Not The Same’ is the follow-up to Virji’s 2024 hit ‘Damager’, echoing the DJ’s distinctive style of a bouncy garage drum rhythm, supported by a deep, resonant bassline that strikes listeners to the core. The track opens on a gentle, female vocal refrain that recites the title sentence, accompanied by a rich, memorable melody. 

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After several viral moments in recent months, Virji’s global fan base has eagerly anticipated this single. The track was the highlight of his huge Boiler Room set in Denver this past October, which has garnered almost 700k views as of now. Additionally, ‘I Guess We’re Not The Same’ was featured by Four Tet during his latest Lot Radio Session in December. Fans gained clarity at last following a YouTube preview last month and an Instagram post from Virji, teasing “‘i guess we’re not the same’ coming soon” at the end of last week. 

Rising to prominence in 2023 following a nomination for Best Producer at DJ Mag’s Best Of British Awards, Sammy Virji is known for hits such like ‘Find My Way Home’ and ‘Summertime Blues’, a collaboration with Chris Lake and Nathan Nicholson. The London DJ/producer’s sound is a key part of the evolving UK garage scene, a movement some have dubbed ‘NUKG.’ This new wave revisits the genre’s three-decade history while drawing influence from styles it helped birth, such as dubstep, grime, and bassline, while also incorporating elements of EDM sound design. Virji’s 2023 single ‘If U Need It’ catapulted him to the forefront of the UK music industry, becoming his biggest hit to date with over 60M Spotify streams and reaching #85 on the UK Singles Chart.

The studio release of ‘I Guess We’re Not The Same’ follows the British DJ’s sold-out shows at the O2 Academy Brixton earlier this year, January 31 and February 1. Virji is set to embark on more headlining shows in 2025, having just announced part one of his upcoming North American tour. Fans can expect to see the garage hitmaker appear at some of the UK’s biggest music festivals this summer, including sets at Reading & Leeds, as well as All Points East Festival.

‘I Guess We’re Not The Same’ is available for purchase and streaming now. 

The description for ‘Bangers’ on the Arcola Theatre’s website describes the show as a  ‘5* Edinburgh smash hit’ and promises an ‘exhilarating night of original music, lyrical storytelling, and pure UK garage vibes’. It poses the question ‘How do the bangers we grew up listening to shape who we are today?’.

The show was written by Danusia Samal and directed by Chris Sonnex. ‘Bangers’ features original tracks that take inspiration from the music that defined the early 2000s as well as today’s R&B and Garage scene that has gripped so much of the UK. Samal’s writing is ‘constructed in the style of an album – and you can’t help but want to sway along to the songs’ writes the Guardian in a review of the musical from 2020. The show ‘follows the highs and lows of two strangers struggling with their own pasts, while hurtling towards the future’. It is set in urban London and tells a story of ‘love, sex, and the power of music’.

It boasts a truly recognisable cast which includes Tanya-Loretta Dee who has appeared in shows like Eastenders, Peaky Blinders and Doctors. She will be joined by returning cast members and writer of the show Danusia Samal who can be seen in The Serial Killer’s Wife and Jim Caesar who appeared in Netflix’s drama mini-series, Baby Reindeer as well as one of the UK’s most loves murder mystery series, Death in Paradise and also The Witcher.

Originally commissioned by London’s Soho Theatre, the team are partnering up with Arcola, Cardboard Citizens, and Cardboard Collective to create a ‘community-driven wrap-around activity’ in which events will be set up to support and encourage emerging artists and young creatives who’ve a passion for theatre and music. The community programme will also provide aid and a safe space for those struggling with themes that are touched on in the show ‘such as housing insecurity, homelessness, and the challenges of growing up in urban areas’ as mixmag writes

‘Bangers’ vows to provide an unforgettable night of exhilarating music and anyone who is a fan of the electronic scene should definitely give it a watch. ‘Bangers’ bodes a striking experience for audiences with a number of five star reviews including the Guardian deeming it ‘galvanising and effortless, this is a must-see for music heads and non-music heads alike’. The ‘DJ’ or narrator of the performance is said to interact with the audience, creating an immersive affair as if you were at the nightclub yourself.

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Each show lasts for 70 minutes and will kick off at the theatre on the 17th of July, continuing for three weeks until the 10th of August. Tickets are selling from £12 and can be purchased from the link here along more details on the show.

With an illustrious lineup of artists representing the vibrant spectrum of Caribbean and African musical genres, the festival promises to deliver an unforgettable experience to attendees. Headlining the event are acclaimed performers such as Capleton, Busy Signal, Shy FX, and Iration Steppas. Joining them are talents like Cameroonian-American singer Libianca and the innovative dub sound system crew Channel One, enriching the festival’s offerings with depth and diversity.

In addition to these headliners, the festival further boasts a diverse array of performers, including the likes of Anthony B, Black Sherif, Ding Dong, Lojay, Queen Omega, WSTRN, Rage MC, Dubwise Jamaica, Ayanna Heaven, Kalia Goddess, and many more. This year’s festival showcases a full lineup of exceptional talent from various corners of the world, with esteemed acts like Jamaica’s Beenie Man, Shenseea, and Busy Signal also gracing the stage. Attendees can anticipate a dynamic display of musical talent, honouring the rich and vibrant heritage of Caribbean and African music.

City Splash Festival stands as a testament to the profound impact of Caribbean and African culture in the UK and beyond, showcasing the abundant legacy of genres like Roots, Dub, and Dancehall while embracing the evolution of Jungle and Garage music.

Featuring seven unique stages offering “diverse sounds and vibes,” attendees can immerse themselves in a medley of musical experiences. Additionally, with over 45 Black-owned food traders tantalising taste buds (delivered in partnership with Black Eats LDN), authentic rum stalls, and engaging panel talks, the festival promises an immersive cultural experience.

Located in the heart of Brixton, Brockwell Park serves as the perfect backdrop for this celebration of Afro-Caribbean heritage, underscoring the area’s rich history and cultural significance. More than just a music event, City Splash Festival is a vital cultural melting pot that celebrates, amplifies, and uplifts Black music, food, dance, and style.

As anticipation builds for this year’s festivities, City Splash Festival promises to be a highlight of the summer calendar, offering an opportunity to celebrate and embrace the diversity and richness of Caribbean and African culture in the UK and beyond. Tickets are available for purchase for the bank holiday celebration here.

Listen to “Days Go By” below:

Rat Road will be SBTRKT’s third album and his first album since 2016’s Save Yourself. It’s set to release on the 5^th May and will include the artist’s past collaborators South London-born producer Sampha and the Swedish electronic band Little Dragon. “Days Go By” is the third single to be released from Rat Road with the mellow lead single “FORWARD” dropping last December followed by the psychedelic R&B track “WAITING” featuring the rapper Teezo Touchdown (who previously supported Tyler, the Creator, Kali Uchis, and Vince Staples on tour).

“As humans, our moods are changeable. We are still able to laugh amidst this collective anxiety”, said the artist in a press release. He continued to say that his new album will explore the root of this collective anxiety: “I’m tapping into how we feel about our role in climate change and the future, the politics of Britain, but also the music industry. You need all your wits about you to not get screwed over.”

The man behind SBTRKT is Aaron Jerome from Cambridgeshire. He first received recognition in 2009 when his track “Nervous” became a radio hit and has now remixed songs for M.I.A, Drake, Radiohead, Mark Ronson, Basement Jaxx, Little Dragon, and Underworld.

Jerome is reconstructing his image for Rat Road abandoning the mask he is now known for. Originally the artist used the mask to help maintain anonymity so his listeners could focus on his music rather than his identity. “A lot of my prior press coverage was as a masked, elusive character,” explained SBTRKT in the press release. “My storyline became attached to the mask. A lot has been projected onto or written for me, diluting what I actually created and then, that being attributed to others around me.”

SBTRKT will be headlining Outernet in London on the 25^th following the release of Rat Road. It will be his first headline show of 2023. Tickets go on sale at 10 am BST on the 12^th April. He will also be appearing at Field Day Festival in London this summer. For tickets see here.

See below for the complete list of SBTRKT’s UK dates:

25/05/23 – Outernet – London
19/08 – Field Day Festival – London

The leading single, “You Could Be”, featuring singer George Riley, is the first feature that Anz has had on one of her tracks, itself showing that she is on the rise. See the music video below.

The following track, “Real Enough to Feel Good”, was released as a single last month with “You Could Be” as its B-side. Despite her starting her own label earlier this year, OTMI, these tracks were released on Ninja Tune.

To promote the release, Anz is playing at The White Hotel in Manchester on the 22nd of October, with many other DJs, as well as the Wigwam Basement in Dublin on the 6th of November.

She made a name for herself earlier this year, with the track “Unravel in the Designated Zone” gaining popularity and raising her profile, and “Loos in Twos (NRG)”, released last year on Hessle Audio, becoming a regular feature on many a DJ set. Her meteoric rise could perhaps be attributed by her ability to span numerous forms of UK dance music, not over-relying on one sound to the point of tedium and being able to access as many audiences as possible.

Despite her recent popularity, she is by no means a newcomer, having been consistently releasing tracks since 2017, beginning with Anz EP, released on Chow Down records. It is clear that since then she has found her sound and refined the rougher edges of her production. While still indulging in the occasional bass stab, her sound has since become much glossier and cleaner.

The Manchester-based DJ and producer has had a busy year in releasing singles, EP’s and founding her own record label, OTMI, as well as now releasing physical copies of this release on her Bandcamp, with one including a sticker sheet and another including an exclusive white label, a special treat for the DJ’s and old-school crate-diggers. You can stream All Hours below.

Photo Credit: Melanie Lehmann

West10 crackles with the same garage influence that propelled AJ Tracey’s 2019 smash hit Ladbroke Grove to number 3 in the charts. The vintage beat, coupled with AJ’s dominant flow and Mabel’s catchy hook, is guaranteed to have fan’s bopping up and down the nation. It was produced by American group Take A Daytrip, who are notable for their contribution’s to Lil’ Nas X’s Panini and Sheck Wes’ Mo Bamba.

The single had been teased on social media throughout the past week. The build-up started on the 29th of June when the artists uploaded pictures of them both to their Instagram accounts, represented as cartoons, playing Pac-Man. Mabel’s was captioned ‘we dropping this tune or what?!‘, whilst Tracey’s, since deleted, post exclaimed ‘we just made a banger and what to share it with you lot!’. The early reviews indicate that the anticipation was worth it. GrmDaily claims that the track ‘has all the elements to become an instant smash with listeners‘. This is only the second time that the two artists have collaborated, despite their seamless chemistry. The last time AJ and Mabel combined was on a remix of the singer’s 2016 tune, Thinking Of You.

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?!?! @ajtracey

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The audio was released alongside the single’s visuals, which simultaneously match the single’s pace and pay tribute to Tracey’s Ladbroke Grove home. The video is set outside of a corner shop emblazoned with the the area’s West 10 post code. Set atop a background of strobes and flashing lights, these scenes are cut between closeups of the artists, that reflect the nightclub setting for which this track is tailor-made.

AJ Tracey’s Ladbroke Grove is considered by many as the track of summer 2019, and West10 has seen the reigning seasonal champion attempt to claim the crown for arguably the second year running. Tracey appears to have found his blueprint, as both singles reflect a clear garage influence. The addition of Mabel provides a soothing foil for AJ’s punchy delivery, resulting in a track packaged and accessible for a wide audience to enjoy.

The 34-year-old producer has turned their latest hit “Secret Love Song” into an up-beat bouncy garage number that takes us back to the 2000’s. What’s great about Craig David’s impressive covers is that he gives the younger generation that includes Little Mix and Justin Bieber fans the chance to hear what Garage music sounds like and how it needs to make a comeback to the music scene majorly.

​”I had heard it in the car and I thought this is a huge song,” said the Garage MC when he went on Capital Breakfast with Dave Berry to perform his latest Garage rework.
“It is going to be a hit whatever happens, but I was just like any cover I want to do I can’t just do the same thing.”
“I could sing it but if I can make it move in a different direction and, especially because I love going out and playing and doing my TS5 shows, I want to be able to play out the cover rather than I just did a little acoustic thing.”
His new cover follows his recent new deal with Sony Music’s Insanity Records that he signed ahead of his brand new album that is to be dropped later on this year. His new album will be his sixth studio album and will be titled ‘Following My Intuition’. We’ve already heard one of the singles from his upcoming album ‘When The Bassline Drops’ which peaked within the Top 10 on iTunes and reached No.12 on the Official UK chart, cementing his comeback in the UK charts.

2016 has only just begun and Craig David has already started killing the music scene, expect more Garage covers from the legendary Garage MC and a (what’s to be expected) killer album to be dropped later on this year that will hopefully mark the return of garage in the music scene.