‘Retenir La Rivière’, described as a burst of suppressed energy, opens up on a soft guitar strum, followed by maturing instrumental layers that blend elegantly under Oliva’s sweetly haunting vocals, creating a sound distinctive to ARTEMIS. In a newsletter about the song (created by Oliva himself), it explains how at its core, it explores the frustrating elements of relationships and how we can often be left in a state of confusion. Experimentalist in its approach, the single boasts a structure unfamiliar in contemporary music, crafting a sonically interesting experience. ‘Retenir La Rivière’ is also a nod to Oliva’s Spanish heritage: his emotive lyrics developing into Spanish in the poetic track’s coda – the first time the artist has creatively moved away from solely English lyricism.

Taking to Instagram in a multi-part self-interview format, Oliva delved into the creative process behind ‘Retenir La Rivière’, citing his biggest inspirations as Florence + The Machine and The National. Mentioning specific influential genres, of which feature heavily in his eclectic music output, the Suffolk-native musician explained, “I also love eighties, seventies, funk and alternative rock. I love writing lyrics that read like a poem and are left open to the listeners interpretation, but also sometimes they capture a feeling, an emotion, or a moment of my own.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by A R T E M I S (@artemis_music_)

Entering Manchester’s lively music scene in 2021, ARTEMIS represents a music project of many years in the making. Josh Oliva’s emerging artistry contributes to a much larger story at play: the impressive effort that is required to thrive as an independent creative in the UK’s ever-evolving industry. Releasing studio recordings that demonstrate his soft alternative sound such as ‘The Waves’ (2024) and ‘Letdown’ (2023), the multi-instrumentalist has continued to hone his craft through live performances across the ‘rainy city’. A BIMM graduate, among many things, Oliva has placed himself in good stead to join the ranks of the UK’s freshest faces in modern music (Pale Waves, The Hara, Abbie Ozard alike). With six single releases to date, ARTEMIS has received wildly positive reviews from critics, becoming ‘a name to watch’ in the local Manchester scene. 

Although no announced upcoming live shows as of yet, ARTEMIS is set to keep releasing music in 2025, with the next single expected to reach listeners this April. 

For more artist information, visit ARTEMIS’ official website. 

the sound of 2024 longlist is here ✨

a selection of the artists will be performing at maida vale studios on monday 8th january 2024. if you want to be there, register now: https://t.co/O2HAQ3FGLx pic.twitter.com/tdHSIJiiJI

— BBC Radio 1 (@BBCR1) December 4, 2023

 The top ten acts are (in alphabetical order): Ayra Starr, Caity Baser, CMAT, Elmiene, Kenya Grace, The Last Dinner Part, Olivia Dean, Peggy Gou, Sekou and Tyla. From January 1, 2024, a countdown will kick off across Radio 1, counting down the top 5. The number one spot will be revealed live on Radio 1 on Friday, January 5.

It’s very hard to not be grateful ! I’m filled with so much joy and gratitude! Thank you too all my starrs , I see all your messages on me being your top artist , I’m so glad to be doing this life thing with you and that my music brings you peace and joy ! Ayra mob we just… pic.twitter.com/7N3TnyyNk7 — Celestial being (@ayrastarr) December 1, 2023

Head of Radio 1, Chris Price spoke of his excitement about the gender dynamic on the list, mentioning “With so many female artists on the Sound Of list this year, I’m really encouraged about the next generation of festival headliners. The list is as diverse as ever, reflecting the genre-agnostic nature of BBC Radio 1, which has supported every single one of the acts on the longlist. 2024 promises to be a great year for new music!”

The countdown of the Top 5 will kick off across Radio 1 on January 1st, 2204. The winner will be revealed live on Radio 1 during a special broadcast on Friday, January 5th. An event will be hosted at Maida Vale by Radio 1 called ‘BBC Radio 1 Sound of 2024 Live’ on January 8 2024. There is an application for tickets which is now open on the BBC Show And Tour website – see here for details.

The competition dates back two decades, with the first BBC Sound of in 2003! Among the success stories, boasts Ellie Goulding, 50 Cent, Sigrid and last year’s winner, girl group, FLO.

BRIT School alumna, Olivia Dean has also been named ‘BBC Introducing Artist of the Year’ live on-air, after the ‘secret’ award was announced unknowingly to Ladies Room’ singer, Olivia in an interview with presenter Jess Iszatt. The artist humbly accepted the award, thanking the emerging talent organisation BBC Introducing for all their support. She commented “Thank you so much for all the support over the years BBC Introducing! You are such an important and valuable platform for up-and-coming musicians. From my very first gig at the Lexington until now – poof crazy! So excited to be your artist of the year!!”

i won @bbcintroducing artist of the year !!
wow @jjiszatt thank u for being there from the beginning ❤️ https://t.co/5hSRHCy1J3

— Olivia Dean (@oliviadeano) November 28, 2023

Since then he has released many new songs, each different from the last, that will go towards his debut album Cub due out on Communion Records on September 16th this year. His latest single “Leader Of The Pack” came out today and is another stormer from the surfer that usually calls Newquay his home.

Set up on a blistering guitar riff reminiscent of early naughties American rock, it’s an immediate foot stomper that really kicks up a gear when Slater’s chorus sings “Some people have a special kind of knack, Of getting what they wanted, Just to stab you in the back, 9 times out of 10 it’s the leader of the pack, Leader of the pack”.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by WUNDERHORSE (@wunderhorse_)

Speaking with Dork, Slater said: “Leader of the Pack is a song about betrayal, about not being able to escape the thing that eats away at you, it’s a song written as a means of getting even”, before further clarifying his current emotional status on Instagram by saying “I’m glad I wrote this when I was still a teenager, otherwise I would have probably calmed down before it came out of me“.

Maturity is certainly a hallmark of Wunderhorse and something Jacob has gone through many different guises to acquire. Previously the frontman of British post-punk band Dead Pretties, and now ironically starring in his first acting role as Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook in Danny Boyle’s “Pistol”, he is a multifaceted character that has seen many sides of the industry on his road to becoming Wunderhorse. His mileage seems to be paying off, with dexterous new music and slots supporting the likes of Sam Fender, Foals, Fontaines DC, and Sorry, his momentum and notoriety is building, especially as a live performer of which I can wholeheartedly verify having been blown away by his performance at The Lexington in London earlier this year.

In short, Wunderhorse seems to be a pony well worth backing, so make sure you hop on board and listen to his new single “Leader Of The Pack” before you fall behind.

You can catch him performing at his upcoming headline show this year at London’s Lafayette on the 20th of October. Grab your tickets here.

Hailing from South London, the producer and multi-instrumentalist has been contributing his beautifully nostalgic and smooth brand of saxophone playing to a growing list of highly prominent artists around the globe for a while now. Having laid down some emotive riffage on “Alarm Clock” from Burna Boy’s Grammy Winning Album Twice As Tall in 2020, and also contributed to Wizkid’s “Starboy” and Beyonce’s “Ja Ara E”, Venna has become a hot ticket to collaborate with in the studio and fast become one of the most sought after producers and sax players in town.

With the release of his debut EP Venology though, Venna steps out on his own with a brand new solo project. The EP, put out by Hillside Records, is a collection of 6 songs the artist has written and produced himself with collaborations from the popular rapper Knucks, producer Marco Bernadis, and artists JVCK JAMES, JADA, and emil. It’s a wonderfully eclectic mix of jazz, hip hop, grime, and R&B, with Venna’s sax sounding throughout to create a warm and idiosyncratic world all of his own.

Speaking recently about his ambitions for the EP with NME, Venna said “I wanted this to be the biggest thing ever. I wanted the music to touch as many people as it could. Not in an arrogant way, but I know how special the music is. Before then, I’d worked with loads of people, and I appreciate everyone who’s brought me in and helped me get to where I am now, but there’s nothing more rewarding than finally doing it for yourself.”

Going on to explain his plans for 2022 and his recent collaboration’s with Yussef Dayes he explained “I’m running around the world with Yussef right now, which is a dream. We’re touring Australia, then New Zealand. His album’s coming out as well, and we’ve worked hard on it. And just my next project… I think I’ve got the track list, but I change things a lot. I’m very picky with my music. Anything I’m heavily involved in, I take my time. But I try not to put too much pressure on it. I am music, so music’s gonna come to me regardless. I don’t even stress about it no more.”

It seems like going with the flow is Venna’s style both in his productions for other artists and for his own solo project, and judging by his recent success we don’t blame him. An artist full of originality and honest authenticity I’m sure this laid back and grateful attitude will take him a long way, and we here at MXDWN UK are all to happy to witness it.

i want u (video) – out now.
filmed in manila in 2021
this one is for the nocturnals x
: paco ratertahttps://t.co/bfLJncR3gl

— rome (@no_rome) November 29, 2021

NME describes the album as “Perfecting the “shoegaze R&B” that has coloured his EPs and singles … it’s a record that encourages you to submerge yourself in it, with new layers of instrumentation to discover with each listen.” The album, which has reportedly been “years in the making”, will see the rising 24-year old working with producers George Daniel (of The 1975) and BJ Burton (known for his work with the likes of Kanye West, Charli XCX and Bon Iver). Gomez describes the album’s message as being about “belonging”, with NME saying he “wants his album to break down the façades that people feel like they need to hide behind and use to pretend everything is golden“.

On working with Burton on the track, Gomez said “This is the first song me and BJ worked on – that’s when we knew we were gonna make this album together“. In a recent NME feature, Gomez noted that his artistic approach aimed for longevity above anything else, giving little consideration to what other people think. He said: “Music is like clothing now: it’s evolving every six months and there’ll be a fad where everybody’s gonna sound the same, then boom, next one. If you spend a lot of time working on it, the inspiration will show in it and it’ll have longevity. “ Hopefully this approach will come through on the new album.

“I Want U“ is the second single released from Gomez’s debut, after last month’s “When She Comes Around“. Signing with British record label Dirty Hit back in 2018, the songwriter seems to be new to the industry but rising fast. Having an NME feature focussing on (and raving about) his new release only recently, as well as working alongside artists The 1975 and Charli XCX on the single “Spinning“ last March, things seem hyped for the new release. And that won’t be all. Gomez is reportedly working on a second album already, focussing more on electronic sounds, and plans to release it shortly after his first to give it that special double album feel.

The African-pop singer broke onto the music scene recently with his first hit single Baby only released in 2019. Baby received over 20 million streams in the UK and 30 million views on YouTube, as well as receiving vast critical acclaim. That year Joeboy released his first EP Love and Light which earned him awards from Soundcity MVP Awards Festival and Best Artiste at the 2019 All Africa Music Awards.

Joeboy released a statement about the coming album today, saying that “working on this project was life changing — I met a version of myself I never knew before. The plan was to come up with a title that best describes love, without actually using the word love. Hence Somewhere Between Beauty & Magic. Because love is a perfect blend of beauty and magic.”

African fusion music is currently in the middle of a takeover on UK spotify and apple music, the genre of West African pop and R&B is being referred to as afrobeats. Including Joeboy, artists such as Burna Boy and Amaarae have skyrocketed in streams in the UK and have even inspired stars like Drake, Beyonce and Diplo to integrate the genre into some of their new music.

An expert in the genre Mankaprr Conteh described the influence of African music in the UK right now,  saying that the “lore of the term Afrobeats is that around 2010 there are African immigrant communities in the UK that are just turning up to a lot of music from Nigeria and Ghana and other parts of West Africa in the clubs and at parties. DJs and promoters then need a way to package and sell these events that are going to feature this popular West African music. And so the term Afrobeats is coined as a catchall for the sound.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by JOEBOY (@joeboyofficial)

The artist hinted at the reworked track on his Instagram page, saying, “Just a heads up… something is dropping THIS FRIDAY!” With almost 20,000 followers, there was a lot of buzz amongst M-James’ fans, who were surprised yesterday evening with the news. At 5.15pm the artist held a TikTok livestream to chat to fans and announce the release live – an amazing total of 2.1 thousand viewers tuned in. He even shared a sneak peek of the track before he revealed the news to his Instagram followers along with a clip of the acoustic music video.

View this post on Instagram

‘BACK TO YOU – ACOUSTIC’ DROPPING TONIGHT AT MIDNIGHT!! ⁣ ⁣ You can listen to it from MIDNIGHT on all streaming platform and the video will be released on my YouTube channel tomorrow! ⁣ ⁣ I’m so excited for everyone to hear this x

A post shared by Morgan M-James (@morganmjames) on Oct 22, 2020 at 9:14am PDT

‘Back To You (Acoustic)’ takes a very different direction from the original; its powerful piano chords and atmospheric harmonies give the song a new meaning. Written about an on-off relationship, the song’s catchy chorus sees M-James singing “When I was seventeen I fell the hardest/In love with you, but now the worst part is/That now I don’t know what I’m meant to do/But I keep running back to you”.

After the single’s release, it was followed by its own cosy music video to bring the story to life, which has been well received and loved by fans. The visual shares the ups and downs of a relationship, and the temptation to return to someone after a break up. Directed by Ben Hughes and filmed by Ben Martyn Smith, the video features M-James and fellow TikTok star Molly Marsh.

Morgan M-James has been performing since his teen years, building his fanbase through busking, live shows, and YouTube videos. Recently, both he and his followers have found a new way to connect on TikTok, where he currently has close to half a million followers watching his weekly videos. The singer has already confirmed that he has new projects in the works, to be released in 2021.

Lovesick is a song inspired by women experiencing disrespect within their relationships. Over an R&B sound and a hip-hop beat, Ray BLK features as a powerful force for revenge in this brand new Labi directed music video. The combination of the British singer’s soul vocals and skilled rap verses gives Lovesick a modern London sound that has made her so popular this year.

The African-born singer debuted her first EP in 2015 called Havisham, named after the character Miss. Havisham in Charles Dickens’ epic, Great Expectations. This best of times/worst of times musical-literary take on the heartbroken nature of women in this Dickens’ novel was inspired by Ray BLK’s graduating degree in English literature at Brunel University.

In 2016 she debuted her first micro-album Dirt which catapulted her to popularity with a feature from the famous artist Stormzy and went on to help her win the BBC’s Sound of 2017 contest. Ray BLK was the first unsigned artist to do so in history. While Ray BLK was hesitant to sign with a label for fear of losing the rights to her music, she did eventually sign with Universal Island Records UK in 2018.

The success she found throughout 2016-2017 and her new label connections gave Ray BLK her biggest career opportunity to date by landing an opening-act for Nicki Minaj’s Nicki Wrld Tour in the United Kingdom for 2019. This experience helped Ray BLK gain a dense following and therefore her first full length album is highly anticipated for the coming year.

Ray BLK has received critical praise for her previously released EP’s and singles and many well-known musicians in the community have expressed their respect for the artist. Collaborations with Stormzy and Nicki Minaj have given her the platform to be recognized by Janet Jackson and recently Cardi B. has praised Ray BLK on all social media platforms.

After a a few successful EP releases without the help of a label, collaborations with well-known artists and the anticipation of her first full-length album, Ray BLK is officially on the upward climb in the R&B genre and community. Ray BLK has no upcoming events or tour dates for 2020 or 2021, making her popularity boost a virtual one. Lovesick is available on all streaming platforms and her new music video is now available through YouTube’s official VEVO channel.