‘Short n Sweet’ was included in Official Charts’ List of Biggest Albums of 2024, second only to Taylor Swift’s ‘The Tortured Poets Department‘ and The Weeknd’s ‘The Highlights‘, it achieved the third position despite being released relatively late in the year.

as a thank you for giving this album 2 Grammy’s :’)
short n’ sweet deluxe is now available for pre order.. out February 14th!

and yes that does say featuring Miss Dolly Parton…. she wouldn’t want me to swear but holy shit!!!!!https://t.co/eazkwkJzcI pic.twitter.com/2Vc3u6sb9s

— Sabrina Carpenter (@SabrinaAnnLynn) February 4, 2025

The album was released in late August, and it debuted at number one right away. ‘Short n Sweet’ marked Carpenter’s second album to chart in the UK despite the singer had already released multiple albums under a different label. In a recent interview with Vogue, Carpenter discussed the influence her previous label, Hollywood Records, had on her music and revealed that she was originally supposed to release more albums with them. She said: “I definitely didn’t fulfill my contract, thank God.”

After leaving Hollywood Records, Carpenter signed with Island Records. She released ‘Emails I can’t send‘ in 2022, originally debuting at 76 and only charting for one week. The album however gained more popularity as Carpenter gained more attention earlier last year; the song ‘Nonsense’ also received acclaim from critics and fans, specifically for its ever-changing outro which went viral many times on TikTok, and peaked at 32 soon followed by ‘Feather’ which peaked at nineteen. This year, ‘Emails I can’t send‘ peaked at 41.

Carpenter also released a Christmas special titled ‘Fruitcake‘ which peaked at number five in the UK.

Before releasing ‘Short n Sweet‘, Carpenter had already reached new levels of fame and success with the singles that led up to the album, which made the singer a real UK chart-topping queen. ‘Espresso’, ‘Please, Please, Please’ and ‘Taste’ became this past summer’s anthems and spent weeks at the top position of UK charts, breaking records. ‘Espresso’ spent 38 weeks in the top 100 and seven at number one, followed by ‘Please, Please, Please’ spent 18 weeks on charts and nine at number one, and ‘Taste’ spent 24 weeks on charts and nine at number one.

‘Short n Sweet‘ has, so far, spent twenty four weeks in the top 100 and only recently left the top three, chasing at number four for one week. With the release of the deluxe version set for tomorrow, the album is likely to achieve the number one position again in next week’s Album Chart. It would mark the record’s third week at number one. The deluxe is set to contain five tracks, including an exciting feature with Dolly Parton on a new version of ‘Please, Please, Please’ and four brand new tracks.

The artist has in fact released a new vinyl with a white powder pressing which is meant to hint at cocaine, and fans were not appreciative of what they called “glorifying hard drugs”.

Charli xcx has released a limited edition vinyl for the ‘BRAT’ remix album, filled with white powder. pic.twitter.com/UvA0ATPp9N

— Pop Base (@PopBase) January 30, 2025

While some users were not happy with the release, many instead praised the artist for “knowing her fandom well”, hinting at the hedonistic side of the record which seems to have resonated with many fans.

One thing I like about Charli is that she knows exactly what her fans want. She’s invested which I can respect. — Romance by Queen (@QUEENP0P) January 30, 2025

But of course, the white powder wasn’t the only problem with Charli xcx’s newest release; the artist’s rise to fame was in fact met with many fans and social media users comparing the singer to other female pop singers in terms of popularity, streaming numbers or units sold. The new version of ‘Brat‘ is available here.

Now that the ‘Brat‘ singer has released a new version of her 2024 record, users are attacking her over the number of variants available, which now amounts to 24. Furthermore, they are also calling her fans out for giving backlash to artists like Gracie Abrams or Taylor Swift who released multiple variants of their latest albums, but not holding Charli accountable for participating in the same trend.

‘Brat‘ was Charli xcx’s second album to achieve the number one position, and charted for 34 weeks so far after its release in early June of 2024. The artist had previously topped charts with her 2022 release titled ‘Crash‘.

The artist will be performing at this year’s Grammy Awards, which will be taking place on Sunday. She is also up for record of the year with ‘Brat‘, as well as more nominations.

One such artist is DC3, a 17 year old rapper from Northampton with Zimbabwean roots, currently attracting 55,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. His music often incorporates Christian themes, reflecting his spiritual journey and encouraging other young people to embrace their faith. In 2023, he caught the attention of Little Simz after she saw one of his freestyles. Although he engages with fans on Instagram and TikTok, his presence extends beyond social media, with appearances on other platforms such as Reprezent Radio’s ‘The Rap Room‘. His latest single, ‘Wanna Be’, released on 13 December, exemplifies his positive influence in the genre, urging listeners to pursue their dreams with perseverance and faith through melodic beats and introspective lyrics. 

Another 17 year old to watch out for is Nino SLG. Born and raised in South London, his creativity and intelligence has garnered attention from both fans and industry figures, including Stormzy, who named him as an artist to watch. Nino’s music delves into themes such as mental health and the challenges of growing up in London, combining poetic lyricism with gospel influences to create a sound that aligns with “conscious rap”. His latest release ‘2am in Paris’, dropped on 12 December, continues his journey of reflective songwriting, focusing on themes of authenticity and self-made success.

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East London’s Barney Artist also made waves with the release of his album ‘Strangers All Around’ on 17 December. Known for blending 90s Boom Bap Hip Hop with Jazz influences, Barney’s music often addresses personal and societal themes, while his smooth lyricism and genre-fusing style creates a unique sound. The album demonstrates his rhythmic mastery, with laid-back beats and hypnotic synths transporting the listener through the tracks. 

Deema, a South London rapper and member of grime collective The Square, is embracing Dizzee Rascal’s call for innovation in grime through his third EP ‘DOG WITH A £’. He has carved out a distinct space within the UK music scene through his blend of grime with lo-fi beats and introspective lyrics, a fusion that allows his lyrics to take centre stage within his soundscape. His verses move beyond stereotypical themes in grime and delve into emotional and philosophical topics, evident on ‘DOG WITH A £’ released in November. 

 

 

 

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SamRecks is another London-based rapper blending lo-fi with UK Rap, bringing his own innovative approach by fusing grime and lo-fi. Born in Nigeria and raised in South London, his sound combines drill’s syncopated rhythms and hard-hitting snares with lo-fi’s mellow production, resulting in a fresh blend of genres. His lyrics often explores the emotional intricacies of violence and hardship, as showcased in his November single ‘Relapse‘, where he delivers a vivid and authentic narrative.

NEW: @SamRecks delivers brand new bop “Relapse”

WATCH HERE: https://t.co/hiTsxT4HXT pic.twitter.com/PrwgkZJXFm

— GRM Daily (@GRMDAILY) November 18, 2024

Blanco, a South London artist and former member of drill collective Harlem Spartans, also blends elements of drill into varying genres, including with Brazilian influences. With over two million monthly listeners, he is a more established artist and continues to showcase his innovative approach to UK Rap with his new album ‘Gilberto’s Son’. His versatility and storytelling skills paired with his creative rhythmic patterns and melodies, all featured on the November record, set him apart from other voices in the drill scene. 

 

 

 

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In a male dominated genre, female voices are beginning to gain recognition, and one such voice is ENNY. Known for her unique blend of hip hop and soulful melodies, she has also cultivated over two million monthly listeners. Her introspective lyrics and smooth flow define her sound, and her latest release, ‘GREEN LIGHT’, a collaboration with Moses YooFee Trio, demonstrates her versatility and artistry. 

In conclusion, the past two months have demonstrated the innovative potential within the UK Rap scene, with both emerging and established artists pushing the boundaries of the genre and bringing fresh perspectives. As the year ahead promises even more exciting music from both veterans and newcomers, including Central Cee’s new album and Brandon Nembhard’s new music, the global impact of UK Rap shows no signs of slowing down.

Congratulations to @kendricklamar, GNX is the acclaimed MCs 2nd UK Number 1 album! https://t.co/Tzs7PSLhGv

— Official Charts (@officialcharts) November 29, 2024

Currently, the number one album in the UK is Kendrick Lamar’s “GNX” which was released only a week ago and debuted right at the top spot. It is the artist’s second album to achieve the position, and a few songs off the album are featuring on the singles charts. After Kendrick Lamar, London-born singer songwriter Micheal Kiwanuka holds the number one position with “Small Changes” which was released on November 22 and has only been charting for one week. Kiwanuka’s earlier albums such as “Love and Hate” and “Kiwanuka” received critical acclaim and peaked at number one (for one week) and number two. Thanks to his previous releases, the British artist has been nominated for a Mercury Prize earlier in his career and, most recently, a BRIT.  

He put up a brave fight for Number 1…but @michaelkiwanuka still secures his fourth consecutive Top 10 album! https://t.co/Tzs7PSLhGv pic.twitter.com/WuRvkBGQrJ — Official Charts (@officialcharts) November 29, 2024

At number three Sabrina Carpenter is still topping charts with record-breaking “Short n Sweet”. At its 14^th week charting, after peaking at number one, it looks like it won’t be leaving the charts anytime soon. With the undisputed summer hits “Espresso” and “Please Please Please”, Sabrina Carpenter has finally gained the popular and critical acclaim that her previous albums lacked. “Short n Sweet” is the artist’s first album to achieve the UK’s top ten; her previous release “Emails I can’t Send” peaked at number 41.

Linkin Park holds the fourth position with their latest release “From Zero”, which had previously peaked at number one in its debut week. It is the first release from Linkin Park with their new line-up and after their former front man Chester Bennington passed away. “From Zero” is the band’s fourth album to achieve the number one position on UK charts. The song “The Emptiness Machine” off the album debuted at number four when first released, becoming the band’s sixth song to chart in the UK top ten.

Lastly, at number five there’s another album that made headlines and became a cultural even this year, and it’s Charli xcx’s “Brat”. Brat became the word of the year and the very recognizable shade of green on the album cover is pretty much everywhere. The album has been charting for 25 weeks and peaked at number one. It is Charli xcx’s second album to achieve the number one position after “Crash” in 2022. The Essex-born artist will be headlining Victoria Park next summer.

Honorable mentions outside the top five are Chappell Roan’s “The Rise and Fall of a Midwestern Princess” which, despite being released in 2023, is still topping charts, The Weeknd’s “The Highlights” on its 199^th week charting, and Elton John’s “Diamonds” which has never achieved the number one position but has been charting for 368 weeks.

The track marks a slight departure from previous releases dubbed classic or glam rock, incorporating electronic and pop elements. Frontman Luke Spiller delivers chatty vocals over a sparse synth-filled rhythm section, while gritty guitars harken back to the band’s rock MO.

According to Spiller, Can’t Stop Talking represents a fresh and spontaneous approach to songwriting. Reflecting on the song’s conception, Spiller recalls the atmosphere in the studio: “It was very off the cuff, and everyone in the room was laughing a lot. Sometimes that’s a great sign. What’s the point in not enjoying the process?” This light-hearted yet meaningful philosophy seems to have played a key role in the crafting of the track.

Despite the playful nature of the song, Spiller emphasises the sincerity behind the lyrics. “I think that’s why we can get away with a song that is beautifully bizarre,” he explains. “It’s because I actually mean the lyrics, even if they do come across light-hearted. Believe me. I lived through that character in the song many times.”

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The Struts, formed in Derby in 2012, have long been known for their dynamic stage presence and electrifying performances. Their rise to fame began with their 2016 debut album, Everybody Wants, which featured the anthemic track Could Have Been Me. The song quickly achieved US certified-Platinum status and propelled the band onto the international stage. Since then, The Struts—comprised of Spiller, guitarist Adam Slack, bassist Jed Elliott, and drummer Gethin Davies—have become a staple of modern rock, performing alongside legendary acts such as The Rolling Stones, Foo Fighters, and Guns N’ Roses.

Their discography, which includes the follow-up albums Young & Dangerous (2018) and Strange Days (2020), showcases the band’s ability to blend classic rock influences with contemporary flair. This combination has earned them critical acclaim and a loyal fan base, as well as a number one spot on Spotify’s Viral Top 50. Meanwhile, collaborations with major artists like Robbie Williams, Kesha, and Tom Morello have foreshadowed a versatility across genres now seen in the synthy ‘Can’t Stop Talking’.

‘Can’t Stop Talking‘ arrives as part of the band’s latest phase, following the release of their 2023 album, Pretty Vicious, under Big Machine Records. The album was met with praise, while their return to the main stage at Download Festival earlier this year marked a major milestone in their career.

The song, released via Polydor Records, has already garnered over 50,000 streams on Spotify. It is the Liverpudlian band’s first release since their mixtape Loud Without Noise, which came out in November and debuted at number one on the UK rock and metal album charts.

Lead vocalist and trumpet player Holly Minto, who runs the bands social media accounts, discussed the new release on Twitter, saying “really whole heart into this from all of us. lyrically really allude to my neurodivergent struggles and my struggles with mental health.”

wow i’m getting kinda nervous <\3 for this song release. really whole heart into this from all of us. lyrically really allude to my neurodivergent struggles and my struggles with mental health. i don’t want to fully analyse these lyrics like normal, i want this song to be yours

— CRAWLERS (@CrawlersHQ) March 26, 2023

She also debated the meaning behind the song. As reported here, she said “‘That Time Of Year Always’ encompasses the feeling of envying your younger self before the trauma hits in your early 20s. It’s about missing the ignorance that you had in your childhood; that reflection process which usually happens for me during the winter seasons. Being older, you realize that despite thinking these thoughts stem from seasonal depression, it’s normal to feel that longing for your youth all year round, and to constantly have your younger self in mind when reminiscing about what once was.” The release is accompanied by a lyric video, which features a nostalgic video of the band walking on a windy beach alongside the lyrics.

The band, who are very interactive with their fans on social media, even asked for everyone’s favourite lyric from the song on Twitter. This incited many passionate responses from their fans who have been waiting for a new release. One response said:

“there’s comfort in the sadness and the mess i seem to make” AND OFC “asking strangers for their star signs”

— rosina (@rosinaspam) March 27, 2023

The band first gained success with their hit single “Come Over (Again)”, which was released in November, 2021. The song went viral on TikTok, and its use became particularly popular on videos concerning mental health, domestic abuse, and addiction. The song was used in over 90,000 video responses, and has over forty million streams on Spotify. After the release of their debut album, the band supported My Chemical Romance on tour last year, performed their own sold-out headline tour across Europe and the UK in November, and are set to perform at Download Festival this summer. The quartet comprises of Holly Minto, Harry Breen on the drums, Liv Kettle on bass guitar, and Amy Woodall on guitar.

Stream the new single here.

The band have three performances scheduled:

27/05/23 – Temple Newsam, Live at Leeds in the Park – Leeds

07/06 – Download Festival, Donington Park Circuit – Leicestershire

08/06 – Download Festival, Donington Park Circuit – Leicestershire

Get tickets here.