Essential Listening: New music releases in November 2022

The end of November has arrived and now we stand on the precipice of the final four weeks of the year, a mere 25 days until the big fella in the red suit makes his way to town. But before we launch head first into the season of mince pies, prezzies and tinsel, we thought we'd pause and take a look back over some of the best releases of the past month. 

Counteract the inevitable deluge of hideous festive pop ballads, due to flood the airwaves over the next 31 days or so, with our handpicked Essential Listening playlist selections. Continue below to listen to the playlist and learn more about this month's track inclusions...

Slowthai - I know Nothing

The Nottingham-based rapper returned earlier in the month with this, his first solo release in over a year. Part of Beats By Dre's 'Defy the Noise' campaign, centred on the criticism, pressure and abuse received by footballers via social media, 'I Know Nothing' is a raw and utterly unapologetic 3-minute take on all of those "who are so quick to put the blame on the younger generation". 

We here at Skiddle are patiently awaiting the arrival of his 3rd studio album, with more new music expected to drop before the year is out. Just days before the release of his latest single, Slowthai took to Instagram to announce he'd finished work on the new record which many have speculated will be named, Ugly.

Find tickets for Slowthai - Here

Daniel Avery - Ultra Truth

Electronic music producer, Daniel Avery has created audible gold with his latest album offering, Ultra Truth. As danceable as it is enjoyable in a non-club-format setting, the collection of euphoric, ambient-inspired works shows Avery flexing his mastered studio prowess once again.

'Ultra Truth', the second track from the brand new record, takes the listener on a journey in sound. Airy synths meet with crunching bass notes and reverberated snares, with glimmers of influence from early originators of obscure ambient electronica, the likes of Boards of Canada and Aphex Twin, adding to its grandeur. A must-listen track, in our opinion. 

Find tickets for Daniel Avery - Here

Shame - Fingers of Steel

The five wryly young fellows which make up post-punk quintet, Shame are back at it, delivering us all with some long-awaited new music.

Returning recently with 'Fingers of Steel', the group's first murmuring since the release of their sophomore full-length, Drunk Tank Pink, the band also used the announcement of the single to issue news of an accompanying LP, Food For Worms, expected on Friday 24th February 2023. 

Check out the video to hear the band's new throwback indie sound and make your assumptions on what you can expect from what's set to be yet another interesting record from a very exciting band.

Find tickets for Shame - Here

Jamie T - Kill Kill Kill

Jamie T has been popping up on stages in venues right across the UK as of late, as he takes his latest album, The Theory Of Whatever, out on the road. One of the 17 tracks featured on the deluxe version of the album is 'Kill Kill Kill'. Unmistakably Jamie T in everyday imaginable, the rousing, snarling vocals of the Wimbledon-born singer-songwriter match perfectly with a distorted punk backing, packing energy designated for live settings. 

Find tickets for Jamie T - Here

Honey Dijon - Downtown

Honey Dijon has returned in style with 'Downtown' the third single from her sophomore album Black Girl Magic. The track instantly transports you to the dancefloor with synths that flutter over a crisp percussive beat in an effortless manner. Over the top, London soul vocalist Annette Bowen and Belfast creative Nikki-O provide a vocal performance that ebbs and flows throughout the track permeating it with an otherworldly groove that will make the most frigid amongst its listeners tap their foot in appreciation. 

Find tickets for Honey Dijon - Here

Interplanetary Criminal - Beat Work

Coming off the back of his UK No.1 with Eliza Rose earlier this year, Interplanetary Criminal has released his latest EP, Coming On Strong, the third track of which is the eminently excellent 'Beat Work'. The track oozes innovation, the kind of track you'll have to hear it to believe. The instrumentation is dynamic and comes from unexpected sources - you can't miss the cowbell - and the vocal chop skips and slides all over the pulsating beat, culminating in a rude bassline that warps and sees the track off in speaker throbbing splendour. 

Find tickets for Interplanetary Criminal - Here

Gorillaz - Baby Queen

The third single from the Gorillaz's upcoming eighth studio album Cracker Island, Baby Queen is one that comes with one hell of a backstory. The track is about when the then-14-year-old Princess of Thailand came to see the band perform in 1997. Albarn said: "They put a throne next to the mixing board for her to sit in, surrounded by I don’t know how many soldiers. “Song 2” started and she stood on her throne and stage-dived into the crowd." Not a bad story to base a song around.

The track itself is reminiscent of an old-school Gorillaz track, but one that leans into the shoegaze-y side of things, with trippy lyrics and a more downtempo vibe. But come on, it's Gorillaz, you already know it's good. 

Find tickets for Gorillaz - Here

Willie J Healey - Sure Feels Good

Following his recent support slot with Florence and the Machine, Willie J Healey has released 'Sure Feels Good' the third cut from his upcoming album Bunny. The track transports you away from the winter chill, featuring his trademark smooth delivery that croons over a lounging instrumental. It hits a sweet spot between satisfaction and longing and is tinged with nostalgia. It's a truly stellar single that makes it clear why Healey frequently sells out venues. 

Find tickets for Willie J Healey - Here

Listen to all 30 tracks featured in November's Essential Listening playlist, below...

Check out our What's On Guide to discover more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.

Header image credit: Honey Dijon / Facebook.com