Essential Listening: The best new music releases in August 2023

Ah, can you feel it? We can. Yeah, the bank holiday weekend is right around the corner. And it really couldn’t come fast enough.

While we all count down the days to that glorious three-day weekend, let’s take a look at some of the best new music in August 2023 so far. 

This week, we’ve added some scorchers from Franky Wah, Eliza Rose & The Martinez Brothers, Mitski, Monrroe & SOLAH, Camo & Krooked & Mefjus, and more - quite a few tasty collabs!

Have a listen below and secure tickets to check out the artists performing live. 

 

Essential Listening: House and Techno

 

Call My Name - Franky Wah ft. Rae Morris

A truly ecstatic and dreamy track from Franky Wah, you’ll adore Call My Name if you’re a fan of Glue and Apricots by Bicep and similarly atmospheric tunes. 

While the way we’ve described it may make it sound a bit flat, especially since Wah is soon to be in Ibiza, it’s anything but. A track that speaks a thousand words while maintaining a beat you can dance to, Wah’s absolutely smashed this one out of the park, crafting a contemplative track that still makes you want to be on the dance floor. 

Get us to Ibiza with this one playing as the morning sun washes over us.

 

Get tickets to see Franky Wah live here:

 

Franky Wah presents Shen Ibiza | Club Chinois in Ibiza | Sunday 27th August 2023

Buy tickets:

 

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Essential Listening: Indie and Alternative

 

Friends Will Never Let You Go - Georgia

Taken from Georgia’s third album, Euphoria, which is also her first in three years, Friends Will Never Let You Go is a synthy pop track with a drum and bass beat.

Reflecting the name of the album it's found on, the track features plenty of warm, euphoric moments. In true pop style, there are of course lots of earworm melodies through the chorus and verses that are sure to be swirling around your head for a little while after. 

The daughter of a founding member of Leftfield, it's no surprise Georgia leans towards electronic sounds and big synths.

 

Get tickets to see Georgia live here:

 

Georgia | District in Liverpool | Friday 24th November 2023 

Buy tickets:

 

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Essential Listening: Drum & Bass and Jungle

 

Nebula - Camo & Krooked & Mefjus

Camo & Krooked linked up with Mefjus again to pen a track for the opening ceremony of Let It Roll, the world’s biggest drum and bass festival at which they performed a B2B set. Nebula was the result. 

Reminding everyone why they're so in demand as producers, Nebula opens with some super dramatic strings and vocals before launching into a glitchy, bouncy track that warbles around your brain - for the opening of the world’s biggest DnB fest, we can safely say they understood the assignment. 

Sandwiching orchestral arrangements in between intense drops, they’ve created the sense of a journey, telling a story, not writing a song. 

 

Get tickets to see Camo & Krooked / Mefjus live here:

 

Worried About Henry x Metropolis (w/ C&K and Mefjus) | Depot (Mayfield) in Manchester | Saturday 23rd September 2023 

Buy tickets:

 

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Essential Listening: Hip-Hop and Jazz

 

When I Get My Turn? - Cool Company

“Future R&B” with more personality than any track we’ve heard for a while sends listeners on an intense but overwhelmingly positive trip. 

The wonky bass plods down the hall that breathes and melts the longer you stare at it, kicking off a heavy trip before sweeping you off your feet, and propelling you into orbit. Fluffy and effortlessly warm but without cushioning us too much, it’s hard not to go a little light-headed when this one comes on. 

The rapping is incredible, complementing the instrumental on another level and pulling you back into reality as angelic backing vocals tug you back out into space. Unreal. 

 

Love hip-hop? You might like…

 

Hip Hop 50 ft Big Daddy Kane, Onyx , Masta Ace, Ezlhi, Blade ++ | Saturday 26th August 2023 | O2 Forum Kentish Town in London

Buy tickets:

 

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Follow our Essential Listening playlists above to discover the best new music releases in August 2023, with tracks added each week.

 

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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.