Essential Listening: The best new music releases in January 2024 (w. 3)

Now we’re properly into 2024, we reckon we can predict that it’s looking to be a great year for music. We’ve already had a cracking album f4rom Kali Uchis and we’ve got loads of other brilliant albums to look forward to this year, some of which you’ll find featured in Essential Listening! 

This week, we’ve got new tracks from Wilkinson, Nia Archives, Chalk, Conway the Machine, Mark Knight. Ben Howard, English Teacher, Nu Elementz, Amelie Lens, Noah Kahan and Sam Fender, Ragga Twins, and more. 

Check out the best new music releases in January 2024 so far, follow the playlists to keep up with the best new tunes, and secure tickets to see our featured artists live below. 

 

Essential Listening: House and Techno

Cruel Intentions- Hannah Wants, Sam Divine, Jem Cooke

Two skilled women producers at the forefront of the scene have linked up with a prominent, beloved vocalist, creating a heavenly house track that was meant to be enjoyed beneath the summer sun. 

‘Cruel Intentions’ doesn’t get very far before we’re already in our daydreams, picturing the track dropping at a sunny European festival like Defected Croatia, a festival by Defected, the label on which this track was released.

Jem Cooke, who’s lent her voice to some absolute bangers including ‘Breathe’ by Camelphat, has done it again, adding a hypnotic layer to an already powerful track. 

 

Get tickets to see Hannah Wants / Sam Divine live here:

 

Sam Divine | Saturday 10th February 2024 | NX in Newcastle Upon Tyne

 

Hannah Wants | Saturday 16th March 2024 | Tank Nightclub in Sheffield

Buy tickets:

 

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Essential Listening: Indie and Alternative

Chemical Animal - The Jesus And Mary Chain 

The incredibly influential Scottish band is back with a new album named Glasgow Eyes coming out in March. ‘Chemical Animal’ is the second single after ‘jamcod’ and it creates a seriously moody atmosphere.

Intoxicating, a little eerie, and emotive enough to give us the feeling they’re suffering from tiredness enduced by poor mental health, ‘Chemical Animal’, instrumentally, might be a little minimalist but its impact on the listener hits like a tonne of bricks. 

To think TJAMC have been making music for decades and they can still put out some incredible music is a testament to the skill of the band. Iconic and timeless, it’s a thrill to be alive during a time such a legenday band is releasing stunning music. 

 

Get tickets to see The Jesus And Mary Chain live here:

 

The Jesus And Mary Chain: 40 Years | Saturday 23rd March 2024 | Albert Hall in Manchester

Buy tickets:

 

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Essential Listening: Drum & Bass and Jungle

Crazy Love - Natty Lou 

DnB DJ and producer Natty Lou is back with a dramatic and atmospheric track that bursts into life - a festival-ready track if we ever heard one. 

Simultaneously hard hitting and euphoric, Lou has crafted a belter of a track whose bass you can feel thumping through your skull. The Best Newcomer award nominee at the Drum and Bass Arena Awards has already had a stunning career and she’s still in her early days. 

‘Crazy Love’ is catchy, commands a little dance or at least a head bob, and has such a massive sound. If she’s making bangers like this now, we can’t wait to see the artist she grows into.

 

Get tickets to see Natty Lou live here:

 

The National Drum & Bass Awards (ft. Natty Lou, Hazard, and many more) | Saturday 4th May 2024 | Roller Jam in Birmingham

Buy tickets:

 

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Essential Listening: Hip-Hop and Jazz

Innermission - Norman Sann

Taken from Sann’s album Pressure, which dropped on the 17th, ‘Innermission’ is a revealing melancholy-tinged cut that we just fell in love with. 

Covering topics like overthinking and his biggest fear (ending up back at a 9-5 job), Sann has given the light, breezy instrumental the track’s built on a feel much heavier thanks to his heart-on-the-sleeve lyrics. 

It’s evident in Sann’s music that he’s inspired from a fair few genres, which means no matter what kind of hip-hop you tend to lean towards, there’ll likely be a track or two of his that’s a bit of you. 

 

Love hip-hop? You might like…

 

Old School Hip-Hop Outdoor Summer BBQ | Sunday 28th July 2024 | TBA in Birmingham

Buy tickets:

 

Supa Dupa Fly Santorini 2024 | Friday 7th - Tuesday 11th June 2024 | Santorini in Fira, Greece

Buy tickets:

 

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Follow our Essential Listening playlists featured above to discover the best new tracks released each week, as curated by the Skiddle team.

 

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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.

 

 

  

 

 

Header image credit: Wilkinson / Facebook.com