Essential Listening: The best new music releases in July 2023

Geez time flies, doesn’t it? 

We’re over halfway through July and we’re over halfway through the year. And we’re already back with another Essential Listening to help you discover the best new music releases in July 2023. The third Essential Listening of the month! Scary, isn’t it? 

Well, this week's additions to the playlists include Chimpo, Mall Grab, t e s t p r e s s, Yard Act, Todd Terry, The Drums, DJ Hybrid, ABSOLUTE., Peggy, and so many other artists we’re buzzing about. 

Check out the new tracks below and secure tickets to see the artists live. And if you like what you hear, give the playlist a follow! 

 

Essential Listening: House and Techno

 

IBIZA - Ben Hemsley

With an effortlessly nostalgic sound and mood, IBIZA sounds like a song you should remember. A friend you haven't seen in a while.

Okay, sure, it’s not really house or techno. It’s more of a trance track. But still. We all love a bit of Hemsley, so we’re happy to bend the rules a bit. The track is absolutely brilliant but the likelihood it was at least somewhat inspired by his upcoming debut Ibiza residency makes it super endearing and inspiring, too. 

Hemsley is clearly absolutely buzzing about the residency and just imagining the scenes when he drops it on the party island is enough to have us looking at flights. 

 

Get tickets to see Ben Hemsley live here:

 

Ben Hemsley | Saturday 14th October 2023 | Utilita Arena in Newcastle Upon Tyne (resell tix available) 

Buy tickets:

 

Ben Hemsley Ibiza Opening Party | Sunday 6th August 2023 | Ibiza Rocks Hotel in San Antonio 

Buy tickets:

 

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Essential Listening: Indie and Alternative

 

Troubled Waters - The Streets

UK hero Mike Skinner returns as The Streets with Troubled Water, taken from The Darker The Shadow, The Brighter The Light, the first Streets album since 2011.

Troubled Water offers the first taste of what can be expected from the new album, which drops on the 20th of October this year. The new track is sure to make OG Streets fans incredibly happy with a sound very reminiscent of Original Pirate Material. 

A journey and a half, the track features Skinner's trademark poetic social commentary lyricism. It kicks off like a rave tune but the lyrics offer a different story, amplified by the instrumental switch at around 2:20 that plunges the listener into dark introspection.  

If the rest of the album sounds anything like this, we (and countless others) will be very bloody happy indeed. 

 

Get tickets to see The Streets live here:

 

The Streets | Thursday 7th September 2023 | Alexandra Head in Cardiff

Buy tickets:

 

The Streets | Friday 8th September 2023 | Dreamland in Margate, Kent

Buy tickets:

 

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Essential Listening: Drum & Bass and Jungle

 

Jungle Clapped - DJ Gaw

An experimental, almost glitchy one that scratches an itch in your brain you didn’t know you had, DJ Gaw delivers inspired, lively and bassy ASMR. 

Alright, ASMR might not sound like a quality you’d look for in drum and bass. But this track isn’t quiet or delicate. It actually demands you play it loud. But whether you play it softly or deafeningly loud, its jumpiness and airiness in many of the instruments used - the snares and just about every electronic, synthy sound you can hear - makes this one hit different. 

We also have to shout out that super light, jazzy guitar chord that occasionally crops up and the jungle break. Absolutely outstanding. 

 

Get tickets to see DJ Gaw live here:

 

Bristol Drum & Bass Boat Party! Kelvin 373 B2B T>I & GAW + More | Wednesday 27th September 2023 | Thekla in Bristol

Buy tickets:

 

Nu:Motive Exeter Halloween • Disrupta, Bish, GAW + More | Saturday 28th October 2023 | Move in Exeter

Buy tickets:

 

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Essential Listening: Hip-Hop and Jazz

 

Tell Me Where To Go - JPEGMafia and Danny Brown

Releasing the best hip-hop album of the year wasn’t enough for this power duo who’ve decided to scare the hoes some more with SCARING THE HOES: DLC PACK. 

Sampling Al Green’s I'm Still in Love With You, this stunning, almost lo-fi track sees Danny Brown rapping in his normal voice. A pretty rare occurrence. Between the fantastic lyrics, very different sound to the tracks on Scaring The Hoes, gorgeous strings, and backing vocals borrowed from Al Green, we’re keeping our fingers crossed in hopes they perform it live on their tour. 

If you love hip-hop, you might like… 

  

We Out Here Festival | Thursday 10th - Monday 14th August 2023 | Wimborne St Giles in Wimborne

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: Mike Skinner and The Streets / Facebook.com