Essential Listening: The best new music releases in October 2023

New month, new tunes!

Back with another Essential Listening, we’re here to help you discover the best new music of October 2023.

We’ve got new tracks from artists including Cleo Sol, Hybrid Minds and Charlotte Plank, Two Door Cinema Club, Mollie Collins, John Summit, Peggy Gou, Pig&Dan, The Silhouettes Project, Slow Pulp, Ewan McVicar, and Armand Hammer. 

Scroll down, have a listen, follow the playlists, and secure tickets below! 

 

Essential Listening: House and Techno

 

Exertion (Transmission) - X CLUB.

Brisbane-based production duo, X CLUB., is all about experimenting and pushing the boundaries of dance music. Drawing inspiration from all areas of dance music, their newest project, the four-track HTJ001, explores that, leaving musical breadcrumbs for the listener to pick up on.

Fresh off a super energetic set at The Warehouse Project, Exertion (Transmission) encompasses their live shows: pure energy. The layers of percussion give this one an extra kick as echoed vocal chants slam on the accelerator.  

Despite its techno roots, there’s some serious funk on this one, dipping into ambient rave before going full throttle once again.

 

Get tickets to see X CLUB. live here:

 

No Bounds: Special Request, X CLUB. Nyege Nyege, Bruce, Manami | Friday 13th October 2023 | Hope Works in Sheffield

Buy tickets:

 

FLY Halloween Spooktacular | Tuesday 31st October 2023 | Liquid Room in Edinburgh

Buy tickets:

 

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Essential Listening: Indie and Alternative

 

MUD - Slow Pulp

Oh, you’ve got to love a gut-wrenching fuzzy guitar track, haven’t you? Taken from the Chicago-based band’s second album, MUD is haunting and melancholy until its abrasive chorus hits you slap bang in the feelings. 

MUD's beauty is its raw power even in its simplicity. The soft, fragile vocals over those rough, distorted stabs are a match made in heaven. The lyrics come from the heart, it's hazy and tired - overall, a solid addition to your go-to playlist for when you’re sad. 

 

Love indie? You might like… 

 

Wednesday + Lowertown | Sunday 5th November 2023 | Hare And Hounds Kings Heath in Birmingham

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Circa Waves | Thursday 12th October 2023 | Engine Rooms in Southampton 

 

Wrest + Support | Saturday 31st August 2024 | Barrowland Ballroom in Glasgow

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Essential Listening: Drum & Bass and Jungle

 

Lights - Charlotte Plank & Hybrid Minds

Following their link up with Venbee on If Love Could Have Saved You, Hybrid Minds are back with another collab, this time with young singer-songwriter-producer Charlotte Plank.

Building from an almost ambient intro, the three build on the track by teasing some spiky reggae-influenced chords before that familiar picks up in the background. Launching into a glitchy chorus patterned with warm bass, frantic drums and the repeated hook, “When the lights go, find me when the lights go on”, they've penned an instant classic. 

 

Get tickets to see Hybrid Minds live here:

 

Worried About Henry presents Hybrid Minds | Saturday 21st October | NX Newcastle in Newcastle Upon Tyne

Buy tickets:

 

Worried About Henry pres. Hybrid Minds Halloween show | Friday 27th October 2023 | O2 Academy in Leeds

Buy tickets:

 

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Essential Listening: Hip-Hop and Jazz

 

Knocked Down - The Silhouettes Project, Asher Kosher, Nix Northwest, Turt

If you haven’t heard of The Silhouettes Project before, it’s a new platform to showcase up-and-coming hip-hop, jazz, and soul artists from the UK. Created to support emerging grassroots artists and provide an alternative to the current music industry path, the project has an album coming out in February 2024 on its own not-for-profit label. 

There are 15 total groups in the project, put together by the vibe of their music. And this one is clearly all about soulful, laid-back hip-hop. Clearly what they’re doing is working as one quick look at the album credits and there are a handful of recognisable names on there. 

 

Love hip-hop? You might like... 

 

Gotts Street Park | Tuesday 7th November 2023 | Hare And Hounds Kings Heath in Birmingham

Buy tickets:

 

Match Day 5 Live Rap Battles | Saturday 7th October 2023 | The Venue Nightclub in Manchester

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Lord Apex (Live) | Wednesday 10th April 2024 | 24 Kitchen Street in Liverpool

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: Ewan McVicar / Facebook.com