Essential Listening: The best new music releases in October 2023 (w. 3)
The best new music from October 2023 in house, indie, techno, drum and bass, hip-hop, jungle, and more.
Date published: 16th Oct 2023
Hello, music lovers! We’re back with more of the best new music releases in October 2023 for you to feast your ears on.
This week, we’ve got new music from Erick the Architect, Holly Humberstone, The Streets, Emily Nash with Kara and Charlotte Haining, Skantia, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets, Geese, Bdrmm, Klubbheads, Bombay Bicycle Club, Idris Elba, Freddie Gibbs and Lord Apex, and more.
Check out what’s new, follow the playlists, and secure tickets to see these artists below.
Essential Listening: House and Techno
Can't Play Myself (A Tribute To Amy) - Skepta
Once the poster boy for grime, Skepta has switched lanes recently, starting his Más Tiempo record label with Jammer and going on to release house tracks including this new track, a tribute to the late Amy Winehouse which uses samples of her iconic song Tears Dry On Their Own.
While it may seem a bit strange for Skepta to suddenly go from rapping to producing house bangers, grime was originally a darker version of UKG. After performing at Circoloco in Ibiza in August 2022, the two received lots of praise from huge DJs on the scene. Since they’ve always produced music, and have been DJing since they were kids, it only felt natural to start the label and begin churning out club bangers.
A belter with a deep driving bassline, this’ll go off on the dancefloor, no doubt.
Get tickets to see Skepta live here:
Tickets for CircoLoco (w. Skepta & more) | Saturday 25th November 2023 | Depot (Mayfield) in Manchester
Essential Listening: Indie and Alternative
The Year Of The Rabbit - Yin Yin
It’s not every day you come across a band like Yin Yin. The electronic band from The Netherlands has released two albums so far - the Thai psych-rock influenced The Rabbit that Hunts Tigers and the spiritual The Age of Aquarius.
The Year Of The Rabbit is the band's newest track taken from their upcoming Mount Matsu album, due to be with us in January next year. The track sees the band explore traditional Japanese musical motifs with a psychedelic twist using old synths and a whole lot of reverb on the electric guitars.
Effortlessly cool and intriguing, we’re eagerly awaiting the album from these guys.
Get tickets to see Yin Yin live here:
Tickets for Yin Yin | Thursday 15th February 2024 | The White Hotel in Salford
Essential Listening: Drum & Bass and Jungle
Dance Haffi Nice - Mr Williamz ft. Shy FX, Ms. Dynamite
Legendary reggae/dancehall artist Mr. Williamz dropped this banger last week, but it was the features from both Shy FX and Ms. Dynamite that brought this one to life.
A true talent at putting his sound on a track without overpowering it, Shy FX has proven once again that he possesses the Midas touch in the studio. The energy of Shy’s sound seamlessly blends with Williamz’s vocals without overpowering those guitar chicks.
On the track, Mr Williamz said the song, “draws on inspiration from foundational reggae/dancehall sounds, blending with UK vibes to create something which sounds timeless. As soon as Shy hit me with the idea it all sounded very natural and we recorded the vocals straightaway and Ms. Dynamite added that final touch and we created a great vibe in the studio.”
While Shy said, “This one isn’t just a track but bottled joy, and we can’t wait for listeners to uncork it!” And we have to totally agree. Sunny and an absolute banger, we think this one really will prove to be timeless.
Get tickets to see Shy FX live here:
Essential Listening: Hip-Hop and Jazz
Four OH! - Verb T ft. Doc Brown, Romesh Ranganathan
Verb T released his playful, refreshing and super honest track Four Oh! in August. Full of funny references to getting older (“stole the hair from my head then stuck it to my back”), none of us could predict comedians Doc Brown and Romesh Ranganathan would hop on the track’s remix, but we’re bloody glad they did.
With references to Romesh’s haemorrhoid cream, Verb sounding daft for using slang, and how Doc can still kick the sh*t out of you but will pull his hamstring among so many other ridiculous one-liners, we’ve been gifted a track that can bring a little light into any bad day.
Get tickets to see Verb T live here:
Tickets for Verb T | Friday 17th November 2023 | The Blues Kitchen in Manchester
Follow our Essential Listening playlists featured above to discover the best new tracks released each week, as curated by the Skiddle team.
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: Emily Nash / Facebook.com