Essential Listening: The best new releases as chosen by Skiddle

Our in-house melomaniacs have put their keen ears to use once again, compiling a list of five-star releases recently made available to the public for listening. Skimming through bins in record stores, playlists on streaming platforms and through word of mouth, they've presented their choices to one another, deliberated over the top ten and decided upon which releases of the past two weeks are worthy of our Essential Listening playlist. 

Traversing a broad spectrum of genres and styles, from alternative indie to post-punk electronica, hip-hop and old-school Chicago house, take a look through some of the selections featured in this week's playlist, below...

Yune Pinku

Talented bedroom producer, Yune Pinku has been making huge waves this year, dropping a series of well-received dancefloor pearlers. The South East London-based newcomer, of half-Malaysian and Irish descent, is said to draw influence from the UK rave scene, whilst her dynamic and textural productions echo the sounds of some of her favourite modern-day artists - from Earthearter and Photek to Sorry and SASSY 009. 

Releasing her latest single 'Jaws' just last week, the single is already getting a lot of love and attention with airtime on the BBC's 6 Music station and a feature on Spotify's New Music Friday Dance playlist. 

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Willie J Healy

Willie J Healy has now issued two new tracks from his forthcoming fourth studio album, 'Bunny', set for release via Yala! Records on Friday 24th March 2023. The follow-up to 'Tiger Woods', 'Dreams', the second track from the album, continues to exhibit a noticeable shift in the Oxfordshire-hailing singer-songwriter's sound. Moving away from the '70s-inspired, jangly-guitar rock heard on Twin Heavy, the new single is packed full of funk with roots in Philly soul (think somewhere along the lines of Sly and the Family Stone and you're close).

Follow and find tickets for Willie J Healy - here

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Honey Dijon

World-renowned house music star, Honey Dijon links up with fellow American producer, Channel Tres to deliver one of the most eagerly anticipated dance records of the year - 'Show Me Some Love'. Taken from her forthcoming EP, Black Girl Magic, due out on Friday 18th November, it's packed full of groove with the signature stylings of both artists bubbling throughout. Exuberant, gritty and rhythmically hypnotic, it's a track that will surely prove to be a winner with audiences in clubs across the world.

Follow and find tickets for Honey Dijon - here

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LCD Soundsystem

Yes, you read that right. LCD Soundsystem are back! We've waited five long years for new material and at long last, it's here. Their latest single, 'New Body Rhumba' is a 7-minute epic which builds in intensity as it evolves, displaying the same dance-punk, electronica qualities we've all come to know and love about the band. A track fit for film, it's also been handpicked to score part of White Noise, a new screen adaptation of the Don DeLillo's novel of the same, by director Noah Baumbach, coming to Netflix soon.

Follow and find tickets for LCD Soundsystem - here

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Have you got a Spotify account? If the answer is yes, we recommend following our Essential Listening playlist to stay up to date with the very latest and best releases. Discover this week's top ten and listen to the previous selections from September, in the playlist below...

Check out our What's On Guide to discover even 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: Yune Pinku / Facebook.com