From towering post-punk anthems and surf-soaked folk to hypnotic club weapons and cross-continental rap collaborations, this week’s best reminds us that some of the most exciting music is often made on the peripheries of the mainstream. Here are seven new releases we haven’t been able to stop spinning.
HONEYMOAN – “The Stars Are Talking”
South African-born, London-based outfit HONEYMOAN return with a dazzling bit of indie-pop perfection that finds reference points in 90’s post-punk and grunge-pop. Driven by an oscillating, chugging guitar riff and lush electronic accents, the track beautifully frames Alison Rachel’s captivating, introspective lead vocals in sensual, danceable alt-rock that completely commands your attention from the first beat.
Metro Villa – “Limousine”
The Cape Town four-piece dials up the distortion on a track that trades their usual indie-pop bounce for raw, garage-rock urgency. Built around Danny Boi’s jagged guitar riffs and a relentless rhythm section, the song captures the chaotic energy of a midnight drive. It is a gritty, unpolished anthem that proves the band is at their best when they let their instrumentation run off the rails.
Sean Koch – “Time Will Tell”
Grounded in his roots near the waves of Kommetjie, Koch channels his coastal upbringing into an intimate indie-folk piece co-produced with Adrian Fowler. The track leans on stripped-back acoustic picking and a foot-tapping surf-folk cadence rather than heavy studio production. It feels like a genuine, sun-bleached conversation about patience, serving as a promising title-track teaser for his upcoming July album.
Pussy Heaven – “Milkshake”
The Johannesburg post-punk trio delivers a staggering, deathly meditation that completely blows apart conventional song structures. Serving as the cinematic, gothic gateway to their HYMN EP, the track weaponises a gritty, film-score atmosphere layered with an eerie, underlying dreaminess. Driven by the hauntingly urgent mantra—“Say it with me. Pray it with me. We could be dead tomorrow”—it stands out as a dark, fiercely authentic call to embrace existence.
Luc Veermeer – “Fake”
The South African electronic producer delivers a masterclass in vocal manipulation, chopping a distinctively raw, crying vocal loop over a heavily textured, bass heavy garage groove. Released via the discerning All My Thoughts imprint, the track avoids standard club tropes by layering lo-fi, saturated synths over an incredibly punchy, driving bassline. It is a moody, cerebral dancefloor weapon that pulls from the UK underground and locates it back home with hypnotic repetition and sharp, minimal restraint.
Marcus Harvey ft. Mick Jenkins – “Come To Me”
This cross-continental collaboration pairs Harvey’s smooth South African melodies with the sharp, deliberate cadence of Chicago rapper Mick Jenkins. Instead of fighting for dominance, both artists weave seamlessly through a jazz-tinted, bass-heavy canvas that bridges the gap between Soweto and the Midwest. The result is an effortless, narrative-driven record that avoids typical rap cliches in favor of genuine creartive chemistry.
Kyle Watson x Body Ocean– “Are You The Same”
Watson foregoes festival-ready EDM drops and links with progressive house project Body Ocean to deliver a rolling, subterranean tech-house scorcher designed strictly for dark rooms. The track is built around pining, soulful vocals that unfold over an incredibly tight, sub-bass groove that also touches on melodic, hypnotic minimal techno.
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