6 albums you need to hear this week
With music from PinkPantheress, Stray Kids, Baby Queen, Bad Boy Chiller Crew and more.
In the age of streaming, it’s never been easier to listen to new music — but with over 60,000 new songs added to Spotify every day, it’s also never been harder to know what to put on. Every week, the team at Rolling Stone UK will run down some of the best new releases that have been added to streaming services.
This week, we’ve highlighted records by PinkPantheress, Stray Kids, Baby Queen, Bad Boy Chiller Crew, Jelani Blackman and East Forest.
PinkPantheress – Heaven Knows
After the overwhelming success of her Ice Spice collaboration ‘Boy’s A Liar Pt. 2’ (nominated for the Song of the Year Award at this month’s inaugural Rolling Stone UK Awards), PinkPantheress ends her huge 2023 with the release of her highly anticipated debut album Heaven Knows. On it, she expands her sound and moves forwards into new territories, as she told Rolling Stone UK in a recent cover feature: “It was hard to let go of drum-and-bass, but… It wasn’t, actually — it was so easy. I just realised I had to mature lyrically and do things like sampling in a different way. We’ve got more guitars in there, more live instruments.”
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music | TIDAL | Amazon Music
Stray Kids – Rock-Star
Following on from their 5-Star album from earlier this year, K-pop powerhouse Stray Kids are back with new EP Rock-Star. Across eight tracks, the band say they are “aiming to go beyond any evaluation” and want to show “the rock star aspect and freedom within” them. This broadening of their sonic horizons sets the table for what is next and proves they have more strings to their bow.
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music | TIDAL | Amazon Music
Baby Queen – Quarter Life Crisis
After gaining success with her work on the soundtrack of both seasons of Netflix hit Heartstopper, Baby Queen‘s debut album Quarter Life Crisis sees the singer – real name Bella Latham – telling the story of her journey through her early twenties, recounting all the growth, change and messy formative experiences that come along the way. It’s transmitted through indie pop songs with a distinctive voice and plenty of melody.
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music | TIDAL | Amazon Music
Bad Boy Chiller Crew – Influential
Bradford’s rowdiest bunch return with new album Influential, which sees them as bullish and chaotic as ever. Across a mammoth 22 tracks, Bad Boy Chiller Crew double down on their rambunctious brand of rap while welcoming in friends both old and new. Scene legend Nines appears on the album, as do local rappers Window Kid and Charlie Choppa.
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music | TIDAL | Amazon Music
Jelani Blackman – The Heart of It
He’s been a constant face in UK music for close to a decade, but Jelani Blackman’s debut feels like his must fully-formed and accomplished effort to date. There’s classic R&B on ‘Feel The Same’, while cameos from Kojey Radical and Biig Piig can also be found. Expect to hear much more of him after this.
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music | TIDAL | Amazon Music
East Forest – Music For The Deck of The Titanic
On his latest album, Oregon’s Trevor Oswalt – aka East Forest – delivers a record that uses lush, sweeping and unpredictable electronica to muse on the uncertain times we’re living in. It’s reflected in the title – a nod to the violinists who played on the deck of the Titanic as the ship went down. There’s added emotion too in the array of guests – including Senegalese-American artist Marieme – who provide some real gravitas.
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music | TIDAL | Amazon Music