Last week Samia returned with her anticipated second album âHoneyâ, a stellar collection of hauntingly devastating songs. Inspired by the likes of Lana Del Rey, Dijonâs âAbsolutelyâ and Christian Lee Hutsonâs âQuittersâ, it’s a poignant record of growth and maturity; and its titular track leads the charge on this weekâs NME Radio playlist update.
Also new to NME Radio this week weâve got singles from the returning indie supergroup boygenius and Yaeji, alongside Kali Uchis‘ stellar first release of the year.
Check out the newest additions to NME Radio 1 and 2 below:
On the A List:
Samia
âHoneyâ
Samia is back with her second album, âHoneyâ, a sharp and wilting record. The albumâs title track joins the NME Radio playlist this week, a tune that’s sonically sweet and completed with ethereal choruses and glittery pop sensibilities. The stunning LP is out now, and in a four-star review NME wrote: âA young womanâs worst confessions and deeply revealing truths (âHoneyâ is littered with personal voicemails) somehow, here, find a path towards hopefulness, where so often we are conditioned to lie in the sticky discomfort of hatred.â – Surej Singh
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
On the B List:
boygenius
â$20â
Indie-rock supergroup boygenius are back. With their debut album âthe recordâ on the horizon, Phoebe Bridgers, Julien Baker, and Lucy Dacus previewed the project with three new singles â one of which is the stellar â$20â. Led by Baker, itâs a masterclass in collaborative songwriting. Expertly combining each of the musiciansâ prowess â rather than shining the spotlight on one person â Brigersâ and Dacusâ backing vocals carry varied levels of angst, propelling Bakerâs lines for a truly captivating listen. – SS
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
Yaeji
âFor Grantedâ
NYC-via-Seoul singer, DJ and producer Yaeji has unveiled âFor Grantedâ, the first single off her upcoming anticipated debut album âWith A Hammerâ. âFor Grantedâ kicks off with Yaejiâs signature icy delivery as she sings âWhen I think about it / I donât even know / How it got to be this way / Am I taking it for granted?â. The bright, bouncy track slowly builds up, culminating in an electrifying drumânâbass section. – SS
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
Kali Uchis
âI Wish You Rosesâ
âI Wish You Rosesâ â Kali Uchisâ first release of the year â is an emotionally charged breakup song, though one crafted with good intentions. âThis song is about being able to release people with love. It could be a friend, a lover, or someone else, but the point is to celebrate releasing people from your life without being resentful or bitter,â Uchis said of the song. A sultry, R&B track, âI Wish You Rosesâ incorporates driving basslines, bright synths and Uchisâ crystalline vocals, and it’s excellent. – SS
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
Willie J Healey
âThank You ft. Jamie Tâ
Willie J Healey has offered up a new taste of his upcoming album âBunnyâ in the form of âThank Youâ featuring Jamie T. The single serves as a âthank youâ to Jamie for his help in getting Healey out of a creative rut. The result is a bright, vibrant and soulful tune that feels like a warm hug. – SS
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
Slowthai
âSelfishâ
Slowthai has released âSelfishâ, a new single from his upcoming album âUGLYâ. âSelfishâ sees the Brit rapper veer away from his usual sonics, instead experimenting with punk and alternative sounds. A dark take on not having enough time for those around him, heâs explained: âI want to be there for them but Iâm always striving, working, reaching further.â – SS
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
On the C List:
Biig Piig
âIn The Darkâ
Irish-born, London-based artist Biig Piig released her debut mixtape âBubblegumâ earlier this year; and closing the project is âIn The Darkâ, an indie-flecked belter that sees the artist â real name Jessica Smyth â honestly reflect: âThese dreams of mine / Have they come to die in this place?â. Running hushed vocals over soaring instrumentals, itâs a standout cut. – SS
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
Riovaz
âU Nevaâ
NME 100 star Riovaz is back with a dancey new track âU Nevaâ. The New Jersey singer and producer continues his streak of insatiable club tunes with bouncy bass kicks and dreamy synths as he sings about leading someone on: âSheâs never felt something so wonderful / I let her think weâre in love / Complaining so much I canât hear what sheâs saying again / And she turns and says / U neva cared at allâ. – SS
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
Thus Love
âPut On Dogâ
Vermont punk outfit Thus Love are back with a blistering new tune, âPut On Dogâ. A tight, guitar-driven punk track, filled with wailing vocals and unabashedly fuzzy and infectious riffs, itâs a belter. – SS
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
Sløtface
âNoseâ
Sløtface have released âNoseâ, a track from their upcoming EP âAWAKE/ASLEEPâ, due for release on February 24. The stellar tune sees Haley Shea honestly depicting her anxiety with candid, visceral lyrics: âThereâs a hurricane in my chest / When it hits / Feels like Iâll never see the sun againâ. – SS
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
The post NME Radio Roundup 30 January 2023: Samia, boygenius, Yaeji and more appeared first on NME.
