Springtime 2024 at IDOL

Sinkane
New York-based multi-instrumentalist Sinkane channels deep emotions of Black liberation in his latest album, the vibrant ‘We Belong‘. This is is eighth yet first album on which the artist has tried his hand at collaboration, welcoming soul singer Bilal and the late jazz multi-instrumentalist Casey Benjamin.
“Drawing freely from funk, gospel, African pop, and electronica, Ahmed Gallab’s exuberant new album rejoices in the power of Black diasporic identity and community.” Pitchfork

UTO / InFiné
Parisian duo UTO crafts eclectic music blending pop, trip-hop, and electronic influences. Their debut album Touch The Lock skilfully navigates between genres, drawing comparisons with Portishead, Kim Gordon and Björk. Their second album pushes back the boundaries of musical creation.
“The two lab assistants enthrall us by renewing several facets of electronic music, with an inventiveness that borders on trance.” Les Inrocks

Bobbi Lu / Mayway Records
Originally from Oxford, singer songwriter Bobbi Lu, now based in Belgium, captivates with her mysterious dystopian world. Dubbed the ‘indie Billie Eilish of the north’, her music blends ambient piano with raw synths, drawing influences from FKA Twigs and Caroline Polachek.
“What we do know for sure is that Bobbi Lu is already a brilliant artist with a sound we haven’t often heard in Belgium, and with that sound she might very soon break through internationally.” Dansende Beren

Oscar #Worldpeace – Worldpeace Records
The British rapper/producer just released an album that delves into fatherhood, faith, and marriage with humor and depth, blending ’90s hip-hop and ’00s R&B. On this deeply personal journey, Oscar #Worldpeace invites MC Bawo, hip-hop trio Planet Giza and singer Qendresa.
“Tottenham rapper Oscar #Worldpeace has always kept it real, unafraid to bare his soul, tackle communal hardships, and speak about the ups and downs of life in his lyrics. “ DJ Mag

Jasmine Myra – Gondwana Records
Saxophonist and composer Jasmine Myra, made a name for herself with her debut album in 2022 and became one of UK Jazz’s rising stars. Praised by Jamie Cullum and Gilles Peterson, her emotive sound blends influences like Bonobo and Shabaka Hutching.
“Myra produces dense compositions that unfurl effortlessly.” The Guardian

Jessica Pratt
For her first new album in five years, Jessica Pratt blends ’60s pop, Hollywood psychedelia, and bossa nova. Inspired by the end of LA’s hippie era, she created big panoramic sounds with the emotional intimacy and starkness that fans have come to expect.
“Jessica Pratt’s fourth album of hypnagogic folk music hones her mysterious song to its finest point.” Best New Music Pitchfork

Ghana Special 2: Electronic Highlife & Afro Sounds in the Diaspora, 1980-93 – Soundway Records
This music compilation featuring artists like Ernest Honny, Nan Mayen and Pat Thomas is a must for Highlife enthusiasts. This new release follows the funk and Afrobeat-focused Ghana Soundz compilations, and ‘Ghana Special: Modern Highlife, Afro Sounds & Ghanaian Blues 1968-1981’ that received the score of 8.5 on Pitchfork as Best New Reissue.
“The 18-track album traces the origins of the early ’80s electronic highlife movement that emerged in the wake of an economic downturn and an incoming military regime.” DJ Mag

Douglas Dare – Erased Tapes
British artist Douglas Dare releases his fourth album Omni, an avant-garde electronic record that combines queer themes, dark cinematic storytelling, and rave culture influences, showcasing a dramatic shift from his acoustic roots to synths and drum machines.
“A pulsing, avant-garde record from the British pop artist, Dare marks his steps in a new direction.“ Clash

King Hannah
The duo King Hannah is about to release its sophomore album: Big Swimmer captures 90s American indie garage rock with grungy guitars and nostalgic lyrics. The album, featuring guest vocals from Sharon Van Etten, explores personal spaces with a balance of darkness and light.
“King Hannah’s music may initially conjure journeys down America’s lost highways, but they’re well on their way to building a world all their own.” Pitchfork

Snorri Hallgrímsson / Moderna Records
In between two beautifully introspective solo albums, Icelandic composer Snorri Hallgrímsson introduces his latest creation: the soundtrack for “Innocence” by Oscar-nominated Guy Davidi. A powerful movie from 2022 about military service in Israel.
“Every one of these ten pieces is a highlight, and each lyric is warmer than the last. It is sad, romantic and exquisitely produced.” Exclaim

Tuff Bear / Acrophase
Tuff Bear, an alias for Theo Vernon, crafts euphoric yet introspective tracks. This Bristol-based multi-instrumentalist and producer, aims to fuse his passion for funk, soul, and 70s disco with his newly found interest for modern indie pop music to deliver contagious melodies and sentimental lyrics.
“[…] ambient synthesised melodies and melancholic vocals that play out over a pulsing, funk-inspired groove, all with the intention of creating a feeling of optimism and joy in the face of a familiar sadness.” New Lease Music

Marina Allen – Fire records
Los Angeles-based musician Marina Allen often explores themes of discovery, heritage, and storytelling. Inspired by Nebraska and ancestral narratives, her upcoming album, Eight Pointed Star, continues to showcase her unique blend of folk and introspective songwriting.
“Artists like Marina Allen come around perhaps once in a generation; exquisite, honest and deeply intuitive.” Rough Trade

L’Impératrice / microqlima
Building on their sold-out world tour, Paris-based band L’Impératrice returns with their third album, featuring collaborations with Maggie Rogers, Fabiana Martone and Erick the Architect. Expect multilingual tracks and a vibrant blend of funk, French Touch, and international influences.
“The sextet is about to take the world by storm with this record, described as a veritable voyage into the cosmos and inspired by pulsars, those little dead stars that still emit signals into space”. Charts in France

Flevans – Jalapeno Records
The Brighton-based producer and multi-instrumentalist celebrates his 20th anniversary in the music industry with a new, forward thinking, album. Stand Tall, his 8th LP merges downtempo, disco, and drum & bass, faithful to his reputation as a genre-defying artist.
“Flevans’ ability to blend electronic and soulful elements demonstrates his knack for creating music that resonates on a visceral level.” Electronica

NØ FØRMAT!
In 2004, Laurent Bizot started Nø Førmat!, with the idea “to build bridges between music and other arts”. Twenty years later, the challenge is met: the label released daring artistic discoveries, uniting talents from all over the world. To celebrate two decades of pushing the boundaries of creativity, No Format proposes a book, a tour and an album of remixes.
“Twenty years of existence, some sixty references, and not a single lapse of taste” Radio France
Read the interview with Laurent Bizot