LUCKY IRIS Shares New Single, ‘play me like a speaker’ Ahead Of ‘fall in love with the dj’ Mixtape

Leeds-based hyper-pop duo LUCKY IRIS have announced their upcoming mixtape, ‘fall in love with the dj’, set for release on 23rd January through EMI North in partnership with Launchpad+. The six-track project includes explosive new single ‘play me like a speaker’, released yesterday (30th September), across all leading streaming platforms.

Building on the momentum of their acclaimed ‘day to night’ EP—praised by Rolling Stone UK, DIY, and BBC Introducing—this new release marks a bold sonic evolution for the duo. Described as a “full-throttle surge of club-ready energy,” lead single ‘play me like a speaker’ pairs sharp-edged synths with chopped vocals to reflect a year of fearless experimentation. The track is so intense, it reportedly blew the duo’s car speakers on first playback.

“We’re so tired of holding back, so really ‘play me like a speaker’ was used as an exploration into seeing what we can create and very literally leaning into that,” tells Maeve. “We wrote almost every track on the mixtape on the South West coast of Ireland, using only a laptop, a mic, and a twenty-five key mini keyboard with a wireless speaker. ‘play me like a speaker’ was one of the first tracks we created for this mixtape – maybe that’s ironic – but we were having fun, creating new sounds and making music we wanted to hear.”

With earlier mixtape teaser ‘i just want to dance’ already earning praise from Wonderland, NME, BBC 6 Music, and placements on key Spotify editorial playlists, fall in love with the dj is shaping up to be a major statement in the UK pop landscape.

To celebrate, Lucky Iris will embark on their first UK tour, supporting Master Peace with shows across Nottingham, Cardiff, Southampton, Margate, and Norwich.

Why not listen to ‘play me like a speaker’ below…

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EMILI Returns with Ethereal New Single ‘Izabela’ — A Personal Tribute to Her Sister

After making her entry on the blog, scooping the Song of the Day spot with single ‘House Wife’, singer/songwriter EMILI returns with a stunningly ethereal single, ‘Izabela’, released last Friday (19th September), across all leading platforms.

The single is arguably Emili’s most personal work to date as it was written for her sister. While it touches on heavy themes of domestic violence, ‘Izabela’ serves as a love letter and a comforting hug to her sister, wishing her a safer, happier, more magical life.

‘Izabela’ is the second glimpse into Emili’s upcoming album, slated for release in early 2026, and follows the release of the project’s first single, ‘Just Chill’.

Have a listen to ‘Izabela’ below…

Connect with Emili via:
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IG: https://www.instagram.com/emili_milosevska/
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OUT TODAY: Ben Reel Shares Soulful New Single ‘I Will’ Ahead of Twelfth Studio Album Spirit’s Not Broken

As he prepares to release his twelfth studio album Spirit’s Not Broken, Irish troubadour BEN REEL offers a heartfelt preview with his brand-new single ‘I Will’, available today (12th September) on all major streaming platforms.

‘I Will’ radiates the warm, golden tones of ‘70s soft rock, laced with a smooth, soulful disco groove. Ben’s unmistakable raspy vocal — often compared to the likes of John Hiatt and Roy Orbison — brings a raw emotional edge to the track, elevating its tender declaration of love. The single continues Ben’s rich musical journey that spans rock, folk, soul, and Americana — a unique fusion that earned him the title “the Irish Springsteen.”

With a career spanning over three decades, Ben has performed extensively across the globe and has made notable appearances on BBC, RTÉ, and Dutch NPO Radio. He’s shared the stage with artists such as Jools Holland, The Cranberries, Nanci Griffith, and Eric Andersen, carving out a respected space in the international music scene.

His 2020 album The Nashville Calling topped the Euro Americana Chart, and his recent releases — Locked in & Live (2022) and Come a Long Way (2023) — further cemented his reputation as a fearless, ever-evolving artist.

Slated for release on 23th January 2026, ‘Spirit’s Not Broken’ promises to be one of his most dynamic to date. Opening with the raw rock energy Ben is known for, the album flows seamlessly into soulful and R&B-inspired grooves, channelling the spirit of Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding, Van Morrison, and Sting. It’s a journey that balances grit and grace, offering a powerful reminder in a divided world: to simply love one another.

To begin that message, Ben Reel shares ‘I Will’ — out now today (12th September) on all major streaming platforms.

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Website: https://benreel.com/

Merittocracy drops track ‘Desire’ ft Jocelyn Brown.

Zimbabwe-born/Scottish-based house/electronic producer Mani S – aka MERITTOCRACY – gets ready to unveil his third single ‘Desire’, featuring the instantly recognisable soulful vocals of legendary singer Jocelyn Brown. The deep soulful house cut is coming out 26th September via his record label, Black Sugar Music.

‘Desire’ is a reworked track that Mani S had previously written and produced with Jocelyn Brown for YOYOHONEY – an electro-soul group he formed with singer Anita Jarrett. Known for her cult classics like, ‘Someone Else’s Guy’ and ‘Always There’, with British acid jazz group Incognito, Jocelyn Brown’s infamous powerhouse vocals inspired Mani S to drop a remix. Drawing from the raw energy of the Chicago House movement, ‘Desire’ now pulses a seriously deep gutsy groove with an infectious electronica edge. “Her timeless vocals and energy got me really excited and I decided to redo and produced it on a different vibe for Merittocracy,” says Mani S.

A songwriter, producer and bass guitarist, Mani S, started is musical journey at the age of just 14, playing at countless shows and was fortunate to work with some of the industry greats such as Bootsy Collins, DJ Pierre, Tony Humphries, and Steely & Cleevie.

Main S’ love for dub, hip-hop and soul led him to form YOYOHONEY, a UK soul project which blends elements of electronica, techno and ambient sounds. Along with Anita Jarrett, Mani S released soulful/acid jazz-tinged singles, ‘Groove On’ in 1991 and ‘Voodoo Soul’ in 1992.

Mani S’ other biggest love is house music, particularly of the deep cut kind; a genre that was with him from the start of his journey. He formed Merittocracy in 2024 to push house and electronic sounds to the forefront – and give them the full attention it deserves. Along with pushing out genres he loves – and not churning out hits for streams and views – Mani S is extremely passionate about music development and has helped shape the creative direction of emerging acts.

Merittocracy’s new single ‘Desire’, featuring the great Jocelyn Brown, drops 26th September via Black Sugar Music.

Connect Merittocracy via:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/merittocracy

Song of the Day: Dancing (In the Palm of My Hand) – The Spikes

Following the politically and emotionally charged debut single ‘Guns For The Children’—which quickly drew attention with over 20,000 views on YouTube—Iago Haussman, aka THE SPIKES, returns with a hauntingly beautiful follow-up that could rival, or even surpass, his breakout release.

His latest single, ‘Dancing (In the Palm of My Hand)’, opens under a veil of mystery, quickly pierced by stark, minimalist guitar plucks that lay the foundation for an emotionally raw exploration of desire, loss, and longing. Heavily inspired by F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, the track casts Jay Gatsby as an elusive figure—haunted by the past and consumed by his pursuit of something forever out of reach.

“I’ve always seen Gatsby as an almost mystical being—an elusive symbol of desire and secrecy,” explains Iago. “We don’t really know much about him—his past, his emotions, or the depth of his longing. I wanted to step into that uncertainty, to feel what it means to chase something beautiful and unattainable.”

Also an acclaimed poet, Haussman channels his lyrical prowess into vivid, surreal storytelling, weaving dreamlike imagery throughout his music. ‘Dancing (In the Palm of My Hand)’ doesn’t offer easy answers—instead, it lingers in ambiguity, inviting listeners to sit with the unknown.

“I’m not sure there’s a message there, exactly. And that’s really not for me to say, is it—what the audience takes away?” Iago reflects. “A feeling, perhaps? Or an image? The song touches on joy, beauty, and loss. It’s a love song, really—more existential than political, unlike my last single.”

Where ‘Guns For The Children’ shocked and stirred, ‘Dancing (In the Palm of My Hand)’ invites listeners into a more abstract, introspective realm—revealing yet another layer of THE SPIKES’ evolving artistry.

Now’s your chance to experience the surreal beauty of “Dancing (In the Palm of My Hand)”—out now on all major streaming platforms.

Connect with The Spikes via:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/the__spikes
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@the__spikes
Website: http://www.thespikes.org/