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Listen to the Best New Music For April 2021 in the UK

All the New Music We've Added to Our Playlists in April

With the fourth month of 2021 comes the promise of freedom and a slew of new music. As warmer weather is on its way and outdoor music festivals are on the horizon, we're finally starting to feel more hopeful and optimistic about the future, and frankly, it's about time. While we might not be getting back to total normality just yet, we are still finding new ways to get through — with listening to great new music being one of them.

With so many songs set to be released this month (and this year, undoubtedly), it can be hard to keep track of who's doing what. Well, that's where we come in. Every month, we round up the best of the best tracks from the UK music scene, new and old. Whether it's another one of Tiana Blake's '90s R&B ballads or a hauntingly beautiful tune from Brit Rising Star Award winner Griff, we've got the songs to see you through this new month.

Just a few days into April, we've seen the release of Issey Cross's new EP Mirrors Don't Lie, a brand-new record from Hackney queen Bree Runway, and a groundbreaking new video from Lil Nas X, with new music from Sinéad Harnett still on the way.

Read on to discover the tracks that made it on our April playlist.

Image Source: BRITs

Bree Runway has never failed to impress, and her latest release, "Hot Hot", may just be her best song yet. The track is a glorious summer anthem, paired with an equally glorious video that sees Runway serving some serious looks.

On "Hot Hot", the singer said, "I feel like this is the song everyone needs to hear as it gets hotter and the world eases up. This pandemic hasn't been easy on the brain, and with being indoors wearing joggers 24/7, it's been hard to feel like a hottie, so I'm hoping this track will help! Typically for me, it's about reaffirming your power and believing in yourself cause 'you can never do it like a Brenda'. I want my fans to never feel afraid to hype themselves up, they're the shit and they don't need to wait for anybody to tell 'em they are!"

British singer-songwriter Eloise has been on the scene since 2019, when she released her first EP, This Thing Called Living. She released her latest track, "Hungover", back in February, and we still can't get enough of it. Delicate vocals and an impressive range feature on this soothing track, paired with sunny visuals and that all too familiar "I'm over him . . . I think?" feeling.

Lil Nas X has been the talk of the town this month, and after watching the video for his latest single, "Montero (Call Me by Your Name)", it makes perfect sense. It's a supercatchy tune with powerful visuals, an equally powerful message, impressive outfits, plus *that* pole-dancing scene that Twitter can't get enough of.

Any song that has Mahalia as a featured artist has my vote, and "Awake" is no exception. Canadian experimental soul band Chiiild released their first EP just last year, and now they've teamed up with Mahalia on this soulful, jazzy track that's sure to soundtrack any and every summer picnic from here on out.

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Mustafa is the Sudanese Canadian poet-turned-rapper that you need to have on your radar this year. His latest release, "Ali", is a heartfelt tribute to a friend who passed away back in 2017. It'll be featured on his upcoming album, When Smoke Rises, which is set for release in May this year.

On 31 March, Mustafa shared a snippet of the video on his Instagram, accompanied by a powerful caption: "'Ali' out everywhere, it'll never be easy & it'll never be filled but we can honour the void, how vast it is, what it once was before it was emptied, what was left there by their memory, preserve the beauty of the people you lost, exhume those bodies, the weight you're carrying can become whatever you want it to be; if you only begin to understand it, exhume those bodies, may God have mercy on everyone we lost before we had a chance to say goodbye, Ali forever."

"Count On Me" is the latest release from American hip-hop band Brockhampton, and it does not disappoint. Featuring additional vocals from Shawn Mendes, Ryan Beatty, and A$AP Rocky, the song is a sneak peek of what to expect from the band's new album Roadrunner: New Light, New Machine, which is due for release on 9 April.

A Demi Lovato and Ariana Grande track is undoubtedly the collaboration that we've all been waiting for, and we're in luck because it's finally here. Taken from Lovato's upcoming album, "Met Him Last Night" is a quick-tempo R&B tune that features Grande's signature honeyed vocals and a piercing chorus.

It's been a while since we've heard the liveliness of garage music on our airwaves, but as our summer of freedom approaches, Hardy Caprio is here to save the day. His latest single, "Million Rings", features vocals from 21-year-old Lost Girl and offers a catchy chorus that we're guaranteed to be singing all summer long.

Griff was recently crowned this year's Brit Rising Star, and for good reason. Her latest single, "Black Hole", has taken on a number of forms since its first release, including this remix by Dan D'Lion. It's an electronic pop tune with funky beats and exciting vocals.

Fickle Friends never fail to create upbeat, poppy tunes for everyone everywhere to enjoy, and their latest release "Not In The Mood" is exactly that. With breathy vocals, a lively chorus, and the ultimate mellow vibes, it's a track that will be played on the sunniest of sunny days, and for good reason.

Lewis Del Mar have been keeping us on our toes since their EP, August released last year, but the new music (thankfully) just keeps on coming. "Stealing" is their latest offering, and it's a peaceful, jazzy tune that you'll want on your playlist.

It's a known fact that everything Justin Bieber touches (musically) is gold, and his latest release says it all. He's teamed up with none other than the smooth-talking Daniel Caesar, along with Giveon, for a breezy R&B tune that we'll have on repeat for the foreseeable.

"Void" is a slight departure from Australian rapper Allday's usual style. It's slower, more melodic, and seems to mark a different era for the musician. Perhaps it's a more grown up sound for the artist, thanks to its sombre notes and relatively slow tempo. Either way, it's an exciting new sound, and one that we look forward to hearing more of!

Nina Nesbitt's latest release is an energetic anthem for women everywhere. Initially released on International Women's Day, the song is upbeat, with expressive vocals, and features the classic Nesbitt sound. With gyms across the UK set to reopen on 12 April, this track is one that we'd recommend adding to the workout playlist.

"Down" is the latest release from South-London soul artist JGrrey and it's everything we dreamed of and more. Inspired by her jazz roots and her love of manga, the video features some epic styling and seriously lo-fi visuals.

On the release, JGrrey said that "I'd like to take credit for making Down, but actually . . . I think the song just happened to me at a time I needed it. I directed the music video and JAW produced and collaborated on it with me."

"Starstruck" marks the first release from Years & Years since Olly Alexander's solo project, and his appearance in Channel 4 series It's a Sin. The song is the perfect comeback for the band, and its catchy lyrics and high-energy pop sound is everything we've been missing.

The Top Boy star is back with new music for the first time since 2019, and it's safe to say it was worth the wait. "Introvert" is a seriously poignant track that explores race, oppression, and identity, with a powerful video to match.

Taken from his second studio album, Flu Game, AJ Tracey's latest single, "Little More Love", is an effortless look at how far the rapper has come, exemplified through powerful lyrics and a dexterous flow. The video for the track, acts as a tribute to the late American rapper DMX, who died on 9 April.

If you don't have Olivia Dean on your current playlist, you should probably do something about that. Her latest release, "Be My Own Boyfriend" is a confident, self-assured ballad about self-love, with vocals so soulful that you'll have goosebumps for life.

"In Between" is quite honestly the ultimate collaboration. Soulful songstress Hamzaa pairs up with Algerian-British artist Miraa May and the result is a glitchy R&B ballad with some seriously impressive vocals, and some very bad b*tch energy.

Aziya's latest track, "Heaven For Me", is the perfect follow up to her last single "Slip". An illuminating pop melody, the song sees Aziya in a heavenly dreamland that allows her glistening vocals to take centre stage.

Mimi Webb is an artist that, without a doubt, needs to be on your radar this year. Her latest single, "Good Without", features her signature husky vocals paired with a super sweet, romantic melody. One for fans of Dua Lipa and Lennon Stella, Webb is one to watch.

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