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

All the Music We've Added to Our Playlists in October

Oct 15 2021

The beginning of October signifies one thing, and one thing only: the autumn season is about to begin. While we prepare for the darker days, the cosier nights, and the Halloween celebrations, we are continuing to find new ways to get through this bizarre year — 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. Whether it's another one of Mimi Webb's soothing anthems or a catchy collab from Mahalia and AJ Tracey, we've got the songs to see you through this new month.

Just a few days into October, we've devoured an intoxicating new comeback record from Katy B and a sweet new single from songstress Lennon Stella, with a brand-new project from Joy Crookes just released. Read on to discover the tracks that made it onto our October playlists.

Image Source: Jesse Crankson

"All My Friends Know" by PinkPantheress

PinkPantheress just dropped the mixtape of the season, with to hell with it, and we're pretty sure that it's all we're going to be listening to this month. The TikTok star rose to fame after her videos went viral, and it's only been uphill from there. "All My Friends Know" is one of the longer tracks on the project, and it's perfect for fans of jungle, garage, and pop.

"Trouble" by Joy Crookes

"Trouble" is the new single from Joy Crookes, taken from her newly-released album Skin. It's a bouncy soul anthem, with Crookes's distinctive vocals and a very catchy chorus.

"Easy On Me" by Adele

Unsurprisingly, Adele's comeback single made it onto this month's playlist, because honestly? We've really f*cking missed her! The new single is part of her upcoming album, 30, set to drop in November, and it's quintessentially Adele thanks to her incredible vocals and soothing piano sounds.

"Fancy" by Lennon Stella

Lennon Stella has the voice of an angel, it's a fact, and nothing rings more true in her new single, "Fancy". The track appears to be the perfect opportunity for the singer to show off her vocal range, slow things down for a second, and experiment with some jazzier sounds.

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"I Feel Good" by Pink Sweat$

The new release from Pink Sweat$ is as exciting and captivating as we could've imagined. "I Feel Good" marks a sort of comeback era for the American singer, after his debut album, Pink Planet, was released earlier this year. The new track is subtle, poppy, and incredibly uplifting.

"How Could I Forget You" by Etta Bond

Etta Bond's "How Could I Forget You" is her first release in some time, and it marks a whole new era for the soul singer. The track sees Bond embracing her vulnerability, processing heartbreak, and showcasing her impressive vocal range.

"Never Gonna Learn" by Asking Alexandria

If, like us, you too had a pop-punk and metal phase back in the day, then you'll be very familiar with Asking Alexandria. That said, their sound has changed a fair bit in the last few years, and their latest single, "Never Gonna Learn", definitely feels like it was made for the masses. You could even be forgiven for thinking that the intro vocals were sung by Anastacia (you know, "Left Outside Alone" . . . ).

"Chicken Wings" by Samm Henshaw

Samm Henshaw's new track not only has a great name and a fun lyric video to match, but it also has some seriously harmonic vocals. His voice could honestly not sound better if he tried, and the merging of jazz and soul in "Chicken Wings" takes the track to a whole new level.

"Tokyo" by Finn Askew

"Tokyo" is another up-tempo track from Somerset native Finn Askew. Whether intentional or not, the song feels a little inspired by Shawn Mendes's sound, with hints of Juice Wrld. Of the song, Askew said, "Like many of my songs, I came up with the title Tokyo before I'd even written it. I'm talking about a girl who's disconnected from the world, she's out of touch."

"Open Wound" by Katy B and Jaz Karis

"Open Wound" is the comeback single from the glorious Katy B. Yes, you read that right. The same woman who gave us bangers like "Lights On" and "Katy on a Mission" is finally back on the scene, and my god, have we missed her. Her new single is a collaboration with emerging soul singer Jaz Karis, and it's truly dreamy.

"Spit of You" by Sam Fender

Sam Fender's latest single, "Spit of You", is a much more subtle track than his previous releases but still has the soaring Fender vocals that we know and love. It's got a folksy vibe to it that we've not heard from the singer before, but it's still pretty good.

"Roadside" by Mahalia and AJ Tracey

A collaboration between Mahalia and AJ Tracey was only ever going to go one way (excellently), but now paired with the cinematic video, it's even better than we imagined. The song itself is essentially about finding out that your partner has been unfaithful, and Mahalia's subsequent reactions (yes, they involve a baseball bat and some smashed car windows) are both beautifully sung and hilariously captured. All in all, it's a winner.

"Baggage" by Ray BLK

Ray BLK's new single, "Baggage", is a raw, unfiltered ballad about self-reflection and acceptance. The simple track shows off the singer's versatility and velvety vocals and comes from her debut album, Access Denied.

On the album, BLK said that "Access Denied is for those who like myself, know disappointment too well and have learned to put up walls as a coping mechanism for self protection. I've opened up about how my childhood made me guarded, how disappointing relationships made me fear love and how being told no so many times in the music industry kicked me down but I got back up!"

"Crave" by Years & Years

"Crave" is a buzzy dance anthem from the newly reformed Years & Years, which is essentially now just Olly Alexander's solo project. The track leans into Alexander's ethereal side, and the video can only be described as a dystopian fairy wonderland. Only.

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