Listens: June 2026
My favourite music of the month, described based on how it made me feel
Tara Clerkin Trio - Somewhere Good
A captivating sophomore album from a Bristol band who sound completely singular. Melding together influences from myriad eras of British musical history, this is a deep yet somehow light delight.
Feels like: walking on clouds
For fans of: Massive Attack, Carla dal Forno
Genre: chamber jazz, lo-fi electronics, trip-hop
Zoh Amba - Eyes Full
This prodigal Tennessee free-jazz extraordinaire has taken a sharp and cosy pivot, arriving with a woozy-but-still-ragged singer-songwriter project. Their masterful Sun album was a marvel last year; this is a lush new string to their bow.
Feels like: walking on clouds
For fans of: Joanna Newsom, Bill Callahan
Genre: singer-songwriter, alt-pop
Spekki Webu - Bootstrap Paradox
Really nifty stuff - whirling, oscillating, spiralling techno designed as an ode to time travel. The Bootstrap Paradox is a phenomenon where something becomes trapped in an infinite causal loop. Spekki Webu’s trippy takes live up to this wild concept.
Feels like: an alien broadcast
For fans of: Djrum, DJ Metatron
Genre: techno, dub techno
Or Sobre Blau - Making Friends
When I saw ex-Black Midi guitarist Cameron Picton perform his debut solo album last month, he was supported and accompanied by Kiran Leonard, who he revealed was responsible for most of his string arrangements. On Sobre Blau is Leonard’s project with guitarist Andreu G. Serra, and it’s a fascinating and inviting collage of experiments. Proper good stuff, from the trusty STROOM label.
Feels like: snippets, memories
For fans of: Lou Venturini, My New Band Believe
Genre: experimental, field recordings, alt-pop
Navy Blue - Sir Render
A seriously good hip-hop album. Feels like a throwback to the late 2010s sound - think football references, simple instrumentation, analog beat-making. Navy Blue has been Earl Sweatshirt’s touring DJ for a while now, but is firmly carving out his own lane with this.
Feels like: an album that could convince my dad that rap is good
For fans of: Earl Sweatshirt, Armand Hammer, MF Doom
Genre: hip-hop
Horse Lords - Demand to Be Taken to Heaven Alive!
Fascinating, utterly new-sounding and boundary pushing microtonal experimental rock music. Just plug into this one and see what you think.
Feels like: genius
For fans of: BCNR, YHWH Nailgun, Jockstrap
Genre: experimental rock
Shabason & Krgovich - Four Days in June
Pure bliss. A sunny singer-songwriter collab that wraps you up in a loving hug. Pedal steel, finger-picking mastery, ethereal sax runs, to-die-for harmonies. An agreeable yet interesting feast.
Feels like: an exhalation
For fans of: Big Thief, Nick Drake
Genre: alternative country, experimental folk
Batu & Donato Dozzy - Exhale
Old legend meets new to muster a slice of measured, bassy techno. Super atmospheric, invitingly rhythmic, UK-seasoned music. It’s minimal, creating space to live and think in.
Feels like: a private tour around the atmosphere
For fans of: K-Lone, Shackleton
Genre: techno, bass, ambient techno
Love Injection - 10 Years of Love Injection: A Declaration of Universal Love
An awesome compilation celebrating a decade of ‘zine, label and radio show Love Injection, a project borne from the inspiration of David Mancuso’s Loft parties in NYC. Eclectic stuff here - synth pop, chuggy bits, rock, funk, everything in between.
Feels like: a rooftop party
For fans of: Frankie Knuckles, Tornado Wallace, downtempo stuff
Genre: downtempo, funk, rock, synth pop
DJ Plead - Please
Hella cool, dancehall-flecked explorations. This is designed for composed grooving in the summer heat, threaded together by nods to Arabic melodic structures and instrumentation.
Feels like: you’re in a cool underground club on holiday
For fans of: DJ Python, Habibi Funk stuff
Genre: Downtempo, dancehall
You can save all of this music and hear the rest of my April favourites here:
To read more of my album recommendation pieces, head here.