Essential Listening: New music releases in April 2023 Updated

The best new music releases in April 2023, with playlists for house and techno, indie and alternative, drum and bass and jungle, and hip-hop and jazz.

Skiddle Staff

Last updated: 18th Apr 2023

Summer is just around the corner. And with this week's additions to our Essential Listening playlists, it’s more than obvious, with plenty of vibrant, summery tracks added to our playlists. 

Spice up your journey to work or your existing playlists by checking out this week's new music including hip-hop favourite Loyle Carner and silky-smooth-voiced ENNY, drum and bass titans Sigma, Halifax’s indie rock band The Orielles who dip into IDM and spacey art sounds, and house veteran Riva Starr. Scroll down to discover and read about the hottest new tracks and find tickets to see these artists in concert. 

 


Essential Listening: House and Techno

 

Flying High (Extended Mix) - Riva Starr

As the groove possesses your body, it’s one of those tracks that feels illegal to not bob along to. Or at least tap your foot along. 

With big, booming kick drums that we’re sure will wobble heads on the dancefloor, Riva Starr has penned a slightly trippy, super summery party track. The truly infectious and energising bassline is definitely the star of the show, while layered, echoed vocals about feeling like you can “touch the sky”, Starr has crafted a banging festival tune that we’ll have on our summer playlists for god knows how long.

 

Get tickets to see Riva Starr live here:

 

Groovebox Festival ft. Riva Starr, Richy Ahmed, Roger Sanchez, and more | Sat 27th May 2023 | Nottingham Racecourse in Nottingham

Buy tickets:

 


 

Essential Listening: Indie and Alternative

 

Tableau 002 - The Orielles

The indie rockers from Halifax have dropped a track from their The Goyt Method EP. Now three albums in, the band have further experimented with their sound, tapping into IDM vibes for this new track. Dark and a tad uncomfortable, but with stunning synths in the background, this one wouldn’t feel out of place on the Trainspotting soundtrack. 

Haunting, eerie, and effortlessly cool, this track would be ethereal to see live as the opening track, mid-set interlude, or even the closing track of the night. If you’re a fan of arty or spacey rock, this is a band to watch with their EP dropping soon. 

 

Get tickets to see The Orielles live here:

 

The Orielles | Sunday 11th June 2023 | The Castle And Falcon in Birmingham

Buy tickets:

 


  

Essential Listening: Drum & bass and Jungle

 

Trouble You - Sigma x Watch The Ride x Doktor

British drum and bass mega-hitters Sigma are back with a lively track with Doktor and Watch The Ride. Nailing the perfect track for a packed-out rave or a wild afters, Trouble You puts wobbly bass lines and speedy percussion at the forefront of the track while the vocals give listeners a melody and lyrics that’ll keep the track stuck in their heads.

With Sigma on the lineup for a fair few festivals this summer, we’re absolutely buzzing to hear this one under the sun with a pint in hand, watching the whole crowd put their gun fingers in the air and skank until their legs give out.

 

Get tickets to see Sigma live here:

 

Highest Point ft. Sigma, Sub Focus, Skream and more | Thu 11th - Sat 13th May 2023 | Williamson Park in Lancaster

Buy tickets:

 


 

Essential Listening: Hip-hop and Jazz

 

Take It Slow - ENNY ft. Loyle Carner

An incredibly rich track both lyrically and musically. 

 

There’s an awful lot to unpack in this track. Upon first listen, we’re greeted with a smooth, sexy instrumental that instantly instils calm. Lyrically, there are all sorts of themes being explored by both ENNY and Loyle. ENNY drops some feminist lyrics, celebrating the accomplishments of women with, “From little girls to grown women From they won′t let us inside Now we own the buildings” and “Let no man Take that vision.”

Loyle touches on the dangers and addictiveness of social media with, “Heads down Instead of looking up Swiping for the love Views and likes Comments like a drug.” And there are other themes too like using sexuality to sell, racism, and ageing.  

 

Tickets for Cross The Tracks, jazz, funk and soul festival | Sunday 28th May 2023 | Brockwell Park in London

Buy tickets:

 


 

Make sure to follow our Essential Listening playlists featured above to discover the best new tracks released each week, as curated by the Skiddle team.

 


  

Check out our What's On Guide to discover more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.

 

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Header image credit: Pissed Jeans / Facebook.com