Essential Listening: New music releases in February 2023 (Updated)

What a start to the year we've had, particularly where fresh new music is concerned. A myriad of quality single and album releases have warmed our eardrums over the past 6 weeks, transporting our minds away from the gloom of the winter to the bright and sunny months of spring and summer ahead. A great many of which we predict we'll still be talking about for some years to come!

There's been so much to shout about in fact, that we've sincerely struggled to narrow down just 10 new records each and every week for our Essential Listening playlist. Consider the likes of Slowthai, Young Fathers, Avalon Emerson, The Murder Capital, Eats Everything, Floorplan, Adam Beyer, Alfa Mist, M83 and The Brian Jonestown Massacre, all of whom have released new tracks since the turn of 2023. So, to expand upon our weekly selection, and to help you find the flavours you desire, we've split our Essential Listening playlist into four! 

From this day forward, will be endeavouring to deliver you 10 of the best new tracks in 'House and Techno', 'Drum & Bass and Jungle', 'Hip-Hop and Jazz', and 'Indie and Alternative', at the start of each working week. Without further ado, continue down the page to find this week's choices in our all-new Essential Listening playlists and learn more about some of the records included.

Essential Listening: House and Techno

Adam Beyer - Legend

Adam Beyer, head honcho of world-renowned Swedish techno label, Drumcode Records, has come out swinging this month, issuing a statement with his latest record 'Legend'. 

A sure-fire winner with audiences in clubs and at festivals throughout 2023, the 3-and-a-half-minute track is bursting with energy from the get-go. Euphoric synths ebb and flow with a shuffling techno beat, apexing in a hands-in-the-air moment in the middle of the track that'll provide some memorable moments at events across the world this year. 

Another iconic techno pearler from a DJ and producer who is still very much at the top of his game. 

Get tickets to see Adam Beyer performing at On The Beach 2023 below...

Essential Listening: Drum & Bass and Jungle 

Pola & Bryson, Emily Makis - Phoneline

Two producers to keep a close eye on in 2023, British drum n bass duo, Pola & Bryson are on a fast track to becoming a household name. And with their latest release 'Phoneline', featuring vocals from singer-songwriter, Emily Makis, isn't hard to see why.

Flexing their muscles in the studio one more, the pair have expertly weaved elements of melody with punchy snares and kicks, whilst the ethereal voice of one of the scene's newest vocal talents carries the liquid D'N'B track throughout. 

A track which begs to be heard via a huge sound system, we can see this one going off in festival tents UK-wide this spring and summer.

Get tickets to see Pola & Bryson performing at On The Beach 2023 below...

Essential Listening: Indie and Alternative

M83 - Us And The Rest

Epic soundscape conceptualist, M83, AKA French producer Anthony Gonzalez, has recently issued a brand new 6-track EP named 'Fantasy - Chapter 1' and from this project we've handpicked 'Us And The Rest' to share with you in our Indie and Alternative playlist. 

How to describe this track... It's retro-sounding, it invokes feelings of nostalgia, and it's HUGE! We can hear this on the next Stranger Things soundtrack, underscoring a significant moment in a character's arc. Concurrently, we hear influences from the likes of Bon Iver and Oneohtrix Point Never.

Building from the offset, the 5-minute-plus track is a journey fit for escaping a commute to or from work. Plug in those noise-cancelling headphones to experience the full and desired effect.

Essential Listening: Hip-Hop and Jazz

Jehst & Lee Scott - You

UK hip-hop icon, Jehst teams up with the co-founder of Blah Records (Bill Shakes, Black Josh, King Grubb), Lee Scott on the second track taken from his most recent album release, Mork Calling Orson.

Undeniably laidback, the production on this track, courtesy of beat master, Sonnyjim, has got us daydreaming and longing for those soon-to-come hazy summer days and nights. Enter lyrical mastery from Jehst and Scott. The bars come thick and fast and they don't let up. 'I'm old school, hijacking your spaceship with a stone tool' has to be a highlight. 

For any up-and-coming rapper or producer reading here, take note. 'You' is a perfect example of British hip-hop done well. 

Get tickets to see Jehst performing at Lost Horizon HQ this month below...

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.

Header image credit: Adam Beyer / Facebook.com