Essential Listening: The best new releases in March as chosen by Skiddle

Returning back to regular programming, following our International Womens Day special last Wednesday, this week's Essential Listening playlists have been restocked with an excess of new and certified bops, as we catch up on all the best new releases of the past two weeks. 

Artists featured within each of our recently replenished playlists, covering house and techno, drum & bass and jungle, hip-hop and jazz, and indie and alternative, include Carl Cox endorsed DJ, record label founder and radio personality, Nicole Moudaber, West London's Digga D, eminent D'N'B vocalist and producer Charli Brix, and Fever Ray, one half of celebrated Swedish electronic duo, The Knife, to name just a few. 

Got a long journey planned that requires some stellar musical accompaniment? Perhaps you're in need of new jams for your commute to work? Or maybe you're keen on discovering something new to listen to but haven't got the time to go digging. Whatever your circumstance, our Essential Listening playlists are here to help you fill the void. 

Continue down the page to listen to this week's selections, carefully curated by the Skiddle team, read up on some of the records included, and find tickets to see the aforementioned names live in concert.

Essential Listening: House and Techno

Nicole Moudaber - Intentionally (Carl Cox Remix)

The celebrated Lebanese-born techno connoisseur returned with brand-new music just last week. Issued via her own highly-regarded imprint, MOOD (Pig & Dan, Pan-Pot, Eats Everything), the powerful dance pearler was paired with a very special remix from non-other than the godfather of dance himself, Carl Cox, upon its release. And it's this mix that's really caught our ear. 

Developing on Moudaber's dark production, Carl adds a sprinkling of his customary synth magic over the top of what is already a pulsating club weapon, bringing the track to a gradual euphoric close. This one's got us out of our seats, fist pumping in the air as we try and write here. A very welcome distraction.

Get tickets to see Nicole Moudaber live here:

Escape Swansea 2023

Essential Listening: Indie and Alternative

Fever Ray - Shiver

Some of you, but not many we predict, might recognise the face of Karin Dreijer as one of two members of the Swedish electronic music duo, The Knife. The producer, whose bizarre image had us intrigued from the moment they appeared on the scene, back in 2009, has been busy working on their own solo material as of late, recently releasing their third studio album, Radical Romantics. It's from this album we pluck the inimitable track, 'Shiver'.

A combination of sporadic percussive beats, synthetic textures and haunting vocals, fused together to create a futuristic soundscape you'll be hard-pressed to find the likes of on any other streaming platform. A truly unique piece of art, Fever Ray is an artist who has quite clearly worked hard on crafting their own place and identity in the contemporary music world. A name to watch for sure in 2023.

Essential Listening: Drum & bass and Jungle

Charli Brix - Sometimes

It's not very often that we get to say a drum n bass track has a soothing effect but in the case of Charli Brix's new release, 'Sometimes', we can hand on heart admit that we are thoroughly at peace. A soulful and poetic 3-minute journey in jungle, led by warm piano keys and the sultry vocals of the Bristol-based creative, this sublime track has a place on the dance floor just as much as it does at a laid back gathering of friends.

Reciting a sort of mantra throughout the track, Brix's calming tones remind us all that 'sometimes' we need to slow down, take a breath and be thankful for what we have. A reaffirmation we can definitely get onboard with.

See this one live during the peak of the British summer at the festivals listed below...

Get tickets to see Charli Brix live here:

Love Saves The Day 2023

Funk Up The Farm 2023

Essential Listening: Hip-hop and Jazz

Digga D - Energy

West London's king of drill, Digga D has made his first statement of 2023 with his latest single, 'Energy'. Teaming up with respected producers HARGO and X10, the track sees the 22-year-old wordsmith taking his formiddbale talents and sound in a fresh new direction, edging away from themes reflecting the darker side of street culture in his native district of the UK capital and instead looking-inward, focusing on maintaining his career and batting off those looking to bring him down.

Flexing his lyrical abilities, Digga D weaves lines effortlessly through the chopped up kicks and snares which couple flawlessly with the atmospheric samples of symphonic arrangements in the background. Expressing a need to 'protect his energy' and displaying an earnesty we've never before seen, could this be the start of something new for the young talent?

Get tickets to see Digga D live here:

Rolling Loud Portugal 2023

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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