So, this happened.

The internet is a buzz with the surprise appearance of a ‘some type of’ Jai Paul release that made it’s way onto bandcamp early this morning. While there’s no official word on what exactly this is, there a few cryptic messages and tweets floating around that suggests that this obscure release (discovered and dissected by CiTR) is an official release i.e. was uploaded by or on behalf of the elusive Rayners Lane singer/producer.

None of the 16 tracks (including a cover of Jennifer Paige’s ‘Crush’ and a few tracks that you’ll already have heard floating around) are labelled and many sound unfinished or in demo form, but for fans who have been waiting for anything from this guy – this is a huge moment. ‘BTSTU’ (track 16) dropped back in ’07 and ‘Jasmine’ (track 9) was uploaded to soundcloud in 2012 – since then, we’ve all been in an unnerving state of limbo. We even tried harassing some friends of ours who are close to the project – their answer: “when Jai Paul decides to release something, he’ll release something, but until then we’ll be waiting just like you”… So this type of ‘random’ release fits his MO and at this stage no one is claiming it to be a fake or an illegal upload – including his record company XL Recordings.

I suggest you listen and buy whatever this is (we’ll call it the Holy Grail tape for now) before it disappears forever and digest what looks to be an album/mixtape that for many of us has been over six years in the making.

Update: Jai Paul has released a statement on twitter stating that the untitled project that hit the web yesterday was an unauthorised leak and not an official release. Taking to his until-now-dorment twitter account the reclusive singer said “To confirm: demos on bandcamp were not uploaded by me, this is not my debut album. Please don’t buy”. The 16 track upload has since been pulled from to bandcamp and customers who purchased the release have begun receiving refunds.

… A sceptic might say this all a feels a bit suspect, but hey – who really knows. Lets just hope this guy releases something soon.

Shlohmo’s recent pairing with How To Dress Well excited a lot of folk last week (myself included) and so the full stream of his highly anticipated new EP Laid Out (courtesy of Pitchfork) couldn’t have come sooner. Boasting five new songs the release seems to reflect a growth in Shlohmo’s productions – now more so than ever before his beats form captivating and enigmatic compositions full of unraveling suspense and emotion.

… Still excited to hear that pending Jeremih collaboration too.

We’ve been enjoying Inc’s debut album No World for a few months here at PB HQ – the guys were kind enough to send us an advance copy. It very quickly became one of our favourite albums of the year so far (we’ll say this year because technically it’s released in 2013).

Following the release of their debut EP in 2011 and new singles ‘The Place’ & ’5 Days’, brothers Andrew and Daniel Aged have cultivated an exciting blend of avant-garde R&B, soul & pop and in doing so have created a cohesive long player filled with lush vocal arrangements and dreamy productions. Definitely one for the record collection.

No World drops February 19th. Update: Buy No World via iTunes now.

via FACT

It’s not everyday you get to hear an unreleased song from one of the most iconic groups in music history but with the imminent release of a new Jackson 5 compilation album this month, today is an exception. ‘If The Shoe Doesn’t Fit’ is a classic sounding Jacksons uptempo packed with iconic instrumentation and groove. As expected a young Michael Jackson takes centre stage as the kid genius, while his brothers back him with soulful BV’s and pristine harmonies. Happy Friday.

Head over to NPR to stream ‘If The Shoe Doesn’t Fit’. Come and Get It: The Rare Pearls is out September 18th.

Hats off to Tri Angle Records’ ethos: “Pop is religion. Overground is underground.” They’ve had some brilliant acts that coalesce with the both sides of the equilibrium – experimental music taking inspiration in Pop and vice-versa from Clammy Clams to AlunaGeorge. Another of theirs that’s had a grip on the headphones since last year’s stunning work With U, is Holy Other, returning last month with the teary eyed beauty of track ‘Love Some1′.

Having kept a cult fanbase engaged, the esoteric Other really delivers with this hyper-emotional second long player. It re-iterates his sound that takes a European sense of urbanity and melts it into one misty city. Aching, amplified layers of drone overpowering the spirit, as downtempo time signatures are thrown into turmoil making you want to, essentially, be ‘Held’. It’s 110% night bus. ‘Inpouring’, ‘U Now’ and ‘In Difference’ are corkers aswell. Get in the zone for 36 minutes and let it help you find your way out again #noseasonalaffectivedisorder. Out 27th of August.

Our girl Jessie Ware is just 4 days away from releasing her much anticipated debut album Devotion (we premiered the title track in March). Having seduced us over the past year with a string of stellar singles produced by the likes of Julio Bashmore, Dave Okumu & Kid Harpoon the wait for her sensational new album is almost over. Without question one of our favourite releases of 2012, Miss Ware exudes her effortless cool and delivers the perfect debut. Enjoy a full stream ahead of it’s August 20th release. Pre-order the album here.

Bodhi - featured here before with a remix of Shadow Box’s ‘AM‘ – are back. This time giving The xx’s ’Angels’ a re-touch. Replacing the original’s more morose rhythm section with a bouncier, but still rather sullen, garage feel, they refurbish the track perfectly for those lazy beach party vibez.

Coming out of south east London and on a different hype – ML is the kind of artist that always grabs my attention. An artist apparently willing to take risks and fuse styles but still approach it with an inclusive not exclusive attitude.

‘Way Before’ appears to be a reflection of his take on the worlds of  Alt Hip-Hop and UK Electronica – all blended together with occasional African rhythms and British Pop sensibilities. Sources tell me this is the first of series of releases coming off his As The Crow Flies EP, so head over to his Facebook & Soundcloud and keep your ears to the ground for future releases.

The beautiful Delilah‘s new album is now available to stream in full. From The Roots Up will be the North London singer/songwriter’s debut and is released through Atlantic Records on July 30th. Thankfully we’ve come to expect more of her than the average label vehicle for an alt-pop excuse, as through a solidly produced string of tracks over the last year (most recently a mindblowing Minnie-Ripperton-by-way-of-the-Weeknd cover of ‘Inside My Love‘) she’s proven a level of artistic integrity that’s been refreshing. Combining a few alternative R&B and leftfield electronic flourishes through-out and that smouldering vocal bristling over every climactic ripple, press play below, it’s definitely one of the best mainstream releases of the Summer (nights).

Her star is rising and with the release of this new mixtape Reservation, her ascent looks set to continue. Hip Hop’s newest darling Angel Haze, hails from New York and at aged just 19 is already showing a lot of promise. Her singles ‘New York’, ‘Werkin’ Girls’ and ‘Hot Like Fire’ have captured the attention of many, so it’s not too far of a stretch to assume this young lady has a promising future ahead of her. She’s got a sharp flow, distinct clarity and steers clear of easy caricatures keeping things truthful, but gully.

What’s more interesting is that there’s also a strong crossover quality in Angel Haze’s whole package from the relateable candid commentary to pop-accessible bangers – all the while unafraid to be a Barbie antithesis and place emphasis on skill. The mixtape arrives as a ready made album with a near polished ideaology and has heart; a break from any over-angsty or super-aloof requisites of ‘social-network-wave’, like the artist herself it almost rebels from the corner of the market where it’s spawned yet still fits perfectly into it.

Listen & download below.

Download: Angel Haze – Reservation (Mixtape)