Giving Brandy’s classic Best Friend a serious re-working, Smirkface, hailing from the US brings the tune into a new bubbling realm. Some nice click action coupled with tunnelly chords and synths make this a true gem. Currently the only offering from the young man on the interweb, keep eyes peeled for future releases

After releasing Kaleidoscope Dream: The Water Preview, the first instalment of a two-part EP series, R&B adventurer Miguel returns with the concluding part, Kaleidoscope Dreams: The Air Preview. Building on the sound he’s been progressively crafting for the past 5 years, The Air Preview puts emphasis on thick basslines and Funk-infused sonics, all the while still showcasing his controlled falsetto.

The Water Preview & The Air Preview are preludes to Miguel’s much anticipated sophomore album Kaleidoscope Dream, due out October 10th

The announcement comes that Disclosure have just signed to West London stable PMR Records, and if the label’s track record for high quality releases, artistic integrity, yet pop adventurousness is anything to go by then that move will probably guarantee an even brighter outlook for the Surrey massive. This single featuring soulful Sam Smith on vox will be the hotly tipped duo’s first official release for PMR, and a precursor to that forthcoming album we’ve been waiting on since The Face EP followed a litter of enormous remixes and online gems. Pure phonky exhilaration. This is all, probably, the most exciting thing that’s happened today.

‘Lightbulbs’ comes courtesy of London based creatives Cronos and Lander Khadel. Like alot of good music being made this doesn’t fall neatly into one genre, but intelligently borrows and blends. Cronos’ ear for arrangement and production’s apparent when the intro comes on all laid back, yet intense, mirrored in the video by a figure carrying a rug he’s about to ‘cut up’. It sets the scene as a skilfully worked Angie Stone sample grabs attention for the screwed down Lander verse. The track draws on a lot of what’s potent now, codeine vocals and hydro beats, but they manage a fresh britified balance with it.

The snippet offered just enough for us to assuredly know that ‘Clique’ was going to be a banger. No surprise then that the full version of the Cruel Summer lifted track doesn’t disappoint. Featuring Kanye West, Jay-Z & Big Sean, all on fine form and produced by Hit-Boy, it’s a braggadocious homage to the G.O.O.D Music posse. Crew love naturally. Question is though, who went in the hardest?

Cruel Summer drops September 18th.

As one of the key pioneers in Electronic music Flying Lotus has continually pushed the boundaries of (his own) creativity. After a game changing debut EP in 2006 and two critically acclaimed albums, he officially launches the campaign for his highly anticipated third album Until the Quiet Comes with a short film directed Kahlil Joseph. The film tells a story of a child growing up in Los Angeles and features new music from his new album including ‘See Thru To U’ featuring Erykah Badu, ‘Hunger’ and ‘Getting There’, both featuring Niki Randa.

Watch up top. Expect the new album October 1st via Warp Records.

She’s the daughter of legendary Ernie Isley of The Isley Brothers, but there’s no offspring blues here – the seed from the caravan of love is strong. Blending LA/Detroit leftist Neo-Soul and spatial R&B’isms, Alex loses none of her heritage’s softness and sensuality. In some ways, I’m reminded of a more effeminate and supple take on Iman Omari’s grittier Energy, where Love Art balances an underlying sense of kilter with pretty harmonies and minimal lush.

Like his previous singles ‘We Can’t Be Friends’ & ‘Treehouse’, 18 year old producer Dream Koala once again brings to life a stirring production built on spiralling instrumentation, filled with tangible emotion and texture. The video features French model Mae Lapres and as it’s title suggests, addresses the topic of date rape. Press play and watch his vision unfold.

How To Dress Well has been exploring the outer limits of radicalised R&B for a few years now, the release of his debut album Love Remains can be considered a pivotal moment in the current phase of the genre. Now readying the release of his second album Total Loss and following his sensational cover of Janet Jackson’s ‘Again’ comes a new single titled ‘& It Was You’. Reaching for the highest parts of his falsetto, Tom Krell yet again manages to capture the fundamental essence of a classic R&B, while avoiding uninspired rehashing and through very minimal production is able to keep things new jack funky. This sounds like Colour Me Badd circa 2012 – incredible.

The world is less than one week away from the release of The xx’s much anticipated sophomore album Coexist and while a full stream of their LP is available to stream here, today sees the release of ‘Reconsider’ an iTunes bonus track that won’t feature on the physical release. Singers Romy & Oliver laze the emotional strands of their intertwined vocals around Jamie xx’s acute perception of space and stillness – another stunning performance from this 3-piece..