top of page
OCULATE UK - DIGITAL COVER 003 - DECEMBER 2024
UK RAP RISER MARNZ MALONE LAUNCHES HIGHLY ANTICIPATED MIXTAPE ‘SABR’
UK rap riser Marnz Malone marks his progress with the release of his mixtape Sabr. If you've been following you already know that Malone’s j
IT’S A UK LOVE AFFAIR AS AJ TRACEY AND JORJA SMITH GO BACK AND FORTH ON ‘CRUSH’
Smiley faces and beans, a caff and a cuppa, AJ Tracey and Jorja Smith, ‘Crush’ is quintessentially British through and through, especially
THE 2025 SUPERBOWL LIX HALF TIME SHOW: A CLOSER LOOK AT THE OUTFITS
Kendrick Lamar's performance at the 2025 Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show in New Orleans was a masterclass in symbolic fashion choices.
HANNAH LAING DROPS HIGH-VOLTAGE NEW SINGLE ‘BASS BOYS’ & ANNOUNCES HÏ IBIZA RESIDENCY
Hannah Laing kicks off 2025 with Bass Boys, a relentless club weapon already tearing up dancefloors worldwide.
'AIRBAG WOKE ME UP' IS A WAKE-UP CALL IN EVERY SENSE
Inspired by a near-death experience when he crashed into a car park at 5 am, the East London artist uses this project to reflect on life’s
| VIEW OUR LATEST COVER STORIES |
| SOUND OF THE UK |
Is It Really Goodnight? A Witty and Heart-Wrenching Studio Debut from Celeste Madden
Musician/songwriter Celeste Madden releases a re-worked version of 'Is It Really Goodnight?', her witty and heart-wrenching studio debut EP
Mychelle Returns With Delightful New Single 'You Don't Care About Me'
Hackney singer-songwriter Mychelle returns with 'You Don’t Care About Me', alongside exciting news that she’ll join Jorja Smith on tour
Tim Lyre and BINA. are an open book in ‘Storytime’
London and Lagos collide as Tim Lyre links up with BINA. to tell both sides of a fractured romance ahead of his new album SPIRALS
Confessions of a Lover Boy: No Guidnce Steal Our Hearts Again
British R&B group No Guidnce triumphantly return with their latest EP, Confessions of a Lover Boy
West London's Olympia Vitalis Drops Reflective New Soul Single ‘Younger’
Crafting a track that’s both uplifting and soothing, Olympia Vitalis delivers vibrant soulful energy on 'Younger'
Wretch 32 Announces Highly-Anticipated New Album, 'Home?'
Alongside the announcement, Wretch 32 also treated fans to a new single, 'Like Home' with Teni this past week.
Ellie Dixon and piri Team Up for 'Guts' Remix Offering A Fresh Take on an Anthem of Anxiety
Ellie Dixon has just dropped a new remix of ‘Guts’, and this time, she’s teamed up with piri, one half of the duo piri & tommy.
Clavish on D&B? New K Motionz Track 'H20' is a Certified Hit
New single 'H20' showcases the best of K Motionz D&B skill, along with Clavish's versatility.
BXKS And Travy Link Up For The High Energy Collab ‘Guestlist’
BXKS and Travy have joined forces on a new track, ‘Guestlist’, bringing together two of the most distinct voices in alternative rap and grim
Léa Sen Announces Debut Album 'Levels' With New Single ‘Lvl 6 - Video Games’
Léa Sen is stepping into a new chapter with her debut album Levels, out 30th May via Partisan Records. Known for her unique blend of
| FESTIVAL 2025 NEWS |
| PLAYLIST UPDATES |
| UP AND COMING ACTS |
Is It Really Goodnight? A Witty and Heart-Wrenching Studio Debut from Celeste Madden
Musician/songwriter Celeste Madden releases a re-worked version of 'Is It Really Goodnight?', her witty and heart-wrenching studio debut EP
Confessions of a Lover Boy: No Guidnce Steal Our Hearts Again
British R&B group No Guidnce triumphantly return with their latest EP, Confessions of a Lover Boy
West London's Olympia Vitalis Drops Reflective New Soul Single ‘Younger’
Crafting a track that’s both uplifting and soothing, Olympia Vitalis delivers vibrant soulful energy on 'Younger'
Ellie Dixon and piri Team Up for 'Guts' Remix Offering A Fresh Take on an Anthem of Anxiety
Ellie Dixon has just dropped a new remix of ‘Guts’, and this time, she’s teamed up with piri, one half of the duo piri & tommy.
BXKS And Travy Link Up For The High Energy Collab ‘Guestlist’
BXKS and Travy have joined forces on a new track, ‘Guestlist’, bringing together two of the most distinct voices in alternative rap and grim
Léa Sen Announces Debut Album 'Levels' With New Single ‘Lvl 6 - Video Games’
Léa Sen is stepping into a new chapter with her debut album Levels, out 30th May via Partisan Records. Known for her unique blend of
Shivani Day is Back With Brooding ‘Know When You Call’
Blending Dancehall, Reggae, Trip-Hop, and Electronica on her latest single, Shivani Day delivers a space-age ode to ‘crying in the club.’
ARKA IS 'ALIVE' ON HIS LATEST SINGLE
Carving his own lane between indie and rap, Hastings multi-genre artist Arka has delivered 'Alive', his first single of 2025.
KEN KAIO BOUNCES THROUGH THE WINTER BLUES WITH A CONFIDENT NEW TRACK '3D6'
The Hertfordshire born musician Ken Kaio has dropped his first track of 2025, the bouncy and confident, ‘3D6’
CRISTALE FLEXES HER VERSATILITY ON TODDLA T-PRODUCED ‘VOGUE’ & ‘OLIVE BRANCH’
Further showcasing their musical chemistry, Cristale and Toddla T strike again with two new singles, ‘Vogue’ and ‘Olive Branch'.
| INTERNATIONAL ACTS |
Self Indulgent, Audacious and at Times, Infuriatingly Glorious - 'MUSIC' is Here
Playboi Carti's new album 'MUSIC' has finally been released, and it's been five very long years to get to this point...
Agency, Identity, and Imposter Syndrome Scrutinised in Ca7riel and Paco Amoroso’s New Album 'PAPOTA'
The musically brilliant Ca7riel and Paco Amoroso ride the wave of their summertime success from NPR’s Tiny Desk with new album, PAPOTA.
COMING OUT SWINGING, LOU PHELPS DROPS A KAYTRANADA PRODUCED BANGER AHEAD OF NEW ALBUM
Bring on the bounce, Haitian-Canadian rapper Lou Phelps is thundering into this new album rollout with his new single titled ‘WHAT NOW’.
IN THE CROWD: LEXA GATES AT VILLAGE UNDERGROUND
From playing her new album trapped in a glass box in New York, to selling out Village Underground, Lexa Gates has dazzled at every step.
ANANYA RETURNS WITH HAUNTING NEW SINGLE “ALL THAT GLITTERS ISN’T GOLD”
London-based Zimbabwean singer-songwriter Ananya is back with All That Glitters Isn’t Gold, her most introspective release yet.
| GET TO KNOW |
| LATEST POSTS |
Is It Really Goodnight? A Witty and Heart-Wrenching Studio Debut from Celeste Madden
Musician/songwriter Celeste Madden releases a re-worked version of 'Is It Really Goodnight?', her witty and heart-wrenching studio debut EP
Mychelle Returns With Delightful New Single 'You Don't Care About Me'
Hackney singer-songwriter Mychelle returns with 'You Don’t Care About Me', alongside exciting news that she’ll join Jorja Smith on tour
Tim Lyre and BINA. are an open book in ‘Storytime’
London and Lagos collide as Tim Lyre links up with BINA. to tell both sides of a fractured romance ahead of his new album SPIRALS
Confessions of a Lover Boy: No Guidnce Steal Our Hearts Again
British R&B group No Guidnce triumphantly return with their latest EP, Confessions of a Lover Boy
West London's Olympia Vitalis Drops Reflective New Soul Single ‘Younger’
Crafting a track that’s both uplifting and soothing, Olympia Vitalis delivers vibrant soulful energy on 'Younger'
Wretch 32 Announces Highly-Anticipated New Album, 'Home?'
Alongside the announcement, Wretch 32 also treated fans to a new single, 'Like Home' with Teni this past week.
Self Indulgent, Audacious and at Times, Infuriatingly Glorious - 'MUSIC' is Here
Playboi Carti's new album 'MUSIC' has finally been released, and it's been five very long years to get to this point...
Ellie Dixon and piri Team Up for 'Guts' Remix Offering A Fresh Take on an Anthem of Anxiety
Ellie Dixon has just dropped a new remix of ‘Guts’, and this time, she’s teamed up with piri, one half of the duo piri & tommy.
Aminé Unveils His Buoyant 2025 Return, ‘Familiar’
The Portland-hailing rapper examines failed relationships in newest single, as he sets the stage for his forthcoming album set to release la
Clavish on D&B? New K Motionz Track 'H20' is a Certified Hit
New single 'H20' showcases the best of K Motionz D&B skill, along with Clavish's versatility.
Agency, Identity, and Imposter Syndrome Scrutinised in Ca7riel and Paco Amoroso’s New Album 'PAPOTA'
The musically brilliant Ca7riel and Paco Amoroso ride the wave of their summertime success from NPR’s Tiny Desk with new album, PAPOTA.
BXKS And Travy Link Up For The High Energy Collab ‘Guestlist’
BXKS and Travy have joined forces on a new track, ‘Guestlist’, bringing together two of the most distinct voices in alternative rap and grim
Léa Sen Announces Debut Album 'Levels' With New Single ‘Lvl 6 - Video Games’
Léa Sen is stepping into a new chapter with her debut album Levels, out 30th May via Partisan Records. Known for her unique blend of
Lancey Foux Steps Into the Rave Scene with Club Inspired Double Single: 'DANCE ON ME' & 'DANCE ON ME IN THE CLUB'
Lancey Foux's 'DANCE ON ME' and 'DANCE ON ME IN THE CLUB' blend commanding 808s with a dreamy bassline, blurring lines between dance and rap
Houghton Festival Announces its Second Wave of Acts: Joy Orbison, Samuel Deep, Budino, Doc Martin & More
Houghton Festival has released its second wave of acts to take over Houghton Hall in August, further adding to an already impressive line-up
Shivani Day is Back With Brooding ‘Know When You Call’
Blending Dancehall, Reggae, Trip-Hop, and Electronica on her latest single, Shivani Day delivers a space-age ode to ‘crying in the club.’
Soft Play Bring Punk Mayhem to BRITs Week 2025 in London
BRITs Week 2025 continued its run of exclusive, intimate gigs with a riotous performance from SOFT PLAY at Village Underground.
FORWARDS Festival Drops Incredible Line-up With Doechii, Jorja Smith, Ezra Collective, Barry Can't Swim & More...
Bristol's highly coveted FORWARDS Festival has announced it's line-up for the 2025 edition, and it's safe to say, they have delivered.
ARKA IS 'ALIVE' ON HIS LATEST SINGLE
Carving his own lane between indie and rap, Hastings multi-genre artist Arka has delivered 'Alive', his first single of 2025.
JORDS IS BACK WITH ‘THE REAL SURVIVE’
London rapper Jords returns with his first release of 2025 switching lanes between his signature flow, alt-R&B melodies and latin flavours.
KEN KAIO BOUNCES THROUGH THE WINTER BLUES WITH A CONFIDENT NEW TRACK '3D6'
The Hertfordshire born musician Ken Kaio has dropped his first track of 2025, the bouncy and confident, ‘3D6’
MATILDA MANN UNVEILS DEBUT ALBUM ‘ROXWELL’
Delicately crafted ‘Roxwell’, the debut album from British singer-songwriter Matilda Mann, is an irrefutable masterpiece.
COMING OUT SWINGING, LOU PHELPS DROPS A KAYTRANADA PRODUCED BANGER AHEAD OF NEW ALBUM
Bring on the bounce, Haitian-Canadian rapper Lou Phelps is thundering into this new album rollout with his new single titled ‘WHAT NOW’.
ANTONY SZMIEREK RELEASES DEBUT ALBUM ‘SERVICE STATION AT THE END OF THE UNIVERSE’
Following a festival-filled summer, Antony Szmierek has graced us with his first record, Service Station at the End of the Universe.
YOUNG KINGZ II: KREPT & KONAN'S TRIUMPHANT RETURN
After a five-year hiatus, the Croydon duo Krept & Konan are back with their long-anticipated second album, ‘Young Kingz II’.
IN THE CROWD: BRITS WEEK 25 CONTINUES WITH CLEAN BANDIT AT LONDON PALLADIUM
Clean Bandit showed out stronger than I was expecting, utilising the charity event setting to create a one-of-a-kind concert experience.
CRISTALE FLEXES HER VERSATILITY ON TODDLA T-PRODUCED ‘VOGUE’ & ‘OLIVE BRANCH’
Further showcasing their musical chemistry, Cristale and Toddla T strike again with two new singles, ‘Vogue’ and ‘Olive Branch'.
HACKNEY'S OWN MYCHELLE RETURNS WITH NEW SINGLE 'SWEET NOTHINGS'
A moment of creative serendipity, Mychelle's latest song, 'Sweet Nothings', came to her effortlessly during a cycle home.
LITTLE SIMZ SHARES ‘FLOOD’ FROM INCOMING ALBUM ‘LOTUS’
The release of Little Simz' latest single ‘Flood’ further cements her status as an icon of the music scene.
JIM LEGXACY UNVEILS ‘FATHER’ AS A POWERFUL NEW CHAPTER IN BLACK BRITISH MUSIC 2025
Jim Legxacy kicks off his 2025 with father, a track that sets a bold tone for his upcoming project, black british music (2025).
NINA COBHAM RELEASES THE BILINGUAL ALT-POP GEM ‘MEJOR CONTIGO (HOMESICK)’
Rising singer-songwriter Nina Cobham makes a strong statement with ‘Mejor Contigo (Homesick)’, a delicate yet infectious alt-pop offering
BRITISH PUNK BAND KID KAPICHI AT GIBSON GARAGE WITH MERC CLOTHING - A SPECIAL NIGHT OF FASHION AND ROCK'N'ROLL
Back at Gibson Garage a year on from their last show here, Kid Kapichi returned to stage, opening with a blazing rendition of 'Artillery'.
IN THE CROWD: LEXA GATES AT VILLAGE UNDERGROUND
From playing her new album trapped in a glass box in New York, to selling out Village Underground, Lexa Gates has dazzled at every step.
ANANYA RETURNS WITH HAUNTING NEW SINGLE “ALL THAT GLITTERS ISN’T GOLD”
London-based Zimbabwean singer-songwriter Ananya is back with All That Glitters Isn’t Gold, her most introspective release yet.
RAY LOZANO’S IN A DIGITAL DAZE ON ‘I DON’T CARE’
Navigating digital connection and real-world disconnection in her latest, playful single Ray Lozano gears up ahead of her forthcoming album.
MISO EXTRA DROPS SULTRY NEW SINGLE ‘GHOSTLY’ FROM DEBUT ALBUM EARCANDY
Miso Extra is back with “Ghostly,” an R&B-infused track from her highly anticipated debut album, Earcandy, arriving on 16 May.
ANNAHSTASIA RELEASES NEW VIDEO FOR “SUNDAY” FROM SURFACE TENSION EP
Annahstasia has released the video for “Sunday,” a track from her Surface Tension EP, out now via drink sum wtr. The video portrays the emot
SPILL TAB ANNOUNCES DEBUT ALBUM ANGIE WITH NEW TITLE TRACK
French-Korean singer, songwriter, and producer spill tab (Claire Chicha) has announced her debut album Angie, set for release on 16 May
NIA SMITH BRINGS A HEART ON SLEEVE APPROACH WITH ‘GIVE UP THE FEAR (+3)’
The five original tracks from ‘Don’t Give Up The Fear’ were showstopping, and now Smith has returned with three more stripped back classics
KILLOWEN IS BACK WITH A CLASSIC 90’S SAMPLE ON ‘PICK YOUR POISON’
Sending the internet crazy with every teaser, KiLLOWEN returns with a new single, once again sampling iconic tracks with incredible results.
SINK NOW, SWIM LATER, BECAUSE ISN’T THAT EVERYONE’S BREAKUP MANTRA?
For those of us who can appreciate the need for a post-breakup wallow, SINK NOW, SWIM LATER invites us to sit in it all in contemplation.
OCEAN ALLEY RETURN WITH JANGLY ROCK’N’ROLLER 'LEFT OF THE DEALER'
Globally renowned Australian rockers Ocean Alley have unveiled their first single of 2025, the jangly rock'n'roller - ‘Left Of The Dealer'.
M HUNCHO RETURNS WITH U2OPIA: A NEW ERA FOR UK TRAPWAVE
M Huncho drops his 17-track mixtape U2OPIA, a spiritual follow-up to his 2019 album UTOPIA. With introspective lyrics, a heartfelt feature
DJ HEARTSTRING DROP LOVED-UP ‘YOU ARE THE SUN, I AM THE SKY’ EP
DJ HEARTSTRING have released 'You Are the Sun, I Am the Sky,' a four-track EP that captures the emotional rollercoaster of a night out under
FINN FOXELL ANNOUNCES HIGHLY ANTICIPATED DEBUT ALBUM ‘MAMAS BOY’ ALONGSIDE NEW SINGLE ‘SNATCH’
Finn Foxell reveals the thrilling news of his debut album, 'MAMAS BOY,' scheduled for release this April, alongside his captivating new
CLARA LE BOUAR SHARES DREAMY NEW SINGLE ‘SILVER’
Clara Le Bouar has returned with her new single Silver, a heartfelt ode to her best friend that celebrates the strength of female friendship
UK RAP RISER MARNZ MALONE LAUNCHES HIGHLY ANTICIPATED MIXTAPE ‘SABR’
UK rap riser Marnz Malone marks his progress with the release of his mixtape Sabr. If you've been following you already know that Malone’s j
IN THE CROWD: BRITS WEEK 2025 BEGINS WITH CAT BURNS
In the intimate and tightly-packed venue of Moth Club, Cat Burns kicked off BRITs Week 2025 with a bang
ARTHUR HILL RELEASES DEBUT EP ‘IN THE MIDDLE OF SOMEWHERE’
After a staggeringly impressive 2024, London-based singer/songwriter Arthur Hill has blessed us with his debut EP ‘In the Middle of Somewher
IT’S A UK LOVE AFFAIR AS AJ TRACEY AND JORJA SMITH GO BACK AND FORTH ON ‘CRUSH’
Smiley faces and beans, a caff and a cuppa, AJ Tracey and Jorja Smith, ‘Crush’ is quintessentially British through and through, especially
bottom of page