Music has always been a family affair for Micah Acosta (@micahacostarr). Over the course of his career, the artist has turned to those closest to him to both strengthen and support his pursuits, and his latest EP is no exception.

Dripping with melancholy, the new Xaysha (@xayshamusic) track falls somewhere between Travis Scott’s Skyfall instrumental and Jhene Aiko’s ethereal vocals. Her is a sombre offering from the r&b artist, who sings about wanting to be the object of another’s desire.

I don’t know what I like more about the new Lolli (@lollimusic_) single BAD; the pithy summary she put on her socials (It’s a new single called BAD and it’s about being a bad bitch) or the pure sassiness on the tail end of her rap verse (Apparently I’m too haram to be called halal). Wallah I’m torn.

Era-blending artist JMAP (@jmapofficial) is back on the scene with his latest offering, The Man. The track is a nostalgic cut, brimming with old-school brilliance and influences from far and wide.

The Art Gallery of New South Wales was set ablaze with the performance of Warrangu; River Story by Dobby (@dobbyau). With a full band and projection mapping to boot, the rapper’s latest offering was conceived in hope of inspiring change to the management of local water systems.

Excited to be out of the confines of the Zoom-iverse, 4ESydney’s Hip-Hop Festival and Conference (@4esydney) is back in the flesh this coming weekend (June 24th and 25th). With a star-studded lineup of artists and community leaders alike, this year’s program promises to be a thoroughly informative and eye-opening experience.

With the inaugural for the lover in you event approaching soon, we spoke to members of the homegrown supergroup Full Circle about their inspiration and direction.

You know that feeling when you get a window seat on the train home from work while the rain is pouring outside, and you briefly trace back the steps in your life and wonder how you ended up where you are now? That’s the feeling behind the debut single from independent artist Aless Arias (@alessarixs), Evolve. The pulsating track is an indie-pop reflection of the artist’s yearning for transformation.

Entry into the program is simple. Artists can submit three pieces of work each, from which ten finalists will be chosen. These finalists will be invited to attend SOUND WEST on Thursday the 25th of August where they will receive mentorship from Sony Music Australia’s Senior Director of A&R and Creative Development Alexander Franco. Also included is a 30-minute listening and A&R session with Sony Music experts and an A&R creative and business session.

Championing authenticity and honesty in her sophomore release Same Shit!, Western Sydney artist Gemma Navarrete (@gemmasjams) returns to the airwaves with a bildungsroman bop. Despite sounding worlds away from her previous release, Navarrete dives deeper into her examination of maturity with the same vigor as Older.

In the haze of the post-valentine’s era, Lolli (@lollimusic_) has emerged with a list of demands by way of her new single Not This Time; a man with bands, a Benz, and the brands. I don’t know any guys who have (legally) acquired such wealth, but nonetheless, the track is a bold statement from the Sydney-based artist who is joined by international act Buto (@kingbuto) on her first single in two years.

For everyone without plans for the fourteenth, Nicole Issa’s latest track Feel Ok is like a warm hug. The song is strung together by a star-studded team (Chelsea Warner on production and mixed by Tom Garnett) who perfectly complement the emotion of Issa’s songwriting. Touching on themes of post-breakup confusion and grief, the sophomore single glows with warmth and authenticity.

There’s only one man that can make the Hebersham shops romantic, and man is MA Rated (@ma.rated) . Trust in Me is the latest installment in the Argentinian/South-African artist’s repertoire, featuring production from Sygotbeats (@m.oziah).

Western Sydney trapsoul connoisseur ANTNY (@antnyofficial) is back with another banger, Eyes on Me. With featured vocals from Ash Swaze (@ash_swaze), the masterclass in reverb is produced entirely by Joseph Italiano (@joseph.italiano_). The single is a vibrant addition to ANTNY’s growing discography of moody trap cuts, and comes courtesy of his reliable release schedule.

If Solo is the (pre-pandemic) party of the year, then 432 is the ride home. On her latest single, songstress Chrissy Mae Valentine (@chrissymaevalentine) explores the post-relationship motions of reflection and growth atop a dreamy instrumental produced by none other than the guitar don Bencio (@benciomusic) . With refined, golden-age Hollywood visuals to match from videographer Jason Queue (@jasonqueue), the track takes on an atmosphere of classical romance.

Local artist Nicole Issa (@nicole__issa) either has the best timing or the worst, with her delivery of her aptly titled debut single Home. Written during last year’s lockdown, the soft-pop tune explores the complications of love atop a pensive, steady instrumental.

Breakfast Road (@breakfastroad) are making a statement with their latest project Cerise. With washed-out production and pseudo-nostalgia galore, the boy band aims for the sweet spot between bubbly Y2K-inspired hyperpop and indie for their ‘mixtape mini-album video game OST’ (their words, not mine).

High school lunches for my mates and I involved sitting around a bluetooth speaker on the hill, critiquing the latest hip-hop bangers.

Nothing quite matches the dreaminess of Rhodes keys on top of vinyl crackle. That is, until you want to buy a Rhodes and realise how much they cost. But fear not, you can enjoy the dulcet tones of Gemma Navarrete (@gemmasjams) on her debut single Older absolutely free. The Western Sydney songstress opens her discography with a laidback tune, singing about the glow up she anticipates (dw, it’s already begun).