Melbourne rap veteran Baro Sura links up with Brick Gaddafi on ‘Mailbox Freestyle’. It’s a track about getting back on your feet in the midst of life’s adversities and soul-searching to find a new path forward. The free-flowing verses from both Baro and Brick are complemented by jazzy lofi production crafted by SON RAY, creating an ideal backdrop for their unfiltered lyrical expressions. Notably, the cover artwork for ‘Mailbox Freestyle’ holds special significance, as it is the work of Miller McCormick, the brother of Baro’s mentor and friend, the late Mac Miller. It’s an organic approach to hip-hop that would sit perfectly in a playlist alongside artists like Earl Sweatshirt, MIKE or Mavi.

The Kid LAROI’s ‘WHAT’S THE MOVE?’ feels triumphant. It’s jam-packed with the flexes and confidence of a young artist who is finally taking a well-deserved victory lap. LAROI’s croons soar over the top of glossy pop-trap production, with Future and BabyDrill joining to form one swagger-heavy trio. It appears on LAROI’s new album THE FIRST TIME, which you can stream now.

Milan Ring’s new single is much like the fruit it’s named after. The singer’s voice has a sweetness as she delivers lyrics about the euphoria of love. The production is smooth and soothing, with scattered percussion and dreamy reverb creating a colourful atmosphere. And, of course, we can see this one growing in playlist additions all throughout the coming Summer.

Erik Sanders sounds like he’s floating on ‘Top!’. His autotuned inflections and triplet flows sound particularly serene atop some true production, which layers a series of reverb-drenched synths with some truly ear-catching flute-like sounds. If you’re starting to head into ‘overplayed’ territory with that latest Ken Carson album from a few weeks ago, engross in this one for your dose of wooziness.

‘Nice to meet you’ is PinkPantheress doing what she does best. Fast-paced garage production persists throughout, with bubbly synths soaring over the top. Her voice is calm and catchy, per usual, as she sings about the happiness found in romance. Central Cee also appears here, letting off a sleek verse towards the latter end. It appears on PinkPantheress’ new album Heaven knows, which you can stream now.

Big Skeez’s ‘Recognise’ is a truly stylish take on amapiano and afrobeat. The production is floaty and vibrant as if every aspect of the instrumentation is sun-soaked, and joy surges through Skeez’s voice as he lets off ear-catching melodies. It’s an instant highlight from his new project, Work Don’t Stop, which you can stream now.

Almost everything about ‘Throw It Up’ stands out. You’ve got the brass-like synths in the instrumental, which sound both like the celebration after winning a championship game, and a cut from a mid 2000s Gucci Mane project. You’ve got Spacely sounding hungrier than ever, as he yelps with hype on the hook and shows off his rapping skills on the verses. There’s no way you can listen to this, and not have an extra pep in your step this weekend.

Barkaa approaches ‘Division’ with a powerful energy. It’s commentary on the mistreatment, judgement, and discrimination against First Nation communities in Australia, with every bar amplified by her personal experiences as a Malyangapa, Barkindji woman. The emphatic grit in her voice matches the hard-hitting drum patterns of the boom-bap production, and rap-wise, she is truly snapping. This one is a must listen!

FLY BOY JACK are back! From the get-go, JUJO’s production is dense and full of colour, as varying keys and synths are propelled by the bounce of head-bop-inducing drum patterns. Jordan Dennis is flexing his vocal chops here, switching between the melodies of an R&B singer in their prime and the bars of a rapper in your top 10. This one is versatile, and it truly bangs.

With ‘CLOUDS’, ANESU has truly developed as a vocalist. They start the song off with some passionate falsetto melodies before switching it up with some catchy rap-sung flows. The production pairs sleek guitar-plucking with rattling hi-hats and some heart-hitting 808s, leaving plenty of room for ANESU to showcase their versatile approach to songwriting.