Welcome to ‘Heaters’, the essential weekly round-up of the best new music.

Each Friday we curate a collection of must listens to keep you in the loop with the most exciting releases of that week. Ranging from rappers in the Emerald Isle to boundary pushing, experimental producers and everything in between, we’ve got you sorted.

Featuring a healthy dose of Irish and international music this week, we’ve got the first track in sixteen years from hip hop legends, a Dublin to London link up and the newest project from one of NiNE8’s most exciting members.

Caleb & Walshy – Keep It Movin

“The track is just about how life always keeps you on your toes but you just have to crack on.”

Caleb & Walshy are based in London and Dublin respectively and have joined forces with Monroe for a smooth number named ‘Keep It Movin’. With a style reminiscent of Loyle Carner, ‘Keep It Movin’ is a soft reminder to keep your head up, stay positive and continue forward.

Gang Starr – Family and Loyalty Feat. J. Cole

Heavy hitters from different generations of hip hop have come together to produce a thoughtful single remembering the late Guru.

DJ Premier has recruited J. Cole for ‘Family and Loyalty’ and the track itself features twinkling keys, the classic sounds of scratches and appreciation of the things money can’t buy. The single contains a hook from Guru who passed in 2010 and is the first release from Gang Starr in 16 years.

Brent Faiyaz – Rehab (Winter in Paris)

One of the shining lights of modern R&B, Brent Faiyaz continued his record of impressive singles following the release of his track ‘Rehab (Winter in Paris)’.

Many may be acquainted with the Maryland native through his incredible feature on the Grammy nominated hit ‘Crew’ with Goldlink and Shy Glizzy however now is a better chance than ever to get familiar with his solo material.

Danny Brown – Best Life

Featuring in Heaters once again, Detroit spitter Danny Brown has dropped ‘Best Life’. Switching his style up, exchanging experimental instrumentals for more straight forward boom bap beats and it’s a refreshing approach from one of rap’s most unpredictable artists.

With Q-Tip on executive production for his new album ‘uknowhatimsayin¿’, expectations are high and the two singles so far have hinted at a change in direction for one of Warped Record’s finest .

Henry Earnest – Live In Heaven

Arguably the most interesting of the picks this week, Soft Boy Record’s Henry Earnest has released a live session, performing three songs from his last album ‘When You Get Caught Between The Moon & Dublin City’.

The video features Henry and his band performing the eclectic tracks in heaven, with his signature blend of lo-fi, pop and warped vocals.

Lava La Rue – Stitches

NiNE8 Collective’s Lava La Rue released her sophomore project ‘Stitches’ this week to continue a monumental year for the London based collective.

It would be unfair to pigeon hole the tape’s content into the box of hip hop, the free flowing project blends a plethora of influences and tunes the listener’s ear to the sounds of one of the UK’s most exciting prospects.

Following the release of the project Lava announced a European tour.

Mick Jenkins – Percy Feat. Qari 

“I got flows to kill a mocking bird”

Mick Jenkins has returned with his first self-directed video for his new track ‘Percy’ featuring Qari. The hazy, stoner anthem features the Chicago MC’s usual sharp lyricism and  witty bars over a dreary instrumental. Having hinted at another project on social media, the mid-west spitter has given a taste of what is up his sleeve.

God Knows – Clout9 feat. Outsider YP

Rusangano Family’s MuRli has been busy this week having released a solo song and now he is on production duties for band mate God Know’s newest release ‘Clout9’ featuring Outsider YP.

‘Clout9’ challenges the negative impact of social media and clout culture on people’s well-being. Outsider YP reaffirms the notion in the track with a catchy hook and verse complementing the approach taken by God Knows.

On the new track God Knows said, “I see people looking for ‘clout’ all the time on social media and it can be all-consuming: likes, dislikes, follows, views. It can also be exhausting and detrimental to mental wellbeing.”

“With Clout9, I teamed up with Outsider YP and MuRli to write a song about embracing this aspect of our generation – but also avoiding getting caught up in the negative aspects of it.”

Photo Credits: Stephen Hall