Arooj Aftab 'Raat Ki Rani'

'Raat Ki Rani' (Night Reign), the new single from Arooj Aftab is an exercise in liminality. Straddling two worlds in almost every aspect, the Pakistani artist has fashioned something truly spellbinding. Production-heavy, Aftab’s voice is both noticeably AutoTuned yet breathy, creating a sense of accessible intimacy. This effect is shored up by the percussion, which builds throughout before falling away to softer keys and plucked strings. At once, it is a track that is both haunting and hopeful. ERIN COBBY

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Altın Gün ‘Vallahi Yok’ / ‘Kırık Cam’

Merve Daşdemir leaves the legendary Turkish psych group with a bang in this last release with her as singer. ‘Vallahi Yok’ features gritty fuzz guitar that moves through East Asian sounds and psychedelic swirls. In ‘Kırık Cam’, rumbling, rolling bass underpins melodic trills, in a darker, more eerie affair. Daşdemir’s airy vocals are central throughout. EMMA RYCROFT

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Thandiswa 'Kulungile'

South African singer Thandiswa Mazwai has teased the release of her fourth album, Sankofa, with this spacious jazz-inflected single. The album will feature archival Xhosa samples as well as production work from Meshell Ndegeocello and fellow South African Nduduzo Makhathini. And it's the latter whose presence can be felt on 'Kulungile' with brushed drums, subtle piano work and a driving bass line pushing the song forward, though it's Thandiswa and the backing vocals that really bring it to life. Safe to say, we're very excited about this one. RUSS SLATER JOHNSON

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New Regency Orchestra 'Papa Boco'

At the heart of London's jazz fusion scene is the New Regency Orchestra, an 18-piece Afro-Cuban big band led by esteemed musician Lex Blondin. Inspired by the explosive Afro-Cuban jazz scene of 1940s NYC, their second single 'Papa Boco' is a captivating blend of jazz and Latin rhythms, offering a taste of their upcoming debut album set for release in June on Mr Bongo. IZZY FELTON

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Staples Jr. Singers 'Lost in a World of Sin'

In 2022 Luaka Bop reissued When Do We Get Paid, the debut album from a trio of siblings from Mississippi singing gospel-soul full of their experiences living and singing across the Bible Belt in the US. Originally released in 1975, the success of the reissue has seen the Staples Jr. Singers finally become an international concern, with four European tours already under their belt since (and they have another one this summer, sharing a double bill with Gregory Porter). They are now set to release their follow-up album, almost 50 years since their last. The first single, 'Lost in a World of Sin', continues where their debut left off, albeit with some new blood, original member Edward sharing vocal duties on this song of salvation with his son Troy. RUSS SLATER JOHNSON

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Desta French 'Alguien'

Hot from the success of curating her Latinas of London event at Jazz Cafe (as part of La Linea 24), Desta French has just dropped 'Alguien'. Having made a name for herself by being the first UK Latin Artist to be supported on BBC Radio with an all-Spanish language song in 2020, her releases have gone from strength to strength. 'Alguien' (Someone) is clearly a love song, even for listeners who don’t understand Spanish. Sultry and full of longing, with frenzied guitar and staccato percussion, the song reaches a high point with its steamy bridge – after which French’s thick London accent comes through, affirming that she’s been 'dwelling on this far too long.' ERIN COBBY