uzisky – Hit Different
Uzisky's 'Hit Different' is a stunning, genre-bending slice of alternative R&B from Houston, intimate and beautifully real
Uzisky opens with a late-night mood and never lets go. 'Hit Different' moves between rap verses and melodic hooks, layered over rock guitar and live drums that give the whole thing weight. The tension sits right in the centre: wanting to be fully loved without losing yourself in the process. There's a French bridge here, a poem she wrote and had translated. It lands as something unexpected, a soft pivot that deepens the emotional pull. The production stays dark and spacious, letting her voice carry the intimacy. Evocative alt-R&B, reflective and fully felt.
Uzisky is a Houston-based, Nigerian-rooted singer, rapper and creative who moves between alternative R&B, rap and whatever else fits the moment. Her music sits in identity, intimacy and the mess of being human, and she builds for the misfits and the deep feelers. The French bridge features a poem translated by Soraya Archimbaud, one of those details that shows how much care goes into the work. This one's a real highlight, and we'll be watching closely for what comes next.
50mething – Obsession
50mething's 'Obsession' is a quirky, brass-laden banger of blue-eyed soul from Ealing, he's fast becoming one of our favourite bedroom producers in 2026
That bass line hooks you from the first bar and never lets go. 'Obsession' is a track about the compulsion to have music constantly within reach, that need to keep earbuds accessible for whenever life requires an emotional outlet. God damn, this guy gets me sometimes. 50mething builds it with layered harmonies that stack and swell, interesting percussion, and jazzy organs that open up in the chorus. and a brass section that brings the whole thing home with real swagger. The production is full without ever feeling crowded, and there's a healthy dose of the absurd in this one. Infectious wonky alt-R&B, warm and immaculately constructed.
50mething is back with us only a few weeks after 'Slowly through the night'. Based in Ealing, he's a former dancer and garden builder who started releasing music at 58 following a cancer diagnosis in 2024. Things have progressed well, and this feels like the right time to push forward. The single dropped in late September on DITTO. It's groovy as hell, and the guy's just prolific. I wish I had this work rate, and we're very excited to keep hearing how this artist grows.
Hui. – Count In
Hui.'s 'Count In' is a gorgeous slice of alternative indie R&B from Melbourne, intimate guitar textures meeting jazz-inflected warmth with an assured, cosmic grace
That opening guitar line tells you exactly where you are: a quiet, compelling, headphones place. 'Count In' builds from lofi intimacy into something wider, Hui.'s vocal sitting right in the centre of a mix that is masterfully put together. The jazz influence is there in the chord voicings, the way the arrangement carefully adds context to the melody rather than pushing against it. The Radiohead comparison may be a little on the lazy side, but I'd be confident making it. Mainly because it's brilliant, and I love this track. Beautiful alternative R&B, understated and warm.
Hui. (pronounced Hughie) is a Melbourne artist working in the space between folk warmth and indie rock ease. Great tune, great artwork, terrible artist name but I can roll with it. Based in Carlton, he draws on the simplicity of acoustic songwriting while letting jazz textures and R&B sensibilities shape the feel. This is new music from a project just getting started, and I really, really hope they can follow it up with more dreamy bangers like this. A great track.
O.W.T.O. – Make A Change
O.W.T.O.'s 'Make A Change' is a live-band soul masterclass from Leeds, grooves and tunes delivered with a performance and warmth that'll warm up your winter
O.W.T.O. open with a bass line that knows exactly where it's going and a horn section that refuses to let you sit still. 'Make A Change' is live-band soul at its most compelling, every element played by hands that have spent decades on stages and in studios. And we need more of that these days. The groove sits deep in the pocket while the vocal rides the whole thing with an ease that only comes from proper craft. And that hook? Ooft, it's brilliant. Superb contemporary soul, authentic and utterly infectious.
The project comes from Leeds under the creative guidance of Dr P.A. Francis, a drummer whose CV includes work with musicians credited alongside BB King, Amy Winehouse and James Brown. Previous singles 'Don't Push It' and 'Tell Me in the Morning' picked up two top tens in the World Songwriting Awards and secured UK and US airplay. 'Make A Change' landed 1 September. Groovy as hell, and exactly the feel-good soul we needed.
Scottie Barnett – Aquafinina
Scottie Barnett's 'Aquafinina' is a slow-burn neo-soul gem from Columbia SC, quiet-storm R&B with real late-night weight and groove to spare
Scottie Barnett and Silver Angelina lock into something hypnotic here. 'Aquafinina' runs at 85 BPM and never once feels like it needs to hurry, the production holding the vibe, that bass grooving along wonderfully with every held note. The vocal sits right where it should, intimate without crowding, and the groove underneath is the kind that rewards patience. There's gospel warmth in the chord choices, and a perfect jazz influence in the phrasing. It's gorgeous quiet-storm neo-soul, sensual and entirely persuasive.
Scottie B. is an independent producer and songwriter out of Columbia, South Carolina, with three decades of work rooted in jazz, gospel and funk. He writes, produces and releases everything through his own label, 7167844 Records DK, and owns all his masters. 'Aquafinina' comes from the EP The Glow, and it's already picked up a review from Soul and Jazz and Funk and is gaining ground on UK Spotify. No pay-to-play, just music made on his own terms. Essential R&B this autumn.