Addison Rae goes trip-hop for Headphones On

There’s loads of music out there, and sometimes it’s hard to keep up.

Rather than letting the algorithm dictate your music taste, you can listen to Rated by THE FACE – a playlist that’s lovingly curated and updated by our (human) editorial team every week.

Addison Rae – Headphones On

Headphones On is eccentric, sugary and vulnerable in equal measure. Over a bass-heavy trip-hop beat, Addison breathily sings about smoking cigs and ​“accepting the pain” – relatable. The song’s striking video (directed by Bella Newman, who shot our Clairo cover), sees Addison working behind the till at the Iceland supermarket before slo-mo riding a horse across the dramatic landscapes of Reykjavík in a hot pink wig. What a primer for Addison’s debut album, which is dropping 6^th June. JW

BXKS – Flashing Lights

BXKS is on a hot streak. This year, we’ve heard the Luton-raised rapper spit on a Brazilian funk-inspired rhythm by Skepta producer Ryder, team up with Dublin’s most stylish rapper Travy and turn heads in Victory Lap cyphers with Corteiz and Stone Island. The unusual beat on Flashing Lights was cooked up by TSB – who’s worked closely with J Hus – and El Londo, who concocted the UK ​“chill rap” sound a couple of years ago. ​“Got mainstream rappers asking ​‘where’s the verse at?” BXKS brags over opulent strings and synths that glow like neon shop signs outside a night bus window. At this point, any UK rapper would be lucky to get her on a track. DR

Joviale – Moonshine

In the video for Moonshine, Joviale’s first new track in three years, the London pop experimentalist makes a case for smoking being back in fashion – at one point they’re dancing in a fur dress with not one, not two, but three ciggies on the go. Sonically, Moonshine also references pre-vaping eras with a chunky funk bassline, slick R&B guitars and sparkly ​‘80s pop synths. ​“I’m easy breezy /​Sweeter than a kiwi,” Joviale sings smoothly, on this soulful and subtly eccentric genre mutation. DR

Snuggle – Woman Lake

If you read THE FACE’s guide to the Copenhagen music scene, you’ll know that indie-pop duo Snuggle are one of the most exciting bands coming out of the Danish capital right now. Signed to Escho, their last release Dust was a shimmering, meandering track and their latest song Woman Lake is no different. Reflecting on the aftermath of a breakup, singer Andrea Thuesen croons ​“waking up to realiSe/​That you’ve been gone for a while/​It’s so sad” over moody guitars and graceful strings. Dreamy and a little nostalgic, it’s perfect for a bike ride home after a long day in the park this summer. TL

Heavy Lungs – Self-Portrait

When it feels like life’s getting the better of you, it can be advisable to stick on a decent punk record. Heavy Lungs’ sardonic second album Caviar is packed with blistering anthems for the bored and the burnt-out. Self-Portrait is a high point from the Bristol band, a controlled explosion that reeks of sweat and spilled lager. It’s ferocious and strangely therapeutic. DR