The best new tracks, picked by our staff

Want to keep up with the best new music?

Listen to this weekly playlist, lovingly curated by THE FACE’s editorial team.

Nia Archives – Crowded Roomz

Loneliness is a common theme in Nia’s music, and the Yorkshire junglist’s latest single, Crowded Roomz, is no different. ​“I feel so lonely especially in crowded rooms /​It’s a facade, my persona is my costume /​No one to turn to, they don’t understand my blues,” she sings soulfully over signature breaks, before the track crescendos into rich guitar riffs. Crowded Roomz is accompanied by an excellent video directed by Nicolee Tsin, which sees Nia wander aimlessly through busy rooms, searching for something bigger than herself. JW

Smerz /​Allina – My Producer

Next month, Smerz are dropping their EP Allina – which tells the story of a fictional popstar’s swift rise and decline – via their new label, Shopping. The concept inspired All-In’s SS24 show in Paris, styled by Lotta Volkova, and Allina even got her very own fashion shoot in THE FACE. On Smerz’ underrated 2021 album Believer, their smoky vocal melodies drifted over abrasive synths and strange song structures. But as proved by their recent writing credit for NewJeans, the Norwegian duo have no trouble with penning a pop hook. Smerz are clearly having a laugh with My Producer, a brash electroclash with tongue-in-cheek lyrics (“Beat is banging /​Rock is now /​U do sexy punk /​Bring it, real chunk”). But it’s catchier than a lot of the chart-chasing singles that get churned out by the major label machine. DR

Kim Gordon – Bye Bye

With its blown-out bass and mashed up metal guitars, the dirty trap beat on Bye Bye could have piqued the interest of Playboi Carti​’s A&R. But instead of the rage rapper’s slippery flows, we hear the exceptionally cool experimentalist Kim Gordon reel off a list of consumer items in her trademark deadpan drawl. The video for Bye Bye stars the former Sonic Youth member’s daughter Coco Gordon Moore, who also did a photo shoot for The Face recently. DR

Vegyn – The Path Less Travelled

Vegyn​’s output is restlessly prolific. Luckily for us, the music he shares with the world is consistently pretty good. Case in point with his latest single The Path Less Travelled, a melancholy piece of electronica bolstered by synthy piano loops. The track will appear on the producer’s upcoming album, The Road to Hell Is Paved With Good Intentions, which drops on 5^th April via his PLZ Make It Ruins imprint, and will feature the likes of John Glacier, Ethan P. Flynn and Double Virgo (AKA the two guys in Bar Italia). JW

Teezo Touchdown – Up And Down

Teezo Touchdown leans into his strength as a vocalist for Up And Down, one of three new bonus tracks released on the deluxe version of last year’s album How Do You Sleep at Night? The track is classic, smooth, sexy R&B – a little more conventional than Teezo’s usual flamboyant image. But the quirkiness soon seeps through in the lyrics. ​“I’ll tell you everything will be OK while I clean up your room and fold your clothes,” he sings to his prospective lover. Solid chat up line. OP