Model/Actriz: Come On Closer
On their highly anticipated second album ‘Pirouette’, Model/Actriz are bringing confrontation and charisma to the dancefloor.
Purelink: Expanding Universe
As they ready their new album, ‘Faith’, the understated Chicago trio are learning that sometimes it’s the most unassuming voices that cut through the noise.
Nemzzz: If You Can Build It
At 20 years old, Manchester rapper Nemzzz has earned a seat at the top table of British rap.
Oklou: Love Sensation
On her breakthrough debut album, ‘Choke Enough’, Oklou is going offline to explore the dopamine-releasing rush of IRL experience and emotional intensity.
Nourished by Time: Trust the Process
Marcus Brown – a.k.a. the genre-defying syncretist Nourished by Time – began creating his dreamlike, uncanny sound as an escape from the crushing monotony of his day job. What started as a lifeline evolved into an opportunity to reshape his world.
070 Shake: Don’t Look Down
070 Shake’s moody, uncontainable sound has quietly left fingerprints across contemporary pop’s landscape. Now, with her adventurous new album and a carefully managed relationship with growing media glare, she’s ready to let in the light.
Joe James: Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea
With his deep baritone, blues-tinged grime beats and lyrics bursting with romance and pain, rapper Joe James has been a cult figure in the UK underground – but now, with his debut album, he’s ready to break through.
Knocked Loose: The Sound and the Fury
This year, Knocked Loose defied expectations with their latest album, ‘You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To’, becoming torchbearers of a genre and introducing a new generation of fans to the cathartic delirium of hardcore.
André 3000: In a New Light
André 3000 stunned everyone last November. His first album in 17 years is a jazz-inspired flute odyssey – and a reflection of his own spiritual awakening. Now, at 49, the lifelong innovator has uncovered a different kind of creative freedom.
Clairo: A Quiet Storm
On her latest album, ‘Charm’, the American musician, songwriter and vocalist is mining a deeper, inner well of interpersonal love and sonic confidence.
Fontaines D.C.: Love Without Limits
On their fourth album ‘Romance’, Fontaines D.C. are shedding their image as literary post-punks in favour of fantasy, love and extremity that defies over-analysis.
Kamasi Washington: Life Overflowing
On ‘Fearless Movement’, the saxophonist’s first full-length in six years, he finds inspiration in earthly pleasures: family, connection and the act of living.
Flowdan: From this point onwards
Prolific and uncompromising, the east Londoner is living proof that it is possible – perhaps even essential – for MCs to explore new sonic territories without diluting what made them great to begin with.
Adrianne Lenker has turned tenderness into an artform
Adrianne Lenker has turned tenderness into an artform. On her latest solo album, the completely analogue ‘Bright Future’, the Big Thief leader is moving through life with a heart wide open
Vegyn is exploring the subtle art of letting go
Vegyn’s transportive music resonates with a generation of listeners who are equally curious and overwhelmed. Ahead of his second album, the London producer connects with Emma Garland for our February issue
Bar Italia: The Rest Is History
Intentionally or not, Bar Italia have cultivated an air of inscrutability with their approach to being a rock band that, depending on your POV, is standoffish, wry or just the right side of pretentious. As they bid the underground goodbye, the time is apt to find out who they really are
Anohni, the truth-teller
As 2023 draws to a close, the world more broken than ever, Anohni is unequivocal: we must face the truth, however hard that may be. Read the landmark December cover story
TraTraTrax: Keep It Moving
TraTraTrax has taken the global underground by storm. The Colombian label is leading a Latin American dance movement where diasporic traditions merge with UK bass and techno. But with recognition often comes tokenisation – and they’re resisting
Shy One: Higher Frequencies
Starting off as a grime DJ in her teens, Shy One has since become a luminary in UK nightlife. Gearing up for a second album, she’s never sounded more sure of herself. Read the October issue cover story
Connecting… Oneohtrix Point Never
The music of Oneohtrix Point Never cleaves to a dream logic. For a glowing tenth album, pop’s resident disruptor and the Weeknd collaborator is revisiting past selves. Sasha Geffen learns more for the September cover story
LSDXOXO: Battle Stance
This year has been a trip for LSDXOXO. The custodian of queer and kinky club music has launched a label, DJ’d for Beyoncé and even roused the ire of techno’s gatekeepers. Now, emboldened by a period of artistic risk-taking, the game is on. Meet our August cover star
Jim Legxacy is going places
Not content with releasing one of the year’s most exciting tapes, rapper-producer Jim Legxacy has co-produced the UK’s song of the summer. This is the story of an artist from Lewisham, and how he came to create a sound that’s as vibrant and complex as his home
Into the woods with PJ Harvey
PJ Harvey: musician, poet and iconoclast. A new album, the first in seven years, captures a moment of creative renewal as she explores the ambiguities of worlds both real and imagined. Crack’s Editor-in-Chief, Louise Brailey, learns more
The Metamorphosis of Eartheater
World builder. Eartheater. The experimental provocateur, label head and fashion muse is readying her next phase the only way she knows how: devouring everything
The Cover Story: Jam City
The audio version of our Issue 142 cover story, featuring Jam City
Jam City is living 3 a.m. eternal
Jam City’s 2012 debut album rerouted UK club music, but a series of stylistic heel-turns and A-list collaborations defined the years that followed. Now, the producer is returning to his roots to celebrate the transcendent quality of a messy night out
The Cover Story: Caroline Polachek
The audio version of our Issue 140 cover story, featuring Caroline Polachek
Popcaan is setting the gold standard
Always positive. Always moving. Blockbuster hitmaker Popcaan has one objective – to keep pushing dancehall forward. For the March issue cover story, Tshepo Mokoena learns how
Caroline Polachek is surrendering to chaos
Caroline Polachek is no stranger to drama. Guided by her breathtaking voice, the experimental pop artist has written operas, earned a Grammy nomination and even inspired a TikTok dance craze. Now, she’s ready for her next chapter
Duval Timothy: Life in Colour
Duval Timothy’s meticulous musical practice reverberates with humanity. Now, he’s ready to embrace life in all its messy shades.