At the start of the year, we launched the HUMXN+ playlist on Apple Music to hero new releases from inspiring legends and pioneering new artists who create with intention.
The playlist features artists including Sevdaliza, FKA Twigs, Banks, 6LACK, Frank Ocean, Kanye West, Lady Gaga, SE.V.EN, Years & Years, GESS, Rihanna, Dua Saleh, Greentea Peng, Kojey Radical, Raissa, serpentwithfeet, Apollo Love, Kali Uchis, BTS, NEO 10Y and more.
There have been some significant releases lately that deserve more depth, so here are ten HUMXN+ Artists who have released songs and projects this year for you to immerse your soul in, and discover innovative new talent.
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Dua Saleh
In a very 2020 way, Dua Saleh and I met online because of stans, and I couldn’t be more grateful. I love Dua and I love their music and energy, and I am grateful that they added Unrelatable Autosexual to their official Spotify TRANSCEND playlist in November. I’ve been obsessed with their song Angel Rock and ROSETTA EP for the last few months and their versatile and emotive delivery.
E. Alvin
Moody and transportative, E. Alvin just released LIMBS: Volume 2, a synth heavy, decadent and luxurious set of six tracks that are really beautifully crafted with story-driven lyricism. I love the sensuality of the synths and E. Alvin’s delivery and vocal production. If you are a Banks fan, you should definitely explore E. Alvin’s wider offering.
Mykki Blanco
If you search online, I’ve unsurprisingly been a Mykki Blanco stan since Wavvy, so I was really happy to experience their new release ‘Free Ride’ – a soulful and refined energy from Mykki that they knew we needed to meet again. The timeless nature of the songs and even the lyricism, I love the narrative driven piece and the visual is genius and enchanting. Love seeing Mykki in an acting role state of being which also corresponds fully with their universe.
DYVR
I met DYVR in 2019 when we played the same night at the small Hackney Empire. I love their angelic vocals and energy and what they are doing for LGBTQ+ community with their voice. Their new release is featuring a profound rap verse from Benjamin Yellowitz and is called ‘Holding Back’.
Andrea Di Giovanni
On the back of a million streams on their Netflix-synched anthem Shame Resurrection, Italian-Londoner Andrea Di Giovanni releases Rebel – a nine track debut album with their signature energy and super polished pop production. Personal favourites are Holy Water, Rebel and Miracle featuring GESS. I love Andrea’s energy and how they speak up for our communities. Check out their recent Abbey Road sessions too!
Sevdaliza
Goddess SEVDALIZA released the visual for one of my personal favourite tracks on the album “Darkest Hour”. The video featured SEVDALIZA fans from all over the world who the artist acknowledges in her message “To all the beautiful women who made this possible”, the visual also features some iconic SEVDALIZA scenes that the world has become so obsessed with. Here she is found in a giant green bucket filled with the power of what I can only imagines is liquid heart energy surrounding her.
GESS
GESS and I connected because of some common playlists and have been intertwined online since. I fully stan their synth-led productions and vision as an artist. They recently collaborated with Boy Untitled on Impostor (see video below) and then just released their awesome new single DIGNITY featuring SXMSON.
Boy Untitled
LA legend and one of the best live performers of the moment, Boy Untitled has released two incredible songs back to back over the last few months, Imposter (which is also produced by GESS) and Lionsgate. With luxurious production and profound lyricism touching upon what it means to be humxn, check out Boy Untitled’s wider discography on Apple Music and go and see them perform after lockdowns in LA!
JONA VARK
Moody and teleporting me to Berlin, I love JONA VARK’s Psychosex featuring Davy Munster. Vocal production is super sexy and immersive, and the production is refine and what Berghain deserves. I truly cannot wait for lockdowns to be over so that we can enjoy music like this in expansive environments.
Lil Nas X
I’m a fully converted Lil Nas X stan now. I am glad that he acknowledged the parallel and very obviously copied idea from FKA Twigs, and I think that the apologies and resolution was handled really respectfully considering the shared team etc. I have listened to Montero (Call Me By Your Name) a millions times now and I love it so much. The narrative and artist narrative is particularly awesome to see, reminds me of real legends in history and I obviously love Lil Nas X’s message and visuals are astonishing and iconic, and I am just genuinely so grateful that I also love the music.