Iona Zajac

Marking the release of her debut album, 2025 saw Iona Zajac arrive with a bang (pun intended). Having turned heads last year as a guest vocalist with The Pogues, the Scottish songwriter stepped into her own this year. Sonically and visually, singles 'Murder Mystery', 'Bang', 'Anton' and 'Dilute' were unforgettable in their own right, whilst the album (produced by Dani Bennett Spragg) creates an accomplished picture of Zajac's experiences to date. Interspersing heavy topics with whimsical reflections and playful moments of unencumbered joy, Bang is a truly rewarding listen and, by her own admission, is first and foremost a record "for the girlies". With one gig left in her diary for the year (supporting The Mary Wallopers at the iconic Barrowland Ballroom in Glasgow on the 18th of December), Zajac is poised for an even more explosive 2026.

St. Panther

St. Panther has been quietly shaping a genre-defying world for years - experimenting with a blend of funk, hip-hop, soul and pop, the Los Angeles based artist hones in on the most resonant elements of each genre, shaping a hybrid sound that feels instinctive, personal and entirely their own, something they’ve done consistently and authentically throughout their career. With a strong ear since childhood, their influences of a range of artists such as Sly and The Family Stone, and Thundercat are evident in their work. In 2025, that long-running artistic clarity arrived in full form with the release of their EP, Strange World, a record that feels both urgent and deeply resonant in current times. Strange World reflects the unsettling realities of the present moment without surrendering to despair. Instead, the project balances realism with optimism, pairing sharp social observation with expansive, groove-led production. The title track Strange World, co-written with Erik Bodin of Little Dragon and featuring Rae Khalil, acts as the emotional anchor. Built with a close-knit group of collaborators, the song captures the tension between chaos and care, grief and belief. The second release from the EP, American Dreams cuts deeper, confronting numbness, distraction and moral disengagement in an age of doomscrolling. Beyond any single release, St. Panther stands out as a genuinely rare artist. A true creator, and multi-instrumentalist, who moves fluidly between producing, singing and rapping. There’s a quiet fearlessness in the way St. Panther creates: non-conforming, intentional and unconcerned with trends, yet deeply attuned to the moment. Their work carries the sense of an artist thinking beyond immediacy, making music with the kind of depth, care and conviction that lasts. In an era of surface-level engagement, St. Panther feels committed to leaving something meaningful behind, with work grounded in honesty, craft and lasting impact.

Olive Jones

First introduced to many listeners through her 2022 feature on Gotts Street Park’s 'Tell Me Why', Olive Jones’ voice has long carried a quiet pull. In 2025, that early impression translated into wider recognition, as the year marked a clear breakout moment for her as a solo artist. Dorset-born and now London-based, Olive Jones is a singer, songwriter and guitarist whose sound draws from soul, jazz, blues and alt-folk. Growing up immersed in the records of jazz greats, the voice and its ability to captivate and evoke emotion has always been central to her musical expression. That influence runs through her work with ease, shaping music that feels warm, melodic and deeply human. Her releases throughout 2025 highlighted a growing confidence in both songwriting and sound. The songs are carried by honey-drenched vocals and guitar lines that leave space for feeling to unfold. Lyrically, Olive Jones explores love, loss and communication through the nuances of lived experience, writing with restraint and emotional clarity. 2025 also offered an early glimpse into her forthcoming debut album For Mary, which is set for release in March 2026. With five stunning songs already released, the project reveals a deeply personal and beautiful body of work in the making, further underscoring the emotional depth and sincerity that define her songwriting. 2025 positioned Olive Jones firmly in her own lane, offering work that feels assured, resonant and built to last, with songs that linger long after the final note fades.

Anaiis

Anaiis has been building her world with intention for almost a decade. Never rushing, never over-explaining, and in 2025, it all came into focus. Her music has always been deeply informed by the legacies of Black artists, activists and visionaries who came before her. You can hear it not just in sound, but in spirit: with echoes of Maya Angelou’s poise, and Nina Simone’s emotional truth and political weight. Nowhere is that lineage clearer than in one of her introductory releases - 'Nina', a song dedicated to her enduring impact, and a reminder that Anaiis’ work sits within a much longer cultural conversation. After the gorgeous and experimental Grupo Cosmo release in 2024, Devotion & the Black Divine arrived in 2025 - not as a reinvention, but as a moment where the world caught up. Anaiis has been this assured throughout her career; the difference now is simply that the world is now noticing. The project is intimate, spiritual and emotionally precise- music that asks you to slow down and listen properly. Moonlight stands out as a expansive defining track from the album, carried by stunning string arrangements that elevate the song into something almost cinematic, without ever losing its emotional closeness. Across the project, Anaiis moves with restraint, allowing space and silence to hold as much weight as melody. That intimacy translated effortlessly to the stage this year. Her recent sold-out Islington show wasn’t about spectacle, it was about deep connection. The kind of room where people lean in and where the transcendental energy is felt. It confirmed what her records have been quietly suggesting for a while now: Anaiis is an artist her audience don’t just listen to, they feel. Rooted in depth, patience and a global perspective, Anaiis’ music reflects years of intention and work that feels considered, resonant and made to stay with you.

Venna

After two EPs and an illuminating start to his career, Grammy Award-winning saxophonist Venna arrived in 2025 with his debut album, Malik. It marked a moment where his work came into clearer focus and wider recognition, as audiences began engaging with him more fully as an artist in his own right. Long admired for his contributions to The Yussef Dayes Experience, 2025 allowed space for Venna’s artistry to be understood beyond collaboration alone, reaching audiences well beyond the worlds he was already respected within. September's release of Malik felt central to that shift. Personal, intentional and assured, the album moves fluidly between jazz, soul and hip-hop, guided by feeling rather than genre. There’s a warmth and openness to the record in a sense of lineage and self, that makes it feel lived-in, honest and deeply considered. Venna’s collaborations throughout the year played a key role in expanding his global visibility. Features with artists such as Jorja Smith introduced his sound to wider audiences, offering a different entry point into his world while remaining true to his musical identity. These moments never feel transactional; instead, they highlight his ability to create space for voices, for feeling, and nuance. What’s most striking is how naturally his experimental instincts sit alongside moments of stillness. Malik is just as powerful in its instrumental passages as it is in its vocal-led moments. Across 2025, the response to Venna’s work reflected a growing understanding of his artistry and musicality. Whether through collaboration or solitude, his sound carries a quiet confidence, offering music that unfolds slowly and stays with you long after it ends.