Too Good! To Gatekeep

1. Rio Rainz (@riorainz) - ‘boat’
Having released his latest EP boy overboard at the start of the year, East London’s Rio Rainz continues to carve out a sound rooted in melodic, introspective alt-R&B, blending rap, soul and indie textures. On ‘boat’, his laid-back delivery carries an honest reflection on relationships, drifting over soft guitar-led production with a hazy, dreamlike quality that lets his vulnerability take centre stage.

2. Elli Ingram (@elliingram) – ‘Trouble’
Soulful and instantly familiar, ‘Trouble’ sees Brighton’s Elli Ingram lean into her rich blend of jazz and hip-hop influences. Husky, expressive vocals pair with smooth saxophone lines and warm instrumentation to conjure a dimly lit jazz bar atmosphere. ‘Trouble’ is both soulful and effortlessly catchy, and there’s anticipation to see where her sound will evolve next.

3. mustbejohn (@mustbejohn) - ‘Good To Me’
A refreshing addition to the indie-alternative scene, mustbejohn pairs feel-good hooks with sharp songwriting. ‘Good To Me’ carries echoes of The Streets mixed with Empire of the Sun, blending bright synth guitars with high-pitched vocals into something infectious and uplifting.

4. Abbie Piper (@abbie_piper_) - ‘Better On My Own’
At the end of 2025, Cornwall-born, London-based Abbie Piper released her debut EP Mirror Talk, a cohesive project built around heartfelt storytelling, an R&B backbone and a polished pop finish. Her honeyed vocals glide over smooth production, creating a comforting, intimate atmosphere while bringing a fresh energy to the scene.

5. Unflirt (@unflirt) - ‘Next To You’
For fans of Beabadoobee, Unflirt blends dreamy bedroom pop with soft shoegaze textures. ‘Next To You’, from her 2025 EP Fleeting, layers lo-fi guitars with the delicate vocals of Christine Senorin. The result is an intimate and effortlessly atmospheric track that feels like a quiet invitation into her world.