The records the big outlets skip. Independent music criticism, est. 2026.

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GlobalFeature

Zee Nxumalo Bets Her Big Year on 3-Step

South Africa's most-streamed woman of 2025 could have coasted on amapiano hits. In 2026 she went small, strange and Zulu-inflected with Dlala Thukzin instead.

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GlobalReview

Papangu Trade Sludge for Sunlight on Celestial

The João Pessoa prog band recorded its third album to tape with no computers, and swapped most of its metal for forró, ciranda and vintage keyboards.

Papangu performing on a small club stage at Signature Brew Haggerston in London, August 2026