Chuck Timely & The Hourglass is shaping up to be another stellar record from ROLE MODEL. The pressure is on after the success of Kansas Anymore (The Longest Goodbye), which featured the smash hit ‘Sally, When The Wine Runs Out’. It was easily one of last year’s most memorable releases. Not only because of the song itself, but also because of the unforgettable live moment it created. Night after night, a different celebrity would take the stage as the evening’s ‘Sally’. The list is endless, from Charli XCX and Reneé Rapp to Troye Sivan and Malcolm Todd. With his latest release, ROLE MODEL looks set to create another unforgettable moment. “Remember Joy? She’s been gone a while. I’d see her more when I was younger than a mile. She shows her face in the weirdest ways. Could really use it more these days.” The opening lyrics immediately set the tone. We love how ROLE MODEL turns the feeling of joy into a person who has slowly disappeared from his life. Musically, however, the song could not feel more joyful. It is another irresistible pop record sprinkled with just the right amount of country influences. This is exactly why we keep coming back to ROLE MODEL.
Mary Ann Alexander is a fresh new voice in R&B, proudly representing India through her music. That alone already makes her stand out. Indian artists remain underrepresented within the genre, making voices like Mary Ann’s all the more exciting. Even better, she is not relying on novelty alone. She is simply making genuinely great R&B music. A few months ago, Mary Ann appeared on Hunna G’s YouTube channel, where the producer has built a platform for undiscovered talent. The concept is simple: a table, a microphone and a sign that reads, ‘Take a seat, rap on the beat.’ Usually, rappers step up to showcase their bars over Hunna G’s productions. This time, however, Mary Ann took a seat, told Hunna it was her very first time in New York City and decided to write about the experience instead. What followed was a beautiful blend of her angelic vocals floating effortlessly over the beat rather than rapping. The result was simply too good to stay on YouTube. Thankfully, the track has now made its way to streaming platforms as well. If you ask us, this might just be Clean’s song of the summer.
Clean has selected seven albums that deserve to soundtrack your summer. Whether you are looking for something to help you unwind in the sun or an album to get the party started and turn up the heat, this selection has you covered. Gabriel Jacoby – gutta child There is no doubt about it: Gabriel Jacoby is the most exciting new artist to emerge in recent years. He has already earned praise from fellow musicians, with even Michelle Obama recommending his music. On gutta child, he introduces himself to the world with confidence, showcasing exactly who he is as an artist and what he is capable of. Want to dive deeper into the record? Read our full review. Justine Skye – CANDY Every summer needs the perfect pop album, and Justine Skye is here to deliver exactly that. On CANDY, she makes it clear she plans to spend the season dancing. Expect sun-soaked, Ibiza-inspired production paired with dreamy, polished pop vocals. This is the soundtrack to getting ready before heading out to your next beach party. flirty800 – Strip DJ and producer flirty800 is exactly who you want behind the decks at your Pride celebration. His latest project, Strip, is packed with experimental electronic production that seems to melt together in the summer heat. Listening to these hypnotic beats makes us wish we were in an dark overcrowded club, no air conditioning, just sweaty bodies becoming one. DON WEST – DON WEST We have genuinely lost count of how many times we have played DON WEST’s self-titled debut EP. Ever since its release in 2024, it has been on constant rotation. It is one of those timeless records that works in every setting. Your mum will love it, your neighbours will not mind hearing it through the walls and your friends will instantly fall for the jazzy grooves and Don’s effortlessly charming voice. Brick & Lace – Love Is Wicked We simply cannot think about summer without thinking about Jamaican duo Brick & Lace. Sisters Nyanda and Nailah Thorbourne released their debut album Love Is Wicked back in 2007, and not a single summer has gone by without us returning to it. The title track remains pure gold and one of the greatest summer songs ever recorded. Leo Middea – Notícias de Puglia Brazilian singer Leo Middea has created what we genuinely believe is the perfect summer holiday album. Put it on during a road trip to the campsite, while hosting a long dinner with friends or as motivation for an early morning workout in the sunshine. Notícias de Puglia feels at home in every summer moment imaginable. Trust us you will fall in love with this record just as quickly as we did. Steffi & Virginia – Patterns Of Vibration Let’s end this list where every great summer should: on the dance floor. Longtime collaborators Steffi and Virginia have shared countless B2B sets at places like Berghain and Dekmantel Festival before finally taking their chemistry into the studio. The result is Patterns Of Vibration, an EP made for dancing until the sun comes up.
At just 17 and 19 years old, Maden Lane are already making waves with their distinctive sound. The Australian duo started creating music in 2023, leading up to the release of their self-titled debut album earlier this year. Max takes care of the instrumentals, while Eden writes and sings the melodies. Most of their music is still recorded in Max’s bedroom studio, giving it a charming DIY spirit despite its polished production. The best way to describe their sound is experimental jazz-pop with electronic influences, while also drawing inspiration from neo-soul and R&B throughout the record. The standout moment on the album is the mesmerizing ‘Tell Me’. The jazzy track already received a remix with Max Laxon, introducing the duo to an even wider audience. Although the song has been out for a few months now, we could not resist shining a light on it and making sure listeners beyond Australia discover Maden Lane too. The pair are still in school, so for now we will happily let them focus on earning their diplomas. Once that chapter is behind them, we hope they throw themselves into music full-time. The future looks incredibly bright for Maden Lane.
Ladies and gentlemen, they’s and thems, please make your way to the dance floor. This is not a drill. Madonna needs you to dance, celebrate and pray with your bodies. Twenty years after the release of Confessions on a Dance Floor, the Queen of Pop returns with its long-awaited successor and it would not be CONFESSIONS II without Stuart Price serving as executive producer. Together, the duo is determined to deliver some of Madonna’s strongest work in decades. A sequel does not mean a copy-and-paste continuation of a successful album. Instead, Madonna and Stuart Price begin by exploring new territory. Acid house may well be one of the few genres Madonna had yet to embrace. On ‘I Feel So Free’ and ‘Good For The Soul’, she once again proves that no sound should be off limits for a living legend. Reinvention has always been one of her greatest strengths, and we can only hope she never stops pushing herself creatively. As much as we understood the decision to release the Sabrina Carpenter-assisted ‘Bring Your Love’ as the lead single, we could not help but feel it sounded a little too polished and commercial on first listen. Within the context of the album, however, it makes complete sense. Not only does it fit seamlessly into the tracklist, but Madonna’s decision to invite one of today’s biggest pop stars onto the record almost feels symbolic. It is as if she is giving Sabrina her own stamp of approval to take over the reins. The rest of the collaborations are just as thoughtfully chosen. Martin Garrix joins Madonna on the EDM banger ‘Bizarre’. It is undoubtedly one of the album’s more commercial moments, but a banger nonetheless. She also embraces today’s Latin music landscape by inviting Zeid onto ‘Read My Lips’. At first, the collaboration feels slightly unexpected, yet it ultimately provides a welcome breather from the album’s shivery, orgasmic club music. Stromae, in turn, adds another layer of depth to the sensual ‘My Sins Are My Savior’, his warm French vocals blending beautifully with Madonna’s. Our favorite collaboration, however, has to be with her daughter Lola Leon on ‘The Test’. There is something heartbreakingly beautiful about hearing Madonna sing to Lola, “Little Star, I tried to put you on a pedestal. You didn’t ask for all the flashing lights. I didn’t think of how it could disturb. Or how it hurt.” Recently, the news broke that Universal pulled the plug on the Madonna biopic due to budget issues. Listening to CONFESSIONS II, we cannot help but wonder whether we even need a big-budget film to tell Madonna’s story when she is perfectly capable of doing so through her music. The fun and playful ‘Danceteria’ revisits the early days of her career, ‘Fragile’ reflects on her complicated relationship with her brother Christopher, who sadly passed away while the album was being recorded, and ‘Betrayal’ opens another deeply personal chapter as she reflects on her complicated relationship with her late stepmother. Where most artists reference the musicians who inspired them, Madonna has the legacy to reference the defining moments of her own career. Throughout CONFESSIONS II, she pays tribute to herself through both the lyrics and the production. We hear echoes of Erotica on ‘My Sins Are My Savior’, revisit Bedtime Stories on ‘Betrayal’, and catch glimpses of Ray of Light on ‘L.E.S. Girl’. Elsewhere, songs like ‘Bring Your Love’ and ‘One Step Away’ lovingly nod to ‘Vogue’. This feels like so much more than a continuation of Confessions on a Dance Floor. It feels like Madonna choosing to tell her own story before anyone else can. CONFESSIONS II is unmistakably her best work in years. Now all that is left to hope for is a deluxe edition featuring those rumored collaborations with Kylie Minogue and Charli XCX.
Dutch rapper Frenna has always had the aura of an international superstar. Until now, however, he has kept his focus firmly on his home country. In the Netherlands, he is one of the country’s biggest artists, selling out arenas within seconds. Now, it is finally time to swap his Dutch lyrics for English. It feels like the natural next step in a career that seems destined to reach far beyond the Netherlands. What happens when you put a Dutch rapper, a British R&B singer and a Nigerian Afrobeats hitmaker in the same studio? You get ‘COCA BODY’. Frenna joins forces with Odeal and Wizkid on a sun-soaked anthem celebrating the female body. With its infectious groove and international line-up, the track has all the ingredients to become one of this summer’s biggest hits.
The UK’s legend in the making has been everywhere lately. Jorja Smith has been releasing new music, lending her voice to other artists’ tracks and headlining festivals all summer long. The only thing missing was a new album announcement. Luckily, that wait is over. This week, she announced that her third studio album, What Are The Odds, will be yours on August 21st. It has been an especially busy week for Afrobeats superstar Wizkid. On the very same day, he appears on both Frenna’s ‘COCA BODY’ and Jorja’s new single ‘Alive’. Following ‘What’s Done Is Done’, the track continues to introduce what may well be Jorja’s most upbeat era yet. This summer, she is leaving heartbreak behind and inviting us all to embrace the good vibes alongside her.
Sometimes all you need is a push in the right direction. Tyler, The Creator gave Fana Hues a spot on his Grammy-winning album Call Me If You Get Lost, introducing one of R&B’s most captivating rising voices to a wider audience. Years later, we are still fully captivated by the singer and her mesmerising sound. Fana Hues is currently releasing songs in the lead-up to her upcoming summer project, Catch n’ Release. We already love how conceptual this era feels. The entire campaign revolves around a fisherwoman aesthetic, with visuals inspired by the sea, boats, fish and, of course, the beautiful singer dressed in fishnet-inspired outfits. For the second taste, Fana has released ‘Sweet n’ Sour’. The track feels intimate and dreamy without ever losing its emotional weight. With her signature soft, airy vocals floating over the production, it has all the makings of a timeless record that deserves to soundtrack the rest of the summer on your radio.
Pride is celebrated around the world throughout the summer. The daily news reminds us why Pride remains as important as ever. At Clean, we always aim to highlight queer artists and the incredible music they create. Today, that spotlight belongs to New Zealand’s TEEKS and his latest single, ‘My Boy’. In his home country, TEEKS is already a household name. With multiple awards to his name and a number-one debut album, he has firmly established himself as one of New Zealand’s biggest stars. The country, however, feels far too small for a talent this big. With ‘My Boy’, it is time for the rest of the world to take notice. His rich, velvety baritone glides effortlessly over a soulful R&B production, while his songwriting explores themes of vulnerability, identity and love. It feels like only a matter of time before international audiences fall in love with him too. Alongside the release of the single, TEEKS shared a heartfelt reflection on sexuality, masculinity and the pressure many people feel to define themselves publicly. Rather than focusing on the idea of coming out, he speaks about embracing every part of yourself without fear. As he beautifully puts it: “Being secure in your sexuality... is the absence of fear.” It is a message that perfectly complements a song built on honesty, vulnerability and self-acceptance.
Artists like Janet Jackson, Madonna and Rihanna changed the music landscape by proving that reinventing yourself is not a risk but a strength. There is no need to stay tied to a single genre just to protect your artistry. Destin Conrad might take that idea more literally than anyone. In just a few months, he has moved effortlessly from the playful, pop-infused R&B of LOVE ON DIGITAL to the full on jazz project wHIMSY!. Are you ready for yet another side of Destin? Raised by his Jamaican-born single mother, it only makes sense that he is now paying tribute to his roots. Later this year, Destin will release a reggae-inspired album and ‘Nervous’ offers the first taste of what is to come. Rather than experimenting with the genre for the sake of it, he fully embraces it while making it unmistakably his own. On the confident track, he hypes up his friend, reminding him that when his girl walks into the club, everyone else suddenly gets nervous by her beautiful presence. Consider us fully locked in for Destin Conrad’s reggae era.
Payback is a bi... wait, a dog! Nia Smith finally returns with her long-awaited sophomore EP, Payback Is A Dog. The project feels like a natural continuation of the collection of songs she introduced back in 2024. Two years ago, the rising star released her debut EP Give Up The Fear, a project we at Clean were lucky enough to experience live. Seeing her support Elmiene on tour only cemented what we already knew: Nia Smith is the real deal. Her vocals are undeniable and her ability to write songs that feel both nostalgic and fresh is unmatched. The new release opens with the intro ‘Payback’, a perfectly crafted 1-minute-and-25-second opener that immediately sets the tone. A retro soul vocal welcomes us before handing the microphone to Nia. She glides over a vintage-inspired beat, keeping things subtle exactly as an introduction should. Next up is last year’s single ‘Limit’. Over an old-school, almost blues-inspired production, she sets the record straight with her lover. There is a limit to her love and perhaps it is finally time to admit this relationship simply was never meant to be. Where Give Up The Fear had ‘Personal’, Payback Is A Dog gives us ‘Hope In Us’. Sonically, the two could easily be siblings. A laid-back, reggae-infused groove carries deeply personal and vulnerable lyrics. Once again, the themes introduced on ‘Limit’ continue to unfold, leaving us wondering who managed to break Nia’s heart so completely. Whatever she went through, one day she will surely look back with a smile knowing it inspired some of her strongest songwriting yet. Nia’s artistry has been recognized ever since she began releasing music two years ago. Artists including Mahalia, SZA, Jorja Smith and Tems have all shown their support. It is no surprise, then, that ‘Stuntin’’ carries echoes of the artists who helped shape today’s R&B landscape. Make no mistake though, Nia is not copying anyone. Her voice is entirely her own. Its warm, rich tone reaches places few singers can, something that becomes especially clear on the stunning ballad ‘High’. By the time ‘Get My Get Back’ arrives, Nia finally seems to have let go of the relationship that no longer served her. No more wasting energy on someone incapable of loving her the way she deserves. Instead, she chooses herself. The confident, laid-back production perfectly reflects that shift in mindset. There is no need for soaring high notes or vocal gymnastics here. Calm, controlled and self-assured says far more. The EP’s only collaboration comes courtesy of Destin Conrad. Together, the pair remind us that it is okay to let our guard down every once in a while. There is no need to be hard on yourself all the time. Take a breath and allow yourself some kindness. We especially love how Nia leaves room for Destin to deliver one of his most relaxed performances to date. He never overpowers the song, instead elevating it with effortless chemistry. Once again, Nia Smith proves exactly why she is one of the most exciting names in modern R&B. With Payback Is A Dog, she continues building on the momentum of her debut while further establishing her own unmistakable identity. One thing is certain: as soon as she heads back out on tour, we will be front row once again.
The UK is quickly becoming the place to discover some of the most exciting and promising female voices in R&B. Among the artists currently on our radar is Amaria BB. She has just released her EP Comes To Light, a project that once again showcases her ability to seamlessly blend R&B with dancehall and subtle hints of Afrobeats. For one of the tracks, she enlisted the help of another rising R&B star. On ‘Closure’, there is no need for tricks or surprises. It is simply a beautifully crafted song that stays true to its genre. To elevate it to the next level, none other than Leigh-Anne stepped into the studio. The two met during Carnival in Brazil and naturally decided to reunite in a London studio. The result is everything you would hope for from these talented women: a traditional R&B production, silky-smooth vocals and ad-libs placed exactly where they should be.
Steve Lacy is gearing up for the release of his third album, Oh yeah?, arriving on July 17th. The tracklist has been revealed and, among its ten songs, he has secured some legendary features. Both Erykah Badu and SZA stepped into the studio to add their magical touch to his mesmerising sound. Luckily, there is no need to wait for the collaboration with the latter. ‘is it cool?’ was released today. As much as we would love to dive deep into the song, we wonder: Steve Lacy and SZA on one track together… do we really need to say more?
July 24th marks the release of Charli xcx’s eighth studio album. This time around, it will not be another ‘brat summer’ and that is exactly the point. Charli has never been one to deliver repetitive, watered-down versions of her previous work. Instead, she keeps reinventing herself, and that is exactly what makes her one of pop’s most exciting artists. The fourth taste of Music, Fashion, Film comes in the form of the indie-rock track ‘Wink Wink’. The tongue-in-cheek song has Charli talk-singing her way through the verses before switching to a sweet, almost innocent voice for the chorus. We love her most on songs like this, where she refuses to take herself too seriously and delivers lyrics that are both playful and relatable. The single arrives alongside an accompanying music video that perfectly captures the same youthful, carefree energy. Charli looks effortlessly beautiful and confident throughout. This project may not be shaping up to become the cultural phenomenon that brat was, but based on what we have heard so far, we would choose this era any day.
These days, the American Dream often begins on one of the many talent shows on television. Yet, of all the contestants who make it to the Top 10, only a handful end up carving out a lasting place in the music industry. Luckily, Arin Ray’s story has a happy ending. He auditioned for The X Factor at just 16 years old and ultimately made it to the Top 10 under the mentorship of none other than Britney Spears. The R&B singer competed in the same season as Fifth Harmony and, to this day, still calls Normani one of his best friends. Arin is known for delivering honest lyrics about relationships, loss and personal growth. He creates classic R&B infused with modern production and touches of soul and hip-hop. His project Phases III was on repeat for us. This year, he returned as an independent artist and his new release is pure perfection. On ‘Sweet Thang’, the singer blends traditional R&B with a funky, almost jazzy production. His voice sounds sweeter than ever on the track. We love hearing the creative freedom that has emerged since parting ways with his label.
Clean brings you new music on the daily. We make sure you stay up to date with the latest releases you shouldn’t miss out on. However, every now and then, we like to take a little throwback. Whether it’s a song we believe you may have missed or a true blast from the past that once dominated the charts, these moments are here to remind us what today’s music is built on. We celebrate the hits of today and revisit yesterday’s best tunes, like the one below. We’re throwing it back to 2003, the year Eve released her third studio album, Eve-Olution. The record arrived after the enormous success of her first two albums, at a time when she was at the peak of her career and releasing hit after hit. Its lead single became a massive worldwide success. Together with Alicia Keys, she delivered the iconic ‘Gangsta Lovin’’, which remains one of the most memorable songs in her catalogue. The album’s second single performed well in America but never managed to conquer the rest of the world. Here at Clean, however, we have a deep appreciation for the timeless record that is ‘Satisfaction’. Yes, it absolutely makes sense that it did not reach the same commercial heights as ‘Who’s That Girl?’ and ‘Let Me Blow Ya Mind’. The track simply sounds more American, more hip-hop and less commercial overall. Even so, it remains a massive favourite in our office to this day. Behind the production is none other than Dr. Dre. That, paired with Eve’s effortless flow, is reason enough why the track still sounds fresh more than twenty years later. The rapper recently made her long-awaited appearance on NPR’s Tiny Desk, opening the set with ‘Satisfaction’. Seeing her perform it live after all these years has put the song back on full rotation for us. Want to experience it in person? You’re in luck. Eve will be touring Europe later this year, so go get your tickets now!
Releasing a single titled ‘Wishing Well’ might just be the smartest move an artist can make right now. Cinema is having a major pop culture moment thanks to the smash-hit movie Obsession. In the film, a boy discovers a wishing well that allows him to wish for his crush to love him more than anything in the world. Since its release, searches for wishing wells have skyrocketed online. We can’t help to think that this inspired Duckwrth to release his song now. Having your song pop up in those search results certainly will not hurt the promo. Duckwrth actually wrote ‘Wishing Well’ back in 2019. At the time, his music career was blossoming. He was touring non-stop for the first time and, on paper, life seemed like a dream. The singer and rapper, however, wrote on Instagram: “I never felt full happiness. I was thousands of miles away from home. I missed my loved ones. And we were mourning Nipsey Hussle, who was killed that March. A bit of survivor’s guilt ’cause my city was hurt, but I was in Germany, feeling like I didn’t deserve to be there. Wishing that I could bring my loved ones on my travels.” The result is a beautifully produced and heartfelt song. It follows his recently released single ‘I Wanna Be Your Dog Again’, in which he cosplays as a dog. Sonically, both tracks inhabit the same world. With such a clear direction in sound, we can only hope this is leading up to another album release later this year.
Q Marsden is one of the most exciting names in alternative music today. The American singer seamlessly blends soulful falsetto vocals, introspective songwriting and genre-bending production into his work. Do you love the emotional openness of Frank Ocean, the soulful musicianship of D’Angelo, and the genre fluidity of Childish Gambino and Steve Lacey? Then Q should absolutely be on your radar. Following the release of his album 10 Songs last year, he now returns with his first new release of 2026. On ‘hey there [i have a compulsive complex]’, the singer falls hard in love and cannot wait for his date to feel the same way. Over a guitar-driven production, he sings: “I dive into your ocean floor. You say “Q, just slow your roll”, but here we go.” The track serves as the lead single from his upcoming project do you see me, which is set for release later this year.