For its second anniversary, Samba Jean-Baptiste’s 2023 LP, ‘Cardinal' arrives on vinyl and CD. Two years on from its original release on Samba’s own AM Radio imprint, this physical release via Scenic Route Records celebrates an album that’s quietly built a devoted following for its intimate songwriting, cinematic arrangements, and deeply human detail.

This edition features alternative artwork by Rafi Goudy and, for CD buyers, a 32-page lyric booklet featuring images captured by Samba himself.

An intimate, richly textured record that’s grown into a modern cult classic, ‘Cardinal’ stands as a deeply personal snapshot of a singular artist - now a tactile home experience.

TRACK LISTING

1.Running To The Nearest Body Of Water
2. Perfect & Learning
3. I Could’ve Cried
4. Umlaut
5. Windows
6. Seven Less Functions (feat. Chloë LeStage)
7. Song 6
8. Luca’s Song
9. Signs
10. A Wish Slanted
11. Storytime
12. The Primate
13. Texas Sundial V1
14. Quick Before Something Drastic Happens
15. Better Now
16. Uptown Lovebug
17. Talk / Pleasure
18. Cardinal
19. Window Seat
20. +ad 

London trio, thredd’s, acclaimed 2025 debut ‘It’s Lovely, Come On In’ available for the first time on vinyl. thredd is the latest project from musicians Will Lister, Max Winter, and Imogen and The Knife who came together as the first (and only) band formed during the infamous Laylow residency in West London.

Over the course of 4 weeks in November 2023, the trio set up a makeshift studio in Laylow’s basement venue and wrote music to be performed live each Wednesday, embracing a raw, immediate approach with no room for overthinking. The result is a sound they call “cold pop”, a mix of atmospheric textures, sharp melodies, and emotional depth. Since then, they’ve built on their diverse strengths having already played the ICA and supported Nourished by Time across the UK.

TRACK LISTING

1. Horseshow
2. We Don’t Speak Anymore
3. Something For My Head
4. It’s Lovely, Come On In
5. Party
6. (and I see you there across the room eyes down in a rick rubin book)
7. Funny Girl
8. Vimeo

Ivy Knight’s songs reflect a city dreamer creating a new world to sink into: across 'Iron Mountain', she conjures imagery of barren Southwest American landscapes as she recounts memories that feel beamed from generations past, channeling folk melodies and old trail ballads of the late 50s and early 60s.

Much of her work has been created both within, and in reference to the Hudson Valley, where she met frequent collaborator Deer park (fakemink, Ecco2k, evilgiane) who produced and engineered.

TRACK LISTING

1. Headlamp
2. Deep Blue
3. Red Rock
4. Canyon
5. Beacon
6. Steel
7. Leave No Trace
8. Swimming In Blood
9. Faith

London duo Babeheaven — vocalist Nancy Andersen and producer/multi- instrumentalist Jamie Travis — return after four years with their highly anticipated 5-track EP ‘Slower Than Sound’, released via Scenic Route on October 24.

Following their singles ‘Beloved’ and the 6 Music-premiered track ‘Picture This’, ‘Slower Than Sound’ marks a deeply personal and intimate turn for Babeheaven. Written and recorded largely in Nancy’s home studio, the EP embraces minimal instrumentation, acoustic textures, and spacious arrangements, capturing the emotional vulnerability and euphoria the duo describe as “Post Rave” — the music you listen to on the ride home from a
party.

“It feels like a rebirth in a lot of ways,” says Nancy. “Writing at home gave me space to experiment, make mistakes, and rebuild confidence. Once I brought the songs to Jamie, we shaped them together into what you hear now.”

The EP explores love, reflection, and personal growth. Beloved conjures a comforting, almost mythic presence, while Lost For Words reflects the struggle to connect with the world and oneself. Picture This offers snapshots of a relationship, looking back while imagining its future. The cover Tiny Demons by Todd Rundgren blends seamlessly with the EP’s introspective mood, and Loud Thoughts, featuring Samba Jean-Baptiste, captures heartbreak, burnout, and creative pressure. “I hope people can find their own meaning in these songs,” Nancy says. “I’m writing for myself, but music is for each listener to interpret.”

Since debuting with Friday Sky in 2016, Babeheaven have steadily built a loyal following through their acclaimed albums Home For Now and Sink Into Me, amassing over 65 million Spotify streams and earning support from BBC Radio 1, 6 Music, and KCRW. Their live shows have sold out Village Underground,

Bush Hall, and Jazz Cafe, and they’ve shared stages with Cigarettes After Sex, Loyle Carner, and Nilüfer Yanya. Visually, Babeheaven’s world has been shaped alongside creatives including Margot Bowman, Frank Lebon, Tegen Williams, Sacha Beeley, and Joyce Ng, cementing their reputation as one of the UK’s most distinctive acts.

After facing cancelled tours, industry pressures, and a period of creative doubt, Slower Than Sound represents a return to the core of their artistry: intimate, honest, and self-produced. Jamie reflects: “Not putting out music for so long was hard, so we hope this is the start of a more prolific period for us, reconnecting with the London music community and beyond.”

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: An intimate selection of warmly evocative synth-pop vignettes, drenched in atmosphere and presented like a dream-world on earth. Soulful downbeat, synthy indie and hip-shaking beats wrapped in a hazy blanket.

TRACK LISTING

1. Picture This
2. Beloved
3. Lost For Words
4. Loud Thoughts
5. Tiny Demons

Scenic Route follow up their now classic Nourished By Time album with the debut 7" from London's Natty Wylah. Tip for fans of Cobey Sey / Curl, Young Fathers and Wu Lu.

This year Natty Wylah has been cementing himself in London’s rich contemporary music scene with festival performances at Glastonbury, We Out Here with Silhouettes Project and a headline Southbank show as part of Nabihah Iqbal’s ‘Glory To Sound’ series. As well as contributions to Rhythm Sections, compilation ‘Shouts’ all in the run up to his next EP, "Willowisp".

"Moth Wings / FB Trap" is the perfect introduction to Natty’s world where magic, slime and reality all mix together. With his cinematic lyrics on "Mothwings", Natty conjures up the imagery of celestial moths, who when seeking the moonlight end up stuck chasing flickering artificial light bulbs. The track features the unmistakable characteristics of Natty’s sound: traipsing across hip-hop, the psychedelic and punk, all adorned with ethereal vocals and woozy synths from Poppy and Finn Billingham.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Scenic Route continue to scout out the hottest new sounds from the underground. After slaying us with that Nourished By Time album earlier in the year they now turn the spotlight on the charismatic Natty Wylah.

TRACK LISTING

A. Moth Wings
AA. FB Trap