These Fresh Faves were picked by our readers over the weekend – and reviewed by Fresh On The Net’s NEIL MARCH and SHERRY SAHAYARAJ this week. You can hear all these tracks in a single Soundcloud playlist here.

A word from Del: Hey everyone, another strong week for the faves! I would like to ask a huge favour of you all, we are building up our social media right now, so please follow us on instagram, twitter Threads, Bluesky, TikTok and Facebook.

Also as always you can also submit to my radio show on Exile FM – It goes out on Sunday evenings at 6:30pm at http://www.exilefm.com drop me an email with a bio and audio file to del.owusu@gmail.com clean radio edits only.

Thankyou! Over to you Neil and Sherry.

SHERRY: Happy new year everyone! We are already a month deep into 2026, but since this is our first time connecting over the reviews this year, the excitement hasn’t faded one bit. I’m joining you all today all the way from India. It is a massive honour to be starting my reviewing journey for the year with such an amazing batch of 10. It’s fascinating to see how artists are already shaping the sound of 2026. Let’s dive in!

NEIL: A belated Happy New Year everyone as this is our first time reviewing in 2026 as Sherry has said. This was a very strong week for submissions and it was seriously tough for the team trying to boil it down to 25 tracks for the Listening Post. So it stands to reason that our readers have voted for a stellar ten tracks that we have the privilege of reviewing. Coffee’s poured so let’s get stuck in.

AKI REMALLY – Waiting For The Sun

The Soundcloud page used to submit this is no help as it goes to a label and has no information about the artist. But we always do enough digging at FOTN. Aki Remally is a singer, writer and multi-instrumentalist from Edinburgh (in Scotland for those not familiar with the UK’s geography). He has a highly impressive itinerary stretching back over two decades as a respected figure in Funk and Jazz. He also specialises in representing the songbooks of classic artists including Gil Scott Heron and Donny Hathaway among others.

NEIL: As soon as Looking For The Sun kicks in, it is clear we are dealing with highly accomplished musicianship and very organic arranging. Aki’s voice is strong, expressive and has a great tone and his performance is agile. There is some tasty guitar work and a lovely funk-pop 80s-style groove that brings to mind the likes of Womack & Womack and Luther Vandross. The hook is irresistible too.

SHERRY: This track is full of groove from start to finish. It has that smooth, funky feel that just pulls you in and makes you want to move without trying too hard. The lyrics are clear and straight to the point, which makes the song easy to follow and even easier to sing along to. It’s one of those tracks that lifts your mood right away and leaves you feeling good by the time it ends. A really enjoyable listen with a great vibe running through it. My favourite part is the electric guitar part that gives a cool ending .

Official | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Bandcamp

AMA ADEM – Skin In The Game

Londoner Ama Adem describes herself as a ‘… redemptive pop singer and songwriter’. She makes her religious faith clear and she is so focused on music that she has quit work to go full-time. Exciting times ahead then.

SHERRY: This song feels like a story being told with confidence and purpose. From the first listen, the chorus really stays with you. It’s catchy in a natural way and easy to remember. Ama Adem’s voice is unique and full of character, and it helps carry the emotion of the song beautifully. There’s a strong sense of empowerment running through every section, and when the gang vocals come in on the chorus, it hits differently and lifts the whole track to another level.

NEIL: This track grabbed me the first time I listened. The ascending chord figure with syncopated beat and Ama’s instantly appealing voice get straight to it. The melody is sweet and soulful and the gospel-influenced backing vocals add to the aura. Essentially this is Pop; lovingly crafted and beautifully sung with some rich flavours adding to its quality.

Instagram | YouTube

BERENICE – WIFEY MATERIAL

Annoyingly, the link takes us to a management company page so there are no links to Berenice. This is why third parties shouldn’t submit ‘on behalf of’ artists unless they are going to include links about them on the page. Thankfully, where this might lose some review opportunities, us Fresh on the Net mods are made of sterner stuff when our readers have chosen the tracks and, having found Berenice’s Linktree, we were able to dig out the relevant links and research information. She has certainly been getting out and about live with gigs in London and Nottingham. She was featured by BBC Introducing in Kent a week or so ago and has also bagged plays on BBC Radio 1 and John Kennedy’s X-Posure show on Radio X.

NEIL: Wifey Material has a rocky element with some chunky guitars and punchy production. Multi-tracked harmonies feature strongly around a memorable hook and strong vocal performance that amplifies her exuberant persona. It is poppy too though and easy to see why it has attracted radio support.

SHERRY: This song has a real attitude and a fun vibe that comes through straight away. It feels confident, bold, and playful, like Berenice knows exactly who she is and isn’t afraid to show it. The energy stays strong throughout, making it an easy track to enjoy whether you’re listening closely or just letting it play loud. It’s the kind of song that sticks with you because it feels honest, lively, and full of personality.

Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

CHISARA AGOR – And I Fell To The Earth

No stranger to the Fresh Faves, South East Londoner Chisara Agor is a genuinely multi-discipline writer and performer who has been commissioned by numerous institutions including the BBC, ICA, Tate Galleries, National Theatre New York and many more. They bring a combination of music, dance, political debate, acting and visual art. They have also collaborated with artists such as Blackstreet, Tom Odell and others. With such a reputation internationally, expect more exciting projects to follow in 2026.

SHERRY: I’m completely in love with the vocals on this track. They feel almost out of this world. There’s something about the song that makes it feel like a different experience every time you listen. I also really love how the dynamics change as it goes on, keeping the track alive and interesting right through to the end. It’s powerful, emotional, and stays with you long after it finishes.

NEIL: And I Fell To Earth builds from quiet, sparse beginnings into a dynamic masterpiece of a track. Bringing elements of Soul, Gospel, Pop, Afrobeat and syncopated beats together with Chisara’s dominating, distinctive and dexterous vocal performance in a cleverly crafted song, this underlines Chisara’s talent and expertise. The multi-layered harmonies and warm sounds, especially in the percussion track, that drift across the centre of the mix add another layer of quality. Goose-bumping.

Official | Instagram | YouTube | Bandcamp

EVA LAYNE AND THE DOLLS – Adeline

This is only the second single by Liverpool’s Eva Layne & The Dolls and both have made the fresh faves. The last one, Cry, was also Dave Monks’ track of the week on BBC Introducing in Merseyside. Eva made her live debut at 16, singing with the Solid State Orchestra and has since graduated in Art at Goldsmiths, University of London (where a certain Neil March is an alumnus) and in Fashion back in Liverpool. The band has played a live debut at Fogerty’s Bar. Eva described their last single as ‘… the soundtrack to the film I’m living’ which is worth mentioning because their sound is strikingly cinematic.

NEIL: I reviewed the last single for Trust The Doc and really liked it. This is cool too. The band has a very filmic, expansive sound and the track builds in this respect, creating a spacious, colourful backdrop to Eva’s engaging vocals. The melody is appealing too and allows Eva the opportunity to stretch out in terms of register and dynamic. The term ‘classic’ Pop seems appropriate.

SHERRY: This track feels fun, colourful, and full of life from the moment it starts. There’s a playful energy running through it, and the sound feels big and bright in a really enjoyable way. Eva’s vocals sit perfectly in the track and help bring everything together, making it an easy and satisfying listen.

Instagram | YouTube

KUNLÉ – Ilé L’àb

Award-winning composer and artist from Toronto, Canada, Kunlé draws on his Nigerian heritage infused with an international array of influences. He has a new album out called Kunlé – The Journey. It follows a string of prestigious engagements, awards and general recognition that has seen him work alongside some big names.

SHERRY: The vocals on this track are absolutely cool and really draw you in. There’s a calm, inviting feel to the song that makes it interesting to listen to all the way through. It sounds unique and thoughtful, with a smooth flow that keeps your attention without trying too hard. The female vocal ad-libs towards the end really stood out to me. That moment adds a beautiful lift to the track and gives it a unique character.

NEIL: Ilé L’àbọ̀ brings a warm, fresh hybrid of influences. There is a subtle hint of Afrobeat despite the laid back feel of the track. It mixes with some gently rocking West African Folk and sophisticated Pop infusions. The instrumental arrangement is constructed around a three chord pattern with mellow piano, picking guitar and unobtrusive beat. Kunlé’s voice is sweet, beckoning and distinctive and the harmonies resound across the mix. The melody is instantly infectious too and the track builds cleverly around him.

Official | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

NOT NOT COOL – Footloose

There seems to be some confusion over the identity of Not Not Cool as all their pages point to them being called The Last Dinosaur. Whichever name they are currently using, they are the brainchild of North London composer, engineer and artist Jamie Cameron. His Facebook page gives a clue that Not Not Cool might be Jamie and Jack In Water. He has been involved in a broadcast series with Resonance Extra and has had BBC Introducing support. He also collaborates often with other artists.

NEIL: Footloose is aptly described as ‘Imagine Kool & The Gang’s Celebration recreated from memory by Talking Heads side project Tom Tom Club’. It certainly has that Kool & The Gang groove and picking guitars and the Tom Tom Club reference makes sense with the vocal and lyrical style. But it also benefits from contemporary sounds and production and it has a sassy stylish funkiness and catchy choon that will lodge itself inside your unsuspecting head!

SHERRY: This track is pure fun and doesn’t take itself too seriously. It has a lively groove that makes you want to move the moment it comes on. The energy stays high throughout, and it’s the kind of song that instantly lifts your mood. Easy to enjoy, and catchy.

Official | Facebook | Twitter/X | YouTube

PAUL TAYLOR – Clandesteinway ii

Returning fresh fave Paul Taylor, from Newcastle Upon Tyne, has been wowing audiences for many years with his remarkable ability to mix composition and improv while traversing different harmonic modes. He has been reviewed in The Guardian, played in Cathedrals, Churches and Concert Halls across the UK and been featured on numerous radio shows. He also once performed on Neil’s own piano at a festival in London and he has been the subject of many reviews in Trust The Doc, one of which, from 2021, remains pinned to the top of his X page.

SHERRY: This is a wonderful, ear pleasing piano track that completely draws you in. Every note feels carefully placed, yet free at the same time, making it a joy to listen to. The piece flows beautifully and creates a calm, immersive space that you can easily get lost in. It’s the kind of track that rewards close listening and stays with you after it ends.

NEIL: My friendship with the extraordinarily talented and yet quietly modest and very likeable Paul Taylor goes back to 2015 when he contributed to an ambitious triple compilation album of contemporary classical, electronic and experimental music I released on my Demerara Records label. Since then, he has delighted us time and again with his unique, post-impressionist and modally inflected music and virtuosic piano playing. It was an unbelievable privilege to experience Paul playing my rather basic upright piano at one of my festivals and making it sing in ways I would not have thought possible. Clandesteinway II is part of a series of piano pieces and represents Paul at his most inventive, improvising at a breathtakingly high standard around his composed ideas, creating a Fantasia that nods to Debussy, Gershwin, Durufle, Hancock and a host of others too. This is music you should allow to engulf your senses and take you to a beautiful, colourful world.

Instagram | Facebook | Twitter/X | YouTube | Bandcamp

TEMM – Surrender

Temm has already bagged BBC Three Counties & Northants’ Track of the Week with this song. Tomorrow (Tuesday), she will be headlining at Next Door Records in West London. Surrender is written with Jack Bowden who also co-produced it and is very personal to Temm. Her streaming numbers are impressive with over 20K monthly listeners and tracks that have had nearly half a million Spotify streams alone.

NEIL: This is a slow burning ballad with classic piano chords and Temm’s voice, smouldering and smoky, instantly grabbing our attention for its depth and quality; ramping up the dynamics a bit at a time as the track builds. There are shades of Christina Perri in a jam with Adele while Sia lurks in the shadows but she has very much her own sound and this song oozes class from start to finish.

SHERRY: This is a cool, soulful ballad with truly amazing vocals. The melody feels very emotional and slows everything down, letting you really feel each moment of the song. It takes you through different emotions; hurt, joy, and everything in between in a very honest way. The lyrics are impressive and deeply relatable, making the track feel personal and real.

Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

THE HAPPY SOMETHINGS – Heaven Is Divine

We scarcely need to introduce The Happy Somethings from the Nottinghamshire – Derbyshire borders in the English East Midlands. They are the definition of FOTN Royalty. They have been voted into the Fresh Faves so many times by our readers that even Google’s AI declares ‘… The Happy Somethings, a Nottingham/Derbyshire-based band known for their cheerful, “independently unpolished” sound, have been featured multiple times in Fresh On The Net’s Fresh Faves’. Surely a kind of fame! The trio of Happy, Jolly and Joy never appear live or in their videos and they are represented by their beautiful puppets, made by Joy’s mum, but this has never been any impediment to them gaining a massive reputation for their unique and yet versatile sound and style. Their unfalteringly generous support for their fellow grassroots artists and wider community is, along with their music, another reason for the bottomless well of love they receive and give back. They have been numerous recipients of BBC Introducing support and their music always enjoys a wide spectrum of airplay and reviews (including our own Trust The Doc journal and radio show).

SHERRY: Heaven Is Divine has a soft, comforting feel that slowly settles in. The vocals are warm and blend beautifully, giving the song a gentle and emotional touch. Nothing feels rushed here. The track takes its time and lets the mood breathe. It’s calm, thoughtful, and quietly uplifting, showing another lovely side to The Happy Somethings’ sound.

NEIL: Following on from the dreamy West Coast-tinged Pop of Meanwhile, they return with Heaven Is Divine (a wish rather than a prediction! The Happys haven’t suddenly gone all evangelical on us!). I hear a Beatles influence here and the combination of their voices with Joy leading the line reinforces their instantly recognisable and distinctive sound. A descending chord progression accompanies an engaging melody that, dare I say this, has slight shades of the latter Take That (circa Shine etc.). The lo-fi sound of electric and acoustic guitars and bass, chugging beat and harmonised vocals gives this an edge but it is also pretty and striking. Once again, they show another side of their creativity, enabling them to deliver a sweet and gentle song, as Sherry says, but still infuse it with trademark energy.

Instagram | Facebook | Twitter/X | YouTube | Bandcamp

PS from DEL If you’ve submitted a track that hasn’t been picked for the Listening Post, our team has definitely listened to it and there’s no need to send it again: feel free to send us an even stronger track another week. The same goes if you were picked for the Listening Post but didn’t feature in our Fresh Faves.

But if we’ve recently featured you in our Fresh Faves please wait three months before sending us another track, so we have space to help other deserving artists… For more info see Robinson Has A Good Old Moan.