Various Artists - Soul Jazz Records: Queen Dem

A new compilation gathering a wide-reaching group of female and non-binary artists working across genre, language and geography, with contributions from Lagos, Brooklyn, London, Hong Kong and beyond. The sound is as varied as the cast i from the jagged grime of TeeZandos and MC Yallah to the glassy electronics of Yaeji and COUCOU CHLOE, it's consistently direct, inventive and loaded with character. Sudan Archives and Yaya Bey bring nuance and clarity, while Georgia Anne Muldrow and Dizzy Fae balance melodic force with raw edges. Aunty Rayzor and Vanessa the Finessa provide standout energy, with rising names like Nira, Queenie and Warrior Queen pushing things in new directions. There's no single through-line here beyond self-possession i each artist holds their own sonic identity and leans into it fully. It's a new release with a sharp ear for contrast and range, reflecting not a trend but a network of voices already shaping what comes next. Wide open in sound but tight in curation, this one's well worth spending time with.