Tru Thoughts State of Play – Summer 2026 – Sponsored by Qobuz

We hope you may be familiar with some of the the artists featured on State of Play, and that you also find some new favourites here. If they are new to you this article is here to let you know a bit more about the acts and the tunes – so sit back, pop on the album and find out more about the music. If you like the tracks included on the CD and playlist then we would love for you to listen to the artists’ other releases, and like, share, playlist and enjoy.

The playlist and CDs have been supported by our friends at Qobuz. Qobuz are a streaming and music download site. They stream at the best audio quality available, pay better rates to the artists and have real people listening, curating and recommending the music. Check them out HERE for a free trial.

State of Play “Liner Notes”

Kyla Kilzer & Max Noir – Break Through

Tru Thoughts is based in Brighton on the south coast of England, so where better to start than with our new signings Kyla Kilzer and Max Noir who live in our hometown. They met on 1st April 2025 and by 1st July we were meeting to sign them. ‘Break Through‘ comes from their earlier sessions, that became their Sip & Wonder EP.  Blending soft garage rhythms, alt-R&B textures, and hip-hop undertones, the track finds a quiet strength in vulnerability. “It’s about the moments when you slip back into old habits,” Kyla explains, “but instead of getting stuck there, you learn to move through them with patience.”

Tara Lily & King Krule – Tropical Storm

Growing up in Peckham as part of a British Bengali family has given Tara Lily a unique perspective on music and global culture. She has spent her life absorbing a multitude of sounds and genres, from electronica, jazz and R&B to traditional Bengali folk music. Tara was the first artist signed to Motown Records (UK) and we are pleased to say, she then made her way to us. An incredible performer, songwriter and musician, she teams up here with the enigmatic King Krule on “Tropical Storm”, taken from the Quiet Nights (Early Takes) EP.

Norah Jane & MOR.LOV – Distracted

Amsterdam duo Norah and MOR.LOV delivered an outstanding album called Godspeed, a record that deserves to be heard. “Distracted” showcases the organic interplay between Norah’s rich, unhurried vocals and MOR.LOV’s intricate production. The result is a track that feels deeply personal and quietly cinematic. Across their releases, the duo has earned extensive support from BBC 6 Music (including Don Letts and Craig Charles), KEXP, Worldwide FM, Rinse FM and heavy rotation on France’s FIP.

Bazaazal – Peace & Love

Picking up the tempo, here is the mysterious Bazaazal, who has released a couple of quality tunes on the label. Producer, composer and storyteller Bazaazal (pronounced Ba-zay-zal) creates spiritual soundscapes that merge the cosmic, the electronic and the eternal. “Peace & Love” combines jazzy keys, shuffling rhythms and a brilliant groove. Be sure to check out “Computer Love” too, a mainstay of Robert Luis’ (Tru Thoughts A&R, Founder & Co-Owner) DJ sets.

Lance Ferguson’s Rare Groove Spectrum – Losalamitoslatinfunklovesong (Gil sm Remix)

Melbourne-based, New Zealand-born Lance Ferguson has been releasing music on Tru Thoughts for over twenty years. From The Bamboos, Lanu, Kylie Auldist and Menagerie with a hiatus through to his recent Rare Groove Spectrum project, his catalogue has been a defining part of the label’s story. Here, Lance’s reinterpretation of Gene Harris’s Latin-fusion piece receives the Gil sm treatment. Building on the original’s breezy bossa nova influences, the remix transforms the track into a percussive, groove-led journey that weaves together elements of afro house, broken beat and contemporary UK club sounds.

Sosyete ’25 – Oyun

Composed of songwriter and vocalist Merve Erdem (Kit Sebastian/Brainfeeder), guitarist and producer Glenn Fallows (Globeflower Masters/Mr Bongo) and producer and multi-instrumentalist Paul Elliott (who previously released the acclaimed Call Sender project on Tru Thoughts), Sosyete ’25 offer a vivid snapshot of their sonic world – a meeting point between Mediterranean disco-pop, outernational funk, Turkish poetry, and a shared instinct for groove and feeling.

Gayance – Podjab feat. Waahli & Jarreau Vandal

Montreal-born, Haitian-Canadian, Lisbon-based producer, vocalist and DJ Gayance is a wonderful new addition to the label. Check out her socials and you will see why! This tune comes from her “roaming” album a “sonic scrapbook”, that gathers ideas, memories and influences collected across a decade spent moving between Montreal, Lisbon, Brazil and beyond. A collection of songs shaped by movement, observation and the search for grounding.

Oliver Night – Boss feat. Roots Manuva

London based producer, DJ, and multi-instrumentalist Oliver Night has delivered some outstanding music over the past year. When he mentions that he has the legendary rapper and producer Roots Manuva on a tune, you rush to open the file and you are not disappointed. Built on a broken beat backbone, “Boss” carries a message of staying true to yourself. “I’d wanted to make another track for Roots for years,” Oliver shares. “It’s been a huge honour to finally make it happen.” Roots Manuva returns the admiration, adding: “Working with Oliver is a treat. He’s the boss!”. Check out the album and remix packages.

Ebi Soda – red in tokyo feat. Jianbo

Ebi Soda are a band you need to see live. Mostly defined in the realm of the UK jazz scene, but truly eclectic as reflected in this tune, a glitchy, growling, late-night bruiser, featuring Chinese-Vietnamese-British rapper Jianbo. Described by the band as “punk jazz drill”, Jianbo’s ferocious, distorted flows cut clean through snarling guitars and sludgy, drill-inflected drums. Check out their discography to hear the variations in their superb music.

Bruk Rogers – Get Low (Zero T Remix)

We went straight to the source for this remix. Cian McCann turns his hand to one of his own aliases here, giving Bruk Rogers the full Zero T treatment. Cian has spent over two decades embedded in the fabric of UK underground music. Under his Zero Tolerance moniker, he was first signed to 4hero’s Reinforced Records, immersing himself in the jungle and early broken beat scenes. Frequenting legendary spots like CoOp at Plastic People and Jazz:Refreshed at MauMau Bar, he developed an appreciation for bruk, jazz, and bass-driven sounds. His 2021 set at the virtual We Out Here Festival reignited his passion for broken beat, leading to releases under Bruk Rogers on the CoOperation label and then to Tru Thoughts.

Potential Badboy – Dangerous Is Dangerous feat. The Ragga Twins (Tim Reaper Remix)

UK rave pioneer and jungle royalty Potential Badboy joins forces with fellow legends of the scene The Ragga Twins. Tim Reaper, one of the UK’s most respected figures in modern jungle, is widely recognised for his role in shaping the genre’s contemporary resurgence. He was recently featured in Resident Advisor’s Best 200 Electronic Tracks 2000–2025, who noted in their write-up, “Tim Reaper wasn’t the first millennial to attempt jungle revivalism, but he’s certainly been the best in class.”. Check the Elusive album.

Flowdan – Shell A Verse

“The first grime MC to win a Grammy in ANY category”. Flowdan is the don, from the moment you hear that voice you know who’s on the mic. From Baddadan and Rumble to Welcome to London his catalogue speaks for itself. Shell A Verse is another reminder of why he’s regarded as one of the UK’s most influential MCs. Previously releasing two albums with Tru Thoughts, we’ve had the privilege of watching Flowdan’s rise continue, whether collaborating with global names like Skrillex, Fred again and Chase & Status, or championing emerging producers and MCs. Whatever the setting, Flowdan always delivers incredible production and vocals.

Matica – Eulerism (Edit)

Liverpool-based producer/songwriter/composer and DJ Matica, aka Matt McNamara, brings club energy fused with free jazz on Eulerism. The song started off as a note on Matt’s phone after a party, saying ‘Bebop Techno’. Running with that seed of an idea, Matica developed what he thought that would sound like and the result is a frenzy of double bass, saxophones and a big swing/bebop ride cymbal, which balances club-sounding punch with the feeling of a live band playing. Look out for his remix of Oliver Night & Roots Manuva’s Boss.

Footshooter – Folding feat. Allysha Joy (Marla Kether Remix)

South London-based producer and DJ Footshooter (Barney Whittaker) shares the Marla Kether remix of Folding feat. Allysha Joy – one of the standout tracks from his album The Oasis. Originally a collaboration with Melbourne-born vocalist and songwriter Allysha Joy, Folding balanced a laidback, jazz-infused groove with propulsive broken beat rhythms. On the remix, bassist, producer and DJ Marla Kether reimagines the track as a delicate yet driving deep house cut. “I really love the original: the strong vocals from Allysha, the fact it maintains a laidback groove while being 160bpm, the simple but highly effective chord changes,” Marla explains. “I wanted to incorporate those elements while making a track that still sounded like me. The result is a deep house remix featuring my signature driving basslines and Latin percussion that still feels delicate and ethereal.”

Kuna Maze – Scraps & Pieces (Lefto Early Bird’s Patchwork Remix)

Now over to Belgium for Kuna Maze. The original of this track is taken from Kuna Maze’s album Layers which captured the improvisational spark of Kuna Maze’s live band and distilled it into an 11-track studio album that moved fluidly between jazz, broken beat, house and dub. Fellow Brussels tastemaker Lefto Early Bird takes ‘Scraps & Pieces’ in a subtly different direction with the Patchwork Remix. Kuna Maze has turned the heads of Jamz Supernova, Tom Ravenscroft, Laurent Garnier, Benji B and many more.

WheelUP – Angel feat. Steven Bamidele

We are always pleased when two acts with amazing music across the label choose to join forces. Danny Wheeler (aka WheelUP) and Steven Bamidele might just deserve an award for nicest chaps in music alone. Opening WheelUP’s recent album Inner Light is Angel, a neo-soul-tinged, funk-filled disco number. WheelUP is an incredible DJ as well as producer and performer. Steven Bamidele is known for his distinctive reverb-drenched falsetto, synth textures, and syncopated beats. Check out both of their discographies, you won’t regret it.

CATPACK – Yep (DJ Harrison Remix)

LA collective Catpack, consist of Amber Navran, Jacob Mann and Phil Beaudreau who all release individually, and joined together for CATPACK. They followed the release of their debut self-titled album with a slick remix by producer, musician, and Stones Throw signee DJ Harrison. Amber’s voice and songwriting is recognisable from her other act Moonchild, who have been one of the biggest acts on TT since their debut with us over a decade ago. Both acts are amazing live which has garnered them fans across the world.

Slowe – How Hard Can It Be? (Edit)

Bristol-based producer, artist and songwriter Slowe delivers How Hard Can It Be? taken from her recent In Moments album. Drawing from vintage soul and the golden warmth of ’70s pop, soul and lover’s rock, Slowe’s production on “How Hard Can It Be?” nods to her love of artists like Minnie Riperton and Arthur Verocai, while maintaining the introspective lyricism and lo-fi detail that have become her signature. The result is a sound that feels both nostalgic and defiantly modern, a shimmering snapshot of late-twenties reflection and self-awareness.

Kumail – Tear It Off feat. Fly Anakin (Radio Edit)

Kumail is an R&B/Soul producer, composer and vocalist from Mumbai, India, now based in Portugal. Here he links up with American rapper Fly Anakin on a song about taking off your mask and revealing your authentic self, from his album Mudbrown. Blending his love of R&B, soul, funk, bossa nova and heavy African influences from his time in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, where Kumail lived for five years, he flipped this into something raw and new. As he explains, “It’s not clean or perfect, it’s real. Some tracks are heavy, some are love songs, some are angry, but it’s honest.”

Alina Bzhezhinska, Tony Kofi, Tulshi – Journey Home (Live)

If you have made it all the way to this wording then we thank you!! Where better to end than with the beautiful harp of Alina joined by the renowned saxophonist Tony Kofi for a live version of her Journey Home track (originally created with Tulshi over some time in Ibiza). Alina is a composer, bandleader and collaborator who has worked with Brian Jackson, Chaka Khan, Shabaka Hutchings and DJ Spinna. If you get the chance then check Alina out live.

For other music check out… the State Of Play Vol. One Playlist HERE and Robert Luis’ weekly Unfold Radio Show HERE