UKNY for April 19

As JJerome87, Alt-J's Joe Newman first streamed his debut solo album, The Canyon, on his own website — but now the record will have a proper release via Mushroom Music/Virgin on June 26. On tonight's "UKNY," JJerome87's splashy sprint of a new single, which he has dubbed his "early '90s American montage."

Spanish-British singer Ona Mafalda is descended from Bulgarian royalty (really) and a Berklee College of Music grad too — and she's just released a wiry shout of a rocker, a follow-up to her 2025 album, Reset. Gothenberg's Sophie's Head have a baggy Manchester mindset for their latest track and ex-black midi bassist and vocalist Cameron Picton has turned in a brilliant, fresh direction as My New Band Believe.

In addition, London-based multi-instrumentalist Momoko Gill, Mali's Fatoumata Diawara, Dublin's Madra Salach, the Latin-American grooves of  good friends Reyna Tropical and Xiuhtezcatl, and Chicago's wondrous Gia Margaret, who plays Ridgewood's Stone Circle Theatre on May 1.

British and global releases on "UKNY," Sundays 7-8pm, on 90.7FM, streaming online, and in the Archives after broadcast.

Songs played: 

1. JJerome87, “Track and Field,” The Canyon
2. (Gothenburg, SE) Sylvie’s Head, “Frankie,” Everything is Free 
3. (Chicago, US) Gia Margaret with Guy Sigsworth, “Good Friend,” Singing 
4. Wings of Desire, “Nothing Left to Give,” Stand Still Like the Hummingbird 
5. (ES-UK) Ona Mafalda, “Nada,” single 
6. GIVE LOVE, “Found You,” single 
7. (US-UK) Jalen Ngonda, “Hang It on the Shelf,” Doctrine of Love 
8. My New Band Believe, “Love Story,” My New Band Believe 
9. Momoko Gill, “2Close2Farr,” Momoko 
10. (Los Angeles, US) The Sophs, “Goldstar,” Goldstar 
11. (Los Angeles, US) Reyna Tropical & Xiuhtezcatl, “CAMINO,” single
12. (ML-FR) Fatoumata Diawara, “Fala,” Massa
13. (Dublin, IE) Madra Salach, “The Man Who Seeks Pleasure,” It’s a Hell of an Age EP 
14. (Dublin, IE) AE Mak, “Folk Songs for Mama & Papa,” Folk Songs for Mama & Papa 
15. Foals, “When the War is Finally Done,” HELP(2)