Katy J Pearson nearly gave up on music and songwriting after being burnt out by a major record label which had picked up the band she'd formed with her brother when she was in her late teens. Luckily for us, the urge to make music overruled all of this and she took her time to write "The Return", a debut solo album filled with American pop and lo-fi folk. Marjorie Hache caught up with her to find out more. We also check out new music from Wizkid, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard and Petit Biscuit.

France-based American jazz trumpeter Hermon Mehari has released a powerful second record called "A Change for the Dreamlike". Recorded in the French countryside during the first lockdown, it's more personal than his 2017 debut record "Bleu". He describes it as a "modern mixtape of dreams". Mehari drew inspiration from his childhood in the American Midwest as well as his family history. He tells FRANCE 24's Florence Villeminot about the track "A Conversation with My Uncle", where he plays along to a story his uncle tells about his father escaping Eritrea.

With a voice that's both soulful and haunting, London-based singer-songwriter Luca Wilding has carved out a niche in poetic, storytelling songs with a melancholy edge. He's been dubbed an artist to keep an eye out for. He tells FRANCE 24's Florence Villeminot about his debut EP "To", a beautiful and unique collection of dream-folk songs released back in November. We also look at new releases from French trip-hop producer Wax Tailor as well as LA-based duos Rhye and Midnight Sister.

Pop, rock or punk: Yungblud doesn't like to be put in a box. He's only 23 but the musician already has a strong fan base and videos that notch up millions of views on social media. Yungblud's flamboyant style sets him apart. It's no surprise he's received accolades from Sir Elton John or Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl. Clovis Casali sat down with him in Paris for the release of his new album "Weird".

French-Caribbean singer, bassist and producer Adeline moved to New York City as a young adult. She's had a successful career playing in the 17-piece disco throwback band Escort and performing bass and backing vocals with singer CeeLo Green. On top of all that, she's had a prolific solo career under her first name Adeline, creating a unique blend of funk, R&B and soul. She spent most of 2020 releasing a constant stream of soulful, heartwarming songs. She tells FRANCE 24's Florence Villeminot about her latest musical endeavours.

British grime artist Slowthai is known for his provocative live performances and politically aware lyrics. His first album, the outward-looking "Nothing Great About Britain", was greeted positively by critics and music fans alike and propelled to the top of the UK's urban music scene. FRANCE 24 caught up with him to discuss his new introspective offering, "Tyron".

In 2015, childhood friends Victor Solf and Simon Carpentier formed the neo-soul duo "Her". The band enjoyed a successful run on the French music scene but Carpentier tragically passed away in 2017, just before the release of the band's self-titled debut LP. After leading a tour for the record, Victor Solf decided to move on. He's just released his first solo album in his name, entitled "Still. There's Hope". He tells FRANCE 24's Florence Villeminot about his desire to celebrate life and why he decided to go solo.

She's a beloved voice in the Canadian music industry. Multidisciplinary artist TiKA has a lot of tricks up her sleeve: singer-songwriter, DJ, model, film composer, actor and advocate for the empowerment of female artists. Earlier this year, she added another feather to her cap with the release of her hotly anticipated debut LP "Anywhere But Here", which is full of 1980s-inspired synth pop anthems.

Norwegian singer-songwriter Sigrid shot to fame in 2017 following the release of her debut EP "Don't Kill My Vibe". The 2019 release of her debut album "Sucker Punch" confirmed her place in pop stardom. She's been described as iconoclast, rewriting the rules of what it means to be a pop star – especially a female pop star.

Blufunk legend Keziah Jones, who became a global superstar at the turn of the 1990s after he was noticed busking in the streets of Paris and London, is back in the French capital to take part in a series of artistic events at the Pompidou Centre over the next three weeks. Along with choreographer Qudus Onikeku, a fellow Lagos native, Jones popped by the FRANCE 24 studios to tell us more about the "Fly by Night" events that celebrate African art, dance and music with creatives from Nigeria, Rwanda and DR Congo.

British electronic duo Jungle appeared out of nowhere in late 2013 as a mystery group, but their slick funk-pop singles quickly propelled them to fame. Their 2014 self-titled debut album was certified Gold in the UK and their follow up album "For Ever" confirmed their success around the world. This summer, they released their third studio album "Loving in Stereo", a collection of wall-to-wall bangers bursting with life. Josh Lloyd-Watson sat down with FRANCE 24's Florence Villeminot to talk about what inspired this 13-track bundle of love.

Quebec-based singer-songwriter Hubert Lenoir shot onto the scene with his debut solo album "Darlène", a glam rock psychedelic postmodern opera that was shortlisted for the 2018 Polaris Music Prize. He’s back with a very personal sophomore album entitled "PICTURA DE IPSE : Musique directe". This musical autobiography is a tribute to the "cinéma direct" movement, which started in Québec at the end of the 1950s.