In just over a year, New York artist Ice Spice has gone from a complete unknown to one of the hottest rappers out there. The 23-year-old has fast ascended to the ranks of internet sensation, starting with her breakout hit “Munch (Feelin U)” casually mocking fragile male egos everywhere with the dismissive refrain, “You thought I was feeling you?”, shortly followed by the Spongebob Squarepants-inspired “Bikini Bottom”, and the most recent “In Ha Mood”. With millions of listens, and an unofficial residency on TikTok’s For You page, the Bronx native’s nonchalant delivery and hilarious one-liners (“I get a bitch tight every time that I post”) has solidified her status as a meme queen, while an alleged beef with Drake has only intensified the hype. 

Adding another three new gems to the burgeoning Ice Spice canon, LIKE..? is the Bronx native’s debut EP, and features “Gangsta Boo with Lil Tjay”, an infectious collab that shows a softer side to the rapper, taking Diddy's 2000 hit “I Need A Girl Pt. 2” and transforms it into a bass-boosted, drill love song: “I got a place for the night/ But I’m too shy to invite you,” she confesses against blaring 808s. “Acting A Smoochie” takes the New York slang (AKA someone you smooch) and creates a party anthem built around the Jersey club sound that typifies the Bronx. The percolating “Princess Diana” has some of Ice Spice’s best bars yet, as she flexes her IT girl status over pounding drill beats: “Nowadays I be duckin' them cameras/And they hot that I'm up on 'em banners/Callin' my phone but they know I don't answer/In the hood, I'm like Princess Diana.” Her bars are quickfire tongue-twisters: cool, fun, and irresistibly witty.

Elsewhere, west London artist Biig Piig starts a new chapter on Bubblegum, British psych duo Jadu Heart share a trippy new album, and Mac De Marco returns with an instrumental release. Elsewhere, Eurovision winners Måneskin carry on down the road of sex, drugs and rock n roll with a raucous third album and Ryuichi Sakamoto explores themes of mortality on his latest ambient offering.

BIIG PIIG, BUBBLEGUM

JADU HEART, DEREALISED

ICE SPICE, …LIKE?

MAC DE MARCO, FIVE EASY HOT DOGS

MÂNESKIN, RUSH!

RYUICHI SAKAMOTO, 12

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