Now Hear This: New music from Dave, Maren Morris and Cage the Elephant, plus spotlight artist Koffee

In her weekly column, music correspondent Roisin O'Connor goes through the best releases of the week

(Frank Fleber)

Happy International Women's Day! I'd claim to be celebrating via this column by pointing out just how many amazing tracks by female artists there are this week, but to be honest that's hardly a rare occurrence. Instead I'm just going to take the opportunity to remind certain festival organisers to take the blinkers off, realise how much talent there is out there that isn't *another* white male rock band, and put some of it on your main stages.

Something you, dear reader, can also do, is check out Annie Lennox's fantastic project The Circle, which she founded in 2008, and its new partnership with Apple Music and Deviate Digital.

They've released a new short film in support of Global Feminism, which stars some major names in music, film and beyond who encourage viewers to consider the issues faced by women around the world, whether it be equal employment, sexual assault, domestic violence or the right to vote. Check it out here.

Now on to the music.

Country star Maren Morris has released her new album – the aptly titled GIRL – today, and it's a stunner. I'm a big fan of the rousing, tender ballad "A Song for Everything", which speaks to the music that soundtracks our lives and is there for us when we need it most. Australian artist Stella Donnelly has released her debut record Beware of the Dogs, which is sharp-tongued and gloriously witty.

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New band Girl Crush released a song especially for International Women's Day, called "Blame Girls", which takes aim at every tired gender trope they can think of. Irish singer-songwriter SOAK has shared a new gem, "Deja vu", which is drastic step-up from her past work in both songwriting and production.

One of my favourite albums of the year (I know it's early, but whatever) just dropped. Streatham-born artist Dave has put everything he's got into this debut record, Psychodrama, and it's paid off in full. You can read my full review of the record, here. I'm still reeling over the devastating, nine-minute rap he does on "Lesley", which unfurls like a kitchen sink drama as Dave details a woman he encounters on the bus, who is trapped in an abusive relationship. The track is poignant, beautifully sincere, and essential. Don't sleep on the album.

Cage the Elephant's new single "House of Glass" is proof of just how brilliantly diverse the range on their forthcoming album, Social Cues, is going to be. I'm kind of cheating here, because I've heard it already, but that just means you can take my word for it. After the swampy blues-grit of the first single "Ready to Let Go", you've got an entirely new vibe on this track: frenetic, buzzy, punk mutterings from Matt Schultz that go hand in hand with his lyrics, which see him wrestling with the desire to shut himself off from the world during turbulent times, but also the way he uses his stage to unleash destructive tendencies, like public self-flagellation.

My featured artist this week is the brilliant rapper Koffee. Born Mikayla Simpson in Spanish Town, Jamaica, this 19-year-old artist is making huge waves on the rap scene both at home and in the UK. She's already toured with stars like her idols Chronixx and Protoje, can claim a fan in Usain Bolt, and is about to release her debut EP. Check out my Q&A with her, below:

Hey Koffee! How's your 2019 so far?

It's been good, it's been a blessing. Especially in the UK. I am freezing, but the energy here is great, I appreciate it.

Your video for "Toast" has over 15m views, do you feel pressure to emulate that success with your new work?

Even though I'm the artist, it's almost as if I work behind the scenes. I don't sit and wait on somebody to do a thumbs up and comment, I just get back to the work.

What was it like doing shows with Chronixx and Protoje?

I have loved Protoje for a very long time. He was the first artist who inspired me lyrically as well as with flow, back when I was in third form (14 years old). I was so proud of them that night, the show was sold out, people outside we trying to get in...

Have either of them given you any advice?

Protoje inspires me by telling me there is more to come, and greatness is within my reach. Chronixx, Protoje, Cocoa Tea and Usain Bolt – those four men have been very instrumental in my success. "Four wise uncles" is the best way to explain it.

Tell me a bit about your EP

It's five tracks. The two I haven't released speak more to society. I think I covered a lot in the two unreleased songs that people can definitely look forward. It's a different side, in flow, presentation and delivery.

What are your plans for the rest of the year?

After a tour I'm gonna get quiet because I'm gonna be working on the album. I can't sit on what's out and just bask in it all, just relaxing. There has to be something next.

Koffee's EP The Rapture is released on 15 March