London rapper Lord Apex has truly outdone himself with his new record Smoke Sessions 3, an album that was designed "specifically for the smoke". The new record includes features from U.S talents like Wiki and Smoke DZA, making it a dynamic listen. Our favourite track is quite frankly hard to pick, there's 'High Forever' which is a golden lyrical moment, 'Say That', featuring Wiki, and then there's 'Rise Up'...one of those special tracks that seamlessly transfers an array of emotions straight into your soul. The production toes the line of 70s psychedelic soul and 90's hip hop, finished with a layer of alien electronics. Roy Ayres-style synths transport you to a place where the sun shines bright, and the lazy beat creates a smokey, laid-back haze. Apex voices his personal rising in many forms, including spiritual growth, a defiance to intrinsic racism and the government, and the most overarching theme: the embracing of love. He finishes each phrase with the line 'I rise up', a powerful statement that'll stay with you and hopefully echo through Apex's listeners. Listen to 'Rise Up' here. -Ellie Rose-Davies