We Were Here: A History of Black People in Alternative Music by Stephanie Phillips (Faber, 2026)

Often culturally stereotyped for their success in reggae, rap and hip hop, Black musicians have also built a strong and influential tradition within alternative music. In We Were Here, Stephanine Phillips contends that this legacy has been obscured by the historical dominance of White artists. Tracing the impact of Black musicians, Phillips argues that the alternative music scene owes its existence to them – and that its future is in the hands of a new generation of Black artists. 

The Return of the 90s: A Cultural History of the Present by Madeline Lane-McKinley and Sean O’Brien (eds) (Pluto, 2026)

The era when neoliberalism was consolidated and captured the imaginations of politicians on the left – having already been embraced by the right a decade earlier – the 1990s was a pivotal historical turning point. Contributors to The Return of the 90s examine a period defined by contradictions, from rampant consumerism to fierce anticapitalist protests, illustrating the uniqueness of this time and how its events still reverberate today. 

Come What May, We are Here to Stay by Taj Ali (University of Manchester Press, 2026) 

Taj Ali tells the story of how British South Asians built a proud tradition of radical political activism, standing at the forefront of anti-imperialist and anti-racist movements. Come What May arrives at a key time: as the right whips up fears about mass immigration, antisemitism becomes normalised and racism increasingly part of the political mainstream, the stakes have never been higher.  

Trash! A Garbage Man’s Story by Simon Pare-Poupart (Melville House, 2026) 

Invoking the spirit of Charles Bukowski’s narratives of working-class life, Simon Pare-Poupart’s account blends sociological analysis with memoir in a celebration of refuse collectors’ work. Unflinching in its portrayal of manual labour, Trash! is a tribute to all those who do the dirty work that many of us do not want to do – as well as a critical examination of our consumer society.  

Taking Up the Spear: Shadrack Maphumulo’s Struggle Against Apartheid, Joe Pillay (Daraja Press, 2026)

Shadrack Maphumulo was a pivotal figure in the struggle against apartheid, radicalised by systemic oppression as a young man. This account of his life, written by fellow activist Joe Pillay, reveals his journey from trade unionist to member of the African National Congress’ military wing. Having to flee to the then-named Swaziland after a decade-long imprisonment on Robben Island, he was assassinated at the hands of the South African special forces. In Taking Up the Spear, Pillay has ensured that the legacy of Maphumulo is not forgotten.