Musicians who say the words that we just can’t seem to say ourselves, keep us coming back for more again and again. Mura Masa, anaïs, Ella Mai and Tiana Major9 bring us smoothly to that mysterious complicated love stuff, taking you on a trip where you need no control. Meanwhile, Risky Roadz dropped a triple threat over his own own beats – with Skepta, Suspect and Shailan taking the mic on a banger that’s brought things back to the here and now….
Mura Masa, NAO – Complicated
Mura Masa shares the new video for ‘Complicated’, making magic once again with longtime collaborative partner, NAO. The Yoni Lappin directed visuals are a pitch perfect combination of freeform dance routines and a celebration of modern love. Experimental in it’s production, ‘Complicated’ twists and turns in sync with this story of a love hard won. In a musical landscape that changes from one moment to the next Mura Masa is a musician quickly emerging as an exciting cultural curator – equally at home balancing UK talents like Octavian and Nao as he is designing his own fashion line.
anaïs – no control
Singer, songwriter and producer anaïs returns with the sweeping soulfulness of her new single ‘No Control’. Co-written by long time friend Olly Alexander, ‘No Control’ runs deep daring us all to seek freedom from the anxiety and worry that can sometimes threaten to overwhelm. Sonically, Senegalese anaïs’ vocal seems borderless and with Kwabs on hand with the ad libs, there’s an otherworldly touch to this new single as anaïs comes to the fore giving voice to that sensation of often feeling like an outsider looking in. Ready to speak the hard truths she has learnt, anaïs comes to St Pancras Old Church on the 5th September for a headline show.
Ella Mai – Trip
A lot has been said of the UK’s inability to properly appreciate or incubate R’nB stars – none of which has stopped Ella Mai becoming the best known UK voice stateside since Jorja Smith. “the music industry in England doesn’t really know what to do with R&B,” Mai told the Guardian earlier this week. With her debut album already rumoured to be complete Mai is busy on tour in America. In a new interview with Billboard, her producer, Mustard, explained how “Trip” came to be ‘“Trip’ was one of the songs we did in the studio later down the line,” he said. “I drew the chords in Fruity Loops. I can draw the chords but I’m not that good, I’m not Beethoven. I played the chords for her and I called Quinton from her band to play them. So, while she’s writing, I started doing the drums and by the time the session was over, we had the full song. [Ella] knocked that shit out, and it was crazy.”
Risky Roadz x Skepta x Suspect x Shailan – Stay With It
Skepta continues a run of bangers dropping yet another fire verse on ‘Stay With It’ with Risky Roadz, Suspect and Shaman. More than two years on from ‘Konnichiwa’, and a year on from his ‘Vicious’ EP, Skepta has continued to pepper fans and haters alike with single after single – collaborations with A$AP Rocky, Playboi Carti and Wizkid have kept everyone guessing. Not yet ready to reveal his hand, or confirm his soon to be fatherhood status with an official statement, this latest visual is at least a chance to have another look at his upcoming Nike SkAir collection.
Tiana Major9 – Mr. Mysterious
Produced by PRGRSHN, Tiana Major9’s new single ‘Mr. Mysterious’ is a story of infatuation told in her voice. Tiana gives life to the fantasy, “I have a wild imagination and thought it would be fun to share it,” adding “‘Mr. Mysterious’ is basically a story about being infatuated with a complete stranger. We’ve all been there. I have been there, many times. I also consider myself ‘extra AF,’ so we had to go all the way with the visual. Shoutout to Mercy and the whole team.” With Tiana’s new project due in October, there’s plenty more to come, so keep an eye on the UK’s next rising voice.
