April 5, 2024—Grammy-award nominated multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, producer and songwriter Jordan Rakei’s new single, “Friend or Foe,” is out today—listen/share here. It is the final track to be taken from his highly anticipated new album The Loop, his debut for Verve Forecast and Decca UK, set for release May 10. Pre-order/pre-save the LP here. “Friend or Foe” follows Rakei being selected as the legendary Abbey Road Studios’ first ever Artist In Residence, which will see him leading writing camps and participating in the studio’s audio research and music tech incubator program, Abbey Road Red. Rakei’s preceding single “Learning” was featured by FLOOD, CLASH, and KCRW, and single “Freedom” debuted on KCRW’s Morning Becomes Eclectic and launched as BBC Radio 1’s Hottest Record. On the new track, Rakei soulfully proselytizes on friendship, love and loss. “In ‘Friend or Foe,’ I explore being content with oneself and understanding the relationships that come and go,” Rakei reflects. “It's also a song about trying to find peace with those who have passed or left us. I want the instrumental to be triumphant and ambitious, departing from the throwback sound of Curtis Mayfield and Marvin Gaye, and incorporating elements of orchestra, brass, and choir. This track represents one of my most ambitious tunes on the album.”
Beloved by the UK, Rakei—who has amassed over one billion streams across his catalog—sold out London’s legendary Royal Albert Hall immediately upon his album announcement; a second date at the venue has been added to his extensive UK & EU headline tour.
The Loop, Rakei’s fifth album, marks his recent signing to Verve Forecast and Decca UK. Recorded at RAK Studios, the album was self-produced by Rakei and mixed by Ben Baptie (Moses Sumney, Beck, U2). This is by far Rakei’s most cohesive work to date. Through The Loop’s thirteen tracks, Rakei steps away from the DIY sound he was once known for with bold orchestral arrangements and an Odyssean-style narrative that charts a course through times of darkness and hope.
Born in New Zealand then raised in the bustling city of Brisbane, Australia, Rakei had already released his first two EPs by the time he graduated from university, aged 21. He quickly made waves in London’s soul, jazz and electronic scene, while simultaneously releasing under a separate dance music moniker, Dan Kye. He self-released his debut Cloak a year later before signing to influential indie label Ninja Tune ahead of his second album Wallflower (2017). His third and fourth albums Origin (2019) and What We Call Life (2021) completed his deal with Ninja Tune. He has been nominated for Grammy and Mercury Prize awards, sold out Brixton Academy, recorded live sessions for COLORS, NPR’s Tiny Desk and BBC 6 Music, and, crucially, continued to showcase his versatility as an artist capable of blending subtle electronic elements with his signature, soulful sound. He has collaborated as both a writer/producer and vocalist with the likes of Bonobo, Loyle Carner, Tom Misch, Disclosure, FKJ and more.
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