Revered multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and producer Jordan Rakei has today announced a deluxe version of his latest studio album The Loop, which features three new tracks: ‘Celebrate’ featuring STUTS (which has already reached 2 million global streams), ‘The Seize’ and today’s lead single, ‘Talk Talk Talk’, which was recorded at the iconic Abbey Road studios during Jordan’s year-long residency. Speaking on the track, Jordan Rakei explains: “This song is simply about talking about your problems with people you trust. It was a really healthy exercise to let stuff go. Now I’m able to process stuff a lot better.”
The Loop, Rakei’s fifth album saw Jordan achieve his first Top 40 album, be named Abbey Road’s first ever Artist In Residence, play a coveted slot on Glastonbury’s West Holts stage, sell out his biggest-ever shows globally, curate his very own BBC Prom, and finish the year of 2024 with 2 stellar sold-out nights at London’s Royal Albert Hall. As well as the previously unheard singles, The Loop (Deluxe) version also features live versions of ‘Trust’, ‘Hopes and Dreams’ & ‘Friend Or Foe’ from the Royal Albert Hall shows.
Released last year via Decca (and Verve Forecast in the US), The Loop marked a new chapter in Jordan’s career that coincided with a number of profound changes in his personal life. It’s an extraordinary record, not least for its sheer, breathtaking ambition whilst retaining the experimental, off-kilter vibe he’s synonymous with. Containing singles ‘Flowers’, ‘Freedom’, ‘Learning’, ‘Friend or Foe’ and ‘Trust’, the album showcased his typically bold production style alongside spectacular orchestral arrangements and haunting choirs, hypnotic beats and an Odyssean-style narrative that charts a course through times of darkness and positivity.
Recorded at RAK Studios, self-produced and mixed by Ben Baptie, fans and critics will note how on The Loop, Rakei has stepped away from the DIY sound he was once known for (and still loves). He grew up listening to artists such as Stevie Wonder, Bill Withers, Curtis Mayfield and D’Angelo and having returned to immersing himself with their music recently, he knew he didn’t want this new album to sound like it was made in a bedroom. Inspired by a Bill Withers documentary, in which his hero ignored the contempt of his peers for daring to reach higher, Rakei set about assembling a crack team of musicians to fulfill his own crystal clear ambitions for this album.
Speaking on the deluxe version, Jordan explains, “This deluxe album is special for me, because it features two new songs that hold a special place in my heart. So happy for them to be coming out in the world. It also features three live performances from my shows at The Royal Albert Hall last year which were some of my favourite live performances throughout the year of touring this record!”
Original album:
Flowers
Freedom
Friend or Foe
Forgive
Royal
Trust
State of Mind
Hopes and Dreams
Learning
Cages
Everything Everything
Miracle
A Little Life
Deluxe additions:
Celebrate
Talk Talk Talk
The Seize
Friend or Foe – Live from The Royal Albert Hall
Hopes and Dreams – Live from The Royal Albert Hall
Trust – Live from The Royal Albert Hall
