Family

The multi-talented Jordan Rakei returns with a soulful new effort ‘Family’, alongside news of his upcoming fourth album entitled ‘What We Call Life’.

New Zealand born, Australia raised and now London based, Jordan Rakei has become one of the leading voices in contemporary UK jazz in the past 5 years, collaborating with heavy hitters such as Tom Misch, Loyle Carner and Common. Each of Rakei’s previous releases garnered critical acclaim, especially 2019’s ‘Origins’, a fitting examination of how technology, specifically social media, challenges the way we feel and act as humans.  

Our first teaser from the new album, ‘Family’ leans further into neo-soul and R&B sensibilities than Jordan’s usual jazz roots. The song feels inspired by the likes of Charlotte Day Wilson, with moody instrumentation and purposeful melodies, as Jordan illustrates his ludicrous vocal range, hitting notes that most grown men could barely dream of. The new album will be released via Ninja Tune on 17th September, and is said to be Jordan’s most personal body of work so far. This is something laid bare in the new single, as he explains when discussing the single: 

“I wanted to hit my vulnerability barrier and be really honest. It’s about my parents divorce in my mid-teens but still having love for them not matter what. ”

A compelling addition to an exceptional discography, Jordan Rakei appears to be on track to raise his exceedingly high reputation even higher.