Emeli Sandé today releases her fifth and arguably strongest album of her career in the shape of
‘How Were To We Know’. Emerging just 18 months after her critically adored
‘Let’s Say For Instance’,
‘How We Were To Know’ explores love and relationships in their myriad array of forms, and especially the vulnerability that comes when you’ve been hurt but still feel compelled to take a chance to find a new love.
‘How We We To Know’ also sees Emeli coming full circle. Her debut album, ‘Our Version of Events’, was written gradually as its songs charted her life being moving to London to commence her career. This time, Emeli was similarly able to take her time to fully express herself with the majority of its songs being written during lockdown, while maintaining full creative freedom over the project also allowed her to tap deeper into her personal thoughts and instincts than ever before. Collectively it charts love’s tapestry, from hope to heartbreak and everything in between, yet the emotion that emerges most dominantly is one of optimism.
Emeli says, “It takes a lot, in this industry, to maintain hope and optimism. What keeps me going are these kinds of messages, and being able to get them out there to others. Because if you hear a piece of music that touches your soul, it reignites your spirit, and awakens something within. I hope this album inspires people in the same way.”
In contrast to the album’s previous singles (‘There For You’, ‘All This Love’ and the title track), the new focus track ‘My Boy Likes To Party’ presents a completely different side to Emeli. Placing Emeli’s vocal in a production which blends enthralling electro-pop and rambunctious trap-tinged beats, it’s a track which sources a propulsive energy from a challenging personal experience. The story acknowledges her sister’s wisdom, as her own personal voice of reason at the time.
Elsewhere the album resonates with empowerment, notably with the declaration of self-love within ‘True Colours’ and finding the strength of self-forgiveness in ‘Like I Loved You’. A resolute positivity is particularly rousing throughout, whether Emeli is exulting the strength of a new love on the soaring ‘End of Time’, or vowing to overcome all challenges with the inspiring gospel of ‘Nothing We Can’t Handle’. The devotional closing song ‘Love’ is an emotionally charged microcosm of the album as a whole, with stripped-back instrumentation allowing Emeli’s voice to take centre-stage as she moves from tender to powerful while imploring, “We must believe in love.”
Physical copies of ‘How Were We To Know’ are available HERE, including white vinyl, black vinyl and CD, while all album bundles add a ‘Live At Leeds’ CD.
Emeli will celebrate the release of the album by playing a special intimate ‘An Evening With’ show at London’s Union Chapel next Tuesday, which is sold out. It will see Emeli perform a stripped-back set of brand new songs and old favourites, and she will also be joined by her friend, the actress, playwright and author Zawe Ashton (‘Mr. Malcolm’s List’, ‘Velvet Buzzsaw’, and ‘The Marvels’), for an in-depth conversation about her life and career to date.
Today also sees Emeli announce details of a special residency at London’s world-famous jazz club, Ronnie Scott’s. She will play a total of six super intimate shows at the venue, with matinee (6.30pm start) and evening (9.15pm start) performances each day on January 24th, 25th and 26th. Pre-sale tickets are now available for Ronnie Scott’s members before tickets go on general sale HERE at 10am on Monday, November 20th.
Emeli will play another London show as part of Magic Radio’s sold-out Magic of Christmas extravaganza at the Palladium on November 25th alongside Rick Astley, Simply Red and Texas.
‘How Were We To Know’ adds a fresh chapter to one of British music’s biggest success stories. Emeli’s debut album ‘Our Version of Events’ spent a total of 10 weeks at #1, reaching 8 x Platinum status as it became one of the best-selling albums of the decade. She has also twice topped the singles charts and scored another nine Top 10 hits, contributing to 25 million+ career sales to date. She excels in the live arena, as demonstrated by headlining London’s O2 arena, recording an earlyRoyal Albert Hall show for a subsequent live album, touring as guest to Coldplay and her unforgettable performances at the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Her many awards include four BRITs, threeMOBOs and two Ivor Novellos.
