From Frank Ocean’s long-awaited follow-up to Channel Orange to Tom Vek’s disappearance between the years of 2005 and 2011, the music world adores a good old-fashioned enigma. While the question ‘What happened to Jamie Woon?’ may not go down in history alongside the mystery of Beethoven’s death or what exactly Meatloaf wouldn’t do for love, it’s certainly something that’s been unsolved in the four years since his debut Mirrorwriting.
That is, until now. According to his new single, Sharpness, the singer has been immersed in his studio, not only finessing his meticulous goatee, but channelling the spirit of Marvin Gaye and D’Angelo to create the most sensuous soul single of 2015.
“I’m really inspired by D’Angelo’s Voodoo and having the band in the room,” he told Pharrell during the track’s official premiere on Beats 1. “It’s a dying art trying to record live players because it costs money to do it properly. My starting point was that I wanted to hear a funky rhythm section.”
Produced by Lexx (Gwilym Gold, Wild Beasts), the single gets an official release on 11 August. Take a listen and let us know what you think.
