Emeli Sandé Shares Title Track Of Fifth Album 'How Were We To Know'
Wednesday, 20 September 2023
Written by Jon Stickler
Photo: Jack Alexander
Emeli Sandé has shared the title track of her new album.
With 'How Were We To Know' due out through Chrysalis Records on November 17, the slow building song allows the Scottish artist's soaring, emotive vocals to shine over soft keys and a swelling string arrangement.
Commenting on the track, which the singer wrote with Philip Leigh and Chris Loco, who also produced it, she said:
"I wrote How Were We To Know at a time in my life where I was reconciling with myself after the end of a relationship that left me undone and re-evaluating my view on love and life. I was highly emotionally charged the day I wrote, and recorded it with Chris Loco and Phil Leigh and the lyrics and melody seemed to flow out effortlessly as the chords began to play.
"There will always be a period of anger, disappointment and blame at the end of a relationship but carrying those emotions can make life so much heavier than it needs to be. To fall in love takes bravery, vulnerability and completely letting go of logic. To me, love is a return to innocence, which can often leave you naïve to the realities of life. Although the end can be brutal and leave you devastated, it’s unfair to punish yourself for giving your all and trusting in love. I see this song as a plea for understanding and compassion for yourself and former relationships. In both life and love there is no way of knowing the ultimate outcome of any situation."
Head below to view the accompanying video, which was directed by Tom Stoddart alongside creative director and producer Iona Magnus, with Kedrick Wasley credited as director of photography. Sandé added:
"This was one of my favourite videos to make, working with Tom, Iona and Kedrick was a fantastic experience! Working with them made it possible for me to express true emotion on the shoot. Their sensitivity and passion was so inspiring, they created an environment in which I felt safe to be vulnerable on camera. Singing a personal message down the camera lens allowed me to focus and channel all of my emotions into one place, and speak directly.
"We all shared a vision of the emotion we wanted to capture and the double-layered message we wanted to convey - The show must go on! A career within the music industry can be wonderfully creative and glamorous but it would be dangerous to forget it is an industry. It can present difficult days where you can feel lonely and must dig deep to find ways to continue. The simplicity of the performance to camera allowed me (within the chaos of the scene) to express the deep meaning of the lyrics in the song."
Sandé previously teased the follow-up to 2022's 'Let's Say for Instance' with its lead single, There For You.
She'll headline the Royal Festival Hall on November 11 as part of the EFG Jazz Festival London, before an appearance at Magic Radio's Magic At Christmas at the London Palladium on November 25. Tickets are on sale now.
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