Mahalia Drops New EP Luvergirl + New Single 'Pity'
Mahalia has dropped new EP Luvergirl, the 7 track project was written across the UK, Jamaica and St Vincent and sees Mahalia create something life-affirming and truly optimistic. Listen here.
New single "Pity" samples the 2009 hit "It's A Pity" with a re-recorded vocal by Jamaican icon Tanya Stephens herself. Mahalia adds her own flare to the existing narrative of the Reggae staple. The project ends with "Farewell (Pretty Jamaica)". The track opens with a touching voiceover from her Grandmother and continues with soft, layered vocals that swell to create an anthemic impact.
There's a gentle, delicious power that sways and struts through Luvergirl, which might seem unlikely given the subject matter. "It feels like the era of girls just taking back a bit of our fucking control, you know, not being slut-shamed, not being taken the piss out of, not being told that we can't do," says Mahalia, "It's not that I'm talking about all those issues in the music, but that's where I was at when I was creating it. And it's funny because in all the songs, really and truly, it's me telling these men what to do in a sense."
Co-written with the likes of Eric IV, BenjiFlow and Savannah Jada, the result is a collection teeming with heat, sweetness and power. Something starting out toxic does not always mean that's how it has to end up, Mahalia contends.
Mahalia elaborates on the meaning behind "Luvergirl": "This project is a love letter to the woman I am right now. A love letter to love in all its forms and me in all of mine. I made a lot of this music in the Caribbean - Jamaica mostly. Being out there has allowed me to reconnect with myself in a way I haven't before. Being a dual heritage kid growing up in the midlands, I struggled to navigate most things, love specifically. Making this project really allowed me to figure out some internal struggles I hadn't realised I'd been dealing with. It felt like my moment to experience the magic I have in me as a young woman and I think that magic is in the music too."
Sonically, the EP also pulls on a thread we haven't heard for a long time from Mahalia, channelling her Jamaican heritage for the first time since 2019's 'Simmer' (the banging Beenie Man homage with Burna Boy on guest duties). Luvergirl is just some of the music written on a month-long visit to the Caribbean earlier this year. Through her childhood, visits back to the island had been to see her mum's side of the family, but Mahalia had long been craving an opportunity to get to know the Jamaican music scene - this was her time to immerse herself there and create. "It was really important for me to be able to tap into that world," she says, "And it's quite special to hear my voice in that way."
The EP comes after the pulsing new single "Instructions", which dropped last month accompanied by an energetic visual directed by Douglas Reddan.
There's a gentle, delicious power in Mahalia's new Luvergirl era of music, which might seem unlikely given the subject matter. "It feels like the era of girls just taking back a bit of our fucking control, you know, not being slut-shamed, not being taken the piss out of, not being told that we can't do," says Mahalia, "It's not that I'm talking about all those issues in the music, but that's where I was at when I was creating it. And it's funny because in all the songs, really and truly, it's me telling these men what to do in a sense."
Luvergirl Tracklist:
1. Different Type of Love ft. Masicka
2. Pity ft. Tanya Stephens
3. Pick Up The Pace ft. Bayka
4. Instructions
5. Testing
6. Pressure Points ft. Lila Iké
7. Farewell (Pretty Jamaica)
Fun, hot and even a little dangerous, Mahalia is back, channelling her Jamaican heritage and lavishing in this latest era of being a luvergirl, sounding self-assured and glorious. "Even in the moments where I may seem like I'm out of control? I'm still in control."
In June, Mahalia headlined the Friday night of the Little Simz's curated Meltdown Festival at Southbank Centre. Earlier this year, she performed at GQ's annual Music & Style dinner in collaboration with Louboutin, performing in front of the icons Janet Jackson & Christian Louboutin. On top of her own music she continues to shine a light on new talent with the perpetually sold-out Mahalia Presents shows.
With this latest release, Mahalia steps into a fresh chapter. Renowned for her ability to translate the ups and downs of romance into heartfelt music, she's now embracing a lighter, more playful approach to love. "I love love," she says. "But recently, I've been leaning into the fun, unserious side of it. The world is so heavy right now"I want my music to be a space where people can find joy and playfulness."
Over her remarkable 12-year career, Mahalia has earned accolades such as three MOBO Awards, four BRIT nominations, and a Grammy nomination. With a co-sign from Ed Sheeran, appearances alongside Adele, and a track record of standout releases, she's channeling her experience into this joyous new phase. "Luvergirl" is Mahalia's affirmation of her love of life. Vital and unapologetic, Mahalia shares her ode to love and the woman she's become.
New single "Pity" samples the 2009 hit "It's A Pity" with a re-recorded vocal by Jamaican icon Tanya Stephens herself. Mahalia adds her own flare to the existing narrative of the Reggae staple. The project ends with "Farewell (Pretty Jamaica)". The track opens with a touching voiceover from her Grandmother and continues with soft, layered vocals that swell to create an anthemic impact.
There's a gentle, delicious power that sways and struts through Luvergirl, which might seem unlikely given the subject matter. "It feels like the era of girls just taking back a bit of our fucking control, you know, not being slut-shamed, not being taken the piss out of, not being told that we can't do," says Mahalia, "It's not that I'm talking about all those issues in the music, but that's where I was at when I was creating it. And it's funny because in all the songs, really and truly, it's me telling these men what to do in a sense."
Co-written with the likes of Eric IV, BenjiFlow and Savannah Jada, the result is a collection teeming with heat, sweetness and power. Something starting out toxic does not always mean that's how it has to end up, Mahalia contends.
Mahalia elaborates on the meaning behind "Luvergirl": "This project is a love letter to the woman I am right now. A love letter to love in all its forms and me in all of mine. I made a lot of this music in the Caribbean - Jamaica mostly. Being out there has allowed me to reconnect with myself in a way I haven't before. Being a dual heritage kid growing up in the midlands, I struggled to navigate most things, love specifically. Making this project really allowed me to figure out some internal struggles I hadn't realised I'd been dealing with. It felt like my moment to experience the magic I have in me as a young woman and I think that magic is in the music too."
Sonically, the EP also pulls on a thread we haven't heard for a long time from Mahalia, channelling her Jamaican heritage for the first time since 2019's 'Simmer' (the banging Beenie Man homage with Burna Boy on guest duties). Luvergirl is just some of the music written on a month-long visit to the Caribbean earlier this year. Through her childhood, visits back to the island had been to see her mum's side of the family, but Mahalia had long been craving an opportunity to get to know the Jamaican music scene - this was her time to immerse herself there and create. "It was really important for me to be able to tap into that world," she says, "And it's quite special to hear my voice in that way."
The EP comes after the pulsing new single "Instructions", which dropped last month accompanied by an energetic visual directed by Douglas Reddan.
There's a gentle, delicious power in Mahalia's new Luvergirl era of music, which might seem unlikely given the subject matter. "It feels like the era of girls just taking back a bit of our fucking control, you know, not being slut-shamed, not being taken the piss out of, not being told that we can't do," says Mahalia, "It's not that I'm talking about all those issues in the music, but that's where I was at when I was creating it. And it's funny because in all the songs, really and truly, it's me telling these men what to do in a sense."
Luvergirl Tracklist:
1. Different Type of Love ft. Masicka
2. Pity ft. Tanya Stephens
3. Pick Up The Pace ft. Bayka
4. Instructions
5. Testing
6. Pressure Points ft. Lila Iké
7. Farewell (Pretty Jamaica)
Fun, hot and even a little dangerous, Mahalia is back, channelling her Jamaican heritage and lavishing in this latest era of being a luvergirl, sounding self-assured and glorious. "Even in the moments where I may seem like I'm out of control? I'm still in control."
In June, Mahalia headlined the Friday night of the Little Simz's curated Meltdown Festival at Southbank Centre. Earlier this year, she performed at GQ's annual Music & Style dinner in collaboration with Louboutin, performing in front of the icons Janet Jackson & Christian Louboutin. On top of her own music she continues to shine a light on new talent with the perpetually sold-out Mahalia Presents shows.
With this latest release, Mahalia steps into a fresh chapter. Renowned for her ability to translate the ups and downs of romance into heartfelt music, she's now embracing a lighter, more playful approach to love. "I love love," she says. "But recently, I've been leaning into the fun, unserious side of it. The world is so heavy right now"I want my music to be a space where people can find joy and playfulness."
Over her remarkable 12-year career, Mahalia has earned accolades such as three MOBO Awards, four BRIT nominations, and a Grammy nomination. With a co-sign from Ed Sheeran, appearances alongside Adele, and a track record of standout releases, she's channeling her experience into this joyous new phase. "Luvergirl" is Mahalia's affirmation of her love of life. Vital and unapologetic, Mahalia shares her ode to love and the woman she's become.
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