“Celeste is undisputedly one to watch out for”—Wonderland
“Deft, poetic storytelling; commanding vocals; and a generous spirit”—Interview Magazine
“Celeste has a voice that will break your heart”—Notion
Rising Brighton soul singer Celeste kicks off 2019 with her most personal release to date,
“Father’s Son,” accompanied by a video directed by Bob Harlow from an original concept by Celeste—watch it here. The track ruminates on the now West London-based singer’s complicated relationship with her Jamaican father, who died when she was 16: “My mother has covered so much in my life but there were points where I thought it would be cool to ask my dad this one question,” she says.
The release is her first since signing to True Panther/EQT in the U.S., and follows much-acclaimed tracks “Both Sides of the Moon” and “Lately,” released last year.
“Lately” saw great support in her native U.K. from Radio 1, 1Xtra and Beats 1 from the likes of Huw Stephens, Phil Taggart, Twin B, Julie Adenuga and more. The track was first debuted in Celeste’s Boiler Room session earlier this year (watch here) before its official premiere as Taggart’s Chillest Record on Radio 1, with Clara Amfo noting the track’s “Amy Winehouse meets Portishead vibes.” Watch the Sam Hiscox-directed video here. “Lately” followed October’s spellbinding “Both Sides of the Moon” which caused Elton John to remark on his Beats 1 show, “Celeste is quite something else…watch out for her.”
The tracks were the culmination of a busy year for the rising artist, who held a hugely successful month-long residency in October at West London’s Laylow, hosting workshops, screenings, club nights, writing and recording sessions and a slew of collaborations and performances, which saw everyone from Spike Lee and Idris Elba to Moses Boyd and Klein pass through along the way.
Born in California to a British mother and Jamaican father, Celeste is now based in London and released a much-lauded EP, The Milk & The Honey, in 2017 on Lily Allen’s Bank Holiday label with production from SBTRKT collaborator Tev’n and Rinse FM’s J.D. Reid. The EP saw praise from Annie Mac, Julie Adenuga and publications including The FADER,Wonderland, Interview Magazine, The Line of Best Fit, DIY and more. More new music from Celeste is imminent.
