Beyond Noise Team
South East London rising talent Akin Soul delivers an intimate ode to complex love in his new cut “Master”.
A stunning falsetto fused with intimate, jazz-laden undertones, “Master” instantly underlines the 21-year-old singer-songwriter as a standout new name. The artist’s tender composition, pulling fragments of inner-city soul and blues alongside darker synths and sharp percussive textures produced by Slam Sounds open pockets for Akin to flaunt a remarkable vocal talent. Textured lyricism confronts the ideology of a disguised love that intoxicates one’s spirit, moving towards the positives of vulnerability and an endless journey towards self-realisation. A truly unique sound in the landscape with a clearly high-calibre artistry will continue the attention surrounding one of the most captivating young talents in the London scene right now.
Speaking on “Master”, Akin mentions: “Initially I wrote the song about a love affair. It was about unrequited love and how if the love affair wasn’t to be, I would be better off. Those unproductive fantasies about what could be and who you wish that person to be. If I hadn’t been blinded by the one in question, I would have more control. I’d be the master. The song though soon became a way for me to talk about all the elements in life that do not reflect back to me the love I bring forth. It’s about me loving and paying attention to things that don’t benefit me, or distract me, and sometimes I look back and I’m like why did this toxicity interest me in that way? The awareness that if these things were not present, I’d be the master of my reality.”
Born in Dallas, Texas before moving to South East London, the Nigerian heritage artist began singing in the Pentecostal church, developing a distinct style recalling thrilling affinities to the likes of Marvin Gaye, D’Angelo and The Isley Brothers.
A prodigious multi-instrumentalist by age 12, Akin grew to find refuge on centre stage, performing and collaborating with like-minded musicians leading to the birth of his 12-piece band: Akin Soul & The Soul Tribe. The collective has graced the likes of Glastonbury, All Points East, We Out Here, London Jazz Festival, Love Supreme and a key headline show at The Hackney Social.
2020 saw Akin Soul release his debut solo record “I Want You” – an eclectic jazz cut that catapulted his retro-futurist soundwaves into the ether. The follow-up “Burning Fire” marked further attention across the likes of NEW WAVE MAGAZINE and SOHO HOUSE’s “Future First” which placed him alongside peers including cktrl and Oklou.
Continuing the heat with performances across the UK with his own ensemble, the young talent gained a key collaboration with the highly-acclaimed creator Osquello across “Say Your Name” (400K+ streams), all building towards recent shows in New York City and LA – announcing Akin Soul as an exciting new voice in his own right.
Fully immersed in a renewed sense of self-assurance, ambition and purpose, “Master” marks another stunning ballad from a naturally gifted creative at his most comfortable and potent. With a plethora of releases confirmed this year, get ready to hear and see a whole lot more.
Photo Credit @NOCMN
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