Thea Bares Her Gorgeous Soul in "Inside Out" [Premiere]
You may not yet know the name Thea (which is a damn shame) but chances are you have heard her voice. The 22-year-old London singer-songwriter lent her angelic vocals to Rex Orange County's "Sycamore Girl," taken from his second studio album, Apricot Princess. And while we could listen to that duet on repeat every day of the week, it is the Brit School graduate's own budding discography that has our full, undivided attention.
"Inside Out" arrives as Thea's fifth single to date and is a breathtaking demonstration of her stop-you-dead-in-you-tracks vocal range. Signaled by the delicate chirping of birds, Thea's restrained yet powerful vocals come into focus against understated production and instrumentation. Employing an admitted "'less is more' approach to production," the main focus of "Inside Out" is its gorgeous, soulful coming-of-age story.
"All my secrets and my fears / Been guarded here for years / It's where I keep them safe," coos Thea before delving into an absolutely striking arrangement that combines her love for Aretha Franklin and James Brown with meticulously-crafted modern-day R&B. From the vulnerable songwriting to the lush, minimalistic arrangement, it is difficult to think of "Inside Out" as the work of an artist on the rise and not a seasoned veteran. Thea spoke further on her latest single, sharing,
"'Inside Out' is like that initial meet up with a new friend. Typically, I'm a private person, leaving most, to come up with their own idea of me and what I stand for. This time round I get it, and I'd like to share with you, my point of view."
If you, like us, want to hear the spellbinding new single live, Thea will be playing her first London headline show at Bermondsey Social Club on May 5. Pre-sale tickets will be available March 16.
