The hype started early signalling, the return of singer-songwriter Katy B in the build-up to New Music Friday this week. Katy, known for her vibey dance tracks. (Specifically, the woozy, 2011, dance banger “On A Mission” and dubstep punctuated heater “Lights On“). Had put some distance between the style that saw her achieve her breakthrough. The third album, (her most recent) 2016’s “Honey“, concentrated on collaborations, thus traversing a myriad of dreamy styled electronica used in the underground dance scene. P2J produced track “Under My Skin” is where Katy B picks back up with a dance music style that again combines influential elements of R’n’B and garage.
Airing the track on Radio 1’s Future Sounds with guest host R’n’B, soul-pop singer-songwriter Arlo Parks, Katy described the track as “a song for the end of summer”. A soundtrack for balmy, chill out days and dusky, twilight lit nights. Dressed in soothing electronic beats somewhat noticeably reminiscent of the dreamy offerings AlunaGeorge first struck out with. Being how I would describe “Under My Skin“.
Watching the Ash Halliburton, directed music video for the track, the moody visual indicates that it is perhaps, in a way mirroring, what has transpired in 2021. Being that the summer didn’t quite happen. The atmospheric clip is haunting in parts, trippy and bordering on hallucinogenic. It is abundantly apparent, we are looking in at Katy feeling some kind of way. While she is working through the turmoil, felt, post-break-up. She has been captured, pondering about the demise. As she embarks on the complex process of mending and healing. It is an openly vulnerable side of Katy B we are seeing. Thus the hazy, slow-burn allure of the melody suitably fits. The girl is feeling somewhat wounded, yet she knows her worth. No matter how broken she feels inside, she styles out the pain by dressing glamourously and driving around in a Porsche.
In her chat with Arlo Parks, Katy revealed she had built a studio in her basement. And that “Under My Skin” came about after some sessions with the producer P2J. I think we can conclude that more new music from Katy B is expected soon.
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