Kae Tempest is spoken word performer, poet, recording artist, novelist and playwright. They’re from Westminster, London. They released their debut album, Everybody Down, in 2014. Then, went on to release their follow up album, Let Them Eat Chaos, in 2016. Some notable tracks of theirs include “Lionmouth Door Knocker,” “Ketamine for Breakfast,” “Theme From Becky” and “Hot Night Cold Spaceship.” They’re known to write about powerful topics such as identity, poverty, consumerism and strong feelings.
Clifford Ian Simpson, better known as his stage name “Kevin Abstract,” is an American rapper, singer-songwriter and director. He’s also one of the founding members of the popular music group, BROCKHAMPTON. Some of his releases include Ghettobaby (2019), The School Bus Chronicles (2010), American Boyfriend: A Suburban Love Story (2016) and Arizona Baby (2019).
Recently, Tempest revealed their stunning new single “More Pressure,” which features Kevin Abstract as well. The song is off of their upcoming album, The Line Is A Curve, which is set to be released on April 8 on American Recordings/Republic Records.
“More Pressure” is an electronic, hip hop song about letting go. As the song says, “Less Push, More Flow//Please, Let me let go.” The song is driven by a fun, alert beat that emphasizes Tempest’s lyrics. Abstract does backing vocals for the first half of the song, then later joins in on his own verse. It’s truly a great collaboration, two different artists coming together, each showing off their own given strong suits.
The Line Is A Curve was produced by long time collaborator, Dan Carey, along with executive producer, Rick Rubin. This will be the artist’s fourth album.
This album follows 2019’s The Book of Traps & Lessons, an album which gained plenty of praise from the likes of NPR, The New Yorker, the Guardian, and other astute news companies. With Rubin being a common thread between Abstract and Tempest, he played Tempest’s The Book of Traps & Lessons for BROCKHAMPTON, which ultimately led to the “More Pressure” collaboration.
After the last album’s success, Tempest realized that they wanted this upcoming album to be communicative. They have a surplus of special guests of the album, along with Abstract, there’s also Lianne La Havas, Grian Chatten (Fountaines DC), ássia and Confucius MC.
On the album Tempest says,
“The Line Is A Curve’ is about letting go. Of shame, anxiety, isolation and falling instead into surrender. Embracing the cyclical nature of time, growth, love. This letting go can hopefully be felt across the record.”
Be sure to check out Tempest’s new album, The Line Is A Curve, out April 8.
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