Mabel has today released surprise new Christmas song ‘Loneliest Time Of Year’, which is available now on Polydor Records. This caps off a nonetheless incredible year for the 23-year-old: ‘Don’t Call Me Up’ is the biggest selling single of the year by a UK female artist (with ‘Mad Love’ also in the annual top 10), having surpassed 1 million sales and seen her debut album, ‘High Expectations’, chart at number 3. Off the back of a European tour with Khalid and a show stopping performance at this year’s MTV EMAs (where she was up for 3 awards), Mabel’s collaboration with Tiësto – ‘God Is A Dancer’ – is also still in the top 20, with her UK & European headline tour beginning at the end of January.
‘Loneliest Time Of The Year’ has the warm feel of a classic Christmas song, but – from its “sorry I’m not so merry / but I feel like this yearly” opening – one graced with Mabel’s trademark, brutally honest twist. Wrapping twinkling R&B and gospel melodies up with Mabel’s richly soulful voice, the track takes a lifelong love of Destiny’s Child’s ‘8 Days Of Christmas’ and pairs it with a raw emotive lyric for those who find the holiday season far from the most wonderful time of the year.
Whether tackling a toxic breakup (‘Don’t Call Me Up’), experiences of depression and anxiety – ‘OK (Anxiety Anthem)’ – or the harsh realities of Christmas, Mabel has emerged as a songwriter able to draw power in times of vulnerability. It’s this candid but positive outlook that makes Mabel one of the UK’s most refreshing young role models – after all, as she sings on ‘Loneliest Time Of The Year’, it “can’t just be me feeling like this” – and the perfect, knowingly-imperfect modern pop star.
January 30 || Belfast || Ulster Hall *
February 1|| Glasgow || O2 Academy *
February 2 || Leeds || O2 Academy *
February 4 || Liverpool || Academy *
February 5 || Manchester || Academy *
February 7 || Nottingham || Rock City *
February 8 || Norwich || UEA *
February 9 || Southampton || Guildhall *
February 11 || Birmingham || O2 Academy*
February 12 || London || Hammersmith Eventim Apollo
* sold out
