SPEAK! links with DAME on new single

Birmingham-based songwriter and producer Jake Parsons has recently launched SPEAK! as a collaborative space where his own musical history collides with the influences that have shaped him. Growing up informed by the grooves of Stevie Wonder, CHIC and Daft Punk, his early listening was also influenced by discoveries o Remi Wolf, Jungle and Olivia Dean.

SPEAK! is where all of this comes together, wrapped up in the spirit of collaboration where sometimes Jake fronts the tracks, other times he slips into the background, guiding the music from the producer’s chair while letting other voices take the lead. In September last year, he made his official artistic entrance with the debut single “WAKING UP,” a collaborative outing featuring Scarpello and Maczee P.

Now SPEAK! returns with new material and releases the sophomore single titled “CAN YOU FEEL IT?” featuring vocals from London-based vocalist, producer and DJ, DAME, whose dazzling voice perfectly tops the song’s warm, groove-focused aesthetic. “CAN YOU FEEL IT? is summer all over,” Jake reflects. “I remember starting to write it on some of the hottest days of summer 2020, just as the world was starting to open up again. I think that’s really reflected in some of DAME’s lyrics; talking of ‘endless opportunity’ and a real feeling of nostalgia.”

As with every SPEAK! release, Jake took the reins on production, but this time also co-engineered the track with Lucy Hill. In September last year, he gathered three close friends at London’s Zig Zag Studios to lay down drums, piano and vocals, capturing the organic feel that runs throughout the single. Returning to Birmingham, he enlisted Tom, Arran, Sam and Mark from the SPEAK! live band to add their own touches, before handing the mix over to his best friend Joe to bring the whole thing together.

Filtering in the arrangement, the track slips into a breezy groove of shuffling drums, slick guitar rhythms, colourful string flickers and pulsing bass energy capped by DAME’s soulful vocal performance as she stitches uplifting melodic threads into the charming musical fabric. Flowing with lively brass flourishes and brimming with instantly memorable songwriting, “CAN YOU FEEL IT?” serves up a stunning pop anthem for the summer months.

Carried by infectious rhythm and brought to life by superb musicianship, the track sees the worlds of SPEAK! and DAME collide in spectacular fashion, resulting in a timeless pop outing that’s guaranteed to put a smile on your face. It’s an epic display of SPEAK!’s alluring musical output, once again delivering a magical musical moment that’s sure to delight listeners across the UK and beyond.

Listen to CAN YOU FEEL IT? below

More from Music

---

Editor Picks

---