Following the success of his album pre-release tracks ‘good’ and ‘nothing but the love’, Wrabel returns with a new single ‘back to back’, a track of heart-aching realism that finds the celebrated songwriter/artist volleying verses with Dutch sensation Duncan Laurence as they peel back the bittersweet aftermath layers of a coupleβs quarrel.
Written alongside Kurtis McKenize (formerly The Arcade), LΓ©on, and Jon Mills, the song finds two individuals laying back to back in bed, internally spiralling through questions of heartbreak, self-worth, and the disconnection between them. Itβs earnest songwriting at its finest, and Wrabel & Duncanβs performances (especially together on the star-bound chorus) are masterclasses in emotive vocal delivery.
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Itβs the latest cut off Wrabelβs much-anticipated debut full-length album, βthese words are all for youβ, which is set for release on September 24 via Big Gay Records/Nettwerk. The album will usher into the world the next chapter from one of modern musicβs most celebrated, versatile, powerhouse songwriters and rising artists.
In ‘back to back’, Wrabel showcases his heart-shattering, slice-of-life songwriting about finding love, losing it, and discovering oneself throughout the journey. He elaborates of the song: βIn relationships, itβs wild to me how sometimes the smallest things can cause the biggest rifts. Iβve often heard it said βnever go to bed angry.β Whether itβs anger or sadness or something from the past bubbling up to the surface, itβs a terrible feeling. Even while sharing the same bed, you can feel a thousand miles apart. But the hope is that all it takes is a nudge, a turn, even a single word to reconnect and close the gap.β
Wrabel added that βthis song was written with such special people – LΓ©on and Kurtis McKenize (formerly The Arcade) — itβs been one of the most special songs to me since the days we wrote it. Getting to record and release this with Duncan is a dream come true. Iβm such a fan and admirer of his work; how much heart he puts into his music, the emotion he pours out. Itβs truly an honor to have this song together.β
Laurence comments,
βIβm so happy I got the chance to work with Wrabel and to be a part of his album.
βEver since I started writing my own songs Iβve always listened to his music. His style of music is so honest and emotional. Just like our duet βback to back.β Thanks Wrabel, never stop being who you are.β
Since the success of Wrabel’s four previous EPs, Wrabel has since racked up over 450 million streams to date. His earnest and poignant songwriting has also been described by Buzzfeed as “criminally underrated”, and The Huffington Post wrote that he is “one of pop’s unsung talents”. Wrabel has also racked up a string of collaborations/co-writing partnerships with Kesha (including their 2020 collab βsince i was youngβΒ that earned coverage on Pitchfork, Rolling Stone and Billboard), P!nk, Louis Tomlinson, Backstreet Boys, Louis the Child, Wafia, Cash Cash, and more.
His previous singles from his forthcoming album has received huge support in South East Asia, with the track “good” entering 13 major radio stations which includes Hard Rock FM Surabaya, Trax FM Palembang, Motion Radio Jakarta, Kiss FM Medan and Kiss 92FM Singapore. Currently, Singapore, Indonesia and Taiwan are in Wrabel’s Top 20 markets based on streaming.
these words are all for you Tracklist:
- let love in
- wish you well
- don’t pick up the phone
- london
- back to back (feat. Duncan Laurence)Β Β Β
- cars
- good
- it’s us (feat. Madi Diaz)
- nothing but the love
- pale blue dot
- love is not a simple thing to lose