This week sees London-based 3 piece R I T U A L unveil their glorious new single ‘Josephine’, lifted from their forthcoming second EP ‘From The City To The Wilderness’.

The track premiered on Noisey a moment ago, but can be streamed below.

Following their critically acclaimed collaboration with young starlet Frances, RITUAL return with quite possibly their most enticing effort to date.

This time partnering up with Lisa Hannigan (of Damien Rice fame), ‘Josephine’ sees RITUAL marrying together elements of RnB and folk, laid upon their trademark bed of soothing electronics and warm, pop-tinged instrumentals. Speaking on the new single, the band said “We’ve always been fascinated by dual female/male vocals on records – the electricity of the connection between two people, two different takes on the same emotion – and the tension and harmony this creates.” 

These intimate pairings with female artists certainly seem to be something that RITUAL excel at, with the trio going on to say, “Lisa Hannigans vocals on the first Damien Rice record, together with his songwriting was a big influence – they created something so powerful and intimate you almost felt rude for listening in on them. To work with her on this project, and how naturally it came about, almost felt like a sign that we were doing something right.” 

‘Josephine’ is the lead single to be lifted from their forthcoming second EP ‘From The City To The Wilderness’, and was named after a lyric in the song. Arguably some of the most personal lyrics the band have ever written, the band explain that the track is “about the feeling of being so closely connected to someone – paired with the deep fear of failing the relationship.”

RITUAL have already had strong Radio 1 support from Annie Mac, Huw Stephens and others – including a guest play from 4AD signing SOHN, airplay from KCRW in LA, and praise from Peter Rosenberg, the profilific Hot 97 DJ in New York.

The EP from which this new track is taken, marks a confident stride forward for the trio. Speaking on the forthcoming release, the band said “The title itself [From The City To The Wilderness] describes the atmosphere and backdrop on which we make our music. The noise and pollution of the city where we live, the constant roar of modernity set against a stillness – the quiet of an intact and natural environment. This has had a big influence on the songwriting – our voices and instruments coming up against our computers and the noise of machines, is an essential theme of R I T U A L”

Listen back to RITUAL’s collaboration with Frances – ‘When It Comes To Us’ below.

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