Friday Mixtape: Jordan Rakei curates a mixtape to wind down the week to

Date
1 September 2017

This week’s Friday Mixtape is by New Zealand native, London-based and Ninja Tune-signed artist, Jordan Rakei. After moving to London from Australia, where the artist grew up from the age of three, Jordan has secured a name for himself in the UK after collaborating with artists such as Tom Misch and lending his vocal prowess to Disclosure.

After his self-released album last year, Jordan releases his new record, Wallflower at the end of September. The album saw the artist battling “his inner demons” consequently writing “an inspirational, soul-stirring record in the process”. Jordan heads off on tour in September ending his UK stint with a very exciting show at Shepherd’s Bush Empire.

Over to Jordan to tell us about his chosen mix and upcoming record…

Why have you picked these songs?

These songs always help me wind down. Songs like these make me miss driving in Australia. The London commute isn’t the same!

When or where should this mixtape be listened to?

Ideally playing board games. I actually picked up half these songs off my girlfriend, after playing a six-hour game of Risk… time flies with good music.

What sort of records did you listen to when you were younger that have informed your style?

I use to listen to a lot of old American soul music and reggae. My parents put me on everything from Stevie Wonder and Otis Redding to the likes of Bob Marley and Fat Freddy’s Drop. They were the two cornerstones of early influences.

Can you tell us a bit more about your upcoming album?

The album is an insight to my experience with social anxiety and highlights parts of my life when it comes to fruition. I’m really proud of this album. I worked on this album with my friend Jim and we’ve taken it in a new sonic direction from previous releases. I’m always striving to create something different and will continue to do so going forward. Looking forward to recreating this album live too!

What records have you been listening to while recording?

I was listening to Buckley’s album a lot. Was also rinsing the Fink discography. Touches of The Invisible and strangely a lot of electronic music too. You can see elements of all those artists sitting in there.

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About the Author

Lucy Bourton

Lucy (she/her) is the senior editor at Insights, a research-driven department with It's Nice That. Get in contact with her for potential Insights collaborations or to discuss Insights' fortnightly column, POV. Lucy has been a part of the team at It's Nice That since 2016, first joining as a staff writer after graduating from Chelsea College of Art with a degree in Graphic Design Communication.

lb@itsnicethat.com

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