MABEL McVey has talent and presence well beyond her twenty-two years.

Her ability is that of someone who has been doing to circuit for a while, despite the singer admitting touring is ‘taking some adjusting’.

Since bursting onto the scene in 2015, she has become part of a new generation of independent women in R&B.

The initial low key release of Know Me Better, which was uploaded quietly onto her personal SoundCloud account, didn’t stay a secret for long after  Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac picked it up as her Tune of The Week.

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The recognition put the wheels in motion for the newcomer to become one of the most exciting artists emerging as part of a new generation of R&B chanteuses.

Glasgow Times:

Having grown up during the golden-age of noughties R&B, the singer cites the likes of Beyonce circa Destiny’s Child as an inspiration for her sound.

So far she has showcased her talent for melodies on a support slot on one of the biggest pop tours of the year - Harry Styles - and sold out headline shows across the country.

Latest single, pop-banger ‘Fine Lines’ featuring British rapper Not3s, gave her the second taste of success after previous single Finders Keepers hit top ten in the charts.

“Finders Keepers changed a lot”, she explains.

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“The song is really letting go and not overthinking. The production really embraces a sound that is very important to my roots and it’s definitely a part of my identity that I hadn’t explored musically before.”

The track was written with Mabel’s brother Marlon Roudette and London-based producer JD Reid, and draws on influences from tropical sound.

The singer was born in Malaga and is the daughter of nineties singer Nenah Cherry, the pioneer of early R&B, and Massive Attack producer Cameron McVey.

Her childhood was spent travelling the world with her sisters, with time spent in Notting Hill and Stockholm, where she studied at the prestigious Rytmus Musikergymnasiet music school which counts singer Robyn and Tove Lo as some of its alumni.

“I didn’t have many friends growing up. I wasn’t into other kids that much. I used to hate when adults would leave me alone.

"I would already know that we didn’t have the same chemistry, I almost feel like I didn’t have the innocence of being a child in that sense.”

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Now London-based, she has a successful EP under her belt.

Made over the course of a year in Los Angeles and London, the four-track EP Ivy to Roses is a glimpse into the world of the performer before her debut album release.

The record is described as a personal exploration of "femininity, sexiness and independence and a lyrical exploration of what that means to me.”

She explains: “Writing the EP has been such an interesting journey for me.

“I’ve learnt so much about myself and how to embrace the different sides of my identity.

“I’m English, Swedish and Sierra Leonean and being mixed race is something I used to see it as an obstacle but now I see it as a beautiful thing.”

Mabel has already received a promising nod from the industry having been nominated for 2018 Critics’ Choice Award at the Brit Awards alongside fellow trailblazing women Jorja Smith and Stefflon Don.

Fans will be able to look forward to hearing the stars of the latest wave of R&B working together as part of a collaborative approach to music.

Mabel, Stefflon Don and other upcoming singer Raye have already recorded a song together.

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The trio are all signed to Universal, but the singer insists there’s no competition.

“We’re all in our own lanes and we all have things to say. So it’s literally just love and support.

As for the Brit nomination, it hasn’t put pressure on her ahead of the debut album release.

“The only person who can pressure me ever is myself, the recognition is really nice because it shows I’m on the right path. It’s a nice start and a pat on the back.

“Now I just have to carry on.”

“After my tour and another month on the road, it will be festival season and then I’ll be trying to fit in as much writing as possible.

“Touring is really fun, its new so it’s taking some adjusting.

“I’m really excited for the headline tour, I’m excited to go to every city.”

WHAT TO SEE IN GLASGOW THIS WEEK:

Plan B,

O2 Academy, April 28

English grime-pop rapper/ singer Plan B will be bringing his comeback tour to Glasgow. His album and film “Ill Manors” appeared in 2012 - One of the 2012 Mercury Music Prize nominations.

His long awaited return, “Heaven Before All Hell Breaks Loose” was released earlier this year.

The Glasgow show is one not to be missed this weekend.

BUY TICKETS FOR PLAN B HERE.

Nickelback, 

SSE Hydro, May 3

Glasgow Times:

Multi-platinum, chart-topping rock band, Nickelback are set to play Glasgow on the colossal headlining Feed The Machine Tour.

South African rockers Seether will be joining the band at all UK dates.
The shows support Nickelback’s ninth studio album ‘Feed The Machine’, which stormed in at number three on the album chart over the summer and spawned massive hit singles.

BUY TICKETS FOR NICKELBACK HERE