Rap and soul intersect on the brilliant new single from London newcomer Collard

Every weekday, DIY’s new music know-it-all Neu brings you one essential new release to get obsessed with. Today’s Neu Pick comes from Collard.

The new song from London-based newcomer Collard goes by the name of ‘Warrior Cry’, but plays out more like a whisper.

“‘Warrior Cry’ is a very personal piece to me,” Collard says of the new track. “It’s about feeling saved by a heroine and allowing myself to be completely vulnerable which as a man and how I was raised I often stop myself from being. The song is a metaphoric journey my heroine has taken to save me from myself, and I welcome her whole-heartedly, white flags and all.”

This vulnerability comes bursting out of the track, first via calming, soulful singing, then with brilliantly controlled, deliberate rapping. It’s a double-pronged attack that feels invincible.

‘Warrior Cry’ is the first taster of a debut album for release in April 2019 via Lost Ones/ Virgin EMI.

Watch its new video below.