Eliza Shaddad returns with remarkable new album ‘The Woman You Want‘ due for release on 16th July 2021. Critically acclaimed Sudanese-Scottish artist Eliza Shaddad returns to the fore with the release of exquisite new album The Woman You Want. Raised across seven countries, Eliza Shaddad is the daughter of a Sudanese astrophysicist and a Scottish diplomat. A multi-linguist with a philosophy degree, Eliza studied jazz at London’s Guildhall before self- producing her first EP, recorded with Clean Bandit’s Jack Patterson. Eliza has released three EPs and one LP
Produced by BJ Jackson (Childcare/To Kill A King), mixed by Grammy Award winner Sam Okell (PJ Harvey/Celeste/Graham Coxon), mastered by Tim Rowkins (Rina Sawayama) and featuring guest appearances from the likes of Micheal Jablonka (Michael Kiwanuka) on guitar, ‘The Woman You Want’ is a journey that celebrates the full spread of Eliza’s musical range and writing prowess.
Sprawling from the introspective folk-influenced sounds of ‘Blossom’, to the sharp post-grunge strums of ‘Fine & Peachy’, to the achingly beautiful string-laden soundscapes of ‘In The Morning (Grandmother Song)’, Eliza’s raw riff-driven cinematic trademark sound is at the forefront throughout.
Lead single ‘Heaven’ is a call to hope and a plea to keep going. Written whilst Eliza was visiting family in hospital and then later in the first UK lockdown, the single and the video are a poignant reminder that life can get better and it’s worth holding on to. This theme is threaded through much of the album – Eliza Shaddad explains. “I was wrestling with the idea of wanting to be a better human, a better woman, a better wife, better friend, better daughter while writing and recording… and not really feeling capable of it… so I was asking myself all these questions – and as a result the record, and even the title ‘The Woman You Want’ is me trying to find a way out of that – and a direct challenge to what we expect of ourselves.”
More than anything, ‘The Woman You Want’ is Shaddad’s melding of the myriad, kaleidoscopic influences that make this such a vivid listening experience. It’s a reconciliation of culture, identity, the traditional and the brand new; the culmination of a year’s work and a moving portrait of a truly unique artist.
Released July 16th, 2021
All songs written by Eliza Shaddad
Except Waiting Game; written by Eliza Shaddad and Ben Christophers.
The Fat Angel Sings 