EXCLUSIVE: Rag'n'Bone Man discusses brand-new 80s inspired single with Fleur East

We’ve been huge fans of Rag’n’Bone Man since he released his chart-topping hit ‘Human’ in 2016. But he’s now back with a brand-new single, ‘All You Ever Wanted’.

The three-time Brit Award winner, real name Rory Graham, has now released the first single off his forthcoming follow up album to his debut ‘Human’, which was released in February 2017.

Fleur East caught up with Rory to chat about the new music from the singer-songwriter. He explained that fans can expect some different styles to what they have heard from him before.

On his new single, he said, “It’s a little ode to 80’s new wave music and it’s a bit of Rock n Roll to get the album started. I wrote this song about feeling sad about going back to places that I used to love when I was growing up and now they’re just flats or whatever. It’s got a little vibe about gentrification, but its upbeat as well so it’s not too sad!”

Rag’n’Bone Man released his debut album four years ago and his latest offering was a collaboration with DJ and producer Calvin Harris on the song ‘Giant’, which reached number two in the UK Singles Chart. The singer-songwriter was excited about releasing new music.

“It feels great, it’s been too long. I’ve been itching to get started for ages and the album has been done for a while, but we live in strange times.”

He added, “There’s a lot of different sounds on this album and it doesn’t have so much of a musical theme in terms of genre, there’s lots of different influences. I‘d say as a whole this album is much more Rock and Roll than the last one. That’s why it makes it more-sad that I can’t play it live.”

Just like other musicians and artists, Rag’n’Bone Man has had to swap the live gigs for live streams and began posting performances on Youtube called ‘Live From Larch Studios’. However, he said that it will never replace performing live.

“I’m kind of upset about it a little bit because that’s ultimately the best part about it. I love writing music and making the album was probably the most enjoyable creative process I’ve been through so far in my career. I loved it, but it feels like the end goal is to be on stage and the end goal isn’t there to be had, so it’s a bit weird.”

He also explained that he has been building a new recording studio during lockdown where he hopes to record his next album and has been spending a lot of time with his son Reuben, who was born in September 2017.

“To be honest, I’ve taken a positive from this time and I’ve spent a lot of time with my son that I wouldn’t ordinarily be able to do. My house backs on to the woods so we go trudging around there all the time and take the dog for a walk as well. That’s been beautiful to have this time with him.”

Rag'n’Bone Man’s new single ‘All You Ever Wanted’ is out now.

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