Mabel has today announced details of her much-anticipated debut album, ‘High Expectations’, which will be released on Polydor Records on July 12th and is available to pre-order now. This continues the phenomenal success of new single ‘Don’t Call Me Up’, which charted at number 3 in the UK, spent 8 weeks in the top 10, and is already the 7th biggest-selling single of 2019: the record is now quickly climbing the US Hot 100 and has gone top 10 on Spotify’s global charts (where Mabel is the highest-charting British female). Mabel will next be seen as a guest on The Graham Norton show tomorrow and has added to her extensive global live plot with the confirmation that she will tour with Khalid later this year.
Revealing the record’s iconic artwork and full tracklisting today, ‘High Expectations’ is a stunning statement of intent from Mabel. It’s a record - and a state-of-mind, in many ways - that she has worked towards her whole life: even the title itself has been hiding in plain sight (Mabel got it tattooed phonetically on her neck when she thought of it two years ago). Here, then, is an ambitious body of work from an increasingly fearless young artist, which explores the multiplicity of expectations (as a woman; in love; of others; and ultimately of yourself). What’s emerged as ‘High Expectations’ is an empowering, uplifting and disarmingly candid record, which tells the next chapter not only in Mabel’s own extraordinary life-story, but - like those records which shaped her, ‘The Writing’s On The Wall’ or ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill’ – also seeks to tell those stories of so many others.
Introducing her debut album for the first time today, Mabel writes: "High Expectations the title says it all. It’s about the expectations I have of myself, other people’s expectations of me and vice versa, especially in relationships. The general topic of the project is the negatives and positives that come with that. I want to send a positive message to everyone that’s going to listen to it. I’ve gained so much confidence from writing this album and that’s what I want people to take from it.”
Still aged just 23 years old, ‘High Expectations’ is that rare record which feels both like a graduation and, also, just the beginning for Mabel. The twice-Brit-nominated singer and songwriter has already sold over 3 million singles in the UK (two platinum, three gold, and two silver), surpassed 1 billion streams, and sold out the likes of Brixton Academy. Across her formative singles and first long-form project, ‘Ivy To Roses’ which is approaching silver with 55,000 sales, Mabel has written with startling honesty on young love, identity, girl power, and mental health – knowing full-well that she would make her debut album only when she was ready. And on that road to her first record, Mabel’s music has become a soundtrack – for her impassioned young female fanbase, but also for herself – on how to turn those vulnerabilities into your advantages. Now poised to join the pantheon of international pop greats, her tireless energy, positivity and drive were never going to allow Mabel to settle for anything other than ‘High Expectations’. In 2019 watch Mabel meet them and keep reaching higher still.
29.09.2019 | Lotto Arena, Antwerpen (support Khalid)
TRACKLISTING
1. High Expectations (Intro)
2. Bad Behaviour
3. Don’t Call Me Up
4. FML
5. We Don’t Say…
6. Selfish Love ft. Kamille
7. Lucky (Interlude)
8. Mad Love
9. Trouble
10. Put Your Name On It
11. Stckhlm Syndrome (Interlude)
12. OK (Anxiety Anthem)
13. I Belong To Me
14. High Expectations (Outro)
BONUS TRACKS
15. Finders Keepers (with Kojo Funds)
16. Fine Line (with Not3s)
17. My Lover (with Not3s)
18. Ring Ring (with Jax Jones)
19. Cigarette (with RAYE & Stefflon Don)
20. Not Sayin’