Amahla Steps Into A New Chapter On Latest EP 'Ooooh Honey!'

We are taken on a journey of self-discovery, as Hackney singer-songwriter and Ivor Novello-nominated Amahla redefines her relationship with herself on her latest EP as she enters the early stage of adulthood. The place where friendships are broken down and refashioned. Romantic encounters whether brief or long lasting are lessons learnt, Ooooh Honey! It is both a comforting hand on your shoulder and, at the time a gentle reprehend.

“Ooooh Honey!’ is a record of me growing up”, says Amahla. These songs were written over three years and are just me figuring out who I am, learning how to hold myself in relationships, managing social anxiety while pursuing a career where I’m constantly perceived, and learning it’s okay to reinvent yourself when you feel a change calling.

It’s confident and kind and mixes a few genres including but with a basis of soul and jazz. I’m so excited to put these songs together and present them as a whole".

Fed up over the surface levelness of the modern dating scene, and often left frustrated because of the lack of genuine connection, Amahla lays out her need for deep feeling, and also intelligently points out that whilst love isn’t financial, her time is still valuable in hopes of finding something meaningful on 'Money'.

Produced PRGRSHN, the track blends elements of Jazz and R&B, orchestral flutes play the melody, but predominately live brass and infectious bassline add to the East Londoner’s soulfully enthralling tone providing colour and detail.

Amahla speaking about ‘Money’ says: “I wanted to merge Jazz and R&B in a way that felt effortless, so I wrote the vocal melodies as if my voice was part of the horn section. 

PRGRSHN and I joked how funny it’d be to claim compensation for someone wasting your time. It felt witty, confident and real, then I wrote my favourite lyric ‘If it’s too high a fine to pay then boo, please don't waste my time when rent is due!’”

Stepping into the second track of the project ‘Commandments’ inspiration is taken by the name of the song as we’re taken to church. Amahla is all long notes and deep cuts, against a spiritual instrumental that is supported by soulful samples and gentle drums produced by Charlie Perry. We’re privy to Amahla's internal war as she likens falling in love to faith, and the blindness that follows.

Made up of off-beat percussion and gentle guitar rift, ‘I Know What They’re Thinking’ is an R&B offering that acts as Amahla’s honest perspective on her struggles with mental health. Her anxiety, her loneliness and her feeling of alienation in the music industry.

‘Reason’ is the justification of Amahla’s actions due to dishonesty and the disloyalty she faces from the world. The songstress adopts an effortlessly smooth suave tone as she lists the wrongs but ultimately feels she shouldn’t of expected more

On the empowering ‘Was it something I said?’, Amahla expresses a sharp melancholic air, as she says goodbye to a romantic relationship, finding acceptance despite the bittersweet taste. Once again, she demonstrates powerful and hauntingly gorgeous vocals as she reminisces on where it all went wrong.

Following on from the previous track ‘I’m going to find another you (live)’ it could be argued the outro of the project. Paying homage to John Mayer the track was originally recorded live in 2019.

Amahla is accompanied by a minimalistic down-tempo electric guitar that plays swing time, and the East London vocalist herself is reminiscent of an old blues singer to highlight the emotion and depth in her voice. The hurt she carries in equal measure with the scorn - also signaling that she is again alone.

The track is timeless, as she expresses the familiar story of a woman after going through heartache, promising to move on. The very last track is a UK Garage mix on money to end the project on a light note.

Amahla’s debut UK tour will start in November and includes a headline show at London’s The Royal Albert Hall, Elgar Room.

Listen here