Mahalia Returns With New Single 'Pick Up The Pace'

British singer-songwriter Mahalia has made a return to the music scene, while embracing her Luvergirl era with her lively, Bayka-featured single ‘Pick Up The Pace', which features Jamaican arist and songwriter Bayka, and is produced by Zimi Records.

The steamy reggae-infused track with lush guitar and prominent bass sees Mahalia calling out a love interest who is uninterested and refuses to reciprocate the same amount of love and affection that they've been given, a universal experience of unreprciated affection that many know all too well.

Over a year after her sophomore album, IRL Mahalia has returned with the mission of celebrating her Afro-Caribbean roots and acknowledging collaboration by shining a light on fellow Carribean artists. Bayka, whose "incredible Jamaican voice" captivated the songstress herself, and the two joined together for a cultural collaboration that fuses the sounds of Afrobeats, dancehall, and reggae with their fresh energy. Of the collaboration, Mahalia says that she wanted to "celebrate artists like Bayka - an incredible Jamaican voice" as well as "give the UK a moment to reconnect with the dancehall and reggae that helped shape our sound today".

“There’s clearly something between us,” she sings, “so let’s just move forward.” The intense visual, directed by Ben Cole, sees the singer training in the gym over catchy, head-jerking production, her soulful vocals compliment Bayka’s effortless contribution to the track, creating a smooth and upbeat energy.

The single follows up from the Leicster-bred singer's last single 'Life Size', a reggae-influenced self love anthem for Sprite Limelight's Season Three, released in July of this year. 'Life Size' is track bursting with the sound of the tropics and a message highlighting the importance self love for women, accompanied by a video directed by Shadeh Smith, the visuals are filled with intimate textured close ups of a community of women close to Mahalia, including her own mother, in Jamaica.

Since the release of IRL, Mahalia has been touring across the world, bringing her distinctive vocals from the UK to Europe, and all the way to North America and Australia.

And building on tht momentum, ‘Pick Up The Pace,’ is the start of a new beginning for Mahalia. Although she is renowned for penning some of the best breakup anthems in modern R&B, the British singer-songwriter is ready to expand her sonical pallette and explore what love and affection sounds like when explored on a lighter note.

Mahalia, speaking about the single said: “Lately, I’m embracing the fun, unserious side of love. There’s so much heaviness in the world, so I’m just trying to find those moments of joy and playfulness in my music.”

Mahalia’s twelve-year career has seen her awarded with three MOBO awards, four BRIT nominations, and a Grammy nomination. ‘Pick Up The Pace,’ sees Mahalia fuse her experiences of joy and elation into a new sound that is centered around joy. With her new work focusing on a colourful celebration of culture, community, and collaboration, Mahalia has set the tone for her upcoming musical work, and is ready to infuse all the bold and bright pieces that jpy brings her into her music.

Stream 'Pick Up The Pace' on all streaming platforms now :