Jamie T has shared another new single – you can listen to ‘Tallahassee’ below.
The introspective track serves as the latest preview of the London artist’s sixth studio album, ‘Ghosts (100 Days Of Morning)’, which is released on October 9 via Polydor. It follows on from the lead song ‘3310’.
‘Tallahassee’ samples Canadian singer-songwriter Leif Vollebekk’s 2017 track of the same name, and finds T (real name Jamie Treays) rapping about being “a million people from one minute to the next” over a hypnotic beat.
“I’m half as good as I think I am/ And twice as good as you think I am,” he adds, before name-checking some British cultural figures as he takes stock of his place in the music scene.
“I’m the soundtrack to your university years like Lily Allen/ I’ve got so much shit around my bed, you’d better call me Tracey [Emin]/ I’m Paul Heaton/ Because the only thing you’ll ever hear ’round here is magic (Magic, magic, magic, magic).
“I’m Liam Howlett in 1991/ Driving round Romford in a Ferrari Testarossa/ Now that’s iconic/ But I’m nothing like them (Am I gonna see you at the Troubadour?)/ I’m just a plagiarist/ Just a fucking plagiarist.”
Speaking about the single, Treays explained: “It was written in the very early morning of the day I played Finsbury Park. I chose to sample @leifvollebekk’s song of the same name as it means the world to me.
“His version has been a constant through some hard personal times in my life, so it felt fitting.”
He continued: “The song is almost me trying and failing to give myself a pep talk in the mirror before the biggest show of my career. I hope you enjoy it. It’s meant to be light-hearted and fun, and I hope that comes across.”
‘Tallahassee’ is accompanied by an atmospheric official music video – tune in above.
Treays spoke to NME about his forthcoming album at last month’s Reading Festival, where he played a last-minute “surprise” set on the main stage. The record, which follows 2022’s ‘The Theory Of Whatever’, was created using voice memos that span his career.
“I think it helped me to process things,” he told us. “I hadn’t done a lot of that in my career. It’s been so fast, and I’ve just always been on the go. I don’t think I had ever really had a minute to think about it, so it was really important.
“I’ve come out the other side of that, and I look back more fondly now on it all than I maybe did a few years ago.”
Treays explained that he had “felt like something was over” after his 2023 Finsbury Park gig. When asked if he felt like he was done with music at that time, he replied: “I never know with things like that. I’m not that dramatic, really. I definitely felt something had turned in my mind, and I think I was burnt out by that point, as well. Something in my mind was telling me something’s not right.”
He said he felt “great at the moment” and was “really happy to be back around”, adding: “I’m really proud of the new record and excited to play it to people.” Watch the full video interview above.
His slot at Reading was featured as one of NME‘s most magical moments from this year’s R&L festivals. “It was another triumphant live moment for the Londoner, who was on top form as he delved into his back catalogue of bangers,” it read.
The musician kicked off his new era with a small show at London’s Scala, marking his first live performance in almost exactly two years. Here, he debuted more new music in the form of the unreleased cut “Waist 36” Leg 32″‘.
Jamie T has announced a UK headline tour for this winter, with the run including two shows at London’s Olympia. Find any remaining tickets here.
