Jordan Rakei
Jordan Rakei continually refines a nuanced form of soul-rooted alternative R&B with increasing vulnerability. A singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer, the London-based Rakei debuted just out of his teens with an EP entitled Franklin's Room (2013) and soon found a home on the roster of Ninja Tune, the label through which he issued a trio of albums including deeply personal What We Call Life (2021). He then signed with Decca and delivered The Loop (2024), an emotionally open rumination on parenthood and childhood. A keen collaborator, Rakei has been featured on varied tracks such as Disclosure's "Masterpiece," Loyle Carner's "Ottolenghi," and Bonobo's "Shadows."
Born in Tokoroa, New Zealand and raised in Brisbane, Australia, Jordan Rakei grew up playing piano and guitar. He debuted in 2013 with Franklin's Room, a self-released EP rooted in traditional soul and reggae. Rakei followed it a year later with the more R&B-focused -- and D'Angelo inspired -- five-track Groove Curse EP. A move to London in 2015 resulted in him working with a host of artists, appearing on recordings by FKJ ("Learn to Fly"), Alfa Mist ("Hopeful"), and, most prominently, Disclosure ("Masterpiece"). In 2016, Rakei released his first album, Cloak, on his own imprint, 4101 Records, and also debuted his house alias, Dan Kye, on the Rhythm Section International label. His sophomore album, Wallflower, his first for Ninja Tune, appeared in 2017 and saw him taking a more eclectic approach to his style of alternative R&B. Rakei continued to collaborate with the likes of Loyle Carner and Nightmares on Wax before issuing his third album, 2019's Origin. Following its release, he headed out on tour with dates in Europe, Australia, and the U.S.
In 2021, Rakei put together a selection of tracks for the long-running compilation series Late Night Tales, while also supplying two covers -- Radiohead's "Codex" and Jeff Buckley's "Lover, You Should've Come Over" -- specifically for the project. At the same time, Rakei was working on his fourth studio album. Preceded by the single "Family," a reflection on his parents' divorce, the deeply personal What We Call Life was issued in late 2021. The album charted in the U.K., reaching number 54, and just before the end of the year, Rakei co-wrote and fronted Bonobo's single "Shadows." Only a few months later in 2022, Rakei offered the Bruises EP, consisting of three new songs and a live version of the What We Call Life ballad "The Flood" recorded at the BBC's Maida Vale Studios. Rakei signed with Decca the next year, and in 2024 released The Loop, on which he built out his sound with a choir and orchestra while writing in candid terms.
© Andy Kellman & Rich Wilson /TiVo
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Late Night Tales: Jordan Rakei
Electronic - Released by Late Night Tales on Apr 9, 2021
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Best Part (BBC Maida Vale Session)
Soul - Released by Ninja Tune on Feb 28, 2020
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Lover, You Should've Come Over
Ambient - Released by Late Night Tales on Mar 10, 2021
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Late Night Tales: Jordan Rakei (Lnt Mix) (Mixed)
Electronic - Released by Late Night Tales on Apr 9, 2021
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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