Forget the comparisons for a moment – though there are some pretty impressive ones floating around – and just focus on the voice. That's the immediate draw with Nectar Woode, the British/Ghanaian soul singer who is quickly making waves. Sure, her sound has sparked mentions of legends like Ms Lauryn Hill and Lianne La Havas, and none other than Sir Elton John gave her a shout-out on his Rocket Hour show, even saying she reminded him of Nina Simone.

But while these nods are clearly high praise, Nectar's musical identity is firmly her own. She crafts bright, jazz-tinged pop that's all held together by her rich, soulful vocals. Her music draws deeply from the sounds of her dual heritage, blending influences from her Milton Keynes upbringing and her Ghanaian roots.

Her EPs, 'Nothing to Lose' and 'Head Above Water', both dropped last year via Communion and quickly earned her a dedicated following and serious props from a host of tastemakers, including the aforementioned Elton John, Zane Lowe, Wonderland, DIY, Clash, and BBC Radio 1. She's also been busy on the road, touring extensively across the UK and Europe, and recently supported Nao on her European dates.

Now, Nectar has just unveiled her captivating new single, 'Only Happen'. This smooth, soul-pop track, co-written and produced with the talented Australian-New Zealand artist Jordan Rakei, carries a sometimes-brooding undertone. Lyrically, Nectar explores the feeling of being constrained by societal expectations while chasing your dreams, singing: “All I wanted / To carry some self belief / But I’m haunted / In a world that won't set me free.”

Speaking about the track on Instagram, Woode shared, "It's been a journey to get to this point and it feels like a new chapter to re-introduce myself." She added, "Me and Jordan Rakei wrote this on our own experience being from mixed heritage and of feeling ignored sometimes, not being able to fit into either ‘boxes’ and we found our own instinct and kind words/people to get us through those doubts."

Hailing from Milton Keynes, Nectar grew up in a seriously musical household thanks to her saxophonist father. She started writing songs and hitting open mic nights while still at school and was eventually discovered on Instagram by producer Mom Tudie, which led to their 2021 collaboration 'Fear Leads Us On'. Her solo debut, 'For The Best', followed in 2022.

'Only Happen' marks Nectar’s first new music since last year's 'Head Above Water' EP and signals the start of an exciting new phase in her career. With that stunning voice and a sound that feels like a warm hug, Nectar Woode is an artist with all the potential to become the UK's next big global name.

Connect with Nectar Woode now on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.