The unstoppable Diplo returns alongside omnipresent dance music force Paul Woolford and fast-rising Atlanta-born singer-songwriter Kareen Lomax on new anthem ‘Promises’, out now on Diplo’s Higher Ground label.
This time around the sonic triple-threat focus on the widescreen vision fully. ‘Promises’, which has just been hailed as Clara Amfo’s Hottest Record in the World on BBC Radio 1, announces itself with rousing piano chords and Kareen’s soaring vocals, the record is a life-affirming, gospel-driven house jam. The track was recorded in various global locations, including Diplo’s LA studio, Peter Gabriel’s Real World studio complex in Bath and finally London’s iconic Abbey Road, where The Spirituals gospel choir were brought in on backing vocals.
It follows the success of the trio’s first platinum-selling collaborative hit ‘Looking For Me’, a track that peaked at #4 in the UK Singles chart, spending three weeks in the ‘Top 5’, four weeks in the ‘Top 10’ and amassing over 200 million combined streams to date – the record is also Gold in Australia.
Born Thomas Wesley Pentz, Diplo is one of the most dynamic forces in music today. He is a legend on his own, a member of the iconic Major Lazer, one third of LSD, the psychedelic supergroup with Sia and Labrinth whose debut album has been streamed over 3 billion times, and half of Silk City with Mark Ronson, whose platinum-certified ‘Electricity’ with Dua Lipa topped charts worldwide and won a Grammy. His pioneering label Higher Ground, conceived in 2019 includes recently released singles ‘Don’t Be Afraid’ with Damian Lazarus and Jungle and ‘One By One’ with Elderbrook and Andhim. They follow three U.S. Dance #1s for Diplo and the label—the Grammy-nominated SIDEPIECE collaboration ‘On My Mind,’ ‘Looking For Me’ and ‘Turn Back Time’ with Sonny Fodera. The ten-time Grammy-nominated artist has also worked closely with megastars including Beyoncé, The Weeknd, Madonna and Bad Bunny amongst others.
A legendary DJ and producer in his own right, Paul Woolford has been redefining and reinventing all shapes of dance music throughout his life. Currently riding a wave of success and enjoying the most successful period of his career, you are as likely to hear his work at a club or festival as you are on the catwalk or in the cinema, such is his cross-cultural engagement. He has worked with a fascinating array of artists, creatives and brands from across pop culture including Virgil Abloh, New Order, Fendi, Depeche Mode, Givenchy, Dua Lipa, Chemical Brothers, François Kevorkian and many more. Alongside the music he releases under his own name, he creates under the Special Request moniker, a vehicle for experimentation with a more underground focus.
Growing up surrounded by an eclectic mix of music influenced by her surroundings and those close to her, Kareen Lomax first blew up with her track ‘Melatonin’, and has gone on to write for Maroon 5 amongst others. Her new project Hard Feelings is something of a homecoming for Kareen, having been previously disillusioned by the industry and relationships.
More than simply a follow-up, ‘Promises’ is a demonstration of the synergy of true collaboration taken to its logical conclusion when three artists in unique positions come together.
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