Helena May – Lifetime Supply (2024)
At the age of 12, singer-songwriter Helena May came across Jamiroquai’s A Funk Odyssey igniting a passion for jazz in her heart. Her love of soul and funk artists like Joss Stone, Incognito and The Brand New Heavies made the little light burn brighter – a passionate fire ready to burst forth from the beautiful artist’s lips. This is my introduction to Helena May, but she has already been turning heads for quite some time. Enchanting audiences with her bold vocals, UK-based May has graced major stages across Europe as the lead vocalist for jazz-funk act Redtenbacher’s Funkestra and the iconic soul band Kokomo. In 2021, May embraced a solo project releasing her debut album Funkalicious; and today we take a gander at her most recent release ‘Lifetime Supply’.
The first single after 2022’s ‘Somebody New’, May hits the ground running with ‘Lifetime Supply’. Shifting from a pop-tinged melody, ‘Lifetime Supply’ leans further to a jazz-inspired funk sound interlaced with a bold blend of soul. For me, a strong similarity to Jamiroquai exists in May’s work and is evident in the new single. Yet there is a distinctiveness in May’s style bringing a sound that is entirely Helena May and nothing else.
Flitting from soul and jazz with a strong funk grounding, ‘Lifetime Supply’ is a kaleidoscopic “pick me up” for anyone who hears it. Contemporary with a modern-day edge, May captures the fresh funk vibes; however, a refreshing blast of nostalgic 1970s funk simmers along giving ‘Lifetime Supply’ a retro distinction. I find it intriguing that amidst the soulful funky jazziness, a lilt toward reggae beats bubbles beneath this multi-coloured blanket. Bound by May’s rich vocals, it is near impossible to not pay attention and feel a rush of happiness with ‘Lifetime Supply’.
The melody alone can ensnare senses, but it is the lyricism that highlights her depth. Exploring the core of humanity, May taps into the realm of individuality versus normality. Tackling perception and identity, she explains that ‘Lifetime Supply’ “revolves around the impression of outside perception and the feelings it can evoke in us. When we think someone has the perfect life, but behind the façade – there’s the real, truthful story we deeply want to know.”
In addition to the single, Helena May released an official music video for ‘Lifetime Supply’. You can view the video below o on her YouTube channel.
Find out more about Helena May on her official website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
For more funk tunes check out The Other Side Reviews Funk playlist:
