Track of the Day: Helena May – Still Here (2024)
More than just a pretty face, singer-songwriter Helena May is a vibrant personality sharing sultry, soulful and sincere songs with audiences. Described as the “blue-eyed funky soulstress”, the UK-based songstress has been intoxicating listeners for a decade (give or take) turning heads far beyond her UK borders. With extensive touring across the UK and Europe, as a solo act and part of the jazz-funk group Redtenbacher’s Funkestra, her confident stage performances, moving melodies and all-around sensational presence make her entirely unforgettable. The latest addition to Helena May’s discography is the single ‘Still Here’.
Following her critically acclaimed singles ‘Lifetime Supply’ and ‘Puzzle Pieces’, ‘Still Here’ is softer, gentler, and more soothing than previous releases. While the track might not have the hit-between-the-eyes forcefulness of ‘Lifetime Supply’ or ‘Puzzle Pieces’, its power hides beneath the subdued soul sounds. Produced with Fabian Wollner and mastered by Stuart Hawkes, ‘Still Here’ is a sensual layer of drums, guitars, and keyboard bound into a jazz-inspired melody. Interestingly, while the instrumentation lilts toward vintage 70s jazz and soul, Helena May drags the sound to modern-day audiences with a contemporary composition… or at least to the soul days of the early 2000s.
With a true passion for soul and funk music, Helena May notes a couple of her influences as Joss Stone and The Brand New Heavies; however, there is an obscure eloquence in her music that places her alongside these contemporaries. I can easily imagine a set with Helena May and Joss Stone keeping audiences in a wistful, perfumed haze of soulful sounds. Funk traipsed across ‘Lifetime Supply’, but in ‘Still Here’ Helena May proves her versatility offering a new side to the larger-than-life individual.
Relaxing, calming and settling, ‘Still Here’ is a balm for the soul but deeper profoundness and intimacy lies in the theme. In her celebration of individuality and originality, ‘Still Here’ tackles the issue of identity and social acceptance within a world of conformity. Using her twinkling vocals, Helena May delicately extends a “helping hand, tapping into the realm of individuality and offering an uplifting, optimistic experience that encourages valuable space for self-reflection.”
Find out more about Helena May on her official website, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
Discover more soul songs on The Other Side Reviews Soul playlist:
