FAKE SUEDE is on a mission to prove that Los Angeles is more than fame hunters, wellness gurus or inflated egos with their latest single ‘Speak Up’. The track’s writers and producers Jeffrey James and Kevin Hutchens sought out the best and brightest musicians from L.A.’s vast music scene (even taking to TikTok in their hunt) to provide the essential pieces of the puzzle. As a result, you’ll hear tantalising glimmers of flute, saxophone, trumpet, electric guitar, strings, piano and more that gives this downtempo R&B number way more depth than one might expect. It aligns well with the likes of Olivia Dean, Cleo Sol, Pale Jay and Bill Withers, who really know how to give us that seductive slow-burn.

On ‘Speak Up’, FAKE SUEDE taps into those awkward early stages of dating, when you want to keep your cards close to your chest for fear of rejection… or even reciprocation. It wavers between intimacy and tension, with those warm Rhodes keys, infectious bass grooves and indie-pop melodies wrapping listeners up in a heady atmosphere. That uncertainty is carried over into Jeffrey’s vocal performance, which tentatively questions a relationship’s status with a disarming charm. With TV sync spots and a national advertising campaign already in the bag, the future is looking bright for FAKE SUEDE.

“Speak Up is about the moment every couple in the early stages of dating comes to. When they need to be honest about their situationship. Do they want it to grow into something deeper and real? Or should they move on. It’s a classic “define-the-relationship” moment, set to a chill but infectious groove.”

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