British musician Colouring has dropped a heartfelt new single, “How’d It Get So Real?“, a preview from his forthcoming album, Love To You, Mate, set to release on February 23 via Bella Union. This soulful track follows the previously released singles Lune, For You, and the album’s title track Love To You, Mate. Inspired by a poignant moment in the artist’s life, the song captures a message of support to Colouring’s wife, Helen, during a challenging period following her brother’s cancer diagnosis.
The lyrics, “How’d It Get So Real?” were drawn from a phrase spoken by Helen during the tumultuous year that followed her brother’s diagnosis. Despite the heavy subject matter, the song carries an uplifting and life-affirming vibe, characterized by a shuffling groove and an infectious chorus that lingers in the listener’s ear. This track stands out as one of the highlights on the upcoming album, offering a glimpse into Colouring’s emotive and sincere songwriting.
Reflecting on his approach to Love To You, Mate, Colouring, also known as Jack Kenworthy, shares, “I’ve always been on the side of making up scenarios rather than being really honest about my life within my music. This is the first time I’ve been able to do that. I’ve been less scared of it because it’s not my story. It’s a shared one.”
Kenworthy’s life took a challenging turn in February 2021 when his brother-in-law Greg Baker received a Stage 4 cancer diagnosis. The family faced an “unbelievable” year marked by togetherness in the face of adversity. Love To You, Mate serves as a testament to this shared journey, offering an intimate portrayal of the highs and lows experienced during that time.
Describing the album’s inspiration, Kenworthy emphasizes, “Love To You, Mate is a love letter to my wife, family, and Greg for what they all did; a photograph of that time. We were this tight-knit, inseparable group of friends for a whole year… a year we look back on with great pride. I really feel we’ve made this music together.”
As Colouring prepares to unveil the complete narrative of Love To You, Mate, fans can immerse themselves in the poignant message of How’d It Get So Real? and anticipate an album that promises to be a deeply personal and collaborative musical journey. Listen to the single now for a taste of what’s to come.
