Kele Okereke announces new solo album, The Singing Winds Pt. 3

Joining the previously released, "Hometown Edge", which followed a debauched night in Kele’s hometown of London, new single "It Wasn’t Meant To Be" documents what happens when a relationship ends due to a betrayal. As Kele explains: “Once the dust has settled there might be the intention to be a grown up and achieve closure with the other party but sometimes, even with the best will in the world you can't get past the fact that this person, who you once loved, has hurt you. It's a song about anger concealed in pleasantries.”

The Singing Winds Pt. 3 is the third in Kele’s series of solo albums, The Elements, which originated during lockdown. Each of the records embodies a different texture and quality, embodying the sound of the flexibility he has required throughout two years of upheaval in his personal life. In his own words, “Old ways have come to an end, and new rhythms have had to start.”

Kele will take to the road in February 2024 for an eight-date UK headline tour. Beginning in Glasgow on 12 February, the tour will include key stops in London and Manchester. Speaking about taking his new project on the road, Kele says: “I started 'the elements' project with 'The Waves' in lockdown. It started as a test really, I had become so accustomed to working with other people for my solo records that the thought of making a record solely of my playing was something that I saw as a challenge to be conquered.

Apart from the vocals, every sound you hear on these records is made by my guitar. The very limitations of the project have become part of the aesthetic, so I’m excited to be able to finally bring these songs to a stage and bring an audience into the process. I am looking forward to finally being able to perform this music in the way it was written and intended to be heard.”