Jodie Abacus says his debut LP will be "an honest mix of refreshing, nostalgic excitement"

The South Londoner's latest single follows a string of heavy-hitting soul-pop moments, including the Royce Wood Junior-produced "Halfway To Mexico", which was included in our 50 Best Tracks Of 2015. Abacus is working hard on his first record with talented hands such as Julio Bashmore, Tobias Jesso Jr, Duke Dumont, Ariel Rechtshaid (Beyonce, Adele, HAIM), Rahki (Kendrick Lamar), and SOHN.

We grabbed a few moments to chat to Abacus about his sound, his origins, the new video, and how that album is coming along.

How did you write and record "She's In Love With The Weekend”?

I went in the studio with Fred Gibson - he started the backing track, I put together some chords then built the song around the chords. Fred played the bass and the lyrics came to me instantly - the story came from a true person I know that won’t/can’t turn off - she is ALWAYS in party mode. So it’s quite dark really although it sounds happy… sad happy.

What do you love about the weekend?

Fav way of spending a weekend is out with a few friends listening to music OR going to see bands with mates, I love doing that over a weekend. I love exercising too.

Who did you listen to when you were a kid?

A Tribe Called Quest, Hall and Oates, Stevie Wonder, Prince, Michael Jackson, Cameo, the radio (pop songs on the radio)...

What was the first record you bought?

A Tribe Called Quest's Midnight Marauders.

The video's great in that it doesn't take itself seriously at all - how did it come about?

I was in Los Angeles when the song started to do well, so the label called and asked if I wanted to do a video - it took two days to shoot in total and a week to get together. It was rushed but had great energy because of it.

And yes it doesn’t take itself too seriously at ALL - Sam De Jong, the director looks like Harry Potter, minus the scar... so how could it!?

How's the LP coming along?

I’m still writing for the album and I have a great selection of songs already to choose from - I mean “Good Feeling” might not even make it onto the album! Hoping to finish it by mid-June.

What's it like collaborating with so many diverse producers/artists?

The sound of the record is still me, and the people I’m working with are actually all lovers of the same sound, so it’s actually really easy going. It’s great learning from how each person approaches the creative process, it helps me get better.

What have you learned from the process so far? What do you wish you knew before you started?

The fun is in learning as I go along, so the answer to your question is... NOTHING. I don’t wish I knew anything!

What can people expect from the album?

Diverse sounds. An honest mix of refreshing, nostalgic excitement, and something new coming from the UK... but honest first and foremost.

Do you have many plans for 2016? What are you looking forward to this summer?

Lots of touring, lots of festivals, and yes I am looking forward to the summer, it should be a blast... and with an album at the end of it!!!