Lianne La Havas – Disarray
Lianne La Havas returned after five years with “Disarray”, her first new single since the 2020 self-titled album that won an Ivor Novello Award for Best Album. The London neo-soul artist wrote the track with longtime collaborator Matt Hales, who also produced it.
“Disarray” was recorded live with both guitar and vocals, which La Havas says is a departure from her usual approach. She finger-picks an electric guitar while singing, capturing both performances simultaneously. The stripped-back method creates an intimate feel. She describes the song as feeling “very intimate, almost like a secret just for me.”
La Havas pulled “Disarray” from her personal archives. It explores vulnerability and honesty, offering listeners a glimpse into a specific moment of her life. The lyrics explore the breakdown of a relationship and the complex emotions that accompany it. She sings about wishing someone could be who they were years ago, when nothing needed fixing.
Hales mixed the track after producing it. Joker mastered it. The single comes out through Καλό μήνα (Kalo Mina) Records.
La Havas has always taken time between releases. Her debut, Is Your Love Big Enough?, was released in 2012 and earned a Mercury Prize nomination, reaching number four on the UK Albums Chart. Blood followed in 2015, reaching number two. Her self-titled third album, released in 2020, peaked at number seven and received a Grammy nomination, as well as a BRIT nomination for Best Female Solo Artist.
She posted on Instagram in late September that her life had been in “utter disarray” for the last couple of years, but that’s now in the past. She plans to share more of her story in the coming months, suggesting that “Disarray” marks the beginning of a new chapter.
