ALBUM PRESS RELEASE

The Woman You Want

Artist: Eliza Shaddad : The Woman You Want

Tracks: 1. The Man I Admire 2. Heaven 3. Fine & Peachy 4. The Woman You Want 5. Waiting Game 6. Tired Of Trying 7. In The Morning (Grandmother Song) 8. Now You’re Alone 9. Blossom

Release: 16th July 2021 Format: Vinyl / CD / Download For fans of: Phoebe Bridgers, Angel Olsen, Sheryl Crow

“Nakedly confessional.” - The FADER

“Extremely talented…” -

“Sing me out of my misery any day, Eliza” - NYLON

“Shaddad’s voice is mesmerising.” - The Sunday Times

Sudanese-Scottish artist Eliza Shaddad prepares to release her remarkable new album The Woman You Want on 16th July 2021 via Rosemundy Records/Wow and Flutter. The album is the culmination of a year’s work and a moving portrait of a truly unique artist.

“The Woman You Want is a record of me fguring myself out” Shaddad explains. “I'd been wrestling with the idea of wanting to be a better human, a better woman, a better wife, better friend, better daughter... and not really feeling capable of it... and the so the title, and title song, came out as a direct challenge really, to me, and to the listener.” More than anything, The Woman You Want is Shaddad’s melding of the myriad, kaleidoscopic infuences that make this such a vivid listening experience. It’s a reconciliation of culture, identity, the traditional and the brand new. The album was mixed by Grammy Award winner Sam Okell (PJ Harvey/Celeste/Graham Coxon), mastered by Tim Rowkins () and features Micheal Jablonka (Michael Kiwanuka) on guitar.

Taken from the album is upcoming lead single Fine & Peachy. A frm nod to the female greats of the nineties such as Sheryl Crow and Alanis Morissette, the single proudly sticks its middle fnger up to the liars, cheats, gas lighters and fake news pushers of this world. Throughout, Eliza’s voice oozes a sardonic disquiet culminating in an almost evangelic middle eight.

Recorded at home in Cornwall with producer and husband B J Jackson, the album sees Eliza exploring new soundscapes - delving into classical guitar, harmonica, mandolins, drum machines, and strings, moving deftly between , country, and folk, and gracefully introducing musical elements from her Sudanese heritage; characteristic synths, oud, and even a jubilant ululating traditional Sudanese call. It was a big decision for Shaddad to work with her partner. “We held of for a really long time,” she admits, “in some ways it was brilliant because you can be perfectly honest with each other, but in other ways... it’s impossible to hide your moods from your partner. Whereas if you're going into a studio with people you don't know that well, you’d probably just deal with it and get things done.” ALBUM PRESS RELEASE

The album is accompanied by detailedly symbolic artwork and 4 music videos directed by Eliza Shaddad and long-time collaborator Jodie Canwell. From the intimate focus of Blossom flmed at her home, pottering about with house plants and longing for Spring, to roaming the Cornish beaches in search of freedom for Heaven, and tying in with celebrations of diferent hair and personalities for Fine & Peachy, the whole project represents an artist coming into bloom, unafraid to show every side of herself, and deeply focused on creating emotionally honest and moving work.

The Woman You Want is a journey that celebrates the full spread of Eliza’s creative range and writing prowess. Sprawling from the introspective folk-infuenced sounds of Blossom, to the sharp post-grunge strums of Fine & Peachy, to the achingly beautiful soundscapes of In The Morning (Grandmother Song), Eliza’s raw rif-driven cinematic trademark sound is at the forefront throughout.

In 2021 Eliza is set to undertake an ambitious live project with the support of Arts Council England and Jerwood Arts, which builds on a full year of weekly livestreams and collaborations which have been viewed in excess of 250,000 times. Eliza’s latest single Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood, a cover of one of her favourite artists Nina Simone, is currently climbing the charts on iTunes and Shazam, and provides end credits for TV series Behind Her Eyes on Netfix.

Raised across seven countries, Eliza Shaddad is the daughter of a Sudanese astrophysicist and a Scottish diplomat. A multi-linguist with a philosophy degree, Eliza studied Jazz at London’s Guildhall before self-producing her frst EP, recorded with Clean Bandit’s Jack Patterson. Eliza has released three EPs and one LP working with independent UK labels Beatnik Creative, Big Indie, and German label FerryHouse Productions and her work has received critical acclaim from The Times, The Independent, The Fader, Rolling Stone, Stereogum, MOJO Magazine, Refnery 29, CMU, Clash, The Skinny, She Shreds and Bandcamp Daily. Radio highlights include support from Lauren Laverne, Huw Stephens, and Zane Lowe, and airplay across BBC Radio, Radio X, Absolute, NTS and internationally 1, Radio Eins, KCRW and Triple J. Eliza has appeared on ITV News and Sky News this year speaking about the music industry, and featured centrally in Sky Arts’ 2020 documentary Culture Interrupted. Eliza has also previously been included in Spotify’s New Music Friday, Alternative Generation Feelgood/Ultimate Indie, Indie Radar, Van Life, The Stress Buster, Alternative Generation, and Believe the Hype playlists.

Her reputation for powerful live shows has seen her touring extensively, playing dates in the UK, EU, and USA with the likes of Bedouine, Kae Tempest, Lucy Rose, Oh Wonder, Max Jury, Keane and Turin Brakes. She has collaborated with award-winning poet Anthony Anaxagorou, contemporary jazz group Hansu-Tori, and Grammy-winners Clean Bandit, and is a founding member of ten-year-strong female arts collective Girls Girls Girls, which works to empower women within the arts, and to raise awareness and funding for the anti-female genital mutilation charity Orchid Project.

The Woman You Want is out 16th July 2021 via Rosemundy Records/Wow and Flutter.

Ellie Sorensen - Online PR A Badge of Friendship E: [email protected] T: 0203 846 7010 // 07881 370 920 URL: www.abadgeoffriendship.com