Wrabel drops “back to back”, a track and video to pair of heart aching realism that finds the celebrated songwriter/artist volleying verses with Dutch sensation Duncan Laurence as they recount the aftermath of a couple’s quarrel.
Written alongside Kurtis McKenize (formerly The Arcade), Léon, and Jon Mills, the video finds the two laying back to back in bed, internally spiraling through questions of heartbreak, self-worth, and disconnection. The song is earnest song writing at its finest, and Wrabel & Duncan’s performances (especially together on the star-bound chorus) are masterclasses in emotive vocal delivery.
It’s the latest cut off Wrabel’s much-anticipated debut full-length album, ‘these words are all for you’, which will drop on Sept. 24 via Big Gay Records/Nettwerk. The album will usher into the world the next chapter from one of modern music’s most celebrated, versatile, powerhouse songwriters and rising artists.
Of the track’s inspiration, Wrabel said “In relationships, it’s wild to me how sometimes the smallest things can cause the biggest rifts. I’ve often heard it said “never go to bed angry”. Whether it’s anger or sadness or something from the past bubbling up to the surface, it’s a terrible feeling. Even while sharing the same bed, you can feel a thousand miles apart. But the hope is that all it takes is a nudge, a turn, even a single word to reconnect and close the gap.”
He added that “this song was written with such special people – Léon and Kurtis McKenize (formerly The Arcade) — it’s been one of the most special songs to me since the days we wrote it. Getting to record and release this with Duncan is a dream come true. I’m such a fan and admirer of his work; how much heart he puts into his music, the emotion he pours out. It’s truly an honor to have this song together.”
“I’m so happy I got the chance to work with Wrabel and to be a part of his album,” said Duncan Laurence. “Ever since I started writing my own songs I’ve always listened to his music. His style of music is so honest and emotional. Just like our duet Back to Back. Thanks Wrabel, never stop being who you are.”
The release follows fellow album pre-release tracks “good” (which had Billboard proclaiming “Wrabel has made it clear that he knows how to write uplifting ballads. “Good,” is certainly no exception”) and “nothing but the love” (which Paper debuted), as well as the announcement of a short, intimate run of live dates, the nothing but the piano tour, which includes a stop at NYC’s Le Poisson Rouge and an album release show at LA’s The Regent Theater this late summer/early fall.
