Jessie Ware‘s debut album, Devotion, was lavished with love from all corners in 2012. “Wildest Moments” was an especially transcendent gem. A huge, yet understated, gem that was paired with a similarly serene video. The singer had soul in spades and a voice to die for, and it’s long felt like a matter of when, not if, her time topping charts would come.

With Adele still taking her time in returning to the spotlight, rightfully basking in the world’s adoration and what comes of it, there is a place open for a Brit with such tremendous soul, and a voice to match.

Restraint and nuance are the core of Ware’s work – the booming catharsis of “Rolling in the Deep” has no place here. Most recent single “Tough Love” evinced that as much as ever. That said, there is no less emotion, and this new single might have just enough oomph for the wider world to pay proper attention. “Say You Love Me” teases Ware’s power into an intoxicating, tension-packed four-minute ride. It’s big without sacrificing her superb intimacy, and true to form, it ends on a note light on the decibels, but resounding with feeling.

Tough Love is out October 21 in North America, October 6 in the UK. Shortly after, if there is any rightness in life, it will dominate the English-speaking world, a soulful autumn cleanse after a summer of “Turn Down For What” and “Fancy.”

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Tyler Hanan

Tyler raves about movies on the Let The Right Films In podcast. Listen to him make jokes over his beleaguered cohost Kayla St. Onge and their more qualified guests who deserve so much better at soundcloud.com/ltrfipod. Find him on Twitter @tylerhanan.

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