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Philippa Healey releases ‘I Used To Be Fun’

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“Philippa is so refreshingly adventurous with harmony, melody, and rhythm.” – Paul Turner – Jamiroquai – bass

Highly acclaimed Philippa Healey unveils a cheeky tribute to tired mums everywhere on tongue in cheek future funk classic ‘I Used to Be Fun’.

Giving Prince and Stevie a firm nod, London singer Miss Healey, alongside legendary guests from Jamiroquai, combine a sophisticated and seductive sound on this highly relatable cut which pays homage to the struggles of long-term relationships.

Philippa’s masterful vocal phrasing – which ranges from girlish breathlessness to an impassioned belt – perfectly portrays the paradox of the song’s narrative; a frazzled mother determined to seduce, and therefore overcome her own exhaustion, if only just for one night. Hilarious lines like, “If it all gets too familiar, I’ll picture Milo Ventimiglia” conjure memories of Victoria Wood’s live piano classic, ‘Ballad of Barry & Freda (Let’s Do It)’.

However, Philippa, brings her canned heat under a heavy influence of 70s, 80s and 90s jazz funk. Philippa Healey is what some might class a musician’s musician, though we suspect the public will soon become aware of this new genie in a bottle. Highly revered among her peers, an Oxford University music graduate & West End leading lady who started life as a classical pianist and opera singer at the highly competitive Chetham’s School Of Music, Philippa developed – not only as a singer and pianist – but also composer & arranger who was lured by the chance to star in the West End’s record-breaking London production of ‘Les Miserables’. Philippa went on to develop her own Vegas-style cabaret show and has headlined relentlessly all over the globe for the world’s most luxurious cruise lines.

As she enters this new phase in her musical journey she returns to original composition and her true passion of soul and funk, and in 2024 has begun to release her own music with a little help from the Jamiroquai rhythm section, which is where you’ll note the irrepressible sounds of Rob Harris (guitar), Paul Turner (bass), and Derrick McKenzie (drums); a.k.a the “Dream Team Of Funk” (as lovingly nicknamed by Philippa herself.) Honourable mention also goes to Hammond organ whizz-kid Liam Dunachie, a staunch favourite on the London jazz circuit, who delivers exquisite voice leading and additional harmonic colours. To quote Miss Healey: “The track was already sounding sublime in the studio…and then Liam just came in, and sprinkled magic fairy dust all over it in about 5 minutes flat. The Jamiroquai lads and I were in awe!”

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Rumia Releases Sophomore Album Old Enough to Save Myself, Blending Trip-Hop, Acoustic Warmth, and Deep Personal Reflection

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Rising alternative artist Rumia has released her long-anticipated second album, Old Enough to Save Myself, a bold and introspective project that explores themes of identity, family, and personal growth through a unique blend of melancholic trip-hop and warm acoustic textures.

The 12-track album, produced by renowned Spanish producer Manuel Colmenero, marks a significant evolution in Rumia’s sound and songwriting. Drawing influence from 90s icons like Radiohead and Mazzy Star, as well as contemporary voices including Lana del Rey and Phoebe Bridgers, the project weaves between analog intimacy and electronic ambiance.

Sung in both English and Spanish, Old Enough to Save Myself showcases Rumia’s bilingual lyricism and emotional range. The album’s centerpiece, “Kept All the Pain,” is a haunting trip-hop ballad that addresses generational trauma and emotional silence, anchored by the poignant line: “Wasn’t in my power to save them / If known, I would’ve saved myself.”

“The heart of this album is about healing,” Rumia shared in a recent statement. “It’s about breaking cycles, letting go of what hurt, and realizing I’m no longer responsible for saving anyone but myself.”

Additional standout tracks include “Shift In The Air,” an atmospheric reflection on change and uncertainty, and “Role Model,” a powerful track accompanied by a visually stunning music video released alongside the album.

Now based in Berlin, Rumia credits the city’s music scene for influencing her shift toward more experimental, genre-blending production. Old Enough to Save Myself follows the critical success of her 2022 debut album Forget Me Not, which earned her accolades from outlets including Earmilk and Fame Magazine, and secured multiple international awards for original songwriting and lyricism.

With Old Enough to Save Myself, Rumia further cements her reputation as one of the most emotionally honest and stylistically versatile voices in the alternative scene. The album is now available on all major streaming platforms.

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