Courtesy of Pigeons and Planes.

A tweet from DIY Magazine announced the release of Nao‰’s latest song “Good Girl‰” on Nov. 5 off her debut EP So Good. I‰’ve been following this 24-year-old singer since she collaborated with fellow London musician A.K. Paul on a song released at the start of last summer. 

If that name sounds familiar, that‰’s because A.K. Paul is brothers with a certain Jai Paul whose leaked demo dominated much of 2013. A.K. Paul has not only produced for his brother but also for Sam Smith and Jessie Ware.

Nao definitely kept good company when it came to production. Paired with her saccharine yet smooth vocals – reminiscent of Aluna Francis from AlunaGeorge – she was well on her way of becoming a leading figure in this new wave of futuristic R&B music from the UK.

“Good Girl‰” opens with bright percussion and hypnotic vocalizations, followed by the iconic line: “He wanted a good girl / I wanted a God‰Û. Nao‰’s voice is a solid anchor amidst the escalating rhythms. The hook is simple and infectious that listeners will instantly latch onto. Urgent without being frantic, this track is sure to move bodies to dance floors and perhaps play soundtrack to some tumultuous love sagas. 

The five-track debut  EP is available digitally through iTunes and will have an additional track on the physical release as a vinyl through Dummy Records. Nao tours Europe with Swedish band, Little Dragon. And if Yukimi Nagano approves, so do I. 

(Also check out  Nao‰’s fantastic cover of “Ritual Union‰Û. Honestly, so, so good.)

Nao So Good EP tracklist:

01. So Good (Nao vs. A.K. Paul)
02. Good Girl (prod. by William Arcane) 
03. Control (prod. by John Calvert) 
04. Interlude (prod. by Loxe) 
05. Adore (feat. Abhi//Dijon) (prod. by Loxe) 
06. Back Porch (prod. by John Calvert) *

* vinyl exclusive