New York, NY (Top40 Charts) American soul/funk/blues artist Nikka Costa returns with the eagerly awaited new album Nikka & Strings, Underneath and in Between due out on June 2nd via Metropolis Recordings. The album finds the acclaimed singer dipping her toes into a heartfelt collection of songs backed by a luscious string quartet that gives the listener more intimate and personal insight into her unique musical style than ever before. Today, she released her new song "
Arms Around You", a moving, introspective tribute to the transcience and preciousness of life, co-written with Justin Parker who is best know for his work with Lana Del Rey, Rihanna, and Sia among others.
Listen to "
Arms Around You" here:
https://smarturl.it/ArmsAroundYou
Bust Magazine, who premiered the song this morning, raved "Nikka & Strings, Underneath and In Between is a much-welcomed return for Nikka Costa. The self-proclaimed 'Funky White Bitch' is back in fine form and full force!"
Nikka &
Strings finds Costa addressing her past in both the choices of repertoire and the intricate arrangements they've been given. Recorded in a single day with minimal overdubbing, the 11 song effort is an emotional and poignant collection of heartfelt songs performed with vulnerability, passion, and honesty. The songs are a testament to her special way of combining soul, blues, and funk into her own signature style. Nikka &
Strings is Costa's return to recording after an extended break where she focused her attentions on raising her two children with husband/producer Justin Stanley.
The video for lead track "
Nothing Compares 2 U" is out now, a stunning rendition of her former mentor's classic hit which Billboard called "aching." The album's emotional center "Come Rain or Come Shine" is out now as well which was inspired by a long-lost original arrangement Nikka's father composed for
Frank Sinatra (her godfather) in the early 1960s. This song was the impetus behind the making of Nikka &
Strings and ultimately set the tone for the whole album.
The daughter of famed producer Don Costa, Nikka grew up with the sound of orchestras surrounding her. The elder Costa arranged some of the best known recordings by Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr., but her own career went in a far different direction. She broke onto the scene with the soulful sound of her 2001 album Everybody's Got There Something, featuring the hit single "Like A Feather", which has since marked her place as the forerunner among the new breed of soul singers. She's toured with Prince, Lenny Kravitz, Coldplay, and Beck as well as recorded with
Mark Ronson and was nominated for an MTV
Music Award. Known for her dynamic and energetic live performances, Nikka's voice and stage presence has often been compared to Janis Joplin, Chaka Khan, and Sly Stone.
Nikka &
Strings was recorded at Henson Studios in Los Angeles and produced by Justin Stanley (Eric Clapton, Prince, Beck) and Bob Clearmountain (Bruce Springsteen,
David Bowie, Rolling Stones). The album is now available for pre-order on iTunes and Amazon.
On June 30th, Nikka will perform at LA's Teragram Ballroom.
Track List:
01) Nothing Compares 2 U
02) Ain't That Peculiar
03) Love To Love You Less
04) Come Rain or Come Shine
05) Cry To Me
06) Arms Around You
07) Headfirst
08) Lover You Should Have Come Over
09)
Silver Tongue
10) Don't Let The Sun
Catch You Crying
11) Stormy Weather
