Emma-Jean Thackray announces details of her highly anticipated second album, alongside releasing brand new single 'Wanna Die'.
The visionary producer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist new record, Weirdo, is set for release on April 25 via Gilles Peterson’s celebrated record label Brownswood Recordings/ Parlophone Records. Known for defying musical boundaries, Thackray’s latest work is a deeply personal and utterly original exploration of selfhood, grief, and gratitude.
‘Wanna Die’ is a striking blend of frenetic energy and emotional vulnerability. With its scattered, uptempo beat driving the track forward, the song juxtaposes its rhythmically playful foundation against poignant reflections on mortality and resilience. Thackray’s lyrics wrestle with heavy themes, moving between moments of despair and determination. The result is an audacious exploration of life’s fragility, delivered with raw honesty and wrapped in a percussive soundscape that feels simultaneously chaotic and cathartic.
Listen to ‘Wanna Die’ on Our Leeds United Fan playlist.
On the track, Emma says, “I think we need to talk about the dark s**t in our heads, and finding the humour in it only makes that easier. The lyrics to this are very diary-esque, like confessional poetry, and the bare emotion of it is balanced out with lush jazz harmony, sweeping synths, and a pop punk silliness. When you centre in on the silliness it’s easier to speak on your pain, and easier for others to hear it.”
The music video for ‘Wanna Die’ – scripted by Thackray and co-directed with Nick Suchak – is a surreal homage to 1970s television performances. Featuring a cameo from Gilles Peterson as the charismatic host, the video showcases Emma taking on every band member’s role, seamlessly embodying a full ensemble onscreen. With its retro aesthetics and playful nature, the visual mirrors the track’s spirited energy and introspective depth.
Drawing on an eclectic mix of influences – grunge, pop, soul, p-funk, and jazz – Weirdo is a triumphant celebration of survival and individuality. Written, performed, recorded, mixed, produced and arranged entirely by Thackray in her South London flat, the album stands as a testament to her extraordinary musicianship and fearless self-expression.
Originally conceived as a meditation on neurodivergence and mental health, Weirdo evolved after the unexpected loss of her long-term partner from natural causes in January 2023, resulting in an album that feels deeply personal and universal. With intricate compositions, raw emotion, and an unflinching authenticity, Weirdo is more than an album; it’s a masterpiece of resilience, a celebration of individuality, and a bold leap forward for an artist at the forefront of British music.
The album features standout collaborations with American artists Reggie Watts and Kassa Overall on tracks like the recently released ‘Black Hole’ and ‘It’s Okay’, but its essence is rooted in Thackray’s unique voice. Blurring the lines between genre and emotion, Weirdo evokes comparisons to Meshell Ndegeocello, Kate Bush and Nirvana – on the dancefloor.
