Acclaimed musician, poet, and author Kae Tempest is set to release their fifth studio album, Self Titled, on July 4. Described as their most personal and revealing work to date, the album features 12 tracks that delve deeply into both Kae’s identity as an artist and their inner world.

Produced in collaboration with Grammy-winning producer Fraser T. Smith (known for work with Adele and Stormzy), Self Titled marks a shift in Tempest’s approach. Encouraged to take a hands-on role in production and to write from a first-person perspective, Kae reconnects with their hip-hop roots while weaving in contemporary pop influences. The result is a bold, layered, and emotionally resonant album. Lead single “Statue In The Square,” released in March, showcases their signature rhythmic flow and sharp lyricism, accompanied by a powerful video filmed in Deptford featuring key voices from the local community.

Tempest explains, “I love this song. It contains a sampling of a lyric I wrote years ago, where my younger self talks to his even younger self. A dialogue between selves in time, in real time. Or maybe I can put it more simply – When I was young, I sought help from my future self. I got inside my head, I said to myself: get to know yourself.”

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