It’s been just over a year since UK R&B singer Nao dropped her last single ‘Balance’, a vibrant upbeat summer smash. This time, the BRIT-nominated artist is hoping to power listeners through the colder weather and aims to give fans the ultimate ‘Chill Girl Winter’.
‘Wildflowers’ itself is fun-filled and carefree, it’s three and a half minutes of endorphin-induced melodies. It’s impossible not to fall for its catchy hook and chorus especially when the person delivering the lyrics has such sweet and distinctive vocals.
A synth-heavy and slow-tempo beat makes for a complete contrast to her last release in 2023. The Nottingham-born singer is about to transport her listeners to a whole new world and album cycle. A kick drum pattern overpowers the relaxed start and quickly picks up the pace. A light and airy-toned Nao greets the ears next opening with, ‘Wildflowers, they grow on their own / And like the leaves in the wind, we go with the flow’.
That slow-tempo beat from the start re-appears in the bridge as Nao pleads, ‘I’ll spend my time on you / Just keep falling with me till the end of time’. It’s in this moment where the music dims that fans enter a state of realisation. Fans can use this slow-tempo section to compose themselves as they understand that Nao is actually about to release her first album in over three years. The song wouldn’t be complete without some vocal riffs and in true Nao style, she makes sure to squeeze in some small but effective vocal runs after the mellow bridge.
‘Wildflowers’ marks a new era for Nao, and it seems to correlate to a prior album in her discography. In 2018, the Neo-soul vocalist dropped her planet-titled sophomore album Saturn, now in 2024, her upcoming studio record is following the same pattern titled Jupiter. Whatever planet or destination Nao decides to end up next, fans and listeners alike will surely be right by her side, especially with singles as strong as this one.
Words by Thomas Melia