Ezra Collective Announces Fourth Album Here Because Of Hope

The London jazz group Ezra Collective has announced its fourth studio album, "Here Because Of Hope," set for release on September 18. The 17-track project, which follows the band's 2024 album "Dance, No One’s Watching," features collaborations with several artists, including rapper Pa Salieu, singer Leona Lewis, Jamaican vocalist Lila Iké, Cameroonian singer Libianca, and excerpts read by actor Letitia Wright.

The band shared the album's lead single, "Only Love," featuring Pa Salieu. The track blends the group's jazz foundations with West African grooves and rap. Bandleader and drummer Femi Koleoso explained the collaboration originated after a 2024 performance at Wembley Arena, where he saw Salieu in the audience. Koleoso said he immediately felt they should create a song for such a setting and later studied Gambian music to influence the track's bassline and drumbeat.

Describing the new album, the group said it represents a mature step forward. They stated that while their earlier work felt like "Ezra Collective as children," this album feels like "Ezra Collective as adults." The band explained they aimed to create a record that acknowledges global pain and difficulty but...