Aria - Rectify (2026) [Hi-Res]

Tracklist

01. Rectify Your Soul
02. Home To You
03. Angel
04. Resentment
05. Belong
06. It's All Your Fault
07. Coma Cupid
08. Only Time I Get
09. Something to Talk About

Here is music to make you sit up and listen. Rectify is the impressive debut release from young neo soul singer-songwriter Aria; an album dipped lovingly in soul and jazz, and shot through with rich flavours to present a work that feels absolutely of the moment. Aria has already played gigs at EFG London Jazz Festival, Cheltenham Jazz Festival, Pizza Express Soho and the 606 Club, but this is her first album.

“The album tells stories from my life as a young woman navigating London, touching on the themes and contradictions of modern life”, says Aria, adding: “Half Norwegian and raised in Hong Kong and Singapore before moving to the UK, my experiences across cultures have shaped a sound that is inherently multifaceted.”

She tells us the album was “years in the making” and from this evidence those years have been well spent. All the key elements are here. From the first notes you know that this is an album with high production values and well-worked arrangements. And the numbers are consistently strong with hooks that catch, dig in and stay with you.

Aria’s liquid vocals flow freely through it all, coating everything with layers of warmth and emotion. She has a distinctive style and delivery with the flexibility to embrace a range of themes. The jazz sensibilities are there, but delightfully subtle and not in your face, making this a project with broad range and appeal.

Aria clearly has a strong team working with her. The songs were co-written with Sarah Gillespie and Chris Montague with other collaborators including Ronnie Scott’s Artistic Director James Pearson and composer Ian Barter. And it is all delivered with an excellent band that variously includes jazz pianists William Hobson and Ross Stanley, together with saxophonist Trish Clowes and trumpeter Poppy Daniels. The whole project has a vibrant, upbeat tone, with the inclusion of backing singers contributing to an ‘as live’ feel to the recording.

All of the album tracks merit attention. The opener ‘Rectify Your Soul’ brings a wonderfully relaxed soulful groove that reaches in. ‘Home to You’ retains the relaxed vibe, but introduces country/rock themes. ‘Angel’ works upon similar influences but here Aria’s vocals flex towards rock anthem territory, a move echoed by guitar. ‘Resentment’ firmly pushes the soul and jazz buttons and raises the pulse over a compelling baseline with muted trumpet calls. ‘Belong’ provides a change of tone; a slower number that builds as Aria stretches out and sweeps you away.

From deep soul beginnings ‘It’s All Your Fault’ erupts into an infectious chorus that will stay long in your head. ‘Coma Cupid’ develops as a soaring anthem and ‘Only Time I Get’ a heartfelt ballad that reaches out. On the album closer, Aria takes on ‘Something to Talk About’, a big hit for Bonnie Raitt in the 90s, and makes it her own.

To those who have managed to catch Aria live previously, the strength of this album will come as no surprise. To the rest of us, it is an invitation to catch up. Aria is here to stay.

Aria (lead vocals); William Hobson (keys); Chris Montague (guitar); Harry Gould (bass); Daniel Hester (drums); Elisha Zion, Siobhan Naomi Prince (backing vocals)