Ezra Collective Announce New Album ‘Here Because of Hope’

The Mercury Prize-winning group return with a new album this September, led by the uplifting first single ‘Only Love’.

Ezra Collective have announced details of their fourth studio album, Here Because of Hope, which arrives on 18 September via Partisan Records. Alongside the announcement, the London jazz outfit have shared the record's first single, ‘Only Love’, a collaboration with Pa Salieu.

The new track pairs Ezra Collective's vibrant, groove-driven sound with Pa Salieu's distinctive voice and storytelling. Drawing influence from West African rhythms, ‘Only Love’ balances moments of reflection with an infectious sense of optimism, setting the tone for an album that explores hope in the face of uncertainty.

Arriving after a remarkable few years for the band, Here Because of Hope follows their Mercury Prize-winning success and subsequent BRIT Award for Group of the Year. While Ezra Collective have always built their music around joy, community and connection, the new album appears to widen that scope, embracing both the challenges of modern life and the possibility of something brighter on the other side.

The record will feature guest appearances from Pa Salieu, Jamaican singer-songwriter Lila Iké, Leona Lewis and Libianca, alongside spoken-word contributions from actor Letitia Wright.

Speaking about the album, the band describe it as a reflection of their growth, both as musicians and as people. Having formed as children and spent over a decade evolving together, the five-piece say the record captures a more mature perspective while holding onto the spirit that has always defined their music.

The announcement follows another strong period for Ezra Collective, who recently celebrated ten years of their breakthrough EP Chapter 7 and picked up further recognition at both the MOBO Awards and Jazz FM Awards.

Over the past decade, the group have established themselves as one of the most exciting acts in British music, bringing contemporary jazz to increasingly large audiences through acclaimed live performances and headline appearances around the world. Their ability to blend jazz, Afrobeat, reggae, hip-hop and dance music continues to set them apart, and Here Because of Hope looks set to be another significant step forward.

Here Because of Hope is released on 18 September. ‘Only Love’ featuring Pa Salieu is available now.