London-based singer/songwriter Azu Yeché dwells in the heavy depths of heartache in his soul-stirring new single “Leave Me Now,” a bittersweet, beautifully tender ballad of unrequited love.
for fans of Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye
Stream: “Leave Me Now” – Azu Yeché
Nothing hurts quite like the sting of unrequited love.
It’s a feeling too many of us have felt too often; the poignant, painful realization that you care more for someone than they do for you; that you may not be the person they’re looking to spend their life with; that you’re not enough for them; that the love you thought was permanent, is in fact ephemeral and fleeting.
When Azu Yeché felt the sting firsthand, he did what he does best and put it in a song. The London-based singer/songwriter dwells in the heavy depths of heartache in his soul-stirring new single “Leave Me Now,” a bittersweet, beautifully tender ballad of unrequited love.
I don’t want to father you
tell you what’s wrong or right
If you’ve made up your mind,
then so should it be
Your friends keep telling you
not to go on with plans
we’ve had for a year
you seem quite convinced
Atwood Magazine is proud to be premiering the live performance video of “Leave Me Now,” Azu Yeché’s first single of 2024 (released March 24 via Farmhouse Records). Following last year’s two-part EP project Soul Afrikanah, Yeché’s latest offering is raw, breathtaking soul: The music of a heart exposed, shattered and broken. “If your lovin’ is ruled by someone else, leave me now, oh leave me now,” he sings in a gut-wrenching chorus, bringing to life words he surely never thought he’d say aloud:
If your loving is ruled by someone else,
leave me now, oh leave me now
If your loving ain’t as strong as mine,
leave me now, oh leave me now
“I wrote ‘Leave Me Now’ from the viewpoint of being with someone who isn’t as sure about the relationship as you are. You would rather end things than continue with someone who is not all in,” Yeché tells Atwood Magazine.
“It was a beautiful experience working with Jim Lawton on the production for this song, and I believe we came up with a stripped back sound that is true to the soulful nature of the song but also some subtle modern touches. I’ve loved performing this song live and I’m so happy that it is finally being released.”
Yeché’s live video adds fresh nuance, depth, and even more palpable pain to this already moving song. He performs as one of a five-piece band, and together the group accentuate the sting that lingers – in our hearts, in our guts, in our souls – long after our love has gone.
I don’t want to bother you,
persuade you to take me back
when you’re full of such doubt
and I’ve been standing here
Don’t you remember when they let you down?
Who was there by your side?
If your loving is ruled by someone else,
leave me now, oh leave me now
If your loving ain’t as strong as mine,
leave me now, oh leave me now
“Performing live is a very important aspect of what I do,” Yeché explains. “I took my small band to Urchin Studios, London to capture a live version of my song ‘Leave me Now.’ It was such an organic process and felt close to how I the song sounded when I wrote it. It was written about finding the courage to leave an unequal relationship, and I really wanted to capture that sentiment in the performance. As someone who grew up singing in church where it’s all about instinct and getting to the emotion/heart of a song, I usually don’t like to do many vocal takes – I feel the emotional impact can be lost after too many takes. I told Bo Morgan (the videographer) that I won’t be doing too many takes, so I’d like for him to get everything right with his camera when we go for a take (and he was so ready).”
“I tried to have most of the elements and instruments we used on the record but at the same time not recreate it,” Yeché adds. “I got my guitarist (Joe Garvey), cellist (Fraser Bowles), drummer (Harry Denton) and two backing vocalists (Russell and Jonathan) to help me out. The arrangement was sparse like the record and it gave me space to really express the story of the songs. Russell and Jay have a gospel and soul background and were able to pick up the harmonies quickly and their vocal textures blended very well with mine. I loved the addition of Fraser on the cello, who played some new lines and gave the song a somewhat mournful quality. Joe’s soulful guitar playing and Harry’s sensitive drumming gave me an unhurried feeling as I got ready to sing the song. Despite the fact that it was a sad song, the experience was a very joyful one – it felt like everyone was working together to give their best.”
“Leave Me Now” is at once a tearful goodbye and a lover’s lament; Yeché both says goodbye and mourns the end of his relationship in real time, recognizing that he can’t be with someone who can’t commit to him – even though he had already given so much of himself to them. Together with his band, Yeché consumes his audience in warm, sun-kissed soul; the performance is muted, yet masterful, calling to mind ’60s legends like Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, and Marvin Gaye, whose very own expressions of heartache and heartbreak have become timeless expressions of the human condition.
Yeché’s performance video is also the perfect teaser to his upcoming show: He’s set to perform live in London on 14 June at Dash The Henge, a record store in Camberwell. Be sure to catch his concert if you’re in the market to have your body and soul moved by music, and for all those unable to make it, watch Azu Yeché’s achingly beautiful performance video, streaming exclusively on Atwood Magazine!
All our plans up in flames
If your loving is ruled by someone else,
leave me now, oh leave me now
If your loving ain’t as strong as mine,
leave me now, oh leave me now
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Stream: “Leave Me Now” – Azu Yeché
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