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Rachel Huggins brings a vibrant fusion of soul and disco with her call to arms to “Take Control”

25 October 2019, 12:27 | Written by Sophie Leigh Walker

Grounded in gospel, the London-based chanteuse uses classic sonic styles to tackle very modern issues.

“Take Control”, far more than a song, is a way of elevation. Huggins uses her lavish vocals - which earned her a place as a finalist in the BBC’s Gospel Choir of The Year, not once, but twice – to uplift us from personal ruts and political gloom.

A genre-spanning canvas, bringing the colours of jazz, soul and disco, “Take Control” is a welcomed distraction from not only the pressures of our day-to-day lives, but far the more enduring issues of institutionalised racism that continues to affect Huggins’ community. “I want to be released from the confines of my mind, of my government. I want my people to receive justice from the injustices of my people,” she sings on the song’s bridge.

“Ultimately, it’s about taking control of your life […]” Rachel explains of the track. “Whether that be spiritually, financially, the relationships or friendships you have, anything that slows you down that needs to be stripped away. Acquiring freedom to express without inhibition. Sometimes we care so much about the thoughts of others we lose ourselves and momentarily become what others want or expect whilst suppressing who we really are.”

'Take Control’ is out now via Hidden Treasure. Follow Rachel Huggins on Twitter.
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