We’re excited to share the fire new Etta Bond and A2 collaboration titled “Surface” as our ‘Best New Music’ this week! Etta and A2 are two of our favourite emerging UK talents who have been on the grind for a while now, providing us with gems that are not only worth a listen, but have become sweet addictions and a staple in our playlists.
After her latest joint “Something New” alongside TDE’s recent signee SiR, Etta is back with a new single where she has – once again, joined forces with her Odd Child partner-in-crime, producer & artist Raf Riley.
Teaming up with them on this one, is none other than Croydon rapper and Disturbing London rep A2, who has been one to watch since he started releasing his self-produced tunes in 2012 and has managed to keep a pretty mysterious, low-key public persona till very recently. Needless to say, he’s a major addition to a wavy song.
“Surface” really does feel like a sequel to their previous joint “Never Did”, which was released about two and a half years ago; reminding us how much chemistry those two have, whilst illustrating two people growing in and out of love, trying to figure out themselves and each other, beyond social media posts and likes, beyond games, beneath the surface.
We see the duo bouncing off each other’s words, evaluating their reality, featuring Etta’s smooth, sultry and vulnerable vocals, singing “Yeah, you’re pretty but show me what’s beneath your surface / I wanna know you” against A2’s distinctive mellow tone and bars, rapping “Always moaning but you grown this time / We was young back then but swear you’ve grown with time“.
The video, directed by Sophie Jones, has a cinematic black-and-white look which in all its simplicity and purity, helps bring out honestly and a bit of an unsettling feel. It’s showing a number of young men and what goes on in their complex lives, hinting that not everything is as it seems and despite someone looking strong and confident in front of others, behind closed doors, things may be different.
You can catch the new visuals for their joint “Surface” below so that you can see for yourselves, what we’re talking about.
Moreover, in case you missed their previous link up ‘Never Did’, you can find it here. It is all about quality over quantity, but we can’t help but look forward to more amazing music and visuals from these two – together and individually. It seems like they can do no wrong anyway!
Words by Sofia Theiakouli // Photo Credit: Rosie Matheson
