Rationale Rationale

UK artist RATIONALE, quickly developing as one of 2016’s most vital breaking artists, will release his self-titled debut album March 3, 2017 via Warner Bros. Records. The album features lead single “Palms,” which premiered as BBC Radio 1’s “Hottest Record,” as well as three of the tracks that have been pivotal to RATIONALE’s rise so far: “Fast Lane,” which debuted at #2 on the Spotify Global Viral Chart and #1 on Hype Machine, the striking “Fuel To The Fire,” and most recent release “Something For Nothing,” which combined have earned RATIONALE over 14 million listens on Spotify.

With vocals that have been described as Tracy Chapman-meets-Morrissey, Rationale combined various stylistic influences with polished self-production. At the start of his career, he was shrouded in mystery, preferring to focus attention on his music and letting the man behind the sound take a backseat for a short while. Born in Harare, Zimbabwe, and based in London, he grew up listening to his mother's records, learned guitar at nine, and started songwriting as a teenager. His first vocals appeared on songs by Bastille and Jakwob. It wasn't until 2015 that he would release his debut solo track, "Fast Lane." Little by little, Rationale revealed himself through music videos, which showcased his soulful, genre-bending style. He received support from U.K. radio, which led to live shows and a deal with Warner Bros.

This new kid on the block wows with his deep, distinctive vocals and electronic anthems. Rationale has a unique and unforgettable voice, one that pushes forward with the cadence of Tracy Chapman and the power of Labi Siffre. That’s not to suggest his sound is a throwback—it’s a thoroughly modern take on soul, blending elements of R&B and the rhythms of his native Zimbabwe. After working with Bastille and Jakwob—his identity initially shrouded in mystery—Rationale’s emerged as a powerful pop force.

01 – Re.Up
02 – Oil and Water
03 – Loving Life
04 – Fast Lane
05 – Prodigal Son
06 – Losing Sleep
07 – Into The Blue
08 – Fuel To The Fire
09 – Phenomenal
10 – Deliverance
11 – Tumbling Down
12 – Somewhere to Belong