The South London singer’s extended EP brings added flavour with five new tracks, rounding off her turbulent tale of love.
Sasha Keable has returned to continue where she left off on last year’s EP Act Right. Her latest release, Act II, contains themes of healing, growth and reflection. Themes that strengthen the project’s emotional journey. It is her longest release to date and is sonically cohesive. Keable has now sat with her heartbreak and is learning to let go through a new flame. This mending alludes to where her music might take us next.
The BRIT school alum has been in the music business for over a decade. She gained recognition for her 2013 single Voices with Disclosure. Keable also received critical acclaim for her 2014 EP, Black Books. A debut pop R&B record similar to Jessie Ware, with breathy vocals and dreamy electronic production. That said, at the time, she felt creatively boxed by her former label into becoming a pop singer. After years behind the scenes, she wanted to quit. But it appears her time outside of the limelight has developed her artistic identity. Her vocals are now much more textured, and this EP is undeniably her strongest so far.
The original Act Right is a gritty R&B EP packed with smoky vocals, rhythmic percussion, melodic piano keys – even some bars, showing versatility. It is a confident effort, yet contrasted with moments of vulnerability. Throughout, Keable yearns to escape her emotional numbness and begs for her cocky partner to regulate their behaviour. Later she questions why she deserves someone who appreciates her as she is. The veil is then revealed. She lets go of what no longer serves her on Move it along – a brazen breakup anthem, featuring Grammy winner Leon Thomas.
There is a theme change. On the second disc, Act II, Keable is self-assured. Here, the initial introspection on Heartbeat, a track with a call-and-response chorus, that mimics a pulse, resembling the deception and betrayal of her ex. She has left this person behind, knowing they were deceitful and will not find anyone better, as shown in songs like Ceiling Fan or Nobody. Boldness is regained, too, on the punchy Tai Chi, which also expresses her playful nature.
To neatly wrap up the EP, Keable draws a parallel with Heal something and Feel something. A transition, from going back to her ex “tryna heal something” – feeling numb – to a secure relationship where she is “dying just to heal something” with someone whose “aura lifts” her up.
Act II shines in its raw, honest lyricism, similar to its predecessor, and introduces wavy jazz tracks that spruce it up. But moving forward, Sasha Keable could explore the feelings of newfound love further as we await her debut album. She shines on heartbreak songs, and Killing Me from her 2021 EP Intermission is proof of that. Still it would be intriguing to see how Sasha can take her reclaimed assurance and joy further.
Now a BRIT nominee and even performing her own NPR Tiny Desk concert, Keable’s rise is nothing short of inspiring for budding musicians. This extended EP is a testament to that. It ties up Keable’s arc well, and it is safe to say the future of British R&B is in good hands.
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