I had the chance to interview Emeli Sande ahead of her highly anticipated fifth studio album, How Were We To Know.   This album has been described by the Scottish singer and songwriter as being filled with intense emotional energy.   The opening track is All This Love, which she intentionally selected to engage the listener right from the start.   From there, the story unfolds into a captivating two-part journey of self-discovery and empowerment, as we embark on a quest to find our own inner strength.  

According to Emeli, the album aims to help you understand that by letting go of the illusion of control and embracing the unpredictable nature of life, you can experience personal growth and transformation.   “The first half of the album reflects the period in my life when I was 27 and searching for the meaning of life,” Sande explained.   There comes a time in everyone’s life when we realize that our carefully crafted plans don’t always unfold as we had hoped or expected.  

Life’s beauty lies in the recognition of the challenges it presents.   “It’s all about embracing the truth and finding joy in it,” Sande explained.   The song Nothing We Can’t Handle effectively conveys Emeli’s message.   This serves as a reminder that no matter what higher power you have faith in, they will never burden you with more than you can bear.   Additionally, you have a strong support system that is always there to help you.   It serves as a poignant reminder that even in the face of adversity, one has the strength to persevere.  

Nothing We Can’t Handle concludes the first half of the album, which focuses on the journey of self-discovery.   The second half of Like I Loved You focuses on the theme of building confidence.   One of the lines in this song goes, “We should face the facts; you said some things you can’t take back.   I will be fine because I possess inner strength.   This transition is truly captivating as it beautifully captures two significant aspects of the human journey: the bittersweet realization of something coming to an end and the empowering recognition of one’s own strength.  

As you explore the album, you’ll encounter a diverse range of tones, musical genres, and instruments.   She credits her unique perspective to her Scottish and Zambian upbringing.   I was exposed to a wide variety of music during my formative years.   I was fortunate enough to be introduced to the music of the Balladeers, Stevie Wonder, and Pink Floyd by my dad.   “My mother introduced me to artists like Simply Red,” Sande reminisced.   And now, more than ever, she is incorporating a wide range of musical influences into her music.  

“I would hate to be boxed into a single genre,” Sande declared.  

As we neared the end of the interview, we delved into the importance of this album being her fifth.   Within certain spiritual teachings, the number five holds great significance as it represents a profound appreciation for one’s unique identity and the invaluable wisdom gained from life experiences as one progresses along their spiritual path.   Emeli expressed her confidence in relying on her instincts when it came to her label and the producers she collaborated with.   In the past, she would share with them a wide variety of songs she had recorded.   According to her, this could potentially cause confusion and place undue pressure on them when it comes to selecting the songs for the album.  

During her creative process for this album, she allowed the songs to “breathe” and carefully considered what she truly desired for this project.  

“Five is my favorite number. It feels refreshing to me,” Sande replied when asked about the significance of the number five.   She truly delivered a fresh approach to this album. 

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