An American-born, Nottingham-based artist and one half of Rue Royale, Dekker is back on our blog with his latest summery single.

By Graeme Smith

Feature photo by James Keane

Let Me Take You is a bright track perfect for the summer weather. Dekker’s soulful vocals sit centre-stage, backed by soft, strummed guitar and stripped-back percussion. Through the brightness, there’s a certain introspection to its lyrics, which ultimately leave us with a romantic message, particularly during a chanting chorus which brings things to a memorable close.

“There was a desperation, a sadness that needed dealing with,” says Dekker of the track. “It’s amazing how it showed up in such a soothing way. Music has blown my mind in recent years. It just keeps showing up for me; pulling me out, picking me up and placing me in a better way.”

The track will feature on his new album, Neither Up Nor Down, which proves an ambitious new effort from the artist, despite his desire to keep things simple.

“With Neither Up Nor Down, I was chasing a particular feeling—something hushed but steady, weighty but open” he explains. “I wasn’t aiming for complexity or cleverness, just a kind of emotional clarity. The songs didn’t take long to record, but I stayed with each one until it felt completely honest—like it was saying what it needed to, no more, no less. Every choice in the sound was about protecting that feeling. That’s what shaped the album more than anything else.”

Let Me Take You is out now and you can give it a listen below.