Ruti returns with gorgeous new single “Break My Own Heart”
Powerhouse singer-songwriter Ruti shares a stunning new single ‘Break My Own Heart’, marking a triumphant return after the success of their EP ‘Lungs’ earlier this year. In their own words; “Break your own heart’ is simply about overthinking.” The new track is a sonic spectacle, enveloped in electronic, pop and alternative elements, to create a unique fusion of styles and sounds. With their new release, Ruti further proves themself as a voice to watch, carving out their own unique space in the UK music scene. Speaking on the story behind the release, Ruti shares; “It’s a conversation with myself. Giving myself grace but also confronting myself about my tendencies to think too far in the future and not live in the present. I'm the kind of person that just gets either too excited or too anxious about things that haven’t even happened and it leads to me spiraling. It can lead to disappointment but most importantly it takes me out of the moment.”
Ruti continues; “This came out of the first session I had with Marlon Roudette and Congee! I can’t wait to see what we do next. We have such great chemistry together.” ‘Break My Own Heart’ can be characterised by its emotional rawness, underscored by a strong sense of passion and inner strength. Ruti’s powerful ballad-style vocals paired with the song’s vibrant, glitchy production, creates an immersive listening experience that uplifts the listener.
Today’s release is the follow up track to Ruti’s widely acclaimed EP ‘Lungs’, which debuted in May and was celebrated for its rich and soul-stirring sound. The project established Ruti as a standout artist in the UK music scene, and further elevated their growing status as a voice on the rise.
About Ruti
Ruti isn’t content with building a fanbase – they’re building a community. A songwriter with a unique ability to connect, they paint a picture of their soul with each release. A stunning vocalist, their commitment to honesty is completely unforced. New EP ‘Lungs’ is their finest moment yet, but they’re only just getting started. With Ruti, what they see, is what you get – and they’re determined to make their voice heard.
Ironically, the idea of actually singing came relatively late in their life. The 24-year-old was brought up in Thurrock, with a mother from Essex and a father from Nigeria. Raised around the church, their first love was actually dance. Dutifully heading to lessons from the age of three, they would soak up tunes from their parents’ stereo system – post-disco like Kool & The Gang and George Benson – before dancing their heart out. “I've been dancing a lot longer than I’ve been singing,” they laugh. “But that’s what brought me into music.”
Winning a competition at a holiday camp when they were children, Ruti knocked the crowd into silence with their acapella version of Adele’s powerhouse ‘Rolling In The Deep’. It was the start of a deep shift in their life – everyone in the room knew the precocious youngster was special. “When we got home my mum was like, oh maybe we could do more singing stuff?”
Studying music at school, Ruti would write songs in their notebooks, but was terrified to share them. “I’ve always been really nervous about writing,” they admit. “I’d write a little bit.. and then just leave it, throw it away. But when I got to sixth form, they pushed you to actually write songs – so I had no choice.”
Life took them in different paths. A glimpse of the spotlight’s intense glare pushed Ruti towards the major label system, but deep down they knew something wasn’t right. Later signing to PMR Records, they were given time and space to build something unique to them from the ground up. “I want to be independent. Deep down, I’ve always known that. I want the people around me to care about what I’m doing.”
2023 project ‘MixTea_Mixtape!’ was the turning point. An elegant song cycle that fused their core influences – a thirst for pop, a passion for R&B, and a touch of gospel – it found Ruti speaking their truth. Gathering like-minds around them in the studio, the singer hit on a formula that was truly their own. “All the music on the mixtape came out of the pandemic. A lot of music, a lot of feelings, and a lot of vulnerability came out of that. I was as honest as I could be. But also sonically, it was where I met a lot of new musicians, new producers, and developed a lot of meaningful music relationships.”
Songs such as ‘Nothing’s Easy’ and ‘DON’T WAIT’ resonated deeply with fans, listeners struck by the purity of Ruti’s soulful honesty. “There’s a lot of songs about feeling a bit lost, and feeling as though I was dying. I was stuck in a weird headspace,” she notes. “I grew so much during that time. But at times, I felt stuck.”
Incoming EP ‘Lungs’ takes Ruti to the next level. Pushing ahead with daring alacrity and a palpable degree of newfound confidence, it’s a riveting document, blessed with pop finesse and an incredible desire for communication. Picking up from where their mixtape left off, Ruti uses the EP to explore the end of a relationship, their need for independence, and the balance in their life. “That’s where my new songs pick up,” Ruti says. “It’s about moving out of denial and ignorance.”
Constructed alongside Emily Philips and Wayne Wilkins aka Croydon Boy, the title song benefits with input from Dave collaborator Jo Caleb. The lyrics go deep into Ruti’s feelings, conjuring memories of a failed relationship from their youth. “A belter of a tune,” they say. “It’s a heartbreak song. I was really insecure at that time, and I was looking for something to validate me. And I chose this random person who wasn’t very nice to me. I just didn’t know what to do with those feelings.”
The song itself became a breakthrough moment for the EP as a whole, propelling Ruti to new creative achievements and unlocking different feelings within them. ‘Don’t Make A Sound’ is potent and direct, while the fun, frothy ‘Bubblehouse Bounce (move as one)’ is a dose of unrelenting energy. The sessions were quick and exciting, Ruti working with purpose alongside the cast of musicians they’d assembled around her. “There’s a certain intuition when I meet someone. A good collaborator will listen to me and give me the space to experiment.”
Completed by a riveting cover of Tears For Fears’ synth classic ‘Everybody Wants To Rule The World’, the upcoming EP is just one part of Ruti’s plan. An artist who admires the staunch femme independence of Laura Mvula or Bjork, they’re also fascinated by the modern soul of Gabriels, for example, or Moses Sumney. If Ruti is hard to pin down, then that’s just the way they want it. “I’ve been thinking about an album for ages,” she says. “And it changes all the time! My ideas for it change constantly.”
“It’s taken my time to build a safe environment. I’ve been able to create a safe space to open up about my deepest feelings, my deepest feelings, my deepest anxieties. But I’ve grown in myself. This is who I am, and that’s it. I can only be honest – I can’t do anything else, really.”
The rest of the year will bring more releases, more music, and more shows. It’s the latter that particularly lights a fire in Ruti’s heart, with concerts bringing a sense of connection between the singer and their fans. “Performing is my favourite part,” Ruti says. “Being in the moment when I’m performing, it’s just sheer relief. It's a pure expression, you have one moment to put your heart into everything.”
It's an act of healing, one that helps bring Ruti’s emotions into focus. With the community they’ve built around them, the vocalist is ready for whatever life throws at them. “I’m constantly battling self-doubt,” they say. “I always wonder if I’m good enough. It’s a constant battle. But I’ve been lucky, in a way, due to the people I’ve met along the way. It’s never been easy, but it’s been a slow burn. I’m ready now, to face whatever is coming after this.”