Multi-faceted R&B and soul singer Daley has officially ended his eight-year musical hiatus with the release of his new single, “Lavender.” The highly anticipated track is available globally today, May 22, across all streaming and digital download platforms via the SRG-ILS Group (Virgin Music/Universal Music Group).
Serving as his first official release since 2018, “Lavender” is described as a lush, immersive meditation on intimacy, escapism, and emotional surrender.
Co-written and produced by Daley alongside genre-bending UK producer Swindle, the track navigates the space between alternative R&B and soul. “Lavender” opens with cinematic orchestral strings before transitioning into knocking percussion and jazz-inflected guitar chords provided by Tom Ford.
Thematically, the record explores the suspended, consuming state of a profound romantic connection. Written from a place of memory and manifestation, the song romanticizes fleeting moments of chemistry, lifting them into a transcendent emotional state stripped of daily inhibitions.
“There are new colors that appear / when you’re here with me,” Daley sings on the track, inviting listeners into a softer, more blissful state of emotional freedom.
The Manchester-born singer-songwriter’s return marks the beginning of a renewed creative chapter following a prolonged and difficult absence. Over the past eight years, Daley navigated industry upheavals, the global pandemic, and the profound personal loss of his father.
According to his team, this period forced a deep reckoning with his identity and purpose, leading to creative uncertainty where he questioned if his desire to make music would fully return. Ultimately, patience and perseverance allowed him to reconnect with the core of his artistry, resulting in a sound that remains rooted in soul while embracing fearless vocal experimentation.
Prior to his hiatus, Daley established himself as one of the UK’s most distinctive and emotionally resonant vocalists. His breakthrough projects—including the acclaimed EP Those Who Wait and his debut album Days & Nights—yielded major US R&B hits such as: “Alone Together”, “Look Up” & “Until The Pain Is Gone” (featuring Jill Scott).
His career is marked by sold-out tours across the US and Europe and high-profile collaborations with industry legends, including Stevie Wonder, Pharrell Williams, Jill Scott, Marsha Ambrosius, Gorillaz, and Jessie J. He has also earned critical recognition from the GRAMMYs, MOBO Awards, BET, and Soul Train Awards.
With “Lavender,” Daley reaffirms his commitment to timeless human connection and depth over algorithms and industry trends. The single is available now on all digital service providers.