March 29th 2024: As one of the countries hottest LGBTQ+ recording artists, Tia Kofi continues to make their presence felt on the British music scene, with the release of their debut album ‘Read My Lips’.
Filled with an array of epic and empowering 80’s inspired, dark disco bops – including previous single releases “Loving Me Like That”, “Maybe It’s You”, and “Heart Beating” – the cohesive collection not only manages to successfully fuse together a vibrant mix of intoxicating musical styles, but it also serves to demonstrates Tia’s artistic growth as a credible pop performer in their own right!
Feisty, provocative, introspective, flirty and fun, Kofi fearlessly pushes boundaries, and breaks new ground to produce the kind of album EVERY pop artist aspires to make.
So press play, turn up the volume, and join us as we take you through ‘Read My Lips’ track-by-track…
READ MY LIPS
Kicking things off with a BANG! Euphoric album opener, and title track ‘Read My Lips’ presents itself as something of a battle cry for those in society who feel down trodden, dis-respected and forgotten. Awash with reassuring lyrics, and optimistic musings, this rousing anthem feels like the perfect mantra for Tia to preach, as they continue to be a voice for the voiceless.
MOVIE
Whimsical, nostalgic and super melodic, we encourage everyone to crank up the volume and play this one louder than LOUD! Marking a slight change in tone and style from previous musical releases, ‘Movie’ affords Tia the freedom to unashamedly embrace their inner pop princess. With its bouncy production and catchy chorus, the song tells the tale of two lovers wondering what may have happened had their romance worked out. A melancholy lyric, set to a dreamy disco beat – what’s not to love?
LOVING ME LIKE THAT
An infectious, yet pensive slice of dazzling electro-pop, that serves as the ultimate pick-me-up to appease a fragile, broken heart. Ladened with lashings of ’80s synths, and killer 808 beats, the hypnotic track presents as one of the albums more darker moments, with its angst ridden lyrics, that depict the end of a not-so-perfect love affair, sure to resonate with anyone who has experienced any kind of heartache.
MAYBE IT’S YOU
Co-written by Tia, along with Alexander Frederick Cramp, and fellow pop recording artist Poppy Baskcomb, ‘Maybe It’s You’ is a soaring, life-affirming dance anthem, that finds an empowered Kofi reclaiming their sense of self, after calling time on a toxic relationship. Filled with positive affirmations and sassy clap-backs, the tracks uplifting message serves as the perfect tonic to banish those post break-up blues!
FOUND SOMEONE
Transporting us right back to the early 2000’s, and the days when UK garage ruled the airwaves, ‘Found Someone’ sees Tia put a fresh, modern day twist on a unique musical genre that defined an entire generation. Infused with percussive, shuffled rhythms, and 4/4 house kick patterns, the vibey track blends uber cool, staccato beats, with ultra smooth R&B melodies, in a way that feels wonderfully nostalgic, yet utterly relevant and authentic to now – we defy you not to dance!
GUEST LIST
A provocative and unapologetic, fiery club track that sees a mischievous Tia reference hell as being a place she’d like to throw a party – a clever, and perhaps pointed response to all of the recent vitriolic rhetoric surrounding the LGBTQ+ community. Coming correct with risqué lyrics, throbbing baselines, and an all-encompassing chorus; we simply LOVE this sassy side to Kofi’s personality!
SATELLITE
Indulging in their love of classic European pop, ‘Satellite’ is an edgy, avant-garde remake of Lena’s 20210 winning Eurovision song for Germany. Produced by London based creative Michelangelo, Tia’s fresh interpretation of the much-loved quirky pop bop, skilfully fuses experimental soundscapes with contemporary beats to create a sultry, atmospheric banger that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the original.
HEART BEATING (FEAT. MRSHLL)
Perhaps the albums most sentimental cut, ‘Heart Beating’ unites Tia with K-Pop’s first openly gay artist MRSHLL to produce a dreamy pop ballad that many have hailed to be a real “game changer” for queer pop! Produced and co-written by MRSHLL, Simon Jones and Judy Kim, the emotionally arresting track sees the two singers deliver stellar vocal performances, their distinctive tones blending in unison against a backdrop of soul-stirring rhythms and cascading synths, as they lyrically ponder the “divisive initial stages of falling in love”.
CURIOUS
Written by legendary musical duo Topham & Twigg – the team behind some of pop titans Steps biggest hits – standout track ‘Curious’ is a pulsating, beat-driven certified floor-filler that sees Tia pine over a boy she can’t quite seem to forget. Infused with quirky melodic sequences, and infectious hooks, the R&B-esque sounding track provides the singer with the ultimate platform to showcase their charismatic, and instantly recognisable vocal tone.
LOOK WHAT YOU’VE DONE
Created in collaboration with legendary dance music producers Cahill, Tia channels their inner seductress to deliver a truly compelling performance on the edgy, and slightly mysterious ‘Look What You’ve Done To Me’ – a fierce, throw your arms in the air, dance-pop smash that lyrically celebrates the joys of being in love!
OUTSIDE IN
Written by BRIT-nominee Little Boots, as well as Tom Aspaul and his ‘Black Country Disco’ collaborator Gil Lewis, Tia’s debut solo single ‘Outside In’ is a gloriously triumphant pop masterpiece, that calls for listeners to look “beyond the surface” and more pay attention to a persons character and soul, rather than their image or superficial aspects to their personality… social media trolls, TAKE NOTE!
‘Read My Lips’ is available to download / stream, via Intention Records, here.