(June 15, 2020) Nate Simpson knows a thing or two about legendary artists who stamped their greatness in the music industry. The U.K. singer/songwriter has invested plenty of time playing Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye in a London West End production of Motown, and singing in a national tour of The Crooners in the role of Nat King Cole. And while he has embodied musical greats on stage, Simpson’s impressive cut-to-the-quick tenor voice resonates with an R&B-driven pop flavor. After releasing his debut EP in 2015, Simpson earned a finals spot in 2016 on the U. K’s X-Factor, participated in BBC’s Eurovision 2017/You Decide and toured throughout the U.S. and Mexico.
We now warmly introduce Simpson to the First Listen pages for his return to the studio on his latest track, “Better.” This track, which illustrates his personal maturity, is a noticeable departure from his trademark power ballads such as “Steady” and “Hurt.” The hip-hop infected grooves match toe-to-toe with Simpson’s urgent vocals: “You wouldn’t believe the things I had to do/All the things I had to go through/There’s a new standing in front of ya/There’s a new man comin’ to ya.” Perhaps, “Better” will expand Simpson’s audiences beyond the U.K., as he is a talent worthy of wider acclaim. Check it out below.
By Peggy Oliver
Nate Simpson – “Better”