- September 16, 2025
- 10:39 am
Bingkai Karya – British R&B and soul-pop singer-songwriter Sam Wills releases his deeply intimate new single ‘Voicenotes’ on September 5th, taken from his highly anticipated sophomore album ‘Speak’ (out October 3rd). The release comes as Wills experiences remarkable streaming success across Southeast Asia, with significant growth in Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines – regions he aims to tour in 2026.
‘Voicenotes’, the penultimate track on ‘Speak’, serves as a delicate exploration of parting with someone and lingering on relationship memories. Written alongside long-term collaborator Phairo, the melody radiates with longing and nostalgia, comparable to old jazz standards. “Voicenotes is about missing someone you’ve parted ways with, lying awake at night lit by the blue light of a phone listening to old voice messages from them,” explains Wills.
The track showcases Wills’ signature blend of intricate production and lush harmonies, with vocals that duet beautifully with light-touch production. ‘Voicenotes’ evokes the timeless elegance of Nat King Cole and Billie Holiday with touches of Prince and Bobby Caldwell, while remaining distinctly 21st century in nature and subject matter.
‘Speak’ marks a bold new chapter for the Hastings-based artist, playing in story order as a
narrative of desperation, love, heartbreak, acceptance, and moving on. Sam retreated to a cabin in the woods he had built while making his debut to create the album, tackling feelings of stagnation and escapism. Influenced by Dijon, Mk.gee, and Frank Ocean, ‘Speak’blurs genre barriers with considered arrangements pulling from jazz, hip hop, R&B, and folk music.
The album follows previous singles “Amelia”, “Coulda Been Us” and “We Both Know”, building on the massive success of his 2021 debut album ‘Breathe’, which amassed over 450 million streams worldwide. His breakout single “Traingazing feat. Honey Mooncie” became a viral sensation on TikTok and Instagram, cementing his place as a rising star with global appeal.
Wills’ music has earned support from Victoria Jane (BBC Radio 1), Elton John’s Rocket Hour (Apple Music), DJ Target (BBC 1Xtra), and Jamie Cullum (BBC Radio 2), with features in Complex, Line Of Best Fit, and Dummy. His live performances have captivated audiences at festivals including Cross The Tracks, El Dorado, Reeperbahn, and The Great Escape Festival, alongside sold-out headline shows at London’s Lafayette, Colours Hoxton, and Jazz Café.
As a sought-after collaborator, Wills has worked with acclaimed artists including Jorja Smith, Disclosure, SG Lewis, Kofi Stone, and Lucky Daye (on his Grammy Award- winning album). With his Southeast Asian streaming momentum building, Wills is actively planning his first regional tour for 2026, targeting key markets where his soulful sound has found a passionate audience.
‘Voicenotes’ is out September 5th. ‘Speak’ arrives October 3rd.
ABOUT SAM WILLS
Sam Wills is a British R&B and soul-pop singer-songwriter from Hastings, known for his enticing blend of intricate production and lush harmonies. With over 450 million streams worldwide and growing success across Southeast Asia, Wills continues to blur genre barriers while delivering emotive lyrics and reflective storytelling.
