After years of hit singles, arena-ready tracks, and widespread recognition, Mabel's self-titled mixtape arrives like an unexpected late-night voice note—unscripted, a bit chaotic, and utterly authentic.
Released two years after her polished sophomore album "About Last Night," "Mabel" moves away from high-production values in favor of a more instinctual approach. This shift isn’t about chasing trends but rather about showcasing her artistry.
Consisting of nine tracks mostly created in her home studio, "Mabel" features a loose, textured sound that blends melancholic R&B, distorted pop, and hints of the DIY spirit that defined her early work.
The standout track, "Turn Me Up," produced by longtime collaborator Oscar Scheller, acts as a sonic declaration. A haze of washed-out guitars and unconventional percussion sets the atmosphere while Mabel's vocals feel light yet impactful. “It’s about the imperfect side of relationships,” she shares, encapsulating a sense of messiness, tenderness, and a longing for connection while steadfastly holding ground.
“Benz,” featuring UK rapper Clavish, adds a calculated male perspective to the tracklist. Clavish’s verse grounds the ethereal production with straightforward, cold lyrics, while Mabel’s voice glides around him with subtle charm. Their chemistry isn’t explosive; instead, it simmers, creating a slow burn that's clearly purposeful.
In another standout, “Love Me Gentle” embraces its title with a swaying, late-night vibe, infused with afrobeats and catchy lyrics: “don’t love me hard love me gentle, don’t love me hard love me special,” perfectly complementing its smooth, summer feel.
“Venus” may emerge as the dark horse of the mixtape. With a bass-heavy electronic beat and sultry lyrics, it embodies the “beautifully chaotic” soundscape that ties together the nine tracks.
Despite all the tenderness, the mixtape avoids falling into self-pity. Mabel describes it as a “somewhat toxic love letter” to her ten years in the industry, a sentiment palpable in tracks like “January 19”—a personal narrative capturing milestones that express both celebration and the exhaustion of pretense. It appears she’s finding a way to embrace the chaos of the music industry on her own terms.
The production team—Oscar Scheller, Arthur Bean, Mabel herself, and a select group of trusted collaborators—play a critical role in crafting the sonic environment. Their work is minimal yet impactful, with beats that leave room to breathe and textures that unfold gradually. It’s a daring choice for an artist who thrived in chart-focused contexts, yet it feels genuine.
Naturally, "Mabel" isn’t meant to satisfy everyone. Fans anticipating another tightly-produced pop album may find its relaxed structure surprising. But that’s all part of the intention. The mixtape format allows her to be raw, contradictory, and unfiltered in ways a studio album typically doesn’t. It embodies the feeling of releasing industry pressures, image management, and the need for control.
Mabel has consistently mirrored the current moment, shaping and reflecting the evolution of UK pop and R&B from the late 2010s to today. However, "Mabel"—appropriately named—seems like a reflection of her inner self. The result is one of her most intimate and captivating works yet.
As she gets ready to take this mixtape on tour with her cozy “Right On Time” tour this autumn, one thing is evident: this isn’t a rebrand; it’s “a reintroduction.”
8/10
Words: Sophie Harman
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Following years of hit singles, anthem-worthy tracks, and widespread recognition, Mabel's self-titled mixtape arrives like a voice memo sent late at night.