Following a remarkable year of sold-out shows and international performances, UK soul artist Nectar Woode returns with ‘Only Want You’, a tender reflection on longing for someone who can’t be by your side. Inspired by the festive season and its emphasis on togetherness, the song captures that bittersweet feeling of having everything you need for a perfect day except the person you want to share it with. As Nectar puts it, “This is one for the yearners.”
A beautifully warm arrangement blends acoustic and electric guitars, gentle percussion, piano and a rolling bass groove, creating an effortlessly inviting slice of contemporary soul. Flourishes of trumpet and saxophone add further richness, lending the track that distinctive London soul feel. At its heart is Nectar’s gorgeous vocal performance, her delivery floating effortlessly over the instrumentation with a timeless warmth and tenderness. There’s a wonderfully organic quality to the production, allowing the musicianship and emotion to shine without becoming overly sentimental.
While its inspiration is seasonal, ‘Only Want You’ avoids the obvious festive trappings. Equally suited to a cosy winter evening or a warm summer sunset, it’s a beautifully understated, year-round soul ballad that finds comfort and beauty in longing.
