Jessie Ware's new single Save A Kiss is the perfect dancing-through-tears isolation anthem: First listen preview

As we collectively grit our teeth on whatever week this is of lockdown, music is proving increasingly important in punctuating moments throughout the week.

For example, Jessie Ware's recent releases Spotlight and Ooh La La - from her forthcoming album What's Your Pleasure? - are both plush, flirty-yet-sophisticated disco numbers that make for feelgood listening during cocktail hour(s), boardgame playing and banana bread baking. Her new single Save A Kiss, however, is something worth giving your full attention to.

Save A Kiss - out this Friday (May 8) - branches away from slinky funk and dives headfirst into ‘80s-inspired, dancing-through-tears electronica. Production comes courtesy of Simian Mobile Disco's James Ford, whose credits include Florence + The Machine, Depeche Mode and Haim.

MORE: View Jessie Ware's Official Chart history in full

As she sings about longing to see a loved one again – a timely subject under the circumstances - the bassline chatters restlessly, the synths melt into noise and the strings soar. The easiest (read: laziest) comparison to make is that it wouldn't sound out of place on Robyn’s Honey album, but the lyrics are typically Jessie at her most heartfelt.  

“Save the thought of me tonight/ Promise you it won’t be long/ Just save a little bit of your loving, baby” she sings in the build up to what never resolves into the huge chorus you might expect. The effect adds an extra sense of desperation to the despondent lyrics, particularly as a vocodored Jessie commands at the very end: “Save it, save it, save it, lock it up and keep it with you baby.”

During isolation, the result is particularly emotional - and probably best saved for listening during moments of reflection. 

Update: Save A Kiss is now out! Listen below: