After captivating ears and hearts with her yearning 2023 double-single “Bring It Back / Without You”, the powerhouse Tokelauan singer-songwriter Romi Wrights returns to the Mānuka Recordings fold with another remarkable slice of retro ‘60s/’70s slanted piping hot soul music, ‘Capsized’.

Opening with a funk-fueled drum roll, shimmering keyboards, and vibraphone, ‘Capsized’ quickly unfolds into a luxurious assemblage of strings, woodwind, tight electric guitar, and taunt hip-hugging drums/percussion. In totality, the ornate music—composed and produced by Mānuka Recordings co-founder Kenny Sterling—offers the perfect backdrop for Wright’s big voice to rise and fall like the tides of the ocean.

Created after a conversation about recent life challenges, ‘Capsized’ uses the metaphor of being lost at sea to explore the rollercoaster ride of feelings one can go through during times of lust, passion and love. As she sings in the chorus, “Can we break some waves? / Oh, it's your love (it's your love) / It's your love (it's your love) / That's got me seasick.”

Co-written by Sterling and Wrights, ‘Capsized’ was recorded live at Roundhead Studios, Tāmaki Makaurau by De Stevens, with additional recording and mixing sessions for strings, conga & percussion and overdubbed vocals at Sterling Studios and Zeal West, Henderson, respectively by Sterling. Mastered by Josh Llewellyn at Downbeat Mastering, the record shines through with Mānuka Recordings’s signature warmth and clarity while pointing the way towards further material from Sterling and Wrights in 2025 and beyond.

Produced, Composed & Lyrics by: Kenny Sterling
Vocals & Lyrics: Romi Wrights
Engineered by: De Stevens
Assistant Engineer: Mason Fairey
Additional Engineering: Kenny Sterling
Mixed by: Kenny Sterling
Mastered by: Josh Llewellyn @ Downbeat Mastering

Drums & Percussion: Julien Dyne
Bass: Navakatoa Tekela-Pule
Saxophone: Jong Yun JY Lee
Saxophone; Francesca Parussini
Trumpet: Jack Thirtle
Violins: Dave Khan
Electric Guitar & Percussion: Kenny Sterling
Vibraphone: Cory Champion
Keyboard Organ: Joe Kaptein
Backing Vocals: Semisi Ma'ia'i, Emily Fe'ao, Samara Alofa, Navakatoa Tekela-Pule, Kenny Sterling, Romi Wrights

Cover Photography: Jonty Bullick
Make-Up: Arlo Mclean
Location: Dirty Laundry Days
Assistants: Tony Douglas, Mā, Māia-te-oho Holman-Wharehoka
Cover Design: Matt Hunter & Dylan Cook
Recorded live at Roundhead Studios, Tāmaki Makaurau
Strings, Conga & Percussion recorded at Sterling Studios
Vocals overdubbed at Zeal West, Henderson

Released November 28, 2024