“English Rose” by Connie Constance

Connie Constance’s music is as memorable as her alliterated name, her unique sound, a blend of indie rock-influenced, off-kilter soul with poetic narratives has resulted in a burgeoning music career. Known for her bass infused tones and Watford lilt, Constance’s sound separates her from her competitors. Influenced by British rock bands like the Smiths, the Stone Roses, and the Libertines, the result is unmistakably British music, infiltrated with raspy vocals and raw lyrics.

Proud of her British heritage, Constance’s debut album English Rose, set to release on March 22nd draws inspiration from her English roots. The album’s title track sees Constance reinvent The Jam’s 1978 classic ‘English Rose’. After its release in 1978, the song left fans divided on whether it was written to showcase unabashed patriotism or was made for an English lover – the term English Rose is used to describe an Englishwoman that emanates beauty. Nevertheless, the song remains personal to Constance who said: “My stepdad used to play ‘English Rose’ all the time when I was young. Even back then, I realised how beautiful that song is. It reminds me of everything I love that is British.”

Ahead of the release of her debut album, Constance has dropped the video to English Rose. Directed by JMP (ABRA, Playboi Cartier, Lil Yachty), it is “inspired by British culture, Pina Bausch and is a celebration of young cinematography and film.” Unlike her music video to Fast Cars, Connie’s depiction of Britain doesn’t consist of luxurious bustle dresses, flamboyant hats, and a towering bee-hived hairstyle. Instead, JMP encapsulates Britishness through the use of candid shots of the countryside and stills of Constance pirouetting in a room of pink and red roses. The video is striking and the juxtaposition of Constance’s brassy tones over a melodious pianist lull transforms the ballad into a remarkable favourite.  

English Rose is expected to be a poetic and sonically diverse body of work. Through the album, Constance documents the life of modern Britain – grey weather, ‘bloody British’ habits, English roses, Constance’s lyrical observations result in a soundtrack that takes in elements of jazz, R’n’B, indie and more. In the current crop of new UK artists, the 23-year-old stands alone, her matchless flair results in music for all and we’re excited to see and hear the beauty that is English Rose.