It’s not like we’re not used to Prince making us wait for things. Finally, having announced its release over a year ago and dropping samples of songs here and there, the Purple One has slated September 30 for two new albums; one dubbed as “classic Prince” and the other a collaboration with his latest scouted talent, 3rdEyeGirl, in a full band setting. It’s from the former — the record is titled Art Official Age — comes the new song “U Know.”
Streaming via Soundcloud, the track is a slow burning jam all the way through, with Prince’s digitized voice dispensing a not-so-thinly-veiled dig at his ’90s contract battle with record label Warner Bros., somewhat ironic as that’s who’s going to be handling the distribution of Art Official Age and it’s companion piece, PlectrumElectrum.
With his patented falsetto in fine form, “U Know” is the sort of song that definitely builds some hype for the full length… and not just for curiosity’s sake. It’s going to be interesting hearing what Prince has in store for fans after five years between releases (or four if you count that bizarre international only release 20Ten).
The one thing we’re positive of is that “U Know” sounds nothing like the track “Funknroll,” the high tempo number that Doug E. Fresh played for us while the apple juice flowed at the now legendary Mohegan Sun show afterparty back in December. So impressed with that track that, according to a press release, it will appear on both new releases. Whether they will be different versions remains to be seen.
