There’s something about Madeleine Rose Witney that makes nostalgia sound brand new. Her latest single, “Struttin”, is a smoky, soulful wink to the London that never quite leaves your bones — where velvet jackets meet burnt sausages, and swagger is an art form. It’s part satire, part love letter, and all charm.
Born from the lively chaos of Kentish Town and steeped in Soho’s fading glamour, Madeleine Rose Witney has always written in technicolour. With “Struttin”, she dips her brush into funk-driven soul and paints a portrait of a man straight out of a bygone era — her old flatmate Strutter, a mod with a heart of gold and a fridge full of Jack Daniels. It’s not mockery, though; it’s affection disguised as groove. Each lyric seems to smirk while the rhythm section rolls its eyes lovingly at the absurdity of it all.
It carries the warmth of vintage RnB wrapped in the playful confidence of modern London. There’s an undeniable earworm quality to the chorus — that kind of melody that sticks around like a perfume you can’t quite forget. Witney’s voice, rich and full-bodied, walks that delicious line between cabaret and contemporary soul. It’s a track that feels alive, crackling with wit and charisma, while quietly mourning the kind of characters London doesn’t quite make anymore.
In poetic terms, the song feels tailor-made for those of us who are in love with the past. You can almost see the dusty bar stools, smell the whiskey-soaked air, and hear the soft clatter of shoes pacing the night. It’s soulful, humorous, and steeped in heart — a perfect teaser for her upcoming debut EP “From Now On”. If this is a preview, then we’re in for something timeless, equal parts wink and wound.
About Madeleine Rose Witney:
Madeleine Rose Witney isn’t just writing songs; she’s chronicling the ghosts of a city she clearly adores. Her forthcoming EP “From Now On”, out November 13th via 5dB Records, promises four vivid stories of Soho’s eccentric underbelly — where glamour meets grit, and showtime never quite hides the heartbreak. Think torchlight jazz kissed by modern soul, all narrated by a woman who sings like she’s lived every corner of the tune.
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