Lee Christian returned on May 22 with ‘New Shoes‘, a single featuring French rapper Nick Tamair. Emerging from Oxford’s underground, Christian first made his mark fronting the incendiary rock outfit Smilex, whose “one band riot” reputation was cemented by Nightshift Music Magazine and a string of UK tours alongside XFM, Drowned In Sound, The Damned and Ace from Skunk Anansie. His live résumé spans The Garage in London, The Liverpool Royal Philharmonic, and a host of UK venues and festivals. As the driving force behind Quickfix Recordings, Christian has navigated radio, TV, press, production and events in Oxford, all while forging a sound shaped by the eclecticism of Prince, Nine Inch Nails, and Beck. This collision of influences underpins his distinctive, genre-fluid approach and incisive lyricism.

‘New Shoes‘ lands as a kinetic club cut, anchored by a hip-hop-infused groove and a vibrant, globally sound. Christian channels the infectious energy of dancing to Prince’s ‘Gett Off‘ at home, distilling it into a track that is both immediate and irresistibly danceable. Inspired by his wife’s running ritual, the song transforms the act of lacing up trainers into a motif for empowerment and momentum. Nick Tamair, coming from Thiviers, France, injects rapid-fire French rap that threads seamlessly through the production, adding a contemporary edge.

The single marks the second release from Christian’s forthcoming album s0ul 4 n0thing, available exclusively via Bandcamp. He is set to perform with The Prohibition Smokers’ Club in Oxford this June and at Truck Festival in July. 

​Lee Christian had this to say: ““It’s a song about feeling empowered, inspired and ready to take on the world. Although inspired by running shoes, it can mean any shoes, be it stepping in to a new role, dancing or seeing the world””

Listen to ‘New Shoes‘:

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