Peace and Offerings is the fourth extended play[4][1] by English singer and songwriter Katy B, released on 5 November 2021 through Rinse. It is her first release in five years, following 2016's Honey. The EP is a departure from Katy B's previous dance and house style, marking a move into neo soul and R&B territory. It was preceded by the singles "Under My Skin", "Open Wound" (featuring Jaz Karis) and "Lay Low".

Peace and Offerings
EP by
Released5 November 2021 (2021-11-05)
Genre
Length28:53
LabelRinse
Producer
  • Geeneus
  • Jake Edwards-Wood
  • Mike Brainchild
  • Monro
  • P2J
  • Stana/IVth
Katy B chronology
Honey
(2016)
Peace and Offerings
(2021)
Singles from Peace and Offerings
  1. "Under My Skin"
    Released: 12 August 2021
  2. "Open Wound"
    Released: 1 October 2021
  3. "Lay Low"
    Released: 4 November 2021
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
The Arts Desk[1]
DIY[2]
Pitchfork7.0/10[3]

Background

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Katy B said in a statement, "I think I consciously leaned into my R&B side more on this project. With the clubs being closed, it reflects what I'd be listening to and vibing to at home."[4] She explained the title as "'Peace' is me taking myself away and having peace of mind and the 'Offerings' are the songs, the parts of myself I'm giving away. In a way I'm reintroducing myself again: I am the offering."[5]

The EP was originally scheduled for release on 29 October 2021 before being delayed by a week.[6]

Critical reception

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Joe Muggs of The Arts Desk commented that the EP is "downbeat in sound. There's none of the house beats that Katy is most associated with, but rather laid back dancehall, hip hop, Afrobeats, neo soul and above all the golden age R&B of the late 90s and early 00s that she grew up on". He acknowledged that there is still "plenty of groove here, and she's signalled there'll be other, less introspective, material to come. But all together it catches a mood."[1]

Writing for DIY, Chris Taylor called Peace and Offerings "the morning after debrief" from Katy B's previous bass-heavy material. Awarding the album four out of five stars, Taylor felt that the EP shows "a more intimate side of Katy B", concluding it is a "nuanced, striking and incredibly welcome return from one of Britain's finest vocalists".[2]

Track listing

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Peace and Offerings track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Under My Skin"
  • Monro
  • P2J
3:18
2."Open Wound" (featuring Jaz Karis)
  • Brien
  • Jaz Karis
  • Alex MontaQue
  • Gordon Warren
  • Nathaniel Adamson
Geeneus4:08
3."Dancing Round the Truth"
  • Brien
  • David Staniforth
Stana/IVth3:10
4."Lay Low"
  • Brien
  • James Robinson
  • Michael Engmann
Mike Brainchild3:11
5."Aftermath"
  • Brien
  • Staniforth
  • Jake Edwards-Wood
Stana/IVth2:34
6."Floating"
  • Brien
  • Staniforth
Stana/IVth3:58
7."In Your Room"
  • Brien
  • Edwards-Wood
Jake Edwards-Wood3:45
8."Daydreaming on a Tuesday"
  • Brien
  • MontaQue
  • Warren
  • Adamson
Geeneus4:49
Total length:28:53

References

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  1. ^ a b c Muggs, Joe (30 October 2021). "Album: Katy B – Peace and Offerings". The Arts Desk. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b Taylor, Chris (3 November 2021). "Katy B – Peace and Offerings EP Review". DIY. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  3. ^ St. Asaph, Katherine (21 December 2021). "Katy B: Peace and Offerings EP Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  4. ^ a b Keith, James (6 November 2021). "Katy B Returns With New Project 'Peace & Offering'". Complex. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  5. ^ Jones, Abby (1 October 2021). "Katy B Announces New EP Peace and Offerings, Shares "Open Wound": Stream". Consequence. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  6. ^ Richards, Will (1 October 2021). "Katy B announces new EP with Jaz Karis collaboration 'Open Wound'". NME. Retrieved 11 November 2021.