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Andra Day poses for the 2021 Critics Choice Awards
Andra Day poses for the 2021 Critics Choice Awards
Photo by Myriam Santos via Getty Images

Hear Andra Day and Anderson .Paak Connect on New Single "Phone Dies"

The singer glimpses her post-award-season mode with an infectious new single.

With The Oscars rapidly approaching, Andra Day is inching closer to the Hollywood breakout she deserves. But the award season buzz isn't keeping the singer from pushing forward with new music.

In fact, Day released her first non-soundtrack song of the year this morning, teaming with Anderson .Paak for the new single, "Phone Dies." Over housy synths and a driving shuffle, Day stacks harmonies and builds a groove that's ready for the dance floor (as soon as they're cleared for a safe re-entry.)

And it's a welcomed return for the singer, who hasn't released an album that wasn't attached to a film project since 2015's Cheers To The Fall. In the years since her debut, Day has had a foot in the worlds of both music and film, landing roles in 2017's Marshall and Cars 3 before portraying the late Billie Holiday in the recently released biopic, The United States vs. Billie Holiday. For her latest role, Day won a Golden Globe for "Best Actress in a Motion Picture." And at this year's Academy Awards ceremony, she'll contend with Viola Davis, Carey Mulligan, Vanessa Kirby, and Frances McDormand for "Best Actress in a Leading Role." In preparation for the role, Day underwent a taxing transformation, shedding 40lbs while picking up smoking and drinking to immerse herself in the world of the jazz icon who inspired her own stage name (Billie Holiday's nickname was "Lady Day.")

"‘Intimidating’ is not the appropriate word. 'Fear of God’ is appropriate," Day said of her time working on the film in a recent interview with Rolling Stone. "It was the scariest shit I’ve ever done in my life. Every day I just woke up being like, 'Today’s the day I’m going to suck and they’re going to fire me,'" the singer added.

Hear Andra Day and Anderson .Paak connect on the new single "Phone Dies" below. Hold tight for her next transmission.