Words by Susie Garrard
It’s been nearly a year since we heard any new music from Queen Bey, but now UK producer Naughty Boy has dropped new track Runnin’ (Lose It All) featuring dual vocals from Beyoncé and Arrow Benjamin. Teased earlier this week, the full track has now been released – along with a beautiful video directed by Charlie Robins and after a tense twitter countdown.
Racking up an impressive roster of collaborations, Beyoncé is the latest big name to feature on Naughty Boy’s work. Tangled up in Zayn Malik’s recent contentious departure from 1D, Bey and Benjamin bring a different interest to this latest Naught Boy track. While Beyoncé’s appearance alone is no doubt a coup for Naughty Boy, getting her to duet with new face Arrow Benjamin is another score for Runnin’ (Lose It All). Particularly since historically, Queen Bey only deigns to lend her voice to pretty select projects.
The track itself is anthemic and minimal at the same time; a big ballad with a big chorus, but stripped back to the bare essentials. With some familiar Beyoncé-style breakdowns, Benjamin’s vocal is an excellent counterpoint and the beat will have you nodding, if not dancing.
The clip shows two lovers racing across ocean beds to find each other. Beautifully shot and mesmerising with some impressive underwater choreography, watch the video for Runnin’ (Lose It All) below.