Listen: Anjimile – ‘Auld Lang Syne II’

North Carolina based singer-songwriter Anjimile releases a new single ‘Auld Lang Syne II’. The track, produced by Brad Cook, is the first release since his emotionally raw 2023 album The King, picking up where he left off with a tender note-to-self on resilience and hard-fought freedom, characterised by delicate finger-plucked strings, charming horn passages, and intimate vocal delivery.

Anjimile shares: “‘Auld Lang Syne II’ was originally intended as something of a wedding present for my best friend, who got married a few years back. During the writing process, though, it transformed into something of a musing on the bittersweet nature of the passage of time – not just for my friend and her husband, but for me and my family and my close relationships.”

With The King (2023), Anjimile’s debut release for 4AD, Chithambo intensified his examination of Black and trans existence amid personal and societal turbulence, reaffirming his courageous commitment to navigating discomfort as a means of liberation. Anjimile took The King on the road in 2023, playing headline dates across the US as well as Pitchfork Music Festival in both London and Paris. The release of ‘Auld Lang Syne II’ marks a new era for Anjimile – one of joy and freedom, the result of embracing change and transformation whilst holding onto tenderness and vulnerability. Palpable in the energy of this new music, Anjimile returns by asking: what happens when you let go and let love in?

Anjimile (ann-JIM-uh-lee) Chithambo has forged a distinctive musical path characterised by unflinching introspection and deep honesty. Emerging from Boston’s vibrant indie scene while studying at Northeastern University, Anjimile captivated audiences with earnest songwriting, delicate sonic textures, and performances that felt like prayer and celebration. His star rose when their 2018 NPR Tiny Desk Concert contest entry was deemed the best out of Boston. Further critical acclaim quickly followed; 2020’s Giver Taker, hailed by Rolling Stone as one of the year’s best albums, positioned him as a compelling voice exploring enduring themes of spirituality, identity, and liberation. After releasing a collection of covers, Reunion (2021), featuring renditions by Jay Som, Sasami, and Lomelda, Anjimile tested new material on the road while opening for artists like Jose Gonzalez, Tune-Yards, and Hurray for the Riff Raff.

Stream / download ‘Auld Lang Syne II’ here.