FPA Shares New Song "Summer"

Listen to this article

Nearly four years ago now, St. Paul-based artist FPA put out Princess Wiko on Aaron Dessner and Justin Vernon’s old label, 37d03d Records. It was one of the first albums I ever covered as a freelancer, and I’ve returned to songs like “Baby” and “The Loved One” often. “It was a really influential experience because I was surrounded by talented musicians at the time, and constantly learning new things—from the electronic and house show scene in particular,” FPA says about Princess Wiko‘s influence on her career.

Since then, FPA has kept things low-key. Until now, that is. Her newest single, the ever-enchanting and gentle “Summer,” is out today and suggests that FPA’s next era is going to be one that demands all of our attention. Gone are the conceptual haunts of Princess Wiko, but FPA remains bound to her mastery of folky R&B. The finger-picked guitar on “Summer” is a bedrock for FPA’s singing, a hazy, falsetto vocal that’ll stop you in your tracks, as she commands the vibrancy of artists like Okay Kaya and SZA. “When it’s cold and dark and my face is numb, I think of Summer, and the prairie, and his smiling eyes,” FPA says about the song.

Listen to “Summer” below.

Exclusive: FPA Shares New Song “Summer”

The single marks the St. Paul musician's first release since 2021.