German-American neo-soul artist Ninja Kidsoul pushes the envelope on his highly creative and visually mysterious new single ‘Face 2 Face’, out 21st July on Kabul Fire Records.

A restlessly soulful jam, ‘Face 2 Face’ serves a playful take on existential anxiety with lyrics contemplating success, failure and materialism. “Some people wanna see you fail / so they stare, but we stare back”, sings Ninja’s in one of the track’s many addictive hooks, as the soulster shows off his beguiling vocal range over a vintage piano-heavy backdrop. Inspired by the likes of Sergio Mendes, agajon’s detailed production compliments Ninja Kidsoul’s sonic storytelling and undeniable vocal agility.

The single’s accompanying music video was produced by Berlin based collective msfit, who encapsulate the essence of ‘Face 2 Face’. All shot on black & white 8mm film, it follows Ninja’s journey of coming to terms with the fact that any fears we’re running from, are our own.

Born in south Germany’s Schweinfurt to an US-American father and a German mother, it’s this dual heritage which sets Ninja Kidsoul’s music apart from so many of his contemporaries. Described as ‘one of the pioneers of the New German Soul’ by ARTE Tracks, his progressive leaning and global looking music has turned heads off the back of his COLORS session and performance at Montreux Jazz Festival in 2022.

Being many things at the same time - while hard to put in a box, Ninja Kidsoul above all is a free jazz spirit embodying all that music has to offer with the rare gift from Allah that is his voice.

‘Face 2 Face’ is another example of creative brilliance from Ninja Kidsoul, pairing his imperious flow and ingenious lyrics with ajagon’s peerless production. Not to be missed.