At TMR, we can’t wait for the July 23^rd release of Joel Culpepper’s debut album, Sgt Culpepper. In the meantime, the South London artist is tiding us over with his new single, ‘Tears Of A Crown’, just days ahead of his performance on Later... with Jools Holland this week. It’s a soulful cut that places his powerful lead vocal amongst choppy guitars, luscious strings and a balanced horn section. You can feel everyone from Isaac Hayes to Prince in his carefully crafted music. “It’s taken me all this time to realise that belief needs to also come from the person who is set to wear the crown,” he says. “The first and final battle is always an internal one.” Be on the lookout for his debut album next month.