Two decades since Born to Do It redefined UK garage and planted Craig David firmly in pop culture’s memory, the Southampton-born singer is once again turning heads—this time with Commitment, his ninth studio album, set for release on August 8 via Believe UK.
If his last effort, 22, was a nod to longevity in the business, Commitment feels like a seasoned artist stepping fully into his legacy while continuing to evolve. The album’s latest single, “Wake Up,” produced by longtime collaborator Mike Brainchild, captures this sentiment perfectly. Built on a bed of sharp, skittering beats and that unmistakable Craig David falsetto, it’s a track that hits all the emotional sweet spots—yearning, frustration, and clarity.
“You better wake up / To the fact that / You’re turning your back / On the best thing you ever had,” David sings. It’s not just a plea—it’s a reckoning, and it’s delivered with the cool confidence of someone who’s already walked away.
But what’s truly interesting is how Commitment manages to balance the nostalgic fingerprints of early-2000s Craig David with a modern, genre-fluid approach. The collaborations are curated, not forced. JoJo brings a soulful weight to “In It With You,” while Tiwa Savage injects Afrobeats royalty into the title track. Louisa Johnson, known for her pop sensibilities, lights up “Leave the Light On” with a performance that’s both aching and optimistic.
And while this might not be a concept album per se, there is an emotional throughline—one of emotional honesty, self-worth, and, as the title suggests, the courage to choose commitment in an age of fleeting feelings. Tracks like “In Your Hands” and “SOS” feel especially intimate, peeling back the bravado and letting vulnerability lead. There’s no posturing here—just a grown man speaking from the heart, flaws and all.
Craig David has always been adept at walking the line between genres—R&B, pop, garage, soul—and Commitment finds him doing it more gracefully than ever. The production is crisp, often stripped back to let the vocals breathe, yet never underwhelming. It’s that rare balance between polish and soul, between radio-ready and deeply personal.
What makes Commitment work so well is that it doesn’t try to recapture past glory—it acknowledges it and builds from there. David isn’t chasing trends. He’s crafting timeless moments with collaborators who elevate rather than dilute his sound.
As he recently stood onstage alongside Usher at London’s O2 Arena, performing his breakout hit “7 Days,” it was more than a throwback—it was a reminder: Craig David was never gone. He just had to wake us up.
