IT’S been half a decade in the making, but Rita Ora’s third album is almost here.
The record, her first since 2018’s Phoenix, will officially be announced in the coming days and will be out at the height of summer.
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The Sun can reveal that Rita Ora has either written or co-written every song on the album, which features one track called Notting Hill where she reflects on her life before fame.
A source said: “The whole record is super personal rather than Rita simply putting her name to songs about getting drunk in the club.
“Notting Hill is really reflective. She sings about roaming the streets of West London with her friends while dreaming of hitting the big time.
“Other songs on the record, which is mostly about finally finding The One in husband Taika Waititi, are called Shape of Me and Don’t Think Twice.
“Girl In the Mirror is a self-love anthem about finding inner peace and finally being happy in your own skin.”
On the emotional track, Rita can be heard singing: “I cheated on you in the best way/ With someone I’ve known my whole life
“I know that you can’t forgive me/ But this just feels so right.”
On Wednesday, Rita will drop the record’s second single Praising You featuring Fatboy Slim – whose real name is Norman Cook.
The song is a rework of the DJ’s 1998 hit Praise You.
The big budget video for the track has been directed by Hollywood ace Taika.
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Chatting about the track, Rita said: “To not only get Norman’s stamp of approval, but to actually collaborate with him and pay homage to such a massive song from my childhood was truly a surreal experience.
“I think this record means something different for everyone, but from my perspective, it’s about praising your loved ones and really celebrating those relationships.
“I’m incredibly honoured that we get to breathe new life into the song and re-introduce it to a whole new generation.”
Meanwhile, Norman Cook: “From a chance meeting late one night in the Naughty Corner at Glastonbury a friendship and collaboration grew that on paper may look unlikely.
“Yet here it is, and it has a life of its own.”
Rita, now with millions of pounds in the bank and homes in both the UK and the States, says she is keen to reflect on where she has come from.
Her family fled war-torn Kosovo when she was just a few years old.
“At this point in my career – I’ve been in the game 10 plus years now – I felt it was important to remind the public, as well as myself, of the journey,” the singer told Big Issue.
“”If I didn’t have the opportunity to move to London and my parents didn’t make that brave change. I wouldn’t be able to sit here and talk to [Norman Cook], one of my heroes. And on top of that, make music.
“I say to myself every day, I’m so fortunate and so grateful. I know I deserve it because I work really hard.
“But there’s a lot of kids like me from where I’m from that it doesn’t really happen for. So I never take it for granted.”
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