British R&B star Mahalia has just released the slow-burning Letter To Ur Ex, a track that brings her silky vocals to the fore. If you've ever been with someone whose ex is still hung up on them, or you've been the ex in that situation, then this one will hit close to home.

Over glistening production, Mahalia laments a fight that was caused by a text from an ex that was sent to her new partner. Lyrics like “Last night, you sent a text to him. Made us have a fight, made a mess of it. I know you’re his ex but you can’t do that anymore, close the door for me” make her position clear. She understands where the other woman is coming from, but that doesn't mean it can go on any longer.

Speaking about the story behind the track, Mahalia explains, “I wrote Letter To Ur Ex the morning after me and my guy had had a really bad argument due to a text that had been sent by his ex partner the night before. I think when everybody begins a new relationship, it’s vital that it feels like a fresh start. Like everything before doesn’t really matter and the next journey begins now with only the two of you.

"I realised through this experience that isn’t always the case. But, really, I just wanted to tell her how her actions were making me feel. How her gain in closure was my loss in love. And though I am also a woman who has felt all of those feelings before, I wanted to ask her to let him go so that I could hold him close. To close their old door so that I could open our new one.” 

The song is accompanied by a music video that Mahalia directed and shot alongside Oliver Kane, capturing Mahalia and her partner in the bedroom working through their thoughts. The video captures the emotions of the song, and it's clear that Mahalia wants everyone involved to move on. It's the healthy thing to do.

READ MORE: INTERVIEW: Mahalia Reflects On The Slowness Of Being A Touring Musician In Lockdown

You can check out Letter To Ur Ex below. It's a reminder that for one door to open, sometimes another has to close - and that's OK. Moving on doesn't have to be messy.