R&B star Pip Millett curates your Valentine's Day playlist

‘Love is… respect and trust,’ says R&B/jazz singer Pip Millett, who doesn't have the fondest memories of February 14th. ‘My Valentine’s day two years ago consisted of the guy I was seeing coming round to apologise for cheating on me. In the moment I didn’t even feel sad, I just thought ew, ick. You really thought you were going to behave like that? F*ck no.’

This Valentine’s day, the 25-year-old Manchester-born rising star is preparing to release her new EP, Tell Jimmy, out tomorrow – which is fiery to say the least. ‘It’s a journey of pain and anger. Moving through insecurity and trust issues. All that great stuff! It’s all based around being cheated on. The hurt is turned into this sassy anger,’ Millett explains. 

The release follows the success of her debut album, When Everything Is Better, I'll Let You Know, which gained her praise from Jorja Smith and collaborations with Ghetts – not to mention over a million monthly listeners. Her songwriting comes from personal experiences in love, both the good and the bad. Safe to say with her new writing the focus is on the bad. 

Does she ever feel grateful for heartbreak due to the music that comes from it? ‘I’d much rather people didn’t hurt me. It would be great to be writing some love songs. That would be really nice. I’m yet to experience that properly! It’s been a while. There’s always gonna be sadness to work through and write about, so I can’t say I’m grateful for anyone hurting me. I’m not sure it’s worth it!’ 

Fortunately for Millett, she’ll be soaking up the sun in Costa Rica on this grey Valentine’s, ‘drinking and eating’ with friends. For those of us stuck in miserable London, she’s left us the perfect soundtrack, a playlist for the lovers and the haters. Listen to Pip Millett’s full Valentine’s playlist here. Her EP Tell Jimmy is released tomorrow. 

Anti-Valentine’s: 

Pip Millett & Rae Khalil - Eating out 

Megan Thee Stallion - Cobra 

Cardi B - Be Careful 

Doja Cat - Ain't Shit

SZA - I Hate U

For the lovers: 

Mariah the Scientist - From a Woman 

Anita Baker - Sweet Love 

Kojaque & Gotts Street Park - Bambi

Al Green - I’m Still in Love with You 

Alicia Keys - Butterflyz