AFTER ending 2017 on a high note, Basingstoke rapper Signal has started the new year as he finished the last.

With the release of his six-track EP Progression in 2017, Dan Amps, better known by his stage name Signal, has already set about working on his next release and told The Gazette he is not afraid to mix things up a bit.

“What I am going for is a completely different sound this time around,” the 26-year-old told The Gazette.

“The music this time round has a more afro swing influence to it this time around which I think is more accessible to a wider audience, which is what I want.”

The latest example of Signal’s evolution is his new single Get It On, which is out tomorrow, where he has drafted in the talents of X-factor contestant Soheila Clifford to feature on the track.

Clifford featured on the ITV talent show in 2016, where she reached the stage of going to judge Simon Cowell’s house.

On working with Clifford, Amps added: “She was an absolute dream to work with.

“I’d like to think that our voices complimented one another, and we just seemed to click really well and I’m really happy with the results.”

Concentrating on a high-quality production on his next endeavour and doing what feels natural, Amps feels he is now taking a step in a different direction.

He added: “I have had to take a more strategic approach to how I do things now, what makes best business sense for me.

“This goes hand-in-hand with introducing the afro swing sound to what I am producing, I am even doing some clean singing this time round which is pushing me out of my comfort zone.

“By doing this I feel like I am changing my audience, so not just playing at the clubs all the time but hopefully get a more mainstream appeal.”

Get It On will be available on iTunes and Spotify from tomorrow.