Let Them Know

Music and lyrics

"Let Them Know" is an uptempo, dance-pop, synth-pop and 1980s-style disco song with dancehall undertones. It is 2 minutes and 28 seconds long, and has a 1990s house rhythm reminiscent of RuPaul's 1992 song "Supermodel (You Better Work)".

Inspired by obsessively watching 1990 film Paris Is Burning, and American television series Pose and RuPaul's Drag Race, Mabel wrote the track as a reflection on dance music's generational themes of expression, liberation and inclusion. According to the singer, "Let Them Know" is "dedicated to anyone who's ever felt scared to truly be themselves." The lyrics include a reference to Doja Cat and her 2020 song "Say So".

Release

Mabel first teased the single's release on 9 June 2021 with a 30-second teaser trailer titled "Allow Me to Reintroduce Myself". The clip shows the singer performing and filming a music video, and ends with a preview of "Let Them Know". On 10 June, she shared the release date, cover art and a link to pre-save the single on streaming services. The official TikTok audio was released on 12 June. Within a week, more than 52,000 videos were uploaded under the audio by users of the social networking service.

"Let Them Know" was released by Polydor Records on 18 June. It was promoted with its own lens filter on Instagram and Snapchat, and added it to rotation by British radio stations BBC Radio 1 and Capital FM the same day. A remix by English DJ Riton was released on 9 July.

Critical response

In his review for The Sunday Times, Dan Cairns likened the track to music by the Spice Girls, describing it as "sassy, savvy, precision-tooled pop perfection". Isaac Chiew of NME regarded the "bombastic floor-filler" as a welcome comeback from Mabel, complimenting its disco production and "anthemic" chorus. Clash reviewer Robin Murray called it "an unashamed addition to the pop banger canon." The Guardians Luke Holland viewed the song as "wholly edgeless yet undeniably enjoyable glitter-pop" and "daft fun in all the ways pop should be".

Commercial performance

"Let Them Know" debuted at number 38 on the UK Singles Chart with first-week sales of 10,368 units. It has since ascended to a new peak of number 19 on the chart dated August 26, 2021. In Ireland, the song entered the Irish Singles Chart at number 48; it has peaked at number 19.

Music video

The music video for "Let Them Know" was directed by Isaac Rentz. A 25-second teaser trailer was shared on Mabel's YouTube channel on 16 June 2021. The music video live premiered on YouTube at 8 a.m. BST on 18 June, preceded by a live chat with the singer. A behind the scenes segment was released by MTV UK on 28 June.

Track listing

• Digital download and streaming

1. "Let Them Know" – 2:28

• Digital download and streaming – Riton remix

1. "Let Them Know" (Riton Remix) – 3:00

Personnel

Credits adapted from Qobuz.

• Mabel – vocals, background vocals
• SG Lewis – producer, drums, engineer, keyboards, bass, synthesizer, programming
• Raye – co-producer, vocal producer
• Cameron Gower Poole – vocal producer
• Josh Gudwin – mixing
• Heidi Wang – mixing assistance
• Stuart Hawkes – mastering

Charts

Certifications

Release history

References

category:British dance-pop songs category:British disco songs

References

1. Brayden, Kate. (21 March 2022). "Mabel to perform outdoor show at Dublin's Fairview Park this June".
2. (18 June 2021). "Mabel - Let Them Know Video". [[Contactmusic.com]].
3. (24 June 2021). "The best new music to listen to this week".
4. Griffiths, George. (6 July 2021). "James Vickery and SG Lewis join forces on Finally: Premiere". [[Official Charts Company]].
5. Venegas, Ivi. (18 June 2021). "Mabel se apunta al sonido disco ochentero en 'Let them know': ¡mira el vídeo y la letra!". [[Los 40]].
6. (18 June 2021). "Mabel and London Grammar show up for the UK in this week's Wonderlist".
7. (11 June 2021). "Mabel Returns With Brand New Single, 'Let Them Know' Available Now". [[Universal Music Canada]].
8. Corner, Lewis. (18 June 2021). "Mabel just gave us the floor-filling anthem we need this summer".
9. Moore, Sam. (10 June 2021). "Mabel previews new music in teaser clip".
10. White, Jack. (10 June 2021). "Mabel announces new single Let Them Know". [[Official Charts Company]].
11. Kenneally, Cerys. (10 June 2021). "Mabel announces new single 'Let Them Know'".
12. "Album Let Them Know, Mabel". [[Qobuz]].
13. (18 June 2021). "Let Them Know insta filter is live, tag me in your vids hunniesss 💖".
14. (18 June 2021). "#LetThemKnow Snapchat filter liveee now 🤪".
15. "BBC - Radio 1 Playlist". [[BBC Radio 1]].
16. (18 June 2021). "@Mabel 🙌".
17. (20 June 2021). "On record: pop, rock and jazz — June 20".
18. (28 June 2021). "NME Radio Roundup 28 June 2021: Tyler, The Creator, H.E.R., Mabel, Little Simz and more".
19. Murray, Robin. (18 June 2021). "Mabel's 'Let Them Know' Is An Out And Out Banger".
20. Holland, Luke. (2 July 2021). "This week's new tracks: MILYMA, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Mabel".
21. Masterson, James. (25 June 2021). "Charts analysis: Olivia Rodrigo's Good 4 U scores fifth week at No.1".
22. Kenneally, Cerys. (18 June 2021). "Mabel returns with new anthem 'Let Them Know'".
23. (16 June 2021). "Mabel - Let Them Know (Official Trailer)". Mabel.
24. (17 June 2021). "GLOBAL HUNNIES 💫The #LetThemKnow music video goes live at 8.00am BST. I am so excited for you guys to see this 😝 Check the timings in your part of the world. 🌎💕".
25. (18 June 2021). "#LetThemKnow video live in 5, come chat w meee 💖".
26. (28 June 2021). "Mabel - 'Let Them Know' Behind The Scenes". [[MTV UK]].
27. "Album Let Them Know, Jonasu". Qobuz.
28. Komerički, Goran. (26 July 2021). "ARC 100 - datum: 26. srpnja 2021.". [[Hrvatska radiotelevizija]].
29. "Tipparade-lijst van week 31, 2021". [[Dutch Top 40]].
30. "Dutchcharts.nl – Mabel [UK] - Let Them Know". [[MegaCharts]].
31. "Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 25". [[Sverigetopplistan]].
32. Ali Seminara, Emanuela. (15 June 2021). "Mabel - Let Them Know (Radio Date: 18-06-2021)". [[Universal Music Group]].
33. "Mabel - Let Them Know". [[Tophit]].