Colin 
Mabes returns with ‘Sleep Tonight’, a release that feels like a deep breath. It does not announce itself loudly or rush toward a payoff. Instead, it draws you in slowly, guided by warmth, restraint, and a voice that feels impossibly close. This is Mabes allowing space to speak for her, and trusting that you will lean in.
‘Sleep Tonight’ marks the beginning of a new run of releases and signals a clear shift in tone. Where earlier songs leaned into bold statements and outward momentum, this track feels inward and reflective. It is built as an easy-listening pop song, but one with emotional gravity beneath the surface. The melody moves gently, carried by a sense of calm that feels earned rather than decorative.
Her voice is the centre of everything here. It is soft without being fragile, controlled without feeling distant. There is a swoon to it, the kind that comes from confidence rather than effort. Every line lands with intention, and the restraint only makes the emotion feel stronger. You are not overwhelmed. You are held.
The songwriting reflects a moment of growth. Mabes has spoken about experimenting with new sounds, and ‘Sleep Tonight’ feels like the result of curiosity settling into clarity. The track allows mood to lead, creating something that feels both intimate and expansive. It sits comfortably alongside contemporary pop artists who value feeling over force, but it never loses her identity.
‘Sleep Tonight’ will be released worldwide on 20 February. It is also the first of nine original releases planned for 2026, setting the tone for what looks to be a year shaped by intention and consistency. Alongside the single, Mabes is preparing to announce a London headline show in May, reinforcing the sense that this next chapter is being built carefully rather than rushed.
Beauty in restraint and confidence
There is something quietly arresting about how Mabes presents herself on this track. She does not reach outward for attention. She lets it come to her. That confidence makes the song feel intimate in a way that is hard to ignore. You can hear her ease in every phrase, the sense that she knows exactly what she is doing and does not need to prove it.
This release also feels like a natural evolution when placed alongside her earlier work. Where previous songs explored optimism, resilience, and self-belief through brighter energy, ‘Sleep Tonight’ explores stillness. It shows an artist comfortable slowing down, trusting subtlety, and letting her voice carry the emotional weight.
The production mirrors that mindset. It stays uncluttered and breathable, giving the song room to exist without pressure. Nothing competes with the vocal. Nothing distracts from the feeling. That simplicity makes the track feel lived-in and sincere.
With nine releases planned across the year, ‘Sleep Tonight’ feels like a deliberate opening statement. It does not try to summarise everything that is coming. Instead, it establishes a mood. Calm. Confident. Intimate. It invites you into Mabes’ world rather than pulling you toward it.
As she moves toward a London headline show later this spring, this track feels perfectly placed. It shows an artist stepping into herself, comfortable with softness and unafraid of quiet moments. That self-assurance is compelling.
Review
‘Sleep Tonight’ is quietly intoxicating. It wraps itself around you without urgency, letting warmth and tone do the work. The song understands the power of restraint, allowing emotion to bloom slowly rather than forcing it into shape.
Mabes’ vocal performance is breathtaking in its control. She sounds relaxed, assured, and deeply present, with a delivery that feels intimate enough to make you forget there is a studio between you and her. There is beauty in how she holds the listener, not through volume or drama, but through confidence and calm.
As the opening chapter of a new phase, ‘Sleep Tonight’ feels perfectly judged. It is gentle, confident, and deeply affecting. This is Mabes at her most captivating, and it leaves you wanting to stay right where she is.
You can follow Mabes over on Instagram and pre-save ‘Sleep Tonight’ here.