Feature Photo: Harald Krichel, CC BY-SA 4.0
Mabel Alabama-Pearl McVey, professionally known as Mabel, is a British-Swedish singer and songwriter who has made significant strides in the contemporary R&B and pop music scenes. Born on February 19, 1996, in Alhaurín el Grande, Málaga, Spain, she is the daughter of English music producer Cameron McVey and Swedish singer Neneh Cherry. Her multicultural heritage and musical lineage have played a role in shaping her artistic identity.
Mabel’s musical journey began in earnest in 2015 when she released her debut single “Know Me Better” on SoundCloud. The track garnered attention and led to her signing with Polydor Records. Her breakthrough came in 2017 with the release of “Finders Keepers,” featuring Kojo Funds, which peaked at number eight on the UK Singles Chart. This success was followed by her debut EP, “Bedroom,” and the mixtape “Ivy to Roses,” both of which showcased her evolving sound and lyrical prowess.
In 2019, Mabel released her debut studio album, “High Expectations,” which entered the UK Albums Chart at number three and was certified platinum. The album featured hit singles such as “Don’t Call Me Up,” “Mad Love,” and “Boyfriend.” “Don’t Call Me Up” became her highest-charting single, reaching number three in the UK and charting on the US Billboard Hot 100. The success of “High Expectations” solidified Mabel’s status as a prominent figure in the UK music industry.
Her sophomore album, “About Last Night…,” was released in 2022 and peaked at number two on the UK Albums Chart, marking her highest-charting album to date. The album included singles like “Let Them Know,” “Good Luck,” and “Overthinking,” featuring 24kGoldn. Mabel continued to explore themes of empowerment and self-discovery, blending pop sensibilities with R&B influences.
Throughout her career, Mabel has been recognized with several awards and nominations. In 2020, she won the Brit Award for British Female Solo Artist, reflecting her impact on the UK music scene. She has also received nominations for MTV Europe Music Awards and other accolades, highlighting her international appeal.
Beyond her musical achievements, Mabel has been involved in various philanthropic efforts. In 2024, she collaborated with survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire to design a T-shirt aimed at raising awareness and reminding authorities of the ongoing quest for justice. This initiative demonstrated her commitment to social causes and her willingness to use her platform for advocacy.
Mabel’s personal experiences have also influenced her artistry. She has been open about her struggles with anxiety and chronic exhaustion, which led to a career hiatus in 2022. During this period, she reconnected with her family and began collaborating with her brother, fostering a supportive creative environment. This introspection has informed her music, adding depth and authenticity to her work.
As Mabel continues to evolve as an artist, she remains dedicated to creating music that resonates with audiences worldwide. Her blend of catchy melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and a strong sense of identity positions her as a compelling voice in contemporary music. With a growing discography and a commitment to personal and artistic growth, Mabel’s trajectory suggests a promising future in the industry.
- About Last Night… (intro) – About Last Night… – 2022
- All Over You (featuring King Promise) – Non-album single – 2025
- Animal – About Last Night… – 2022
- Bad Behaviour – High Expectations – 2019
- Bedroom – Ivy to Roses – 2017
- Begging – Ivy to Roses – 2017
- Boyfriend – High Expectations – 2019
- Chat – Non-album single – 2024
- Cigarette (with Raye and Stefflon Don) – High Expectations – 2019
- Crying on the Dance Floor – About Last Night… – 2022
- Crying on the Dance Floor (calm string version) – About Last Night… – 2022
- Deal or No Deal (with A1 x J1) – About Last Night… – 2022
- Definition – About Last Night… – 2022
- Don’t Call Me Up – High Expectations – 2019
- Don’t Call Me Up (R3hab remix) – High Expectations – 2019
- Female Intuition – Non-album single – 2024
- Fine Line (featuring Not3s) – High Expectations – 2019
- Finders Keepers (featuring Kojo Funds) – High Expectations – 2019
- FML – High Expectations – 2019
- God Is a Dancer (with Tiësto) – High Expectations – 2019
- Good Luck (with Jax Jones and Galantis) – About Last Night… – 2022
- High Expectations (Intro) – High Expectations – 2019
- High Expectations (Outro) – High Expectations – 2019
- I Belong to Me – High Expectations – 2019
- I Love Your Girl – About Last Night… – 2022
- I Wish (Joel Corry featuring Mabel) – About Last Night… – 2022
- Know Me Better – Non-album single – 2015
- Let Love Go (acoustic) – About Last Night… – 2022
- Let Love Go (featuring Lil Tecca) – About Last Night… – 2022
- Let Them Know – About Last Night… – 2022
- Loneliest Time of Year – Christmas – 2019
- Look at My Body Pt. I – Non-album single – 2024
- Look at My Body Pt. II (featuring Shygirl) – Non-album single – 2024
- LOL – About Last Night… – 2022
- Lucky (Interlude) – High Expectations – 2019
- Mad Love – High Expectations – 2019
- My Boy My Town – Non-album single – 2015
- My Lover (Remix) (with Not3s) – Ivy to Roses – 2017
- My Lover (with Not3s) – High Expectations – 2019
- Not Sayin’ – High Expectations – 2019
- OK (Anxiety Anthem) – High Expectations – 2019
- One Shot – High Expectations – 2019
- Overthinking (slowed and reverb; with 24kGoldn) – About Last Night… – 2022
- Overthinking (with 24kGoldn) – About Last Night… – 2022
- Put Your Name on It – High Expectations – 2019
- Ring Ring (with Jax Jones featuring Rich the Kid) – High Expectations – 2019
- Selfish Love (featuring Kamille) – High Expectations – 2019
- Shy – About Last Night… – 2022
- Stckhlm Syndrome (Interlude) – High Expectations – 2019
- Stupid Dumb (featuring Ty Dolla Sign) – Non-album single – 2024
- Take It Home – Pokémon 25: The Album – 2021
- Take Your Name (interlude) – About Last Night… – 2022
- Thinking of You – High Expectations – 2019
- Tick Tock (with Clean Bandit featuring 24kGoldn) – High Expectations – 2019
- Time After Time – Christmas – 2021
- Toxic (Britney Spears acoustic cover) – About Last Night… – 2022
- Trouble – High Expectations – 2019
- Vitamins – Non-album single – 2024
- We Don’t Say… – High Expectations – 2019
- West Ten (with AJ Tracey) – High Expectations – 2019
- When the Party’s Over – About Last Night… – 2022
- Zero (with Black Sherif) – Non-album single – 2024
Albums
High Expectations (2019): 27 songs
About Last Night… (2022): 19 songs
Non-album singles/Other releases: 16 songs
Read More: Artists’ Interviews Directory At ClassicRockHistory.com
Read More: Classic Rock Bands List And Directory
Complete List Of Mabel Songs From A to Z article published on ClassicRockHistory.com© 2025
About The Author
Emily Fagan
Emily Fagan grew up in the town of Burford in Oxfordshire, England. She was raised on Progressive Rock music. She is currently writing a book on the history of Charles The Great and the impact of the Carolingian Renaissance.