Does the world need another pop song propelled along by some prominent hand-clapping?

Sure, says Emeli Sandé, whose “Hurts” serves as the lead single from her forthcoming sophomore set, Long Live The Angels, out November 11.

Now recall that Sandé’s debut album, Our Version of Events, was released in 2012. So as the best “Hey, everyone, I’m back!” singles must, “Hurts” answers the brief, commanding our attention. Written and produced with Mac & Phil, Sandé delivers a direct, first-person done-me-wrong narrative, aided along by dramatic strings and some insistent hand-claps. She even carts along an ooh-ing choir for added emotional support.

With Sandé at the center of this swirling, wounded storm, “Hurts” stands with the best of cathartic pop.

Alternatively, stream Emeli Sandé – “Hurts” via Apple Music.