20/09/24 CD After becoming 2019’s biggest UK-signed selling artist, with a number 1 debut album, an international hit single in ‘Leave A Light On’, three million worldwide album sales and over four billion global streams in tow, Tom Walker makes his hard-fought return with brand new studio record, I Am. Where previously, Tom became known for powerful accounts of other people’s stories, including a friend’s battle with drugs (‘Leave A Light On’), and articulating his own relatable feelings for his now wife (‘Just You and I’); he now finds himself writing about his own personal struggles and anxieties, creative challenges, sadness and moments of despair. It is a sometimes visceral account of who Tom Walker is in 2023, hence the title: I Am. “I Am is a culmination of me trying to figure out who I am for the last four years.” explains Tom. “This record is a snapshot of what's been going on in my life, and what's been happening around me – what's made me happy or sad, ecstatic or miserable.” The first taste of new music came last month with the rallying cry comeback single ‘Burn’, which took a swipe at his record label over urgent, hammering beats. ‘Freaking Out’ is a huge song nailed with a dream team of producers Fraser T. Smith (Adele, Stormzy) and Stuart Price (Madonna, The Killers). It’s a personal cry for help which tackles social anxiety and addresses the re-learning of how to be himself and the creative artist forcibly stalled by Covid. After writing, and binning, a plethora of new tracks, an exhausted Tom subsequently headed out to Los Angeles to write with the McDonough brothers, Toby Gadd, Ryan Daly and Castle, who’s credits between them include Beyonce, Joji, Khalid, Mimi Webb and John Legend. The trip reignited the excitement and love of trying brand new things. The results speak for themselves. As well as ‘Freaking Out’ and ‘Burn’, there’s ‘Head Underwater’, a soulful rhythmic pop anthem with a soaring vocal that, again, sounds like a whole new Walker. For ‘Holy Ghost’, think: Hozier produced by Labrinth – hymnal, electronic soul, and finally, a mention for ‘Lifeline’. No one outside Tom’s inner-circle will be hearing this towering ballad until next year – the emotions behind it are too raw. It’s a searingly emotional tribute to a friend who died by suicide in March.
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