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Multi-instrumentalist and singer/songwriter Tom Walker blends hip-hop-inspired beats, eclectic samples, and traditional songwriting in his music. First breaking through with the gritty yet poignant 2017 hit "Leave a Light On," he scored a U.K. number one in 2019 with his full-length debut, the gold-selling What a Time to Be Alive. His 2024 follow-up, I Am, was a more personal collection that also reached the U.K. Top Five.

Born in Scotland and raised in Manchester, England, Walker grew up listening to Ray Charles, the Police, and Bob Marley from his father's record collection, and taught himself how to play drums, guitar, piano, and bass. After studying songwriting at London's College of Contemporary Music, Walker began making music in earnest, collaborating with his housemates -- who included members of Whilk & Misky -- in their home studio. One of his songs, 2016's "Sun Goes Down," interpolated the 1930s work song "I'll Be So Glad When the Sun Goes Down" and featured poet/musician Kojey Radical. The track earned acclaim and airplay on Radio 1, and Walker signed to Relentless soon after. His official debut single, "Fly Away with Me," arrived later that year. The Blessings EP was released in April 2017, along with a pair of singles, "Heartland" and "Leave a Light On."

Walker then worked with producer Mike Spencer on his debut album of impeccably produced, soulful, contemporary pop. Preceded by the singles "My Way" and "Angels," the record, What a Time to Be Alive -- which took its title from the track "Blessings" -- was issued in March 2019. Following the chart success of a re-recording of acoustic album track "Just You and I," a deluxe version of the album was issued later in the year. Walker won the award for British Breakthrough Act at the 2019 BRIT Awards.

Walker kicked off a new decade with the 2020 single "Wait for You," which received multiple remixes and a re-recording with Zoe Wees. 2021's Masked Wolf-featuring single "Something Beautiful" got similar treatment with a stripped-down version and a 2022 re-recording that recruited Rxseboy, Foster, and Sarcastic Sounds. A trio of standalone singles followed -- "For Those Who Can't Be Here," "Serotonin," and "Number 10" -- before "Sun Will Shine," a collaboration with Robin Schulz, hit the lower reaches of the U.K. singles chart ahead of its appearance on the German DJ's 2023 album Pink. Another joint single -- "Castles" with Hybrid Minds -- was issued in late 2022, and was featured on the drum'n'bass duo's 2024 album Tides.

In the meantime, October 2022 saw the release of the emotive piano ballad "The Best Is Yet to Come," the first of six pre-release singles culled from Walker's sophomore album. Although more personal in tone than its predecessor, September 2024's I Am was primarily co-written with songwriters such as Toby Gad, Ryan Daly, and the McDonough Brothers, and hit the Top Five of the U.K. album chart. ~ TiVo Staff