After weeks of teasing, Tom Walker today unveils his simply sensational new earworm of a single ‘Head Underwater’. The track is the second official single to be taken from his highly-anticipated new album I Am, out Summer 2024.
Dealing with the very real struggles of life and the fine art of keeping it together, ‘Head Underwater’ is a soulful pop anthem with a soaring vocal that sounds like a whole new Tom Walker. Watch the video, directed by Charles Mehling, who also directed Tom’s global hit ‘Leave A Light On’, HERE.
Of the song, Tom explains; “This is about keeping my inner demons at bay and the constant battle I’m having with myself – sometimes feeling suffocated and overwhelmed by the weight of the world. Head Underwater signifies the sensation of feeling like I’m drowning in my own thoughts and emotions. Despite the overwhelming struggle, there’s a determination to survive and emerge stronger from this internal conflict.”
The back end of last year saw impeccable releases in ‘Burn’ & ‘Freaking Out’ – both of which Tom performed with aplomb on Later…With Jools Holland. Watch HERE & HERE.
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 & I’); on his new album 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 2024, 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.”
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 & 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’, ‘Burn’ & ‘Head Underwater’, there’s also ‘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 later this year – the emotions behind it are too raw. It’s a searingly emotional tribute to a friend who died by suicide last March.
Looking ahead, as Tom succinctly puts it; “I will die for these songs. It’s the first time in a long time I’ve felt like that. You’ve got to ignore what everyone else wants from you, and you’ve got to back yourself.”
And with that, welcome to the exciting, limitless next phase of Tom Walker. A man who knows where he’s headed: to arena-scale songs with molecular-level heart.
2024 UK HEADLINE TOUR
April
Thu 18th CARDIFF, The Great Hall
Fri 19th BRISTOL, O2 Academy Bristol SOLD OUT
Sat 20th SHEFFIELD, Octagon Centre
Mon 22nd DUBLIN, Olympia SOLD OUT
Tue 23rd BELFAST, Ulster Hall
Thu 25th BIRMINGHAM, O2 Academy Birmingham
Fri 26th MANCHESTER, Manchester Academy SOLD OUT
Sat 27th MANCHESTER, Manchester Academy NEW DATE ADDED
Mon 29th LEEDS, O2 Academy Leeds
Tue 30th GLASGOW, O2 Academy Glasgow SOLD OUT
May
Wed 1st GLASGOW, O2 Academy Glasgow NEW DATE ADDED
Fri 3rd NEWCASTLE, O2 City Hall
Sun 5th NORWICH, UEA SOLD OUT
Mon 6th. NOTTINGHAM, Rock City
Tue 7th. LONDON, Eventim Apollo