playlist #17 | From Bedroom Beats to Mainstage Feats: The Rise of Tom Misch

Tom Misch isn’t your run-of-the-mill British lad wielding a guitar. He started sharing his demo tracks on SoundCloud when he was just 16 years old. His audience grew naturally, as he never intentionally aimed to attract such a large following. Despite his success, he remains as humble as ever.

Tom Misch is a veritable shape-shifter, deftly mastering the art of playing, producing, mixing, and self-editing his music while keeping its flame burning brightly.

It Runs Through Me ft. De La Soul (Geography, 2018)

“It Runs Through Me” is a vibrant and groovy track from Tom Misch’s album “Geography.” The song features the legendary hip-hop group De La Soul, adding an extra layer of charisma to the already infectious melody. With its catchy hooks and smooth instrumentation, this song perfectly encapsulates Misch’s signature sound.

The idea behind this song is Misch’s personal reflection on his bond with music, consistently resonating within him as the title suggests.

Lost in Paris ft. GoldLink (Geography, 2018)

This song reaffirms Misch’s expertise in creating intricate musical dimensions. His jazz guitar forms a soulful bedrock, bolstering harmonious layers of percussion, keys, synth and naturally, Tom’s velvety voice.

In the middle of the song, rapper GoldLink adds a comforting interlude with his low-pitched voice. The track concludes with a scintillating saxophone solo that ends this legit gathering on a high note.

Losing My Way (Tom Misch X FKJ)

The song “Losing My Way” is a collaboration between Tom Misch and the incredibly talented multi-instrumentalist FKJ, and their chemistry is undeniable.

Misch skillfully utilizes his gentle acapella beat-boxing to provide the track’s background beat, as they interweave layers of looped instruments such as guitar, keyboard, saxophone, and bass to create a funky and soulful sound that leaves you craving for more. The track smoothly unifies the catchy vocals from both artists blending all their techniques into one harmonious sound.

Beautiful Escape ft. Zak Abel (Beat Tape 2, 2015)

‘Beautiful Escape’ is a touching and tuneful song from Tom Misch’s impressive 2015 studio album ‘Beat Tape 2’. It showcases the potent and uplifting vocals of Zak Abel, who has collaborated with Misch twice before.

The track stands out as one of the more lively pieces by these London-based artists in ‘Beat Tape 2’. The track features an irresistible guitar tune, understated drum beats, all seamlessly woven together by Misch’s compositional sense.

South of the River (Geography, 2018)

Misch whisks you away on a thrilling sweet adventure through his hometown of London, “South of the River”. He dives headfirst into the city’s dynamic cultural mosaic, jubilantly celebrating its multiculturalism and acknowledging the myriad influences that have sculpted his music. The lyrics vividly illustrate a place that is both comfortably familiar and intriguingly mysterious, teeming with lively characters and hidden gems just waiting to be uncovered.

You should come south of the river
This is where it all starts
.
.
And when the last bus pulls away
I swear that I almost heard you say
“I should move south of the river”
I want to get to know
I want to get to know, oh

I want to stay south of the river

Misch’s lyrics underline how profoundly his musicality and creativity intertwined with this place he warmly calls home. ‘South of the River’ metaphorizes as an anthem for all those who feel an intense kinship with their hometowns, drawing uplifting nourishment.

I Wish (Reverie, 2016)

The album “Reverie” unmistakably aims to center his singing and songwriting talent. His relaxed vocals are understated, employing sweet hooks that mesmerize listeners. In the track “I Wish”, funk-inspired bass lines perform a lively dance around Misch’s silky guitar tones, while his mellow vocals effortlessly glide on top.

Echoing the magic found in every tune he creates, “I Wish” plunges into catchy interlude steeped in jazz and blues. It’s the perfect soundtrack for your child’s bedtime story or a snug evening spent with your other half.

Disco Yes ft. Poppy Ajudha (Geography, 2018)

“Disco Yes”, featuring an English Jazz singer Poppy Ajudha, is a pulsating fusion of electronic pop imbued with funky guitar & bass riffs that harken back to the disco and funk eras of the 60s and 70s.

The lyrics of “Disco Yes” touch upon lost love, but they celebrate rather than mourn it. Misch chooses to dance off his troubles instead of sinking into them. Because, it’s obvious that his crisp electric guitar licks and that-nastily-sick-funk-bass lines magically mend all wounds.

Movie (Beat Tape 2, 2015)

From his well-received project “Beat Tape 2,” the track “Movie” is a cinematic piece filled with themes of love, romance, sorrow, melancholy, sadness, and a yearning nostalgia for a moment in a time. Misch’s subdued and introvert vocals blend with the bluesy ensemble to echo the regrets, desires, and vulnerabilities we all might experience in a different way.

Remember me
Fresh out of black and white
Movie, movie
On every screen, what would you realize?
What you meant to me or was a mystery
.
.
Remember me, let’s set the scene
You and me, what could’ve been
Still swimming in old lover’s dreams
Still playing on new movie screens

In the music video of the song, directed by Joshua Osborne, Misch makes a family tribute by featuring his sister Polly’s narration at the beginning and then weaving in vintage clips of his grandparents as young sweethearts around 1945 into his own Movie scenes set in a desolate barroom.

(header image credit: Tom Misch - It Runs Through Me (feat. De La Soul) [Official Video])