Tom Misch embraces a grounded approach with new album
Tom Misch is taking a unique path in today’s music landscape. The 31-year-old South Londoner, known for his nu-jazz and textured guitars, has opted for a deliberate and restrained release of his new album, Full Circle, which is his first solo project since his 2018 breakthrough, Geography, reports BritPanorama.
Full Circle has been launched with minimal promotion, featuring two intimate shows at Camden’s Koko, which has a capacity of 1,500 — significantly smaller than venues he could likely fill. “I’m just not interested in growth in that sense,” Misch explains. “More streams, bigger shows – I don’t see that as a very long-term strategy for me. My worst nightmare is basically blowing up and becoming this huge artist. You lose your freedom.”
Misch expressed a desire for a balanced life alongside his music career. “Not necessarily a job, but navigating my relationship with music is something I’m still doing,” he notes. He describes his involvement in counselling and attempts at acting as part of his personal exploration. “I’m gonna make music anyway, whether I’m getting paid for it or not. I love it, and I’m good at it. It’s cathartic,” he states, adding that he never aspired to be a performer or a singer. The opening track, “Flowers in Bloom,” reinforces his stance with the line, “because I won’t be sold/or bought for gold.”
Misch’s evolving attitude is informed by a recent hiatus to address his mental health. Following a self-proclaimed “kind of a burnout” in 2022, he has been making music since his college days, rising to fame after his tracks gained traction on Soundcloud. His earlier success, aided by features on various platforms, brought about discomfort. “It’s always been uncomfortable for me. I’m more introverted. So it’s ironic that I’m sort of a frontman,” he reflects.
Although he experienced substantial success, including his collaborative album What Kinda Music with drumming talent Yussef Dayes reaching number four in the charts, Misch continued to grapple with the pressures of fame. After a popular series of live sessions amid the pandemic, he cancelled a tour in 2022, leading to a public absence that prompted concern. “There was no explanation and that’s where a lot of people were like, ‘What’s happened to him?’” he recalls.
During this time, Misch sought a more conventional existence, taking part-time jobs and even relocating to Cornwall to pursue surfing lessons. He viewed this break as restorative, allowing him to spend quality time with friends and family. “I have a lot of appreciation and love for my sisters, and I felt extra gushy that day,” he says of writing. He released a previous album, Happy Music, under his dance music alias Supershy in 2023, paving the way for Full Circle.
His latest work marks a shift in musical direction, with a greater emphasis on songwriting over the groove-oriented style of Geography. Misch is exploring influences from 70s singer-songwriters, yearning to establish a sound separate from his earlier works. “That post-Soundcloud beats, neo-jazz guitar, I’m just not into that at all anymore,” he asserts.
The tracks on Full Circle touch upon his recovery process, detailing moments of introspection while confronting his past challenges. Despite the themes of struggle, the overall tone remains optimistic. Misch has been busy preparing for future collaborations and live performances, feeling reinvigorated by his hiatus. “I feel a lot more comfortable now, having taken some time away. I feel way more equipped for it. I can just enjoy it,” he concludes.
Full Circle is out now
