Tom Walker

Multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Tom Walker fuses hip-hop-derived rhythms, diverse samples, and classic songcraft throughout his work. He first gained traction via the raw yet emotionally resonant 2017 single “Leave a Light On,” then claimed a U.K. number one in 2019 with his gold-certified debut album What a Time to Be Alive. His 2024 follow-up, the more introspective I Am, also entered the U.K. Top Five.

Born in Scotland and raised in Manchester, England, Walker absorbed the sounds of Ray Charles, the Police, and Bob Marley from his father’s collection while teaching himself drums, guitar, piano, and bass. After completing songwriting studies at London’s College of Contemporary Music, he began creating music seriously, working alongside housemates—including members of Whilk & Misky—in their home studio. His 2016 track “Sun Goes Down” incorporated the 1930s work song “I’ll Be So Glad When the Sun Goes Down” and featured poet/musician Kojey Radical. The song attracted praise and Radio 1 airplay, leading to a deal with Relentless and the arrival of his official debut single, “Fly Away with Me,” later that year. The Blessings EP followed in April 2017, accompanied by the singles “Heartland” and “Leave a Light On.”

Walker then partnered with producer Mike Spencer to shape his debut album of meticulously crafted, soul-infused contemporary pop. After the singles “My Way” and “Angels,” What a Time to Be Alive—titled after the track “Blessings”—appeared in March 2019. A re-recording of the acoustic song “Just You and I” boosted its chart run, prompting a deluxe edition later that year, while Walker received the British Breakthrough Act award at the 2019 BRIT Awards.

He opened the new decade with the 2020 single “Wait for You,” which spawned multiple remixes and a re-recording alongside Zoe Wees. The 2021 Masked Wolf collaboration “Something Beautiful” received comparable treatment, including an acoustic version and a 2022 edition featuring Rxseboy, Foster, and Sarcastic Sounds. Three standalone singles—“For Those Who Can’t Be Here,” “Serotonin,” and “Number 10”—preceded “Sun Will Shine,” a partnership with Robin Schulz that reached the lower U.K. singles chart before appearing on the German DJ’s 2023 album Pink. Another joint release, “Castles” with Hybrid Minds, arrived in late 2022 and later featured on the drum’n’bass duo’s 2024 album Tides.

In October 2022, the poignant piano ballad “The Best Is Yet to Come” emerged as the first of six advance singles from Walker’s sophomore project. Though more personal in outlook than its predecessor, September 2024’s I Am was written primarily with collaborators such as Toby Gad, Ryan Daly, and the McDonough Brothers, and it reached the Top Five of the U.K. album chart.