Genre-defying sonic maverick MF Tomlinson has released his debut single, ‘Nature Boy’, a musical message of optimistic intent in troubled times.
‘Nature Boy’ premiered with Clash who said, “It's a glorious debut single... MF Tomlinson knew he had to get it right… A solo pop project and extensive writing sessions set the songwriter out on the right path, but he still needed the right introduction, the right debut single. 'Nature Boy' is that single… the blossoming melody is matched to an astute, impeccably curated arrangement. A bold first offering.”
A stylistic collision between Todd Rundgren and Dr Dre, the track sees cinematic soul synths grounded by a thunderous bassline, while MF Tomlinson’s vocals alternate between pensive, half-spoken rhetoric and suave hooks before soaring to climactic outbursts of passionate, anthemic energy. The song is a reference to influential American songwriter eden ahbez’s ‘Nature Boy’, in which he said “The greatest thing you’ll ever learn, is just to love and be loved in return.”
Regarding the single MF Tomlinson says, “The song is a reckoning with the situation we find ourselves in... Growth and acceptance faces opposition from a sometimes heart-breaking reality. eden’s ‘Nature Boy’ maxim still rings true - it just seems in need of an update… We’re all the hero in our own stories - you could think about it as a theme song for a hopeful person in a fucked up world.”
The track was co-written with Angus James (keys) and developed alongside Ed Grimshaw (drums). It also features vocalist Connie Chatwin and flautist Ami Koda (who appears in the single artwork), all of whom will join MF Tomlinson at his headline show at London’s Lexington on May 22nd. Tickets are available here.
MF Tomlinson has built up a strong live following in London and has played packed out shows across the city, his most recent at The Sebright Arms last month.
Prompting musical comparisons as varied as Lou Reed and Tame Impala, MF Tomlinson’s songs are the down-but-not-out chronicles of ordinary life; widescreen portraits of his relationships and neighbourhood painted with his cast of talented collaborators. MF Tomlinson is on a musical mission to turn up the transcendental in his everyday experiences.