Born in 2000 and growing up in the UK town of Watford, singer and songwriter Ethan James found a passion for singing in his youth. Turning this childhood passion into a career has seen James channelling his creative prowess into a personal project that now takes the form of his debut EP Water Signs, released via NYC label DOLO.
With an audacious mix of the alternative and R&B, Ethan James brings a fresh, bold energy to the scene. Influenced by Tyler, The Creator, Giveon and many more 90s R&B artists, Water Signs (produced entirely by Ava Zarate) sees a collection of tracks doused in personal experience and hypnotic sonics. Layering harmonised vibes over nu-soul and funk beats, the EP oozes hazy guitar lines and bold production.
On lead single ‘Babyfever’, Ethan James draws on the expertise of Martha B and producer Ava Zarate to create a soulful track laced with elegance. With feelgood melodies and cushioned beats, the track is a peaceful elixir of sultry tones. With the dreamy production on ‘Since Day’ and the effortlessly soothing breakup track ‘Smoke & Mirrors’, James’ lo-fi talents produce a tapestry of intricately woven sounds. Closing the EP with the piano-led ‘All Things Go’, the single is a reflection of dealing with emotions. A hard-hitting, turbo-charged experimentation of honesty positioned in front of an alluring backdrop.
“Water Signs has been an exploration of what’s on the inside of me, I tried to get some things off my chest with this project. I tried to be more open about how I feel,” he explains. “Essentially, Water Signs came at a time where I had gone through a breakup after healing from a breakup and I’m just happy to have it out. There’s songs on the project like Babyfever which capture the essence of young love and how reckless it can be with no direction. Then there’s songs like All Things Go which show the more ugly side of dealing with those feelings.”
Believing that music would take him further than academia ever would, James followed his voice into the world of music and has since seen support from the likes of Complex, Mixtape Madness and Wordplay Magazine. With tracks added to Spotify’s Fresh Finds playlists as well as performing across intimate London venues, Ethan James is a name ready to be broadcast loudly to the world. With the promise to defy genre limitations, Water Signs blurs the boundaries of categorisation and maintains a fluidity that explores the magic of hybridity.
Water Signs is out now on all streaming platforms.
