Netherlands-hailed indie-pop artist and effervescent rising star, Blanks, has “Nothing Lasts Forever And That’s OK”, his shimmering debut album, alongside new single “Dance Like This”.
Having long felt a strong connection between music and his own memories, the concept behind his new album came innately to the “rising songwriting force” (CLASH). Across ten tracks, Blanks draws inspiration from the bittersweet nostalgia of his past, like finding first love and unforgettable summers spent with friends. The pop maverick intricately weaves vulnerable storytelling amidst an endless spectrum of moods and sonic influences. From the synth-driven riffs of the 80s to the sounds of popular music from Blanks’ youth, “Nothing Lasts Forever And That’s OK”, will instantly carry you away to another time and place.
The first half of the album, comprised of the project’s five official singles, sees Blanks unfurling a classic tale of summertime love. From its feverish beginnings on high-energy bops like “What You Do To Me” and “Classic Armstrong”, to the moment it all comes crashing down on the somber piano-driven ballad, “I’m Sorry”. To bring the story to life, Blanks also rolled out a five-part visual series that channels a much-loved nostalgia of teen movie cliches. Watch all five videos below:
In the latter half, Blanks reminisces on the summer gone by with an underlying sense of melancholy. Though the memories will always remain, he realizes that all experiences are truly once in a lifetime. The latest single “Dance Like This” accurately illustrates this feeling, “the instrumental builds on the notion of time that seems to keep unconditionally going (clock sound), while the lyrics explain the concept of realizing from the bottom of your heart it’s about to be over” – Blanks.
It’s a feeling that Blanks knows all too well after losing his best friend at a young age. With a fervent approach to making music, Blanks hopes to encourage his listeners to cherish every experience and make the most of their time on earth.
Sharing the sentiment behind the album, Blanks tells Hollywood Life, “I came up with the concept of the album: Nothing Lasts Forever And That’s OK, a title based on the Portuguese word ‘saudade,’ which describes “an emotional state of nostalgic melancholic longing for something or someone that one cares about, knowing the object of longing might never be had again,” as Wikipedia puts it!”. He continues, “I have so many memories that I’ll never forget (summer nights with friends, going to Paris with a loved one, people you meet over summer, get really close with and then never see again) that I wish I could relive and feel exactly the same, but I can’t. So when I learned about ‘saudade’, I related to the feeling immediately”.
Having spent the last few years releasing a steady stream of songs, as well as being a hugely popular music production content creator, Blanks knew it was time for his next challenge. Writing for “Nothing Lasts Forever And That’s OK”, began during the height of the pandemic, with many production sessions taking place over Zoom, often from remote and inspiring locations, like the Maldives or a cabin in the depths of the woods. As Executive Producer and a seasoned multi-instrumentalist, Blanks wrote, composed, and produced much of the album himself, whilst enlisting the assist of others on “Turn Around”, “Never Have I Ever”, and “I’m Sorry”. With creative energy abound, Blanks was able to explore new ideas and showcase the breadth of his immense musical talents. Looking back on the process, he shares “I guess it was a combination of Scandinavian music magic, Maldives good vibes, and excitement.
With the album’s singles garnering praise from the likes of Ones to Watch, MTV, and Hollywood Life, Blanks’ infectious melodies and sentimentalism have captured the imaginations of fans and the industry alike. Apple Music’s former Head of Pop, Arjan Timmermans said it best when he proclaimed of Blanks: “This is what great pop is made of” You can stay up to date with Blanks’ adventures, including his upcoming tour by following him on Instagram. You should also do yourself a favor and stream his shimmering debut album below.
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