While London based artist Zac Pajak may be a new name on the solo circuit, he is far from brand new. Having spent the last 5 years busking around the London suburbs, gigging around the city and regularly performing on the apres-ski circuit in the Swiss Alps, his recent launch as a solo act is just the next step for the seasoned performer and songwriter. Since being discovered by Jake Gosling (Major Lazer, Wiley, Lady Gaga), Zac Pajak has gone on to work with some massive artists including Major Lazer, Mr Eazi , Raye, Danny Jones, NUUX and Dusky Grey.
Now preparing to release his debut EP in early 2020, Zac Pajak has recently unveiled the projects second single – the commercially appealing, grooving, Alt-Pop jam, “Not Around”, along with an official video. With the track opening stripped down with nothing more than vocals and guitar, the pace quickly picks up with the introduction of a deep, funky bassline and some Hip Hop leaning drum programming. Blending influences from across the musical spectrum, the new single is a dynamic tune that takes listeners on a ride thanks to Zac’s emotive vocals and the clean as hell production. About the single, Zac says, “Not Around’ is about accepting the absence of a loved one and not allowing it to consume you whilst you try to make sense of it. There’s a strange clarity that can occur from the desolation – it’s the realisation that when you stop looking for other people to make you happy, you learn that it’s you and only you that holds the to key to your happiness.”
For the video, Zac and his team deliver a beautifully shot, emotional visual about lost love. As Zac performs, the love around him begins to fade, leaving him all alone with his thoughts. The ever-relatable lyrics are able to connect on a personal level with listeners around the globe and the video only helps to bring the story to life. About the video he says, “With the video we simply wanted to project this feeling of loss and absence. It starts with the cosy bedroom setting of a relationship which is then stripped away piece by piece and left empty by the end. We used a body cam to give a chaotic and unstable perspective. We filmed it on the streets of Peckham and I had this huge body-rig harnessed to my chest when it started raining – I guess it adds to the mood, we had no choice but to embrace it.”
With only a few singles under his belt, Zac Pajak has already landed on the radar of tastemakers around the world and I have no doubt his debut EP will be an impressive display. While I patiently wait for more, this tune will surely help to hold me over. Make sure you check this one out.
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